GE to Mrs. Wathen Mark Wilks Call, London, 5 June 1866
Title
GE to Mrs. Wathen Mark Wilks Call, London, 5 June 1866
Title
GE to Mrs. Wathen Mark Wilks Call, London, 5 June 1866
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Mrs. Wathen Mark Wilks Call
Date(s)
- 1866-06-05
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Mrs. Wathen Mark Wilks Call, London, 5 June 1866
MS: Berg Collection, New York Public Library. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
June 5. 66.
My dear Friend
I feel your kindness in writing to me just now. It will seem strange to you that until your letter came to me, I was in ignorance of your loss. But for the last few weeks I have been living in as much seclusion as a London house will allow, finishing a book under unusual nervous excitement due to a weak state of health.
I am the more grateful to you for saving me from the pain of hearing that something momentous had happened to a valued friend when it had already become a distant retrospect. It is another instance of thoughtful, kind attention from you, such as I have always had to associate with your presence and handwriting.
I am not surprized that you have been ill, for even ripe age and the utmost placidity in those who are parted from us by death, cannot prevent a profound impression that is apt to shake our poor women's frames severely. I cannot help entertaining the idea that the loosening of your ties to Bath may make us the richer, by bringing you near us. It is a rare pleasure when husband and wife both are felt as an acquisition -- don't you find it so?
I am writing under severe pressure from the necessity of attending to feminine details in preparation for our departure. We start on Thursday, and I am so good-for-nothing as to bodily strength that trifles easily become a burthen to me.
You will allow for that feeble pre-occupation as a reason for a letter which is a very hasty and imperfect expression of my feeling for and with you.
I have heard Mr. Lewes say that he finds Mr. Call's last article 478 very interesting, but my knowledge of all that has been going on about me lately has been of a dim, dreamy kind.
When we return (at the end of July) I hope we shall have some further news of you, through friends if not directly. Cara writes me word, in a letter which came to me with yours that your "Frank" is very dear and good. I can enter now by experience into anxieties about tall boys.
George unites with me in begging to be remembered always kindly, as we have been hitherto both by you and Mr. Call. Believe me, dear friend
Sincerely yours
M. E. Lewes.
MS: Berg Collection, New York Public Library. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
June 5. 66.
My dear Friend
I feel your kindness in writing to me just now. It will seem strange to you that until your letter came to me, I was in ignorance of your loss. But for the last few weeks I have been living in as much seclusion as a London house will allow, finishing a book under unusual nervous excitement due to a weak state of health.
I am the more grateful to you for saving me from the pain of hearing that something momentous had happened to a valued friend when it had already become a distant retrospect. It is another instance of thoughtful, kind attention from you, such as I have always had to associate with your presence and handwriting.
I am not surprized that you have been ill, for even ripe age and the utmost placidity in those who are parted from us by death, cannot prevent a profound impression that is apt to shake our poor women's frames severely. I cannot help entertaining the idea that the loosening of your ties to Bath may make us the richer, by bringing you near us. It is a rare pleasure when husband and wife both are felt as an acquisition -- don't you find it so?
I am writing under severe pressure from the necessity of attending to feminine details in preparation for our departure. We start on Thursday, and I am so good-for-nothing as to bodily strength that trifles easily become a burthen to me.
You will allow for that feeble pre-occupation as a reason for a letter which is a very hasty and imperfect expression of my feeling for and with you.
I have heard Mr. Lewes say that he finds Mr. Call's last article 478 very interesting, but my knowledge of all that has been going on about me lately has been of a dim, dreamy kind.
When we return (at the end of July) I hope we shall have some further news of you, through friends if not directly. Cara writes me word, in a letter which came to me with yours that your "Frank" is very dear and good. I can enter now by experience into anxieties about tall boys.
George unites with me in begging to be remembered always kindly, as we have been hitherto both by you and Mr. Call. Believe me, dear friend
Sincerely yours
M. E. Lewes.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Mrs. Wathen Mark Wilks Call, London, 5 June 1866, 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/93708