GE to Francois D'Albert-Durade, London, 17 December 1865
Title
GE to Francois D'Albert-Durade, London, 17 December 1865
Title
GE to Francois D'Albert-Durade, London, 17 December 1865
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Francois D'Albert-Durade
Date(s)
- 1865-12-17
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Francois D'Albert-Durade, London, 17 December 1865
MS: Morgan Library. Extracts published: Cross, New Edition, pp. 390-391.
The Priory, North Bank | St. John's Wood. | December 17. 1865.
My dear Friend
Your kind letter came to me yesterday. I wish there had been no family trouble to disturb the happiness of which your previous letter had given me an idea, and which I allowed myself to trust in as still continuing, notwithstanding your long silence. I sympathize with the indisposition to write letters: time becomes more precious as one gets older and in need of economizing all strength for the sake of not falling short towards immediate duties. We are altogether prosperous and happy in each other, as usual. Our one great want is health: we both remain delicate and liable to constant subtractions of time through headache and debility.
"The Fortnightly" is a great succ'e8s d'estime; the principle of signature, never before thoroughly carried out in England, has given it an exceptional dignity, and drawn valuable writers. It is a thoroughly serious periodical, intended for the few who will pay a high price, and is supported by proprietors unconnected with the publishing trade. It is still a question whether it will succeed commercially. I think I told you that Mr. Lewes accepted the editorship on urgent request, after having previously refused it, and has nothing to do with it as a speculation. He likes the work very well, now he has entered into it, finding that superior contributors present themselves and brave the supposed perils of signature. I am occupied, in a leisurely way, with my own writing, 391 and, as you know, am not in the habit of contributing to periodicals.
It grieves me that you have had your trouble in vain in translating Romola. I have had at least four applications from France for permission to translate it. But in fact the permission has always belonged to Smith and Elder; and now, no permission is needed. A short time ago we had a visit from Mlle. Bohn, the niece of Professor Sch'e9rer, 392 residing with him at Versailles. She says that, by herself and in her circle, Romola is valued more than any of my previous books. It is rather a cruel thing that she, like so many others, inquired whether my books had been translated into French -- I mean, it is cruel for you, that after your conscientious labour your publishers have not been able to make better arrangements for you with Parisian houses. I have received numerous letters asking me to give my authority to translations of the Clerical Scenes, or Silas Marner, or the Mill. I only tell you this as so much information that you might perhaps use, in your relations with your publishers.
Our eldest son Charles is extremely happy in his marriage, and we see more and more reason to rejoice in his early establishment. Thornton has had some calamities to encounter in Natal, owing to a monetary crisis in the colony and a war with the natives. But he is well in health and shows much spirit. These conditions in Natal cause us to waver in our intention of sending out the youngest who is now old enough to go, and is better fitted for colonial than for English life, at least as far as the means of pushing his fortune are concerned. He is a fine fellow physically, and has pleasant social qualities, but he is not suited to any other life than that of a farmer, and in England farming has become a business that requires not only great capital but great skill to render it otherwise than hazardous.
These are the chief points in our present circumstances. Besides these, perhaps it will interest you to know that what my friends consider a remarkably fine portrait of me (in crayons) has been executed by an artist named Frederick Burton, a friend of ours, and that the portrait is to be published by a process which professes to produce facsimiles of such drawings. 393 See how I chat about myself! But you wish me to do so.
Mr. Lewes unites with me in kindest feelings and wishes. Send my best love to Madame d'Albert when you write, and believe me dear friend -- with a thorough response to your wish that we may meet again --
Your true and affectionate friend
Marian E. Lewes.
MS: Morgan Library. Extracts published: Cross, New Edition, pp. 390-391.
The Priory, North Bank | St. John's Wood. | December 17. 1865.
My dear Friend
Your kind letter came to me yesterday. I wish there had been no family trouble to disturb the happiness of which your previous letter had given me an idea, and which I allowed myself to trust in as still continuing, notwithstanding your long silence. I sympathize with the indisposition to write letters: time becomes more precious as one gets older and in need of economizing all strength for the sake of not falling short towards immediate duties. We are altogether prosperous and happy in each other, as usual. Our one great want is health: we both remain delicate and liable to constant subtractions of time through headache and debility.
"The Fortnightly" is a great succ'e8s d'estime; the principle of signature, never before thoroughly carried out in England, has given it an exceptional dignity, and drawn valuable writers. It is a thoroughly serious periodical, intended for the few who will pay a high price, and is supported by proprietors unconnected with the publishing trade. It is still a question whether it will succeed commercially. I think I told you that Mr. Lewes accepted the editorship on urgent request, after having previously refused it, and has nothing to do with it as a speculation. He likes the work very well, now he has entered into it, finding that superior contributors present themselves and brave the supposed perils of signature. I am occupied, in a leisurely way, with my own writing, 391 and, as you know, am not in the habit of contributing to periodicals.
It grieves me that you have had your trouble in vain in translating Romola. I have had at least four applications from France for permission to translate it. But in fact the permission has always belonged to Smith and Elder; and now, no permission is needed. A short time ago we had a visit from Mlle. Bohn, the niece of Professor Sch'e9rer, 392 residing with him at Versailles. She says that, by herself and in her circle, Romola is valued more than any of my previous books. It is rather a cruel thing that she, like so many others, inquired whether my books had been translated into French -- I mean, it is cruel for you, that after your conscientious labour your publishers have not been able to make better arrangements for you with Parisian houses. I have received numerous letters asking me to give my authority to translations of the Clerical Scenes, or Silas Marner, or the Mill. I only tell you this as so much information that you might perhaps use, in your relations with your publishers.
Our eldest son Charles is extremely happy in his marriage, and we see more and more reason to rejoice in his early establishment. Thornton has had some calamities to encounter in Natal, owing to a monetary crisis in the colony and a war with the natives. But he is well in health and shows much spirit. These conditions in Natal cause us to waver in our intention of sending out the youngest who is now old enough to go, and is better fitted for colonial than for English life, at least as far as the means of pushing his fortune are concerned. He is a fine fellow physically, and has pleasant social qualities, but he is not suited to any other life than that of a farmer, and in England farming has become a business that requires not only great capital but great skill to render it otherwise than hazardous.
These are the chief points in our present circumstances. Besides these, perhaps it will interest you to know that what my friends consider a remarkably fine portrait of me (in crayons) has been executed by an artist named Frederick Burton, a friend of ours, and that the portrait is to be published by a process which professes to produce facsimiles of such drawings. 393 See how I chat about myself! But you wish me to do so.
Mr. Lewes unites with me in kindest feelings and wishes. Send my best love to Madame d'Albert when you write, and believe me dear friend -- with a thorough response to your wish that we may meet again --
Your true and affectionate friend
Marian E. Lewes.
Signature
Marian E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Francois D'Albert-Durade, London, 17 December 1865, 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/92346