GE to Mrs. Alexander Gilchrist, Shottermill, 2 August 1871
Title
GE to Mrs. Alexander Gilchrist, Shottermill, 2 August 1871
Title
GE to Mrs. Alexander Gilchrist, Shottermill, 2 August 1871
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Mrs. Alexander Gilchrist
Date(s)
- 1871-08-02
Place
Shottermill
Letter Content
GE to Mrs. Alexander Gilchrist, Shottermill, 2 August 1871
MS: Yale. Extracts published: Anne Gilchrist, ed. H. H. Gilchrist, 1887, p. 219.
Cherrimans | Shottermill | Petersfield | August 2. 71.
Dear Mrs. Gilchrist
We parted from Brookbank yesterday and left it in the charge of good Mrs. Larby. I trusted that we should leave it in all respects not worse, but perhaps even better than we found it; but, after Mr. Lewes had written to you, I was made aware that a small dessert or bread and butter Dish had been broken. That arch-sinner, the cat, was credited with the guilt. I am assured by Mrs. Garland that nothing else has been injured during her reign, and Mrs. Larby confirmed the statement to me yesterday. I wish I could replace the unfortunate dish.
At last we have rather more promise of repose from wind and rain. But how cold it is! If only the corn can be ripened and the country not suffer from a damaged harvest, my chill sensations are of rather less importance, but I have been grumbling over them hitherto out of public spirit.
This note of course needs no answer, and is intended simply to make me a clean breast about the crockery. Hoping some day to shake you by the hand in our own home, I remain,
Yours always sincerely
M. E. Lewes.
Mrs. Alex. Gilchrist.
MS: Yale. Extracts published: Anne Gilchrist, ed. H. H. Gilchrist, 1887, p. 219.
Cherrimans | Shottermill | Petersfield | August 2. 71.
Dear Mrs. Gilchrist
We parted from Brookbank yesterday and left it in the charge of good Mrs. Larby. I trusted that we should leave it in all respects not worse, but perhaps even better than we found it; but, after Mr. Lewes had written to you, I was made aware that a small dessert or bread and butter Dish had been broken. That arch-sinner, the cat, was credited with the guilt. I am assured by Mrs. Garland that nothing else has been injured during her reign, and Mrs. Larby confirmed the statement to me yesterday. I wish I could replace the unfortunate dish.
At last we have rather more promise of repose from wind and rain. But how cold it is! If only the corn can be ripened and the country not suffer from a damaged harvest, my chill sensations are of rather less importance, but I have been grumbling over them hitherto out of public spirit.
This note of course needs no answer, and is intended simply to make me a clean breast about the crockery. Hoping some day to shake you by the hand in our own home, I remain,
Yours always sincerely
M. E. Lewes.
Mrs. Alex. Gilchrist.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Mrs. Alexander Gilchrist, Shottermill, 2 August 1871, Complete George Eliot Letters(2026), George Eliot Archive, edited by Beverley Park Rilett. https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org, Accessed September 7, 2026. https://georgeeliotarchive.org/items/show/93193