GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, London, 13 January 1862
Title
GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, London, 13 January 1862
Title
GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, London, 13 January 1862
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray
Date(s)
- 1862-01-13
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, London, 13 January 1862
MS: Yale. Endorsed. 1862. Extract published: Cross, II, 330.
Blandford Sq. | January 13. 62.
Dear Cara
A few words straight from yourself are very precious to me, and if there is some anxiety mingled with the satisfaction they bring -- that is the way with all good things in this world, where even untroubled love is overhung by the shadow of death.
It is a great thing to have had so much delight in the return of an old friend, 9 and I am glad to think that his settling in London (I suppose for a year or so) gives you the promise of much helpful sympathy to light up the prospect of months to come.
I understand your disinclination to write about troubles. One has enough of them in the internal drama sometimes, without giving them outward voice. But I can't help wanting to know more. I am wondering whether you have finished that work 10 you were setting about when we saw you.
As for the brain being useless after fifty -- that is no general rule: witness the good and hard work that has been done in plenty after that age. I wish I could be inspired with just the knowledge that would enable me to be of some good to you -- I feel so ignorant and helpless.
The year is opening happily for us except -- alas, the exception is a great one -- in the way of health. Mr. Lewes is constantly ailing, like a delicate headachy woman. 11 But we have abundant blessings. Our Boys are all going on satisfactorily, and Charlie is the tenderest-hearted of brawny-armed youths: he shows the rare combination of thorough manliness and gentle purity. I am just emerging from a bog of colds and headache, in which I have been hopelessly tumbling of late.
God bless you, dear Cara. I have always one happy faith about you -- that you live too much for others, for life ever to be without its deep joys and comforts to you. Your loving
Marian
Love to Sara. I shall write to her tomorrow.
MS: Yale. Endorsed. 1862. Extract published: Cross, II, 330.
Blandford Sq. | January 13. 62.
Dear Cara
A few words straight from yourself are very precious to me, and if there is some anxiety mingled with the satisfaction they bring -- that is the way with all good things in this world, where even untroubled love is overhung by the shadow of death.
It is a great thing to have had so much delight in the return of an old friend, 9 and I am glad to think that his settling in London (I suppose for a year or so) gives you the promise of much helpful sympathy to light up the prospect of months to come.
I understand your disinclination to write about troubles. One has enough of them in the internal drama sometimes, without giving them outward voice. But I can't help wanting to know more. I am wondering whether you have finished that work 10 you were setting about when we saw you.
As for the brain being useless after fifty -- that is no general rule: witness the good and hard work that has been done in plenty after that age. I wish I could be inspired with just the knowledge that would enable me to be of some good to you -- I feel so ignorant and helpless.
The year is opening happily for us except -- alas, the exception is a great one -- in the way of health. Mr. Lewes is constantly ailing, like a delicate headachy woman. 11 But we have abundant blessings. Our Boys are all going on satisfactorily, and Charlie is the tenderest-hearted of brawny-armed youths: he shows the rare combination of thorough manliness and gentle purity. I am just emerging from a bog of colds and headache, in which I have been hopelessly tumbling of late.
God bless you, dear Cara. I have always one happy faith about you -- that you live too much for others, for life ever to be without its deep joys and comforts to you. Your loving
Marian
Love to Sara. I shall write to her tomorrow.
Signature
Marian
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, London, 13 January 1862, 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/93269