GHL to Mrs. William Cross, London, 24 December 1877
Title
GHL to Mrs. William Cross, London, 24 December 1877
Title
GHL to Mrs. William Cross, London, 24 December 1877
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
Mrs. William Cross
Date(s)
- 1877-12-24
Place
London
Letter Content
GHL to Mrs. William Cross, London, 24 December 1877
MS: Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
Christmas eve 1877.
My dear Friend,
It is too bad that you, of all people, should be on a sick couch at this time -- cela te ressemble si peu! -- and not even the thrice welcome news of your improvement, prevents our feeling that Christmas is gloomy because you are suffering. Why has not Dr. Lavardin arranged things better? 793
'c0propos of the Dr. -- Madonna and I were charmed with the way in which his story is related; but I made a secret note on one passage, and it is this: in a subtle psychological remark touching the difference between the graceful acting of a feigning love and the unbecoming benumbing diffidence of a real love, the authoress has betrayed to the keensighted Matchless that she has not a real love for him -- for assuredly she never showed anything ungraceful in her acting towards him -- none of the paralyzed awkwardness she ought to have displayed!
Madonna is in bed with a cold, and I have twinges of rheumatism, -- that is our preparation for Christmas festivities. The said festivities will consist of being alone on Christmas day; having children and grandchildren on Boxing day; and dining with Mrs. Benzon that evening. 794 Not a very dissipated programme! How different from former Weybridgian 'masses!
The nephew is requested to take care of his sciatica -- a gentleman whose attentions should be received with great suspicion.
To nieces and nephews, and their dear Mother, this Religious House sends fervent blessings and hopes (faint hopes) for their moral improvement. (NB: a course of Problems recommended.)
Ever yours affectionately
G. H. Lewes.
MS: Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
Christmas eve 1877.
My dear Friend,
It is too bad that you, of all people, should be on a sick couch at this time -- cela te ressemble si peu! -- and not even the thrice welcome news of your improvement, prevents our feeling that Christmas is gloomy because you are suffering. Why has not Dr. Lavardin arranged things better? 793
'c0propos of the Dr. -- Madonna and I were charmed with the way in which his story is related; but I made a secret note on one passage, and it is this: in a subtle psychological remark touching the difference between the graceful acting of a feigning love and the unbecoming benumbing diffidence of a real love, the authoress has betrayed to the keensighted Matchless that she has not a real love for him -- for assuredly she never showed anything ungraceful in her acting towards him -- none of the paralyzed awkwardness she ought to have displayed!
Madonna is in bed with a cold, and I have twinges of rheumatism, -- that is our preparation for Christmas festivities. The said festivities will consist of being alone on Christmas day; having children and grandchildren on Boxing day; and dining with Mrs. Benzon that evening. 794 Not a very dissipated programme! How different from former Weybridgian 'masses!
The nephew is requested to take care of his sciatica -- a gentleman whose attentions should be received with great suspicion.
To nieces and nephews, and their dear Mother, this Religious House sends fervent blessings and hopes (faint hopes) for their moral improvement. (NB: a course of Problems recommended.)
Ever yours affectionately
G. H. Lewes.
Signature
G. H. Lewes.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to Mrs. William Cross, London, 24 December 1877, 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/94968