GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 12 January 1878
Title
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 12 January 1878
Title
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 12 January 1878
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Mrs. Elma Stuart
Date(s)
- 1878-01-12
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 12 January 1878
MS: British Museum. Published: Stuart, pp. 97-101.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
January 12. 78.
Dearest Elma
The wonderful Box arrived on Thursday evening, but I waited to see your Roland before writing, that I might tell you of the impression he made upon us. We are charmed, in the first place, with his appearance, but -- what is much more important -- with his manners, which are exquisitely simple and expressive of a sweet disposition. He is coming to us again on Monday, that we may take him to see a Pantomime which I am pleased to think is a new experience to him. He ought to know what a Pantomime is.
But there is a streak of sadness even across Roland and the Box. It is, that you are suffering from rheumatic gout -- and in the cunning right arm and hand which can make so much useful happiness for you. I am a little comforted to be assured by Roland that in other respects you had recovered your health, no longer suffering from indigestion. (I distrusted your own report.)
And now to the contents of the Box. You certainly possess that gift which you say is denied to your neighbours at Dinan -- the delicate intuition of what will be useful or agreeable to your friends. I am at this moment writing on the really beautiful writing-board. 3 It is not too heavy, because I rest it on the elbows of my chair, and the graining and colour, as well as the art spent on it, are soothing to my outward and inward sense. My dainty little white scarf is just what I want and what I should never have got for myself, and the blue one I shall wear in the carriage with appreciation, though I cannot promise to gird myself with it in the house.
Then Mrs. Menzies has rightly divined the philosopher's [Summum bonum] in sending that splendid gateau fondant, which Mr. Lewes seems to like as much as if he were three boys instead of one elderly author. (The little packets of chocolate also he takes [to his own cheek.]) Please give the gentle lady our united love and thanks. I hear with satisfaction that she too will come to London when you make the great move.
The children's share of the loving presents will make a fresh pleasure for ourselves when we drive to Hampstead to take them. I am afraid that you are teaching me to be greedy, for I find myself unduly delighted with getting [le superflu -- chose si necessaire] 4 from your dear ministration, without the least exertion of my own.
The opening of your letter caused us some sorrowful dismay. Had we really been neglectful of you -- not writing when you expected us to do so? We had been in the contradictory condition of wondering that we did not hear from you. At last Mr. Lewes said, [On Christmas day I shall write to Elma,] and you remember he urged you to give us full news of you. Then, the next day, came your precious cards, so unlike the machine-made kind, wrought by patient loving touches of tasteful fingers. Still we waited anxiously for more definite news. You know, when you were at Witley we agreed that you should not leave us in ignorance about you and should let us be idly silent without punishing us. 5
Your choice of a house in or near London will be a matter of much interest to us. Please keep us well-informed, especially of your being set free from that [spirit of infirmity] in your right hand. We are very well now -- after a fair share of cold and consequent headaches, and life is very sweet to us though verging near to the valley of the shadow -- or perhaps because it is so verging, and the time together so unspeakably precious. Do not ever imagine us forgetful or ungrateful. You are part of the furniture of our souls -- among the sacred things on the hearth.
Mr. Lewes sends his best love and I am
Your faithfully loving
Mother.
I forgot to say that the Blotting Books are most opportune and excellent.
MS: British Museum. Published: Stuart, pp. 97-101.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
January 12. 78.
Dearest Elma
The wonderful Box arrived on Thursday evening, but I waited to see your Roland before writing, that I might tell you of the impression he made upon us. We are charmed, in the first place, with his appearance, but -- what is much more important -- with his manners, which are exquisitely simple and expressive of a sweet disposition. He is coming to us again on Monday, that we may take him to see a Pantomime which I am pleased to think is a new experience to him. He ought to know what a Pantomime is.
But there is a streak of sadness even across Roland and the Box. It is, that you are suffering from rheumatic gout -- and in the cunning right arm and hand which can make so much useful happiness for you. I am a little comforted to be assured by Roland that in other respects you had recovered your health, no longer suffering from indigestion. (I distrusted your own report.)
And now to the contents of the Box. You certainly possess that gift which you say is denied to your neighbours at Dinan -- the delicate intuition of what will be useful or agreeable to your friends. I am at this moment writing on the really beautiful writing-board. 3 It is not too heavy, because I rest it on the elbows of my chair, and the graining and colour, as well as the art spent on it, are soothing to my outward and inward sense. My dainty little white scarf is just what I want and what I should never have got for myself, and the blue one I shall wear in the carriage with appreciation, though I cannot promise to gird myself with it in the house.
Then Mrs. Menzies has rightly divined the philosopher's [Summum bonum] in sending that splendid gateau fondant, which Mr. Lewes seems to like as much as if he were three boys instead of one elderly author. (The little packets of chocolate also he takes [to his own cheek.]) Please give the gentle lady our united love and thanks. I hear with satisfaction that she too will come to London when you make the great move.
The children's share of the loving presents will make a fresh pleasure for ourselves when we drive to Hampstead to take them. I am afraid that you are teaching me to be greedy, for I find myself unduly delighted with getting [le superflu -- chose si necessaire] 4 from your dear ministration, without the least exertion of my own.
The opening of your letter caused us some sorrowful dismay. Had we really been neglectful of you -- not writing when you expected us to do so? We had been in the contradictory condition of wondering that we did not hear from you. At last Mr. Lewes said, [On Christmas day I shall write to Elma,] and you remember he urged you to give us full news of you. Then, the next day, came your precious cards, so unlike the machine-made kind, wrought by patient loving touches of tasteful fingers. Still we waited anxiously for more definite news. You know, when you were at Witley we agreed that you should not leave us in ignorance about you and should let us be idly silent without punishing us. 5
Your choice of a house in or near London will be a matter of much interest to us. Please keep us well-informed, especially of your being set free from that [spirit of infirmity] in your right hand. We are very well now -- after a fair share of cold and consequent headaches, and life is very sweet to us though verging near to the valley of the shadow -- or perhaps because it is so verging, and the time together so unspeakably precious. Do not ever imagine us forgetful or ungrateful. You are part of the furniture of our souls -- among the sacred things on the hearth.
Mr. Lewes sends his best love and I am
Your faithfully loving
Mother.
I forgot to say that the Blotting Books are most opportune and excellent.
Signature
Mother.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 12 January 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/93394