GE to Frederic William Burton, Harrogate, 6 July 1870
Title
GE to Frederic William Burton, Harrogate, 6 July 1870
Title
GE to Frederic William Burton, Harrogate, 6 July 1870
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Frederic William Bur
Date(s)
- 1870-07-06
Place
Harrogate
Letter Content
GE to Frederic William Burton, Harrogate, 6 July 1870
MS: Yale.
7 Brunswick Terrace | Harrogate | July 6. 70.
My dear Maestro
The sight of your card with its pencilled greeting was so fresh a pleasure that it seemed for a moment like your actual presence. But it could answer no questions and soon sank into a mere reason for wishing that we had been at home to prevent any need of a pasteboard representative being sent to us.
I long to have a full assurance that your absence has been too great a gain to you for your friends at home to feel that it has been a loss to them. I heard with satisfaction that you had settled for a little in Rome, taking that as a proof of your delight in the place; but the satisfaction was somewhat checked when Mrs. Martin told me that you had had rather a sharp attack of illness. By this time, I trust, the illness seems only a dark streak in the midst of fire -- giving and following brightness. It was too hard that you should be ill again, for you had been severely tried in that way before setting out, though when you came to us you always looked courageous and cheerful.
According to our present plans we shall remain in these northerly regions till the end of July, and after that we have arranged to go to our old quiet nest in Surrey. George likes the place and seems to be getting benefit from it. He collapsed sadly after our return from Germany, but Dr. Reynolds said that there was no other name for his ailments than feebleness, and that he must simply be idle and get into fresh air. The chalybeate waters are an additional chance of good here, and I think he is really prospering.
George is out walking, else he would send an affectionate welcome to you in your more accessible personal nearness. In thought you have never been very far away. All best wishes from
Yours ever affectionately
M. E. Lewes.
MS: Yale.
7 Brunswick Terrace | Harrogate | July 6. 70.
My dear Maestro
The sight of your card with its pencilled greeting was so fresh a pleasure that it seemed for a moment like your actual presence. But it could answer no questions and soon sank into a mere reason for wishing that we had been at home to prevent any need of a pasteboard representative being sent to us.
I long to have a full assurance that your absence has been too great a gain to you for your friends at home to feel that it has been a loss to them. I heard with satisfaction that you had settled for a little in Rome, taking that as a proof of your delight in the place; but the satisfaction was somewhat checked when Mrs. Martin told me that you had had rather a sharp attack of illness. By this time, I trust, the illness seems only a dark streak in the midst of fire -- giving and following brightness. It was too hard that you should be ill again, for you had been severely tried in that way before setting out, though when you came to us you always looked courageous and cheerful.
According to our present plans we shall remain in these northerly regions till the end of July, and after that we have arranged to go to our old quiet nest in Surrey. George likes the place and seems to be getting benefit from it. He collapsed sadly after our return from Germany, but Dr. Reynolds said that there was no other name for his ailments than feebleness, and that he must simply be idle and get into fresh air. The chalybeate waters are an additional chance of good here, and I think he is really prospering.
George is out walking, else he would send an affectionate welcome to you in your more accessible personal nearness. In thought you have never been very far away. All best wishes from
Yours ever affectionately
M. E. Lewes.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Frederic William Burton, Harrogate, 6 July 1870, 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/92439