GE to Mrs. William Cross, London, 27 February 1877
Title
GE to Mrs. William Cross, London, 27 February 1877
Title
GE to Mrs. William Cross, London, 27 February 1877
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Mrs. William Cross
Date(s)
- 1877-02-27
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Mrs. William Cross, London, 27 February 1877
MS: Yale. Envelope: Mrs. Cross | Weybridge Heath | Weybridge | S.W. Postmarks: LONDON-N.W | C 4 | FE 27 | 77; WEYBRIDGE STATION | A | FE 28 | 77. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
February 27. 77.
My dear Mrs. Cross
Oatmeal as the gift of friendship, and taken always mixed with thoughts of the giver, is doubly efficacious. I am really better this morning, and my mind, in performing its [actions de gr'e2ce,] turns first to you -- after the dear Doctor, who came on Sunday evening looking worn with work, to give us advice and comfort.
A heartful of thanks for your goodness, including Willie's who took the trouble to bring me the nutritive packet and added the more spiritual cheer of Spring flowers.
Poor Mr. Lewes's headache of Sunday did not get well all yesterday, but this morning he has brightened and been able to rewrite a Preface, 616 which is always a severe crux to an author.
You see by my straggling handwriting that I am in need of the tonic which the Doctor promises me as a reward for getting better. It is something of a tonic to hear of other, heavier sufferers getting well and enjoying gruel, as I do -- dear Mrs. Hall for example, to whom pray give my affectionate congratulations. A general embrace to the young ones.
Your always loving
M. E. Lewes.
Do you, by chance, want a highly recommended Parlour Maid or Housemaid? I have just heard of one, but am no longer in need, Elizabeth's inauspicious engagement being broken off, and the status quo re-established in our domestic affairs.
Said servant is warmly recommended by her mistress, with whom she has lived 3'bd years, and who only parts with her because she (the mistress) is giving up her establishment. The address of the recommending lady is Mrs. Webber Smith, 'ab22 Berners'bb 617 2 Keppel Street, Russell Square. The young woman is willing to take either a housemaid's or parlourmaid's place, but not a combination of the two.
Her mistress says, "I have found her good in every respect . . . and am most anxious to find her a comfortable home."
MS: Yale. Envelope: Mrs. Cross | Weybridge Heath | Weybridge | S.W. Postmarks: LONDON-N.W | C 4 | FE 27 | 77; WEYBRIDGE STATION | A | FE 28 | 77. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
February 27. 77.
My dear Mrs. Cross
Oatmeal as the gift of friendship, and taken always mixed with thoughts of the giver, is doubly efficacious. I am really better this morning, and my mind, in performing its [actions de gr'e2ce,] turns first to you -- after the dear Doctor, who came on Sunday evening looking worn with work, to give us advice and comfort.
A heartful of thanks for your goodness, including Willie's who took the trouble to bring me the nutritive packet and added the more spiritual cheer of Spring flowers.
Poor Mr. Lewes's headache of Sunday did not get well all yesterday, but this morning he has brightened and been able to rewrite a Preface, 616 which is always a severe crux to an author.
You see by my straggling handwriting that I am in need of the tonic which the Doctor promises me as a reward for getting better. It is something of a tonic to hear of other, heavier sufferers getting well and enjoying gruel, as I do -- dear Mrs. Hall for example, to whom pray give my affectionate congratulations. A general embrace to the young ones.
Your always loving
M. E. Lewes.
Do you, by chance, want a highly recommended Parlour Maid or Housemaid? I have just heard of one, but am no longer in need, Elizabeth's inauspicious engagement being broken off, and the status quo re-established in our domestic affairs.
Said servant is warmly recommended by her mistress, with whom she has lived 3'bd years, and who only parts with her because she (the mistress) is giving up her establishment. The address of the recommending lady is Mrs. Webber Smith, 'ab22 Berners'bb 617 2 Keppel Street, Russell Square. The young woman is willing to take either a housemaid's or parlourmaid's place, but not a combination of the two.
Her mistress says, "I have found her good in every respect . . . and am most anxious to find her a comfortable home."
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Mrs. William Cross, London, 27 February 1877, 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/93726