GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, [1 November 1874]
Title
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, [1 November 1874]
Title
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, [1 November 1874]
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
Mrs. Elma Stuart
Date(s)
- 1874-11-01
Place
London
Letter Content
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, [1 November 1874]
MS: British Museum. Endorsed: Ocr. 1874. Published: Stuart, pp. 31-33.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
Sunday.
Dear Elma
There is more joy in the Priory over one Elma that repenteth than over ninety-nine d -- d niggers who take care of their carcasses because they have a wellfounded suspicion that no one else cares enough for them to take that task upon themselves. Therefore, dear child, take this to heart and continue virtuously in bed (or elsewhere) till your loving attendant 152 (to whom my grateful thanks, for all the love she shows you) declares you are a fit and proper person to be "at large" again. We have just returned from another week in the country 153 which has set Polly right again and now she is ready for the desk and Society!
Do you see the Contemporary Review in your Dinan diggings? If so, you will be interested I think in Mat Arnold's papers in the October and November numbers. 154 Much that he says on Religion we both think very good, and likely to have a yeasty effect on that strange fluid Public Opinion. I, myself cannot see how the Bible [makes for righteousness] though I profoundly agree with him that righteousness is salvation -- and is not to be sought in metaphysical refinements about a [personal God] but is to be found in our idealization of human relations and human needs. If you don't take the Review at Dinan I will send you the number by post.
What a singular spectacle is presented by the contrast of the general tone of men's minds on this subject of Religion at the present day and that of some twenty years ago! And the progress rushes on, it does not simply move.
Your mother sends her dearest love and wishes. God bless you!
Ever yours
G. H. L.
MS: British Museum. Endorsed: Ocr. 1874. Published: Stuart, pp. 31-33.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
Sunday.
Dear Elma
There is more joy in the Priory over one Elma that repenteth than over ninety-nine d -- d niggers who take care of their carcasses because they have a wellfounded suspicion that no one else cares enough for them to take that task upon themselves. Therefore, dear child, take this to heart and continue virtuously in bed (or elsewhere) till your loving attendant 152 (to whom my grateful thanks, for all the love she shows you) declares you are a fit and proper person to be "at large" again. We have just returned from another week in the country 153 which has set Polly right again and now she is ready for the desk and Society!
Do you see the Contemporary Review in your Dinan diggings? If so, you will be interested I think in Mat Arnold's papers in the October and November numbers. 154 Much that he says on Religion we both think very good, and likely to have a yeasty effect on that strange fluid Public Opinion. I, myself cannot see how the Bible [makes for righteousness] though I profoundly agree with him that righteousness is salvation -- and is not to be sought in metaphysical refinements about a [personal God] but is to be found in our idealization of human relations and human needs. If you don't take the Review at Dinan I will send you the number by post.
What a singular spectacle is presented by the contrast of the general tone of men's minds on this subject of Religion at the present day and that of some twenty years ago! And the progress rushes on, it does not simply move.
Your mother sends her dearest love and wishes. God bless you!
Ever yours
G. H. L.
Signature
G. H. L.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, [1 November 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/94933