MEREDITH, George (1828-1909). Novelist & poet.
Autograph Letter Signed to Sir Alec [Alexander Duff Gordon], 2 pages 8vo (some traces of moutning), Esher, 'Monday', no date (annotated in another hand '?July 1864'. Sending 'an autograph letter of Miss Evans' for his 'collectress', and promising copies of two of his novels for Duff Gordon's daughter Janet.

'... You will see she signs herself 'Lewes'. This (though not in my view) may make it unacceptable. ...'

According to C.L. Cline, Letters of George Meredith, vol III, page 1733, Meredith had been in love with Duff Gordon's daughter Janet until her marriage in 1860. The collector to whom George Eliot's letter was directed may have been a younger sister. Only one letter to Alexander Duff Gordon is published by Cline, and the present letter appears to have been hitherto unknown.
There is a note, presumably by the recipient, at the foot of the letter (signed 'ADG') clarifying the allusion in Meredith's invitation to dine 'and look philosophically at legs'.

£385 [No: 21567]