GE to Mrs. Frederic Harrison, London, 11 December 1872
Title
GE to Mrs. Frederic Harrison, London, 11 December 1872
Title
GE to Mrs. Frederic Harrison, London, 11 December 1872
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Mrs. Frederic Harrison
Date(s)
- 1872-12-11
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Mrs. Frederic Harrison, London, 11 December 1872
MS: Tinker Collection, Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
December 11. 72.
My dear Mrs. Harrison
Mrs. Druce, 655 of Weybridge Heath, the lady with whom Mary Dowling lived, is a friend of mine, and I took pains to ascertain her reason for dismissing the young woman, lest that reason should be of a kind to hinder me from trying to get her another place.
I questioned Mrs. Druce's sister 656 and was assured by her that there was no other defect in Mary than a want of cleverness (which I imagine was a want of experience) in some kinds of work required of her -- chiefly, I think, the work by which she was expected to help the parlour maid. It is evidence in Mary's favour that Mrs. Druce begged her to stay a fortnight beyond the month of notice, made her presents, and assured her that she believed in her having tried to do her best.
I have ground for thinking that there was a cabal against Mary in the kitchen as "the proud housemaid." Her underclothing was thought arrogantly good, and her bearing towards the men had a little too much dignity.
Immediately I know nothing more of her than can be gathered in brief conversations. But her mother, who is our cook, is a worthy woman, with good family traditions of rectitude and personal dignity.
Pardon me for troubling you, if you find this testimony of mine superfluous. I am sure that you and Mr. Harrison are likely to feel, much more warmly than I do, that one must try to help any poor thing who is fairly blameless, in the general jostling. In haste
Yours always sincerely
M. E. Lewes.
MS: Tinker Collection, Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
December 11. 72.
My dear Mrs. Harrison
Mrs. Druce, 655 of Weybridge Heath, the lady with whom Mary Dowling lived, is a friend of mine, and I took pains to ascertain her reason for dismissing the young woman, lest that reason should be of a kind to hinder me from trying to get her another place.
I questioned Mrs. Druce's sister 656 and was assured by her that there was no other defect in Mary than a want of cleverness (which I imagine was a want of experience) in some kinds of work required of her -- chiefly, I think, the work by which she was expected to help the parlour maid. It is evidence in Mary's favour that Mrs. Druce begged her to stay a fortnight beyond the month of notice, made her presents, and assured her that she believed in her having tried to do her best.
I have ground for thinking that there was a cabal against Mary in the kitchen as "the proud housemaid." Her underclothing was thought arrogantly good, and her bearing towards the men had a little too much dignity.
Immediately I know nothing more of her than can be gathered in brief conversations. But her mother, who is our cook, is a worthy woman, with good family traditions of rectitude and personal dignity.
Pardon me for troubling you, if you find this testimony of mine superfluous. I am sure that you and Mr. Harrison are likely to feel, much more warmly than I do, that one must try to help any poor thing who is fairly blameless, in the general jostling. In haste
Yours always sincerely
M. E. Lewes.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Mrs. Frederic Harrison, London, 11 December 1872, 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/93445