GE to Lady Lytton, London, 21 March 1874
Title
GE to Lady Lytton, London, 21 March 1874
Title
GE to Lady Lytton, London, 21 March 1874
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Lady Lyt
Date(s)
- 1874-03-21
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Lady Lytton, London, 21 March 1874
MS: Lady Hermione Cobbold. Envelope: The Rt. Honble | Lady Lytton | English Embassy | Paris. Postmarks: LONDON N.W | 5 MR 21 | 74; ANGL. CALAIS | 22 MARS | 74.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
March 21. 74.
Dear Lady Lytton
I am perhaps the very last in writing to you, though since I knew of your trial 232 there has not been a day in which I have not called it to mind. It is so long since we saw each other that my usual spirit of distrust has taken possession of me, and thinking of you as surrounded by a world of nearer friends, I have hardly been able to persuade myself that there would not be some obtrusiveness in sending you my helpless words. Very helpless -- carrying only affectionate sorrow in your sorrow, and grateful sweet remembrance of you.
Those who have known you, though but briefly and interruptedly, cannot help counting you among their possessions -- caring much lest any harm should befal you -- wishing that you should not be quite loosed from them. And I cannot see my writing now in any other light than that of a self-indulgence which needs forgiveness. You will not deny me this.
I trust that your health has borne the pressure of grief, and that your life in Paris is not too arduous for you socially. I find the most effective source of resignation -- and resignation makes half our spiritual life -- in thinking of sorrow and pain as part of a sum which is shared among poor mankind. In that way one gets calmer about oneself, remembering others.
Please let me tell you of a pleasure I have had lately, namely, reading that page of your husband's which contains the stanzas to E.L. They are perfect, and give me a delight which includes you both.
Mr. Lewes unites with me in offering to yourself and Lord Lytton a deeply felt regard and sympathy. In this busy world we are obliged to live in all senses by faith in each other, which nullifies silence and separation.
Always, dear Lady Lytton,
Yours faithfully and affectionately
M. E. Lewes.
MS: Lady Hermione Cobbold. Envelope: The Rt. Honble | Lady Lytton | English Embassy | Paris. Postmarks: LONDON N.W | 5 MR 21 | 74; ANGL. CALAIS | 22 MARS | 74.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
March 21. 74.
Dear Lady Lytton
I am perhaps the very last in writing to you, though since I knew of your trial 232 there has not been a day in which I have not called it to mind. It is so long since we saw each other that my usual spirit of distrust has taken possession of me, and thinking of you as surrounded by a world of nearer friends, I have hardly been able to persuade myself that there would not be some obtrusiveness in sending you my helpless words. Very helpless -- carrying only affectionate sorrow in your sorrow, and grateful sweet remembrance of you.
Those who have known you, though but briefly and interruptedly, cannot help counting you among their possessions -- caring much lest any harm should befal you -- wishing that you should not be quite loosed from them. And I cannot see my writing now in any other light than that of a self-indulgence which needs forgiveness. You will not deny me this.
I trust that your health has borne the pressure of grief, and that your life in Paris is not too arduous for you socially. I find the most effective source of resignation -- and resignation makes half our spiritual life -- in thinking of sorrow and pain as part of a sum which is shared among poor mankind. In that way one gets calmer about oneself, remembering others.
Please let me tell you of a pleasure I have had lately, namely, reading that page of your husband's which contains the stanzas to E.L. They are perfect, and give me a delight which includes you both.
Mr. Lewes unites with me in offering to yourself and Lord Lytton a deeply felt regard and sympathy. In this busy world we are obliged to live in all senses by faith in each other, which nullifies silence and separation.
Always, dear Lady Lytton,
Yours faithfully and affectionately
M. E. Lewes.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Lady Lytton, London, 21 March 1874, 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/92858