Autograph letter signed : Denmark Hill, to Mr. Gray, [1848 May 29.].

ArchivalResource

Autograph letter signed : Denmark Hill, to Mr. Gray, [1848 May 29.].

Saying that Effie has asked him to fill this piece of paper "with attestations" that her head has not been turned, fearing that she cannot write nationally enough to prove it herself. She forgets none of her old friends and is unchanged by the society she will soon command: "if anything is remarkable in her character it is her indifference and superiority to all vanity of this petty kind." He was surprised by some of the expressions in her father's letter, which she showed him at least in some measure the cause of her culpability. Mr. Gray seemed to imply that she was now as much under obligation to former acquaintances as when she was unmarried. But it is now for her husband to choose the persons she visits; he must share her return of obligations. It is not right or possible that her relationship with all her acquaintances should remain unchanged, nor will she be held responsible for her choice. Neither of them will choose out of vanity. But he has little time for society and enters it only as a duty; he wishes to spend this time profitably, among good, wise, kind people. At present they must both be especially careful in choosing friends who must affect the most important years of their lives. He is anxious to know whether there now seems a chance for Mr. Gray to escape from his embarrassment. He has more to say than he could write. Effie looks lovelier than ever and "very--very happy." Lady Lyttleton wrote Lady Davy that Effie was "indeed a lovely bride." Yet "her beauty is her least gift." But he will not praise her "lest you begin to think her too good for me."

1 item (5 p.) ; 13.4 cm. and 18.1.

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 7228136

Related Entities

There are 3 Entities related to this resource.

Millais, Euphemia Chalmers Gray, Lady, 1828-1897

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6154v6d (person)

Euphemia Chalmers Gray, called Effie or Phemy, was born in Bowerswell House, Perth, and went to Avondale School, near Statford-on-Avon. She married the art critic John Ruskin on 10 April 1848; the marriage was annulled on 15 July 1854; she married John Everett Millais on 3 July 1855. She and Millais had eight children. From the description of Bowerswell papers, 1827-1944 1827-1890. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270905842 ...

Gray, George E., 1927-

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6w38c5r (person)

Epithet: senior British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000001244.0x0000f6 ...

Ruskin, John, 1819-1900

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6qn65qn (person)

Wife of Ruskin's physician, Dr. John Simon. From the description of Letter : to Mrs. John Simon, [18--] (Lewis & Clark Library). WorldCat record id: 31272017 British writer, artist, and critic. From the description of John Ruskin papers, ca. 1837-1904. (Getty Research Institute). WorldCat record id: 80934993 John Ruskin was born on 8 February 1819 in London. Ruskin was educated by his mother and by various tutors before attending Oxford University. H...