GE to Mrs. William Smith, London, 18 December 1872
Title
GE to Mrs. William Smith, London, 18 December 1872
Title
GE to Mrs. William Smith, London, 18 December 1872
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Mrs. William Smith
Date(s)
- 1872-12-18
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Mrs. William Smith, London, 18 December 1872
Text: Cross, III, 185-186.
Your letter was very welcome to me. I wanted to know how you were; and I think that I discern in your words some growth of courage to face the hard task -- it is a hard task -- of living a separate life. I reckon it a great good to me that any writing of mine has been taken into companionship by you, and seemed to speak with you of your own experience. Thank you for telling me of that.
This weather, which is so melancholy in the privation it must cause to those who are worst off in the world, adds a little weight to everybody's griefs. But I trust that you find it a comfort, not an oppression, to be among friends who make a little claim on your attention. When you go to How, please tell me all about the place, and whom you have near you, because I like to be able to imagine your circumstances.
I have been, and am still, reading Mr Lewes's manuscript, -- and I often associate this with your dear husband, to whom I imagine mine would have liked to send his proofs when the matter had reached the printing stage.
We are both very well, and Mr Lewes is enjoying his morning at his desk. He likes very much to be included in your love, and has always thought you one of the most charming women among our acquaintance. Please not to say that he has bad taste in women. We both cherish very tender thoughts of your sorrow, dear friend. Let me always be assured that you think of me as yours affectionately.
Text: Cross, III, 185-186.
Your letter was very welcome to me. I wanted to know how you were; and I think that I discern in your words some growth of courage to face the hard task -- it is a hard task -- of living a separate life. I reckon it a great good to me that any writing of mine has been taken into companionship by you, and seemed to speak with you of your own experience. Thank you for telling me of that.
This weather, which is so melancholy in the privation it must cause to those who are worst off in the world, adds a little weight to everybody's griefs. But I trust that you find it a comfort, not an oppression, to be among friends who make a little claim on your attention. When you go to How, please tell me all about the place, and whom you have near you, because I like to be able to imagine your circumstances.
I have been, and am still, reading Mr Lewes's manuscript, -- and I often associate this with your dear husband, to whom I imagine mine would have liked to send his proofs when the matter had reached the printing stage.
We are both very well, and Mr Lewes is enjoying his morning at his desk. He likes very much to be included in your love, and has always thought you one of the most charming women among our acquaintance. Please not to say that he has bad taste in women. We both cherish very tender thoughts of your sorrow, dear friend. Let me always be assured that you think of me as yours affectionately.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Mrs. William Smith, London, 18 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/93741