GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 1 February 1872
Title
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 1 February 1872
Title
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 1 February 1872
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Mrs. Elma Stuart
Date(s)
- 1872-02-01
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 1 February 1872
MS: British Museum. Published: Stuart, pp. 1-2.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
February 1. 1872.
Dear Madam
Very rarely in my life have I had words which touched me with keener pleasure than those you have written to me. 458 The beautiful Book-slide is come and is now holding books on our table. It will continually be a reminder to me of what you have told me -- a reminder of the wealth I have in your mind. For there is no wealth now so precious to me (always excepting my husband's love) as the possession of a place in other minds through the writings which are the chief result of my life. It was a very dear and tender thought of yours to work at something which must have occupied you many days, and to send it me as a visible token of our spiritual companionship.
Even if it had been a very common piece of work, I should have cherished it: and it is in fact beautiful for all eyes, even those who can see nothing in it but a bit of admirable carving. My eyes see much more in it -- just as they see much more than marble where pious feet and lips have worn a mark of their pressure. Believe me, dear Madam,
Yours always gratefully,
M. E. Lewes.
MS: British Museum. Published: Stuart, pp. 1-2.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
February 1. 1872.
Dear Madam
Very rarely in my life have I had words which touched me with keener pleasure than those you have written to me. 458 The beautiful Book-slide is come and is now holding books on our table. It will continually be a reminder to me of what you have told me -- a reminder of the wealth I have in your mind. For there is no wealth now so precious to me (always excepting my husband's love) as the possession of a place in other minds through the writings which are the chief result of my life. It was a very dear and tender thought of yours to work at something which must have occupied you many days, and to send it me as a visible token of our spiritual companionship.
Even if it had been a very common piece of work, I should have cherished it: and it is in fact beautiful for all eyes, even those who can see nothing in it but a bit of admirable carving. My eyes see much more in it -- just as they see much more than marble where pious feet and lips have worn a mark of their pressure. Believe me, dear Madam,
Yours always gratefully,
M. E. Lewes.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 1 February 1872, 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/93388