GE to John Blackwood, London, 11 May 1869
Title
GE to John Blackwood, London, 11 May 1869
Title
GE to John Blackwood, London, 11 May 1869
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1869-05-11
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to John Blackwood, London, 11 May 1869
MS: Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
May 11th 1869.
My dear Sir
I am much obliged by your letter containing the cheque for £50, received this morning, in consideration of little Lisa's story. The letter, which tells us of your family trouble, finds us also in much sadness. On Saturday evening our poor Thornie surprized us by arriving many weeks before the time at which we thought it possible for him to get to us, and at present we are quite absorbed in cares on his account.
His suffering turns out to have arisen from an injury of the spine received four years ago, in a fall while wrestling. The injury was strangely quiescent for a whole year, and he imagined that no harm had befallen him. Then began pains, which he at first supposed to be merely rheumatic. These pains have been gradually becoming more intense and more frequent in the recurrence, but he did not begin to lose flesh and strength until about six months ago. In that short time he has lost 4 stone of his weight, and from a fine muscular fellow has become piteously wasted. Paget saw him on Sunday, and evidently judges the case to be a very grave one. It is complicated by a hardening of the glands, which seems dependent on some constitutional weakness. Perfect repose, chiefly lying prone on an inclined couch, is the only measure towards cure that can be adopted. When he is not in pain, he is very cheerful, and likes to be amused with talk and music. You see, I can think and write this morning of nothing but what employed my head and limbs all yesterday. By and by we shall get more used to our trouble.
Not only Mr. Lewes but I too have seen Mr. James Blackwood. He called on us in Blandford Square with Major Archibald Blackwood. I was alone that day and have a very vivid recollection of their visit. 68 I shall rejoice to have the proof that he is going on well by seeing you here before long.
Yours always truly
M. E. Lewes.
J. Blackwood, Esq.
MS: Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
May 11th 1869.
My dear Sir
I am much obliged by your letter containing the cheque for £50, received this morning, in consideration of little Lisa's story. The letter, which tells us of your family trouble, finds us also in much sadness. On Saturday evening our poor Thornie surprized us by arriving many weeks before the time at which we thought it possible for him to get to us, and at present we are quite absorbed in cares on his account.
His suffering turns out to have arisen from an injury of the spine received four years ago, in a fall while wrestling. The injury was strangely quiescent for a whole year, and he imagined that no harm had befallen him. Then began pains, which he at first supposed to be merely rheumatic. These pains have been gradually becoming more intense and more frequent in the recurrence, but he did not begin to lose flesh and strength until about six months ago. In that short time he has lost 4 stone of his weight, and from a fine muscular fellow has become piteously wasted. Paget saw him on Sunday, and evidently judges the case to be a very grave one. It is complicated by a hardening of the glands, which seems dependent on some constitutional weakness. Perfect repose, chiefly lying prone on an inclined couch, is the only measure towards cure that can be adopted. When he is not in pain, he is very cheerful, and likes to be amused with talk and music. You see, I can think and write this morning of nothing but what employed my head and limbs all yesterday. By and by we shall get more used to our trouble.
Not only Mr. Lewes but I too have seen Mr. James Blackwood. He called on us in Blandford Square with Major Archibald Blackwood. I was alone that day and have a very vivid recollection of their visit. 68 I shall rejoice to have the proof that he is going on well by seeing you here before long.
Yours always truly
M. E. Lewes.
J. Blackwood, Esq.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to John Blackwood, London, 11 May 1869, 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/92599