GE to Mrs. Peter Alfred Taylor, London, 19 November 1872
Title
GE to Mrs. Peter Alfred Taylor, London, 19 November 1872
Title
GE to Mrs. Peter Alfred Taylor, London, 19 November 1872
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Mrs. Peter Alfred Taylor
Date(s)
- 1872-11-19
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Mrs. Peter Alfred Taylor, London, 19 November 1872
Text: Cross, III, 176-177.
I found a letter from dear Mrs William Smith on my return, and I have had another since in answer to mine. It is inevitable that her sense of loss should deepen for some time to come. I am hoping that by-and-by active interests will arise to make her feel that her life is useful.
The article in [Blackwood] was chiefly valuable for the extracts it contained from Mrs Smith's own memoir. One felt that the writer of the article had not known Mr William Smith personally; but her sketches did something to supply that defect. Mr Lewes felt a peculiar attachment to him. He had always been thoroughly sympathetic, both morally and intellectually, and it was a constant regret to us that he and Mrs Smith were so far away. There was no man with whom Mr Lewes would have found it so pleasant to discuss questions of science and philosophy -- his culture was so rare, and his disposition so free from littleness: and his wife was worthy of him.
Gertrude's little Blanche is a charming young lady -- fat, cooing, and merry. It is a great comfort to see her with this hope fulfilled -- I mean, to see Gertrude with her hope fulfilled, and not Blanche, as the grammar seemed to imply. That small person's hopes are at present easy of fulfilment.
We have made but one expedition since our return, and that was to see the pictures at Bethnal Green -- altogether a cheering and delightful sight. Of course you saw them long ago. The Troyon is my favourite. 631
Text: Cross, III, 176-177.
I found a letter from dear Mrs William Smith on my return, and I have had another since in answer to mine. It is inevitable that her sense of loss should deepen for some time to come. I am hoping that by-and-by active interests will arise to make her feel that her life is useful.
The article in [Blackwood] was chiefly valuable for the extracts it contained from Mrs Smith's own memoir. One felt that the writer of the article had not known Mr William Smith personally; but her sketches did something to supply that defect. Mr Lewes felt a peculiar attachment to him. He had always been thoroughly sympathetic, both morally and intellectually, and it was a constant regret to us that he and Mrs Smith were so far away. There was no man with whom Mr Lewes would have found it so pleasant to discuss questions of science and philosophy -- his culture was so rare, and his disposition so free from littleness: and his wife was worthy of him.
Gertrude's little Blanche is a charming young lady -- fat, cooing, and merry. It is a great comfort to see her with this hope fulfilled -- I mean, to see Gertrude with her hope fulfilled, and not Blanche, as the grammar seemed to imply. That small person's hopes are at present easy of fulfilment.
We have made but one expedition since our return, and that was to see the pictures at Bethnal Green -- altogether a cheering and delightful sight. Of course you saw them long ago. The Troyon is my favourite. 631
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Mrs. Peter Alfred Taylor, London, 19 November 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/93581