GE to Maud Lewes, Witley, 4 September 1878
Title
GE to Maud Lewes, Witley, 4 September 1878
Title
GE to Maud Lewes, Witley, 4 September 1878
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Maud Lewes
Date(s)
- 1878-09-04
Place
Witley
Letter Content
GE to Maud Lewes, Witley, 4 September 1878
MS: Mrs. Carrington Ouvry. Published: Cross, New Edition, pp. 579-580.
The Heights, Witley, | Nr. Godalming.
September 4. 78.
My dear little Maudie
I was very glad to have a letter from you this morning. I read it aloud to Grandpapa before breakfast. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and Maudie was talking to us in her letter. We were very happy.
I will kiss Baby 133 for you. Her cheeks are pink, and she looks stronger than she did when she first came down. All the servants are fond of her and very good to her. She tries to say a few words, but the only word she is clever in is [Papa.]
There are a great many tall trees all round us, and sometimes there are squirrels with bushy tails running up them so fast that you could hardly catch sight of them. There are little snakes in the cucumber bed. They like to be there, because it keeps them warm. Last year there were a great many moles, which are little black creatures with tiny white hands, and with these hands they scratch themselves holes for a long way under the ground, and throw out the earth in little hills above them. That spoils the grass, but the moles do not mean to be naughty. They are only working very hard to make themselves houses.
Grandpapa is better than he was, and has not so many pains in his poor toes. You never had any pains in your toes, Maudie. I know you are very sorry that Grandpapa should have pains. He sends his love and kisses to you and Blanche. And so do I. And you must kiss Papa and Mamma for us, and tell them that we long very much to hear that you are all quite settled in Elm Cottage.
When we see you again you will be taller than you were when we said [Good bye] to you at Hampstead. For little girls grow as the flowers do, and get taller and taller and their faces a little larger. But Grandpapa and Grandmamma would know you were their little Maudie if they met you quite alone in the street without Mamma, and they would want you to come with them and take care of you. They would know you because your little nose, and mouth, and eyes, and your hair, are not just exactly like other little girls', and still more because they would remember how you say [Grandpapa.]
I have written this letter quite plainly as if I thought you could read it. But I know you are not able to read it yet. Miss Smith will be so good as to read it to you.
Now good bye, my dear Maudie. Here are all the kisses you are to give: Mamma, **, Papa, **, Blanche **. And these ** you must keep for yourself.
Your loving
Grandmamma.
MS: Mrs. Carrington Ouvry. Published: Cross, New Edition, pp. 579-580.
The Heights, Witley, | Nr. Godalming.
September 4. 78.
My dear little Maudie
I was very glad to have a letter from you this morning. I read it aloud to Grandpapa before breakfast. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and Maudie was talking to us in her letter. We were very happy.
I will kiss Baby 133 for you. Her cheeks are pink, and she looks stronger than she did when she first came down. All the servants are fond of her and very good to her. She tries to say a few words, but the only word she is clever in is [Papa.]
There are a great many tall trees all round us, and sometimes there are squirrels with bushy tails running up them so fast that you could hardly catch sight of them. There are little snakes in the cucumber bed. They like to be there, because it keeps them warm. Last year there were a great many moles, which are little black creatures with tiny white hands, and with these hands they scratch themselves holes for a long way under the ground, and throw out the earth in little hills above them. That spoils the grass, but the moles do not mean to be naughty. They are only working very hard to make themselves houses.
Grandpapa is better than he was, and has not so many pains in his poor toes. You never had any pains in your toes, Maudie. I know you are very sorry that Grandpapa should have pains. He sends his love and kisses to you and Blanche. And so do I. And you must kiss Papa and Mamma for us, and tell them that we long very much to hear that you are all quite settled in Elm Cottage.
When we see you again you will be taller than you were when we said [Good bye] to you at Hampstead. For little girls grow as the flowers do, and get taller and taller and their faces a little larger. But Grandpapa and Grandmamma would know you were their little Maudie if they met you quite alone in the street without Mamma, and they would want you to come with them and take care of you. They would know you because your little nose, and mouth, and eyes, and your hair, are not just exactly like other little girls', and still more because they would remember how you say [Grandpapa.]
I have written this letter quite plainly as if I thought you could read it. But I know you are not able to read it yet. Miss Smith will be so good as to read it to you.
Now good bye, my dear Maudie. Here are all the kisses you are to give: Mamma, **, Papa, **, Blanche **. And these ** you must keep for yourself.
Your loving
Grandmamma.
Signature
Grandmamma.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Maud Lewes, Witley, 4 September 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/92964