GE to Lord Houghton, London, 13 May 1873
Title
GE to Lord Houghton, London, 13 May 1873
Title
GE to Lord Houghton, London, 13 May 1873
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Lord Hough
Date(s)
- 1873-05-13
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Lord Houghton, London, 13 May 1873
MS: Yale.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
May 13. 73.
My dear Lord Houghton
I think you know our friend Mr. Edward Pigott, for whom we have a respect founded on an acquaintance of twenty years.
It has been suggested that he might possibly obtain the Secretaryship of the Royal Academy which is about to be declared vacant and which is not to be given to any artist or art critic.
So far as I can imagine the Duties of the office, Mr. Pigott seems to me to have just the requisite qualifications. He has a perfect command of French both for conversation and correspondence -- not an ordinary accomplishment in an Englishman, as you have had reason to complain in a certain essay of yours -- and I suppose that this must be a chief demand on a Secretary to the Academy with its present cosmopolitan admissions. Then, he has the sympathetic manners which would make difficult business relations easier, and his letter-writing is peculiarly felicitous. He has a fine literary sense, and in spite of fourteen years' hard work at journalism, he retains his finesse of expressions and has not lost the discrimination of epithets.
If anybody asks whom he "boasts himself to be" 188 -- he is a younger son of a Somersetshire gentleman, made a good figure at Eton and Baliol (the present master of Baliol is one of his best friends), spent some time in France, and finally coming to London bought the Leader newspaper in which he sank all the portion that fell to him as a younger son. 189 He took this check of fortune very gracefully, put himself into heavy harness without grumbling, and has ever since been deepening the respect of his friends.
Those who know his value -- and among them are some of the best people both French and English -- must be heartily rejoiced at his getting a post which would give him both a comfortable maintenance and a suitable change of work. But his success of course depends on his recommendations being straightway made known to those who have the power in their hands. Every day is of importance.
If, from what you know, you believe that his appointment would be a good service to the Academy as well as to himself, will you be so kind as to write a letter to me expressing your favourable wishes on Mr. Pigott's behalf -- a letter which might be put in as an informal sort of testimonial? You may possibly have knowledge which would correct my uninstructed suppositions. In that case you will consider my request to be retracted. But I make no apology for trusting in your readiness to give help wherever you can.
I remain, my dear Lord Houghton
Yours very sincerely
M. E. Lewes.
MS: Yale.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
May 13. 73.
My dear Lord Houghton
I think you know our friend Mr. Edward Pigott, for whom we have a respect founded on an acquaintance of twenty years.
It has been suggested that he might possibly obtain the Secretaryship of the Royal Academy which is about to be declared vacant and which is not to be given to any artist or art critic.
So far as I can imagine the Duties of the office, Mr. Pigott seems to me to have just the requisite qualifications. He has a perfect command of French both for conversation and correspondence -- not an ordinary accomplishment in an Englishman, as you have had reason to complain in a certain essay of yours -- and I suppose that this must be a chief demand on a Secretary to the Academy with its present cosmopolitan admissions. Then, he has the sympathetic manners which would make difficult business relations easier, and his letter-writing is peculiarly felicitous. He has a fine literary sense, and in spite of fourteen years' hard work at journalism, he retains his finesse of expressions and has not lost the discrimination of epithets.
If anybody asks whom he "boasts himself to be" 188 -- he is a younger son of a Somersetshire gentleman, made a good figure at Eton and Baliol (the present master of Baliol is one of his best friends), spent some time in France, and finally coming to London bought the Leader newspaper in which he sank all the portion that fell to him as a younger son. 189 He took this check of fortune very gracefully, put himself into heavy harness without grumbling, and has ever since been deepening the respect of his friends.
Those who know his value -- and among them are some of the best people both French and English -- must be heartily rejoiced at his getting a post which would give him both a comfortable maintenance and a suitable change of work. But his success of course depends on his recommendations being straightway made known to those who have the power in their hands. Every day is of importance.
If, from what you know, you believe that his appointment would be a good service to the Academy as well as to himself, will you be so kind as to write a letter to me expressing your favourable wishes on Mr. Pigott's behalf -- a letter which might be put in as an informal sort of testimonial? You may possibly have knowledge which would correct my uninstructed suppositions. In that case you will consider my request to be retracted. But I make no apology for trusting in your readiness to give help wherever you can.
I remain, my dear Lord Houghton
Yours very sincerely
M. E. Lewes.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Lord Houghton, London, 13 May 1873, 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/92862