GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, London, 4 December 1863
Title
GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, London, 4 December 1863
Title
GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, London, 4 December 1863
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray
Date(s)
- 1863-12-04
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, London, 4 December 1863
MS: Yale. Mostly published: Cross, II, 369-370.
The Priory, | North Bank, | Regents Park.
December 4. 1863.
Dear Cara
The book 212 is come, with its precious inscription, and I have read a great piece of it already (11 a.m.) besides looking through it to get an idea of its general plan. See how fascination shifts its quarter as our life goes on! I cannot be induced to lay aside my regular books for half an hour to read "Mrs. Lirriper's Lodgings," 213 but I pounce on a book like yours which tries to tell me as much as it can in brief space of "the natural order," and am seduced into making it my after-breakfast reading instead of the work I had prescribed for myself in that pleasant quiet time. I read so slowly, and read so few books, that this small fact among my small habits seems a great matter to me. -- I thank you, dear Cara, not simply for giving me the book, but for having put so much faithful labour in a worthy direction and created a lasting benefit which I can share with others. Whether the circulation of a book be large or small there is always this supreme satisfaction about solid honest work, that as far as it goes its effects must be good, and as all effects spread immeasurably what we have to care for is kind and not quantity.
I had a note from Sara the other day which gives me a cheerful idea of her condition at Lea Hurst, but I am a shabby correspondent and have not yet answered her, being in ardent practice of the piano just now, which makes my days shorter than usual. Miss Marshall was kind enough to come to our gathering on the 24th in honour of Charlie's 21st birthday. Mr. Lewes agrees with me in liking her very much, so that we wish we could see her oftener. But I fear her life is very arduous just now and am afraid to ask for any of her time and attention.
With love to the Sposo, who I am sure, is enjoying the sight of your book in its finished state,
Ever your grateful
Marian.
MS: Yale. Mostly published: Cross, II, 369-370.
The Priory, | North Bank, | Regents Park.
December 4. 1863.
Dear Cara
The book 212 is come, with its precious inscription, and I have read a great piece of it already (11 a.m.) besides looking through it to get an idea of its general plan. See how fascination shifts its quarter as our life goes on! I cannot be induced to lay aside my regular books for half an hour to read "Mrs. Lirriper's Lodgings," 213 but I pounce on a book like yours which tries to tell me as much as it can in brief space of "the natural order," and am seduced into making it my after-breakfast reading instead of the work I had prescribed for myself in that pleasant quiet time. I read so slowly, and read so few books, that this small fact among my small habits seems a great matter to me. -- I thank you, dear Cara, not simply for giving me the book, but for having put so much faithful labour in a worthy direction and created a lasting benefit which I can share with others. Whether the circulation of a book be large or small there is always this supreme satisfaction about solid honest work, that as far as it goes its effects must be good, and as all effects spread immeasurably what we have to care for is kind and not quantity.
I had a note from Sara the other day which gives me a cheerful idea of her condition at Lea Hurst, but I am a shabby correspondent and have not yet answered her, being in ardent practice of the piano just now, which makes my days shorter than usual. Miss Marshall was kind enough to come to our gathering on the 24th in honour of Charlie's 21st birthday. Mr. Lewes agrees with me in liking her very much, so that we wish we could see her oftener. But I fear her life is very arduous just now and am afraid to ask for any of her time and attention.
With love to the Sposo, who I am sure, is enjoying the sight of your book in its finished state,
Ever your grateful
Marian.
Signature
Marian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, London, 4 December 1863, 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/93307