Letter to Alice Helps p.1 and 4

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Date:3rd of August 1880

Description:Lewes died in 1878 and Eliot married John Cross in May 1880. This letter was written just a few days after their arrival home to the Heights, Witley on 26th July from their honeymoon abroad.

Transcript:

The Heights, Witley,
Nr. Godalming.

Aug. 3. 80

(Telegrams: Witley Station)

My dear Alice

Only reached home on the 26th! And here I found your sweet letter with its affectionate reproach that I had not told you beforehand of the change in my life.

Well, dear, that was not possible for several reasons, but it was not one of those reasons that I had not confidence in your feeling for me, & in that abstinence from too prompt judgement which many experiences have taught you.

We hardly call ourselves settled yet, not having provided the many 'et caeteras', from a new coachman to decent envelopes & visiting cards, which more far-seeing & leisurely people would have arranged for in the first instance. And we are expecting to pay some family visits during the next three weeks. After these we shall go for the winter to 4 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea. The sooner you can let me hear from you about yourself, the better. Do, dear, tell me everything. Your letters shall be quite sacred. I long to know that you have had some sympathetic occupation during the last ten weeks.

Mr. Cross is gone to town to look after coachmen and other small matters, else he would ask to send you his best regards.

Always, dear Alice

Your affectionate friend

M. A. Cross


Note: George Eliot (born Mary Ann Evans) was a local authoress based in the Coventry and Nuneaton district, from 1819-1880.


Timeline

The timeline shows resources around this location over a number of years.

1810s
Letter fragment
Letter fragment

An invitation to an unknown person to visit. Transcript: So come to us when ...

1840s
Portrait of Robert Evans
Portrait of Robert Evans

Robert Evans, Mary Ann's father, taken from the miniature by Carlisle painted in ...

1860s
Letter to Mrs John Cash, p.1 and 4
Letter to Mrs John Cash, p.1 and 4

Mary Ann is now living with George Henry Lewes and signs this letter M.E.Lewes. ...

1880s
Engraved portrait of Charles Bray
Engraved portrait of Charles Bray

Engraved portrait of Charles Bray, aged 72, by H. Adlard from a photograph. George ...

1910s
George Eliot, Adam Bede decorative binding.
George Eliot, Adam Bede decorative binding.

Illustrated edition by Gordon Browne. Publisher unknown. Printed by W and R Chambers ...

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Donor ref:Nun. Lib. 14 (49/11344)

Source: Nuneaton Library, Libraries, Heritage & Trading Standards, Warwickshire County Council

Copyright information: Copyrights to all resources are retained by the individual rights holders. They have kindly made their collections available for non-commercial private study & educational use. Re-distribution of resources in any form is only permitted subject to strict adherence to the usage guidelines.