GE to Mrs. Edward Burne-Jones, Witley, 3 June 1879
Title
GE to Mrs. Edward Burne-Jones, Witley, 3 June 1879
Title
GE to Mrs. Edward Burne-Jones, Witley, 3 June 1879
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Mrs. Edward Burne-Jones
Date(s)
- 1879-06-03
Place
Witley
Letter Content
GE to Mrs. Edward Burne-Jones, Witley, 3 June 1879
MS: Yale. Extracts published: Cross, III, 363.
The Heights, Witley, | Nr. Godalming.
June 3. 79.
Dearest Georgie
Your letter full of details -- just the sort of letter I like to have -- has been among my comforts in these last damp chill days. The first week I was not well and had a troublesome attack of pain, but I am better and try to make life interesting by always having something to do.
I shall care sincerely to know how the memorial on behalf of M.
Andrieu succeeds. 249 Suppose all one's own errors in talk were put together and made one lecture -- one may well shudder to think what opinion the audience would form. I would gladly hear of oblivion for M. Andrieu's political offences and let the lecture sink into the same Lethe.
I knew about Lord Edward Fitzgerald 250 but not that Mrs. Wyndham was his granddaughter, and this bit of genealogy adds to my [expectation] that you are right in your admiration of her. I rather like that oldfashioned idiom [I expect you are right.]
I am wishing Margaret many happy returns of this day, and am making a picture of you all keeping the little f'eate. A young birthday when the young creature is promising is really a happy time -- one can hope reasonably and the elder ones seeing their blood warm while they feel it cold 251 may be content that gladness has passed onward from them into newer vessels. I should like to see the blue-eyed maid with her bangles on her arms. (I am told that young men are taking to wear these ornaments.)
Will you tell me, when you write again, whether Mrs. Leslie Stephen sat for the Virgin in your Husband's picture of the Annunciation? 252 I want to test that suspicious character, Report -- that is why I ask the question.
Please give my love to all and sundry who make any sign of love for me -- and any amount you like is ready for you to draw upon.
Yours always
M. E. Lewes.
MS: Yale. Extracts published: Cross, III, 363.
The Heights, Witley, | Nr. Godalming.
June 3. 79.
Dearest Georgie
Your letter full of details -- just the sort of letter I like to have -- has been among my comforts in these last damp chill days. The first week I was not well and had a troublesome attack of pain, but I am better and try to make life interesting by always having something to do.
I shall care sincerely to know how the memorial on behalf of M.
Andrieu succeeds. 249 Suppose all one's own errors in talk were put together and made one lecture -- one may well shudder to think what opinion the audience would form. I would gladly hear of oblivion for M. Andrieu's political offences and let the lecture sink into the same Lethe.
I knew about Lord Edward Fitzgerald 250 but not that Mrs. Wyndham was his granddaughter, and this bit of genealogy adds to my [expectation] that you are right in your admiration of her. I rather like that oldfashioned idiom [I expect you are right.]
I am wishing Margaret many happy returns of this day, and am making a picture of you all keeping the little f'eate. A young birthday when the young creature is promising is really a happy time -- one can hope reasonably and the elder ones seeing their blood warm while they feel it cold 251 may be content that gladness has passed onward from them into newer vessels. I should like to see the blue-eyed maid with her bangles on her arms. (I am told that young men are taking to wear these ornaments.)
Will you tell me, when you write again, whether Mrs. Leslie Stephen sat for the Virgin in your Husband's picture of the Annunciation? 252 I want to test that suspicious character, Report -- that is why I ask the question.
Please give my love to all and sundry who make any sign of love for me -- and any amount you like is ready for you to draw upon.
Yours always
M. E. Lewes.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Mrs. Edward Burne-Jones, Witley, 3 June 1879, 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/93373