GE to Mrs. William Cross, Redhill, [19? August 1872]
Title
GE to Mrs. William Cross, Redhill, [19? August 1872]
Title
GE to Mrs. William Cross, Redhill, [19? August 1872]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Mrs. William Cross
Date(s)
- 1872-08-19
Place
Redhill
Letter Content
GE to Mrs. William Cross, Redhill, [19? August 1872]
MS: Tinker Collection, Yale. Endorsed: September 1872. Extracts published: Cross, III, 167-169.
Park Road | Redhill | Monday Evening.
My dear Mrs. Cross
I am tired of behaving like an ungrateful wretch -- making no sign in answer to affectionate words which have come to me with cheering effect. And I want to tell you and Mr. Hall (alas, for the dear old name which had such cherished associations!) 579 that I long too much to see you all, nephew John 580 included, at Six Mile Bottom, to give up utterly the prospect of that good. We imagine that the place is near Ipswich, 581 which is no more than 1h. 50m. from London. If so, the journey would be easily managed and would be worth taking for the sake of one whole day and two half days with you -- just as if you were the hour nearer, at Weybridge -- before we set our faces towards Germany. I am not hopeless that we might do that in the second week of September, if you are not quite disgusted with the thought of me as a person who is always claiming pity for small ailments, and also if Mr. Hall can secure me against being shot from the other side of the hedge by the Prince of Wales, 582 while we are discussing plantations.
I dare not count much on fulfilling any project, my life for the last year having been a sort of nightmare in which I have been scrambling on the slippery bank of a pool, just keeping my head above water. But I shall be the happier for having told you that I delight in the double invitation for the sake of the love it assures me of, and that I do want to see you all.
Gertrude and Charles are going to bring the Baby for us to kiss its little toes and worship, on Saturday week. 583 I have a little comet's-tail of its hair, and what is more precious, the frequent thought that its tiny life is a great comfort to the dear mother. We could not help being painfully anxious for the last week or two before the Baby came.
You are all gloriously well, I hope -- Alkie 584 looking more and more cherubic and Emily and Florence blooming like two tall nymphs of Diana. My best love to all. Particular regards to "Johnnie," and regrets that we were not on his route from Brindisi. I read his paper on New York with much interest and satisfaction.
You are often among my imaged companions both in dreaming and waking hours and always welcome to
Yours affectionately
M. E. Lewes.
MS: Tinker Collection, Yale. Endorsed: September 1872. Extracts published: Cross, III, 167-169.
Park Road | Redhill | Monday Evening.
My dear Mrs. Cross
I am tired of behaving like an ungrateful wretch -- making no sign in answer to affectionate words which have come to me with cheering effect. And I want to tell you and Mr. Hall (alas, for the dear old name which had such cherished associations!) 579 that I long too much to see you all, nephew John 580 included, at Six Mile Bottom, to give up utterly the prospect of that good. We imagine that the place is near Ipswich, 581 which is no more than 1h. 50m. from London. If so, the journey would be easily managed and would be worth taking for the sake of one whole day and two half days with you -- just as if you were the hour nearer, at Weybridge -- before we set our faces towards Germany. I am not hopeless that we might do that in the second week of September, if you are not quite disgusted with the thought of me as a person who is always claiming pity for small ailments, and also if Mr. Hall can secure me against being shot from the other side of the hedge by the Prince of Wales, 582 while we are discussing plantations.
I dare not count much on fulfilling any project, my life for the last year having been a sort of nightmare in which I have been scrambling on the slippery bank of a pool, just keeping my head above water. But I shall be the happier for having told you that I delight in the double invitation for the sake of the love it assures me of, and that I do want to see you all.
Gertrude and Charles are going to bring the Baby for us to kiss its little toes and worship, on Saturday week. 583 I have a little comet's-tail of its hair, and what is more precious, the frequent thought that its tiny life is a great comfort to the dear mother. We could not help being painfully anxious for the last week or two before the Baby came.
You are all gloriously well, I hope -- Alkie 584 looking more and more cherubic and Emily and Florence blooming like two tall nymphs of Diana. My best love to all. Particular regards to "Johnnie," and regrets that we were not on his route from Brindisi. I read his paper on New York with much interest and satisfaction.
You are often among my imaged companions both in dreaming and waking hours and always welcome to
Yours affectionately
M. E. Lewes.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Mrs. William Cross, Redhill, [19? August 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/93729