GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 19 November 1875
Title
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 19 November 1875
Title
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 19 November 1875
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Mrs. Elma Stuart
Date(s)
- 1875-11-19
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 19 November 1875
MS: British Museum. Mostly published: Stuart, pp. 49-50.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
November 19. 75.
Dearest Elma
I am too busy to write a letter. This is not a letter -- it is a wail at your silence. How can you leave your parent so long in ignorance about you?
And if I had time to write, I should tell you that you seemed to misunderstand that letter of mine from Rickmansworth long ago, in which I said that we must not see the paper you wot of before publication. You spoke of [trouble] -- excused yourself from the suspicion that you intended to give trouble. That was rather cruel. As if trouble for your sake would not be very sweet to my good husband, if not my indolent or selfish self! The grounds of my prohibition were quite remote from the question of trouble. I shall explain them more fully when we see you.
Write me a few words at least, to assure me that you are well -- that Roland is causing you no anxiety -- that all things are peaceful with you.
We long to have some assurance that you love us still. But whether or not, I am as ever,
Your faithfully affectionate
Mother.
I am having some trial shirts made, or rather, according to your nomenclature, fine long chemises, differing from your pattern only in having no double thickness about the neck. I am hoping for much comfort from them. I should mention that we have heard of you once of late, as a fairy godmother sending a box of toys.
MS: British Museum. Mostly published: Stuart, pp. 49-50.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
November 19. 75.
Dearest Elma
I am too busy to write a letter. This is not a letter -- it is a wail at your silence. How can you leave your parent so long in ignorance about you?
And if I had time to write, I should tell you that you seemed to misunderstand that letter of mine from Rickmansworth long ago, in which I said that we must not see the paper you wot of before publication. You spoke of [trouble] -- excused yourself from the suspicion that you intended to give trouble. That was rather cruel. As if trouble for your sake would not be very sweet to my good husband, if not my indolent or selfish self! The grounds of my prohibition were quite remote from the question of trouble. I shall explain them more fully when we see you.
Write me a few words at least, to assure me that you are well -- that Roland is causing you no anxiety -- that all things are peaceful with you.
We long to have some assurance that you love us still. But whether or not, I am as ever,
Your faithfully affectionate
Mother.
I am having some trial shirts made, or rather, according to your nomenclature, fine long chemises, differing from your pattern only in having no double thickness about the neck. I am hoping for much comfort from them. I should mention that we have heard of you once of late, as a fairy godmother sending a box of toys.
Signature
Mother.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 19 November 1875, 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/93397