GE to Mrs. Julia Margaret Cameron, London, 17 January 1871
Title
GE to Mrs. Julia Margaret Cameron, London, 17 January 1871
Title
GE to Mrs. Julia Margaret Cameron, London, 17 January 1871
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Mrs. Julia Margaret Cameron
Date(s)
- 1871-01-17
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Mrs. Julia Margaret Cameron, London, 17 January 1871
MS: Parrish Collection, Princeton. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory | 21 North Bank | January 17. 1871.
My dear Mrs. Cameron 251
The love which you have so prettily inscribed on the beautiful presents which you have sent me, is the more precious because it is given for the sake of my books. They are certainly the best part of me, save only in the power which my fleshly self has of returning love for love and being grateful for all goodness.
It was a surprize to me, but all the more a pleasure, when Mr. Oscar Browning told me that he held some photographs of yours under his arm which were sent by you expressly to me. I have long admired your works of this kind, but I am naturally disposed to think these especially charming -- above all the "Golden Locks." 252
I thank you with all my heart. Wise people are teaching us to be sceptical about some sorts of "charity," but this of cheering others by proofs of sympathy will never, I think, be shown to be harmful. At least, you have done me good.
You are happy in being far away from under the London blanket with a sight of the sky above you. 253 I suppose you will some time return to the uglier world here, and in that case I may hope that the kindness which sent the photographs may bring you to me in your own person. Believe me, my dear Mrs. Cameron
Sincerely and gratefully yours
M. E. Lewes.
MS: Parrish Collection, Princeton. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory | 21 North Bank | January 17. 1871.
My dear Mrs. Cameron 251
The love which you have so prettily inscribed on the beautiful presents which you have sent me, is the more precious because it is given for the sake of my books. They are certainly the best part of me, save only in the power which my fleshly self has of returning love for love and being grateful for all goodness.
It was a surprize to me, but all the more a pleasure, when Mr. Oscar Browning told me that he held some photographs of yours under his arm which were sent by you expressly to me. I have long admired your works of this kind, but I am naturally disposed to think these especially charming -- above all the "Golden Locks." 252
I thank you with all my heart. Wise people are teaching us to be sceptical about some sorts of "charity," but this of cheering others by proofs of sympathy will never, I think, be shown to be harmful. At least, you have done me good.
You are happy in being far away from under the London blanket with a sight of the sky above you. 253 I suppose you will some time return to the uglier world here, and in that case I may hope that the kindness which sent the photographs may bring you to me in your own person. Believe me, my dear Mrs. Cameron
Sincerely and gratefully yours
M. E. Lewes.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Mrs. Julia Margaret Cameron, London, 17 January 1871, 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/93521