GE to Charles Lee Lewes, Witley, 25 July 1879
Title
GE to Charles Lee Lewes, Witley, 25 July 1879
Title
GE to Charles Lee Lewes, Witley, 25 July 1879
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Charles Lee Lewes
Date(s)
- 1879-07-25
Place
Witley
Letter Content
GE to Charles Lee Lewes, Witley, 25 July 1879
MS: Mrs. Edward Hanson. Published: Paterson, pp. 200-202.
The Heights, Witley, | Nr. Godalming.
July 25. 79.
Dearest Boy
Your [explanation] is really converting. I withheld one reason I had against Barmouth. It was, that knowing what I had myself been under the pressure of grief, I could not bear to think of you and Gertrude using up your time of invigoration and refreshment in companionship with what is physically and morally depressing. And now I will admit against myself that our friends Mr. and Mrs. William Smith (you remember the husband as one of your father's old and most valued friends -- the author of Thorndale) used to spend a great deal of time at Barmouth and were enthusiastic about its charms. They were excellent judges. So, if you would really prefer this Welsh plan, adopt it with my blessing, and I shall be all the better pleased to feel that you are within our island seeing that you would choose that for your own sakes.
With my usual precipitancy I have filled up the North Bank Taxpaper without the notification you mention. But I should think no harm will come of it, since I stated that I carried on my vocation at Witley as well as in N. Bank. As to the incidence of the Tax, we paid well for knowledge on that subject. I wish you could see the Tax-collector here. Some day I will describe him to you or take you to see him, if I live.
Any time when you are writing, 2s/3 worth of stamps would be most acceptable.
I did write to Vivian stating why I could not see him, and said that any business might be communicated by letter.
I wrote to [Miss Blanche Lewes] yesterday and am hoping that she has received the letter this morning. I think I remember hearing that lodgings were difficult to get at Barmouth. But I beseech you not to be seduced into going to Aberystwith -- about the purgatorial character of that place I am well assured by three days' durance there. I should mention that our visit to Wales was made in rainy weather.
I had some return of pain last night but am better this morning. Dr. Andrew Clarke has been waiting to make an appointment with Sir James Paget, that they may come down together. I went out a drive yesterday, going foot's pace -- the first time for a long while. The sunshine was delicious.
Your loving
Mutter.
MS: Mrs. Edward Hanson. Published: Paterson, pp. 200-202.
The Heights, Witley, | Nr. Godalming.
July 25. 79.
Dearest Boy
Your [explanation] is really converting. I withheld one reason I had against Barmouth. It was, that knowing what I had myself been under the pressure of grief, I could not bear to think of you and Gertrude using up your time of invigoration and refreshment in companionship with what is physically and morally depressing. And now I will admit against myself that our friends Mr. and Mrs. William Smith (you remember the husband as one of your father's old and most valued friends -- the author of Thorndale) used to spend a great deal of time at Barmouth and were enthusiastic about its charms. They were excellent judges. So, if you would really prefer this Welsh plan, adopt it with my blessing, and I shall be all the better pleased to feel that you are within our island seeing that you would choose that for your own sakes.
With my usual precipitancy I have filled up the North Bank Taxpaper without the notification you mention. But I should think no harm will come of it, since I stated that I carried on my vocation at Witley as well as in N. Bank. As to the incidence of the Tax, we paid well for knowledge on that subject. I wish you could see the Tax-collector here. Some day I will describe him to you or take you to see him, if I live.
Any time when you are writing, 2s/3 worth of stamps would be most acceptable.
I did write to Vivian stating why I could not see him, and said that any business might be communicated by letter.
I wrote to [Miss Blanche Lewes] yesterday and am hoping that she has received the letter this morning. I think I remember hearing that lodgings were difficult to get at Barmouth. But I beseech you not to be seduced into going to Aberystwith -- about the purgatorial character of that place I am well assured by three days' durance there. I should mention that our visit to Wales was made in rainy weather.
I had some return of pain last night but am better this morning. Dr. Andrew Clarke has been waiting to make an appointment with Sir James Paget, that they may come down together. I went out a drive yesterday, going foot's pace -- the first time for a long while. The sunshine was delicious.
Your loving
Mutter.
Signature
Mutter.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Charles Lee Lewes, Witley, 25 July 1879, 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/92243