GE to Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe, Earlswood Common, 23 August 1874
Title
GE to Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe, Earlswood Common, 23 August 1874
Title
GE to Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe, Earlswood Common, 23 August 1874
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Mrs. Harriet Beecher S
Date(s)
- 1874-08-23
Place
Earlswood Common
Letter Content
GE to Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe, Earlswood Common, 23 August 1874
MS: Mr. Lyman Beecher Stowe. Published: C. E. Stowe, Life of Harriet Beecher Stowe, Boston, 1890, 472-473.
August 23. 74.
My dear Friend
The other day I had a letter from Mrs. Fields written to let me know something of you under that heavy trouble 141 of which such information as I have had has been quite untrustworthy, leaving me in entire incredulity with regard to it except on this point -- that you and yours must be suffering deeply. Naturally, I thought most of you in the matter (its public aspects being indeterminate), and many times before our friend's letter came I had said to Mr. Lewes "What must Mrs. Stowe be feeling!" I remembered what Mr. Fields had once told me of the wonderful courage and cheerfulness which belonged to you, enabling you to bear up under exceptional trials, and I imagined you helping the other sufferers with tenderness and counsel, but yet -- I felt that there must be a bruising weight on your heart. Dear honoured Friend -- you who are so ready to give warm fellowship -- is it any comfort to you to be told that those afar off are caring for you in spirit, and will be the happier for all good issues that may bring you rest?
I cannot, dare not write more in my ignorance, lest I should be using unseasonable words. But I trust in your not despising this scrap of paper which tells you -- perhaps rather for my relief than yours, that I am always, in grateful sweet remembrance of your goodness to me and your energetic labours for all,
Yours with sincere affection,
M. E. Lewes.
We are in the country, but shall be moving to town again shortly.
MS: Mr. Lyman Beecher Stowe. Published: C. E. Stowe, Life of Harriet Beecher Stowe, Boston, 1890, 472-473.
August 23. 74.
My dear Friend
The other day I had a letter from Mrs. Fields written to let me know something of you under that heavy trouble 141 of which such information as I have had has been quite untrustworthy, leaving me in entire incredulity with regard to it except on this point -- that you and yours must be suffering deeply. Naturally, I thought most of you in the matter (its public aspects being indeterminate), and many times before our friend's letter came I had said to Mr. Lewes "What must Mrs. Stowe be feeling!" I remembered what Mr. Fields had once told me of the wonderful courage and cheerfulness which belonged to you, enabling you to bear up under exceptional trials, and I imagined you helping the other sufferers with tenderness and counsel, but yet -- I felt that there must be a bruising weight on your heart. Dear honoured Friend -- you who are so ready to give warm fellowship -- is it any comfort to you to be told that those afar off are caring for you in spirit, and will be the happier for all good issues that may bring you rest?
I cannot, dare not write more in my ignorance, lest I should be using unseasonable words. But I trust in your not despising this scrap of paper which tells you -- perhaps rather for my relief than yours, that I am always, in grateful sweet remembrance of your goodness to me and your energetic labours for all,
Yours with sincere affection,
M. E. Lewes.
We are in the country, but shall be moving to town again shortly.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe, Earlswood Common, 23 August 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/93458