Benjamin Jowett to GE, Oxford, 3 December 1878
Title
Benjamin Jowett to GE, Oxford, 3 December 1878
Title
Benjamin Jowett to GE, Oxford, 3 December 1878
Sender
Benjamin Jowett
Recipient
George Eliot
Date(s)
- 1878-12-03
Place
Oxford
Letter Content
Benjamin Jowett to GE, Oxford, 3 December 1878
MS: Balliol College, Oxford.
Oxford | December 3/78.
Dear Mrs. Lewes
I hardly know how either to write to you or not to write to you after the sad news which I read in this morning's paper. I am afraid that the blow must be to you an overwhelming one, and that for years you will feel the dreariness and isolation caused by it.
I am so glad that I knew him and was able to appreciate him. He was so very kind and disinterested and he was one of the first literary men of the day: His life of Goethe to say nothing of his other works was the second best biography in the English language, and as you have told me that it was by his encouragement you were induced to write we are indebted to him for a great deal more than this.
And now as a duty to his memory you must bear up under the greatest trial of life, and make the most of the years which remain to you. It would not be worthy of you who have done so much for others just to pine away because your best friend is taken from you. Dear Mrs. Lewes, it seems hard to say this to you just now, but you know that I deeply feel with you.
I should like to come and see you some time when it is suitable and pleasant to you. If there is anything I can by any possibility do for you, will you let me know?
I remain (if I may venture to call myself)
Your sincere friend
B. Jowett.
You kindly wrote to me, about seven weeks ago. But I am sorry to say through some strange accident the letter was mislaid and could never be found.
Do you remember my secretary -- a most remarkable youth -- I grieve to say that he is dying. 469
MS: Balliol College, Oxford.
Oxford | December 3/78.
Dear Mrs. Lewes
I hardly know how either to write to you or not to write to you after the sad news which I read in this morning's paper. I am afraid that the blow must be to you an overwhelming one, and that for years you will feel the dreariness and isolation caused by it.
I am so glad that I knew him and was able to appreciate him. He was so very kind and disinterested and he was one of the first literary men of the day: His life of Goethe to say nothing of his other works was the second best biography in the English language, and as you have told me that it was by his encouragement you were induced to write we are indebted to him for a great deal more than this.
And now as a duty to his memory you must bear up under the greatest trial of life, and make the most of the years which remain to you. It would not be worthy of you who have done so much for others just to pine away because your best friend is taken from you. Dear Mrs. Lewes, it seems hard to say this to you just now, but you know that I deeply feel with you.
I should like to come and see you some time when it is suitable and pleasant to you. If there is anything I can by any possibility do for you, will you let me know?
I remain (if I may venture to call myself)
Your sincere friend
B. Jowett.
You kindly wrote to me, about seven weeks ago. But I am sorry to say through some strange accident the letter was mislaid and could never be found.
Do you remember my secretary -- a most remarkable youth -- I grieve to say that he is dying. 469
Signature
B. Jowett.
Citation
Benjamin Jowett, Benjamin Jowett to GE, Oxford, 3 December 1878, Complete George Eliot Letters(2026), George Eliot Archive, edited by Beverley Park Rilett. https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org, Accessed September 7, 2026. https://www.georgeeliotarchive.org/items/show/91722