GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, Witley, 28 November 1880
Title
GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, Witley, 28 November 1880
Title
GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, Witley, 28 November 1880
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray
Date(s)
- 1880-11-28
Place
Witley
Letter Content
GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, Witley, 28 November 1880
MS: Yale. Envelope: Mrs. Bray | 3 Barrs Hill Terrace | Coventry. Postmarks: GODALMING | A | 28 NO | 80: COVENTRY | D | NO 29 | 80. Published: Cross, III, 434-435.
The Heights, Witley, | Nr. Godalming.
November 28. 80.
My dear Cara
I have thought of you all the more because I have not even heard anything of you for several months. You will wonder less why I have not written as a consequence of those thoughts when I tell you that I have been ill and allowed to do nothing but indulge myself and receive indulgence. I am very well now and am every day consciously gathering strength, so that if I could like giving trouble I should look back on my illness as a great opportunity of enjoying the tenderest watching and nursing. I kept my bed only about a week and have always been equal, except at short intervals, to much reading and talking, so that there is no fair cause for any grumbling on my part. It has not been so bad an illness as that of last summer.
You see, we are not yet at Cheyne Walk, but we are to be settled there by the end of next week. It has been a great business to move the books, and the prospect of that always hindered us from moving from North Bank as we were often otherwise inclined to do years ago. I have had no trouble, but have remained here on my cushions while Mr. Cross has gone early for several mornings running to superintend the removal. He is exceedingly strong and well now, and cuts down a thickish tree in half an hour, with a special axe which he bought on purpose to make a desirable clearance in our little forest.
I received dear Mrs. Cash's card, but I was not at that time well enough to write to her. Will you tell her so, and say that I begged you to assure her of my affectionate remembrance and sympathy.
I think you are quite right to look over your old letters and papers and decide for yourself what should be burnt. Burning is the most reverential destination one can give to relics which will not interest any one after we are gone. I hate the thought that what we have looked at with eyes full of living memory should be tossed about and made lumber of, or (if it be writing) read with hard curiosity. I am continually considering whether I have saved as much as possible from this desecrating fate.
Your too compendious account of yourselves is quite cheering as far as it goes. I was wondering whether the sort of weather we have been having would be favourable or the contrary to Mr. Bray's comfort. Sarah's winter cough will I hope sit lightly upon her this year.
It is difficult to give you materials for imagining my [world.] Think of me as surrounded and cherished by family love -- by brothers and sisters whose characters are admirable to me, who have for years been my friends, and who adore my husband as a sort of father and brother combined. But there is no excessive visiting among us, and the life of my own hearth is chiefly that of dual companionship. If it is any good for me that my life has been prolonged till now, I believe it is owing to this miraculous affection which has chosen to watch over me. Love to all three from
Your ever affectionate
Marian.
MS: Yale. Envelope: Mrs. Bray | 3 Barrs Hill Terrace | Coventry. Postmarks: GODALMING | A | 28 NO | 80: COVENTRY | D | NO 29 | 80. Published: Cross, III, 434-435.
The Heights, Witley, | Nr. Godalming.
November 28. 80.
My dear Cara
I have thought of you all the more because I have not even heard anything of you for several months. You will wonder less why I have not written as a consequence of those thoughts when I tell you that I have been ill and allowed to do nothing but indulge myself and receive indulgence. I am very well now and am every day consciously gathering strength, so that if I could like giving trouble I should look back on my illness as a great opportunity of enjoying the tenderest watching and nursing. I kept my bed only about a week and have always been equal, except at short intervals, to much reading and talking, so that there is no fair cause for any grumbling on my part. It has not been so bad an illness as that of last summer.
You see, we are not yet at Cheyne Walk, but we are to be settled there by the end of next week. It has been a great business to move the books, and the prospect of that always hindered us from moving from North Bank as we were often otherwise inclined to do years ago. I have had no trouble, but have remained here on my cushions while Mr. Cross has gone early for several mornings running to superintend the removal. He is exceedingly strong and well now, and cuts down a thickish tree in half an hour, with a special axe which he bought on purpose to make a desirable clearance in our little forest.
I received dear Mrs. Cash's card, but I was not at that time well enough to write to her. Will you tell her so, and say that I begged you to assure her of my affectionate remembrance and sympathy.
I think you are quite right to look over your old letters and papers and decide for yourself what should be burnt. Burning is the most reverential destination one can give to relics which will not interest any one after we are gone. I hate the thought that what we have looked at with eyes full of living memory should be tossed about and made lumber of, or (if it be writing) read with hard curiosity. I am continually considering whether I have saved as much as possible from this desecrating fate.
Your too compendious account of yourselves is quite cheering as far as it goes. I was wondering whether the sort of weather we have been having would be favourable or the contrary to Mr. Bray's comfort. Sarah's winter cough will I hope sit lightly upon her this year.
It is difficult to give you materials for imagining my [world.] Think of me as surrounded and cherished by family love -- by brothers and sisters whose characters are admirable to me, who have for years been my friends, and who adore my husband as a sort of father and brother combined. But there is no excessive visiting among us, and the life of my own hearth is chiefly that of dual companionship. If it is any good for me that my life has been prolonged till now, I believe it is owing to this miraculous affection which has chosen to watch over me. Love to all three from
Your ever affectionate
Marian.
Signature
Marian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, Witley, 28 November 1880, 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/93337