GE to Mary Finlay Cross, London, 11 May 1874
Title
GE to Mary Finlay Cross, London, 11 May 1874
Title
GE to Mary Finlay Cross, London, 11 May 1874
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Mary Finlay Cross
Date(s)
- 1874-05-11
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Mary Finlay Cross, London, 11 May 1874
MS: Tinker Collection, Yale. Published: Cross, III, 230-231.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
May 11. 74.
My dear Mary
I could not dwell on your sweet gift 87 yesterday -- I should perhaps have begun to cry, which would not have been [convenable] in a hostess. For I have been in a suffering depressed condition lately, with a general sense that I am out of place above ground and ought to have a hiding-place in some Cave of Machpelah. 88 So your good loving deed has come just at the right time -- when I need the helpfulness that love brings me -- and my heart turns to you with grateful blessing this Monday morning.
I have been looking at the little paintings with a treble delight, because they were done for me, because you chose for them subjects of my [making,] and because they are done with a promising charm of execution (which Mr. Lewes feels as well as I). It gives me special gladness that you have this sort of work before you. Some skill or other with the hands is needful for the completeness of the life, and makes a bridge over times of doubt and despondency.
Perhaps it will please you to know that nineteen years ago, when Mr. Lewes and I were looking at a print of Goethe's statue by Ritzchl, 89 which stands on a pedestal ornamented with bassi relievi of his characters, I said (little believing that my wish would ever be fulfilled) -- "How I should like to be surrounded with creatures of my own making!" And yesterday when I was looking at your gift, that little incident recurred to me. Your love seemed to have made me a miniature pedestal.
I was comforted yesterday that you and Johnnie had at least the pleasure of hearing Bice Trollope 90 sing, to make some amends for the long, cold journey. We suspect that you left a cloak behind you, which will make a reason for one of you to come again. Please do not any of you forget that we shall only be three weeks more in this corner of the world, and that we want to see you as often as you care to come.
With best love to all, the Mother being chief among them all,
Your affectionate Aunt,
M. E. Lewes.
MS: Tinker Collection, Yale. Published: Cross, III, 230-231.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
May 11. 74.
My dear Mary
I could not dwell on your sweet gift 87 yesterday -- I should perhaps have begun to cry, which would not have been [convenable] in a hostess. For I have been in a suffering depressed condition lately, with a general sense that I am out of place above ground and ought to have a hiding-place in some Cave of Machpelah. 88 So your good loving deed has come just at the right time -- when I need the helpfulness that love brings me -- and my heart turns to you with grateful blessing this Monday morning.
I have been looking at the little paintings with a treble delight, because they were done for me, because you chose for them subjects of my [making,] and because they are done with a promising charm of execution (which Mr. Lewes feels as well as I). It gives me special gladness that you have this sort of work before you. Some skill or other with the hands is needful for the completeness of the life, and makes a bridge over times of doubt and despondency.
Perhaps it will please you to know that nineteen years ago, when Mr. Lewes and I were looking at a print of Goethe's statue by Ritzchl, 89 which stands on a pedestal ornamented with bassi relievi of his characters, I said (little believing that my wish would ever be fulfilled) -- "How I should like to be surrounded with creatures of my own making!" And yesterday when I was looking at your gift, that little incident recurred to me. Your love seemed to have made me a miniature pedestal.
I was comforted yesterday that you and Johnnie had at least the pleasure of hearing Bice Trollope 90 sing, to make some amends for the long, cold journey. We suspect that you left a cloak behind you, which will make a reason for one of you to come again. Please do not any of you forget that we shall only be three weeks more in this corner of the world, and that we want to see you as often as you care to come.
With best love to all, the Mother being chief among them all,
Your affectionate Aunt,
M. E. Lewes.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Mary Finlay Cross, London, 11 May 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/92943