GE to Samuel Evans, Griff, 26 February 1840
Title
GE to Samuel Evans, Griff, 26 February 1840
Title
GE to Samuel Evans, Griff, 26 February 1840
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Samuel Evans
Date(s)
- 1840-02-26
Place
GRIFF
Letter Content
GE to Samuel Evans, Griff, 26 February 1840
MS: Yale. Address: Mr. S. Evans | The Mill Houses | Wirksworth | Derbyshire. Postmark: Illegible. Hitherto unpublished.
Griff February 26th 1840.
My dear Uncle,
I beg you will not consider my tardiness in answering your kind letter a representation of my feelings towards you and my Aunt; these would have led me much earlier to tell you how welcome news of you was to me and my Father, but circumstances have so occupied my body and mind that I have not before been at liberty to write to you. I grieve for my dear Aunt's illness more on your account than on her own, for a spirit so well fortified as hers will sustain bodily infirmity, and even enable her to glory in that tribulation which is calculated to work an increase of patience, experience and hope. Yet I should rejoice to know that her weak frame has ceased for the present to be tried by pain and exhaustion, and that she is able to be again your cheerful companion, busying herself as usual for the good of souls.
Why do you suspect me, my dear Uncle of being inclined to blame the self-denying exertions of one whom I ought to yearn to imitate, in spirit at least, if not in the particular practices by which that spirit discovers itself?
Death appears to have made sad breeches in your circle of Christian friends. Mrs. Joinson 169 looked like a very healthy person when at Griff, to human observation unlikely so soon to be summoned. The little intercourse I had with her gave me such an idea of her character as led me to expect that her end would be peace.
I am very glad Mary is so comfortably situated and almost within an easy walk to you. I hope Elizabeth 170 is well and happy. My dear
Father is quite as well as usual and desires me to send you his love. I cannot give you a hopeful account of my spiritual state, for of late I have been much exposed to temptation from contact with worldly persons, and that traitor within, the love of human praise, has opened the door to too many compliances with what is likely to make me less hungry for heavenly blessings, by enabling me to derive a temporary enjoyment from what is merely earthly. I have great need of your prayers, and I fear not that I shall be denied them. We had your letter after the receipt of the box. To my dear Aunt and yourself I offer my kindest love and thanks for your remembrance of me. May it continue and soon be moved to do so by sending me another letter. With love to my Cousins I am, my dear Uncle,
Your sincerely affectionate
Mary Ann Evans.
MS: Yale. Address: Mr. S. Evans | The Mill Houses | Wirksworth | Derbyshire. Postmark: Illegible. Hitherto unpublished.
Griff February 26th 1840.
My dear Uncle,
I beg you will not consider my tardiness in answering your kind letter a representation of my feelings towards you and my Aunt; these would have led me much earlier to tell you how welcome news of you was to me and my Father, but circumstances have so occupied my body and mind that I have not before been at liberty to write to you. I grieve for my dear Aunt's illness more on your account than on her own, for a spirit so well fortified as hers will sustain bodily infirmity, and even enable her to glory in that tribulation which is calculated to work an increase of patience, experience and hope. Yet I should rejoice to know that her weak frame has ceased for the present to be tried by pain and exhaustion, and that she is able to be again your cheerful companion, busying herself as usual for the good of souls.
Why do you suspect me, my dear Uncle of being inclined to blame the self-denying exertions of one whom I ought to yearn to imitate, in spirit at least, if not in the particular practices by which that spirit discovers itself?
Death appears to have made sad breeches in your circle of Christian friends. Mrs. Joinson 169 looked like a very healthy person when at Griff, to human observation unlikely so soon to be summoned. The little intercourse I had with her gave me such an idea of her character as led me to expect that her end would be peace.
I am very glad Mary is so comfortably situated and almost within an easy walk to you. I hope Elizabeth 170 is well and happy. My dear
Father is quite as well as usual and desires me to send you his love. I cannot give you a hopeful account of my spiritual state, for of late I have been much exposed to temptation from contact with worldly persons, and that traitor within, the love of human praise, has opened the door to too many compliances with what is likely to make me less hungry for heavenly blessings, by enabling me to derive a temporary enjoyment from what is merely earthly. I have great need of your prayers, and I fear not that I shall be denied them. We had your letter after the receipt of the box. To my dear Aunt and yourself I offer my kindest love and thanks for your remembrance of me. May it continue and soon be moved to do so by sending me another letter. With love to my Cousins I am, my dear Uncle,
Your sincerely affectionate
Mary Ann Evans.
Signature
Mary Ann Evans.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Samuel Evans, Griff, 26 February 1840, 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/93790