GE to Mrs. Francis Otter, Witley, 8 September 1880
Title
GE to Mrs. Francis Otter, Witley, 8 September 1880
Title
GE to Mrs. Francis Otter, Witley, 8 September 1880
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Mrs. Francis Otter
Date(s)
- 1880-09-08
Place
Witley
Letter Content
GE to Mrs. Francis Otter, Witley, 8 September 1880
MS: Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
The Heights, Witley, | Nr. Godalming.
September 8. 1880.
Dearest Emily
I feel sure that Johnnie has told you everything interesting about us since we left the pleasant shades and sunshine of Ranby, so I will not be like that second clock in continental towns, which insists on telling you over again what has been told already. And I will also leave unsaid the much that I feel in thinking of your affectionate kindness to me. Henry 474 and I were agreeing yesterday that gratitude is the very happiest feeling mankind can know and on that ground I have a large share of happiness just now. We did not mean the nasty gratitude that we are in general better off than our fellow mortals but the delicious sense of gratitude to a particular person who has been particularly good to us in a way that we should have thought admirable if it had been directed to somebody else. Please understand that I am not referring to the spotted veil, which I enclose now in order that you may not be at a loss with the next needy guest who has the disagreeable trick of losing her small gear. I found my own bit of spotted net carefully put away in my bonnet box.
Johnnie is gone into the city this morning, and seems all the better prepared for two successive days of business by the double change of the last ten days. My cold flourishes exceedingly well on my poor person, and is coughing and sneezing with great spirit. Otherwise, I brought nothing from Ranby but pleasant memories which recur every now and then like a nice view out of one's window.
Doubtless you have had much music. My best love to the musicians and to the listener with the blond -- plaits?
Always your affectionate
Sister.
MS: Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
The Heights, Witley, | Nr. Godalming.
September 8. 1880.
Dearest Emily
I feel sure that Johnnie has told you everything interesting about us since we left the pleasant shades and sunshine of Ranby, so I will not be like that second clock in continental towns, which insists on telling you over again what has been told already. And I will also leave unsaid the much that I feel in thinking of your affectionate kindness to me. Henry 474 and I were agreeing yesterday that gratitude is the very happiest feeling mankind can know and on that ground I have a large share of happiness just now. We did not mean the nasty gratitude that we are in general better off than our fellow mortals but the delicious sense of gratitude to a particular person who has been particularly good to us in a way that we should have thought admirable if it had been directed to somebody else. Please understand that I am not referring to the spotted veil, which I enclose now in order that you may not be at a loss with the next needy guest who has the disagreeable trick of losing her small gear. I found my own bit of spotted net carefully put away in my bonnet box.
Johnnie is gone into the city this morning, and seems all the better prepared for two successive days of business by the double change of the last ten days. My cold flourishes exceedingly well on my poor person, and is coughing and sneezing with great spirit. Otherwise, I brought nothing from Ranby but pleasant memories which recur every now and then like a nice view out of one's window.
Doubtless you have had much music. My best love to the musicians and to the listener with the blond -- plaits?
Always your affectionate
Sister.
Signature
Sister.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Mrs. Francis Otter, Witley, 8 September 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/93438