GE to Mrs. Alexander Gilchrist, Shottermill, 3 July 1871
Title
GE to Mrs. Alexander Gilchrist, Shottermill, 3 July 1871
Title
GE to Mrs. Alexander Gilchrist, Shottermill, 3 July 1871
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Mrs. Alexander Gilchrist
Date(s)
- 1871-07-03
Place
Shottermill
Letter Content
GE to Mrs. Alexander Gilchrist, Shottermill, 3 July 1871
MS: Parrish Collection, Princeton. Published: Cross, III, 133-134.
Brookbank | July 3. 71.
My dear Mrs. Gilchrist
We are greatly obliged to you for the trouble you have so sympathetically taken on our behalf. 310 But Mr. Smith is altogether reasonable, and I feel somewhat ashamed of our own outcries against an inconvenience which could only be got rid of by being shifted on to another.
As it is we resign ourselves, and we shall prepare to quit our quiet shelter on Wednesday, the 2d of August -- since Mr. Smith allows us grace for a day. During the first weeks of our stay I did not imagine that I should ever be so fond of the place as I am now. The departure of the bitter winds, some improvement in my health, and the gradual revelation of fresh and fresh [sic] beauties in the scenery, especially under a hopeful sky such as we have sometimes had -- all these conditions have made me love our little world here and wish not to quit it until we can settle in our London home. I have the regret of thinking that it was my original indifference about it (I hardly ever like things until they are familiar) that hindered us from securing the cottage until the end of September, for the chance of coming to it again after a temporary absence. But all regrets ought to be merged in thankfulness for the agreeable weeks we have had, and probably shall have till the end of July. And among the virtues of Brookbank we shall always reckon this -- that our correspondence about it has been with you rather than with any one else, so that along with the country we have had a glimpse of your ready quick-thoughted kindness.
Believe me always
Yours most sincerely
M. E. Lewes.
MS: Parrish Collection, Princeton. Published: Cross, III, 133-134.
Brookbank | July 3. 71.
My dear Mrs. Gilchrist
We are greatly obliged to you for the trouble you have so sympathetically taken on our behalf. 310 But Mr. Smith is altogether reasonable, and I feel somewhat ashamed of our own outcries against an inconvenience which could only be got rid of by being shifted on to another.
As it is we resign ourselves, and we shall prepare to quit our quiet shelter on Wednesday, the 2d of August -- since Mr. Smith allows us grace for a day. During the first weeks of our stay I did not imagine that I should ever be so fond of the place as I am now. The departure of the bitter winds, some improvement in my health, and the gradual revelation of fresh and fresh [sic] beauties in the scenery, especially under a hopeful sky such as we have sometimes had -- all these conditions have made me love our little world here and wish not to quit it until we can settle in our London home. I have the regret of thinking that it was my original indifference about it (I hardly ever like things until they are familiar) that hindered us from securing the cottage until the end of September, for the chance of coming to it again after a temporary absence. But all regrets ought to be merged in thankfulness for the agreeable weeks we have had, and probably shall have till the end of July. And among the virtues of Brookbank we shall always reckon this -- that our correspondence about it has been with you rather than with any one else, so that along with the country we have had a glimpse of your ready quick-thoughted kindness.
Believe me always
Yours most sincerely
M. E. Lewes.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Mrs. Alexander Gilchrist, Shottermill, 3 July 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/93194