GE to Charles Lee Lewes, London, 23 November 1880
Title
GE to Charles Lee Lewes, London, 23 November 1880
Title
GE to Charles Lee Lewes, London, 23 November 1880
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Charles Lee Lewes
Date(s)
- 1880-11-23
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Charles Lee Lewes, London, 23 November 1880
MS: The Rev. Lionel Garnault Ouvry. Published with facsimile: Paterson, pp. 247-248.
The Heights, Witley, | Nr. Godalming.
November 23. 80.
Dearest Boy
Thanks for your pretty letter. I do not think I shall have many returns of Novembers, but there is every prospect that such as remain to me will be as happy as they can be made by the devoted tenderness which watches over me. Your years will probably be many, and it is cheering to me to think that you have many springs of happiness in your lot that are likely to grow fuller with advancing time.
You are quite welcome to have the Cornhill (to keep) after a week or so from its arrival, but you would not now find it at Cheyne Walk, as it has been brought down here. We hope to arrive there at the end of next week, the servants going a few days beforehand to make ready.
When you wrote to me about the Grave, after you had been to see it and pay for tendance on it, you said that the gardener spoke of new ivy being necessary, but you did not say whether you had told him to plant it. I am so disappointed with the ivy-planting and the way in which the grave is now lost among the new ones round it that I am constantly thinking how I could rescue the sight of it by having a new, higher and more distinctive iron railing to replace the present one. It is sad to me to think that the care against exposure to cold which is enforced upon me may prevent me from getting to Highgate for some time, as the cemetery is usually damp or else bleak.
The removal of the books from the Priory has been a very heavy piece of work, and Johnnie has had a hard service in going up and down daily for a week to superintend. At one time when your Father and I thought we should like to leave the Priory the books were always a drag that helped to deter us. However, the book-cases have all been very well fitted into the new spaces, and the books have had the benefit of being well dusted -- a work that can never be got done by servants.
Has Mr. Sully many scientific and philosophical books of his own? I have thought that I should like to select some work of value in order to present it to him as a remembrance of your Father.
Poor Miss Smith's lameness I hope is quite cured, and Gertrude's health undisturbed by extra anxieties. I had a very amiable, cheerful letter from Eliza the other day.
A spiritual embrace to your fivefold self from the loving
Mutter.
MS: The Rev. Lionel Garnault Ouvry. Published with facsimile: Paterson, pp. 247-248.
The Heights, Witley, | Nr. Godalming.
November 23. 80.
Dearest Boy
Thanks for your pretty letter. I do not think I shall have many returns of Novembers, but there is every prospect that such as remain to me will be as happy as they can be made by the devoted tenderness which watches over me. Your years will probably be many, and it is cheering to me to think that you have many springs of happiness in your lot that are likely to grow fuller with advancing time.
You are quite welcome to have the Cornhill (to keep) after a week or so from its arrival, but you would not now find it at Cheyne Walk, as it has been brought down here. We hope to arrive there at the end of next week, the servants going a few days beforehand to make ready.
When you wrote to me about the Grave, after you had been to see it and pay for tendance on it, you said that the gardener spoke of new ivy being necessary, but you did not say whether you had told him to plant it. I am so disappointed with the ivy-planting and the way in which the grave is now lost among the new ones round it that I am constantly thinking how I could rescue the sight of it by having a new, higher and more distinctive iron railing to replace the present one. It is sad to me to think that the care against exposure to cold which is enforced upon me may prevent me from getting to Highgate for some time, as the cemetery is usually damp or else bleak.
The removal of the books from the Priory has been a very heavy piece of work, and Johnnie has had a hard service in going up and down daily for a week to superintend. At one time when your Father and I thought we should like to leave the Priory the books were always a drag that helped to deter us. However, the book-cases have all been very well fitted into the new spaces, and the books have had the benefit of being well dusted -- a work that can never be got done by servants.
Has Mr. Sully many scientific and philosophical books of his own? I have thought that I should like to select some work of value in order to present it to him as a remembrance of your Father.
Poor Miss Smith's lameness I hope is quite cured, and Gertrude's health undisturbed by extra anxieties. I had a very amiable, cheerful letter from Eliza the other day.
A spiritual embrace to your fivefold self from the loving
Mutter.
Signature
Mutter.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Charles Lee Lewes, London, 23 November 1880, Complete George Eliot Letters(2026), George Eliot Archive, edited by Beverley Park Rilett. https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org, Accessed September 7, 2026. https://georgeeliotarchive.org/items/show/92211