GE to Phoebe Sarah Marks, Witley, 1 July 1878
Title
GE to Phoebe Sarah Marks, Witley, 1 July 1878
Title
GE to Phoebe Sarah Marks, Witley, 1 July 1878
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Phoebe Sarah Marks
Date(s)
- 1878-07-01
Place
Witley
Letter Content
GE to Phoebe Sarah Marks, Witley, 1 July 1878
Text: Evelyn Sharp, Hertha Ayrton, London, E. Arnold, 1926, pp. 76-77.
The Heights | Witley | near Godalming | July 1, 1878.
Dear Miss Marks, --
I am delighted to have your good news this morning, and only wish that the heat which suited the dear patient had not been exchanged for an autumnal mist and coolness. As to the autograph for the blind lady (!) I have from the first declined to comply with requests for autographs and I cannot, as you will perceive, make exceptions without causing offence and laying myself open to the charge of untruthfulness. Unless, as in the present case, I have special reason for replying, I leave the continually dropping fire of requests from America as well as England to die in silence. Otherwise, my mornings would be molested, and I should be encouraging the habit of thoughtless intrusion on the time of persons whose names happen to have become public. I am sure that Madame Bodichon and you will appreciate my reasons. . . . I am glad to hear of Madame Bodichon's pleasure in the prospect of seeing her sister -- but above all I rejoice in the blessed nights of sleep and the morning and evening walks. The world will look happier to me when she is once more well. Pray offer my adieux and best regards to Miss Scott, and believe me always,
Yours affectionately,
M. E. Lewes.
Tell Madame Bodichon that a very pleasant French novel is Les Koumiassine by Henry Gr'e9ville. 94
I perhaps ought to tell you that I have been so teased by American autograph-collectors (with whom the affair is often a trade) that we got the American publishers to give public notice of my rule and its reasons. 95 But nevertheless the cry is still [They come.]
I am sorry to say that Mr. Lewes is very poorly and I am so far unhappy.
Text: Evelyn Sharp, Hertha Ayrton, London, E. Arnold, 1926, pp. 76-77.
The Heights | Witley | near Godalming | July 1, 1878.
Dear Miss Marks, --
I am delighted to have your good news this morning, and only wish that the heat which suited the dear patient had not been exchanged for an autumnal mist and coolness. As to the autograph for the blind lady (!) I have from the first declined to comply with requests for autographs and I cannot, as you will perceive, make exceptions without causing offence and laying myself open to the charge of untruthfulness. Unless, as in the present case, I have special reason for replying, I leave the continually dropping fire of requests from America as well as England to die in silence. Otherwise, my mornings would be molested, and I should be encouraging the habit of thoughtless intrusion on the time of persons whose names happen to have become public. I am sure that Madame Bodichon and you will appreciate my reasons. . . . I am glad to hear of Madame Bodichon's pleasure in the prospect of seeing her sister -- but above all I rejoice in the blessed nights of sleep and the morning and evening walks. The world will look happier to me when she is once more well. Pray offer my adieux and best regards to Miss Scott, and believe me always,
Yours affectionately,
M. E. Lewes.
Tell Madame Bodichon that a very pleasant French novel is Les Koumiassine by Henry Gr'e9ville. 94
I perhaps ought to tell you that I have been so teased by American autograph-collectors (with whom the affair is often a trade) that we got the American publishers to give public notice of my rule and its reasons. 95 But nevertheless the cry is still [They come.]
I am sorry to say that Mr. Lewes is very poorly and I am so far unhappy.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Phoebe Sarah Marks, Witley, 1 July 1878, 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/93771