GHL and GE to Charles Lee Lewes, Milan, 5 June 1864
Title
GHL and GE to Charles Lee Lewes, Milan, 5 June 1864
Title
GHL and GE to Charles Lee Lewes, Milan, 5 June 1864
Sender
George Henry Lewes (and George Eliot)
Recipient
Charles Lee Lewes
Date(s)
- 1864-06-05
Place
Milan
Letter Content
GHL and GE to Charles Lee Lewes, Milan, 5 June 1864
MS: Mrs. Carrington Ouvry. Extracts published: Paterson, pp. 114-115.
Hotel Gran Bretagne. Milan 5 June 64.
Dearest Butor
On reaching Milan last night at 9 I found your two letters, one sent on from Venice and one addressed here. While the Inn was getting ready for Mutter's weakness -- tea -- I read them aloud to her, and we were both delighted to hear how you had been enjoying yourselves while we have been in a state of perpetual delight (mitigated somewhat by my continued ill health, which though better since I left Venice on the 28th is still very far from the thing. However headaches have quite vanished and the little Mutter continues vigorous).
We left Venice under one of the most magnificent sunsets ever seen by mortal eye. Padua, where we stayed Sunday and Monday did not preserve its former glory -- perhaps because this time we saw it after the matchless Venice; however we had delicious weather and the art there is immensely interesting, especially Giotto's chapel, built and painted entirely by himself -- a rare gem. There was a very good theatre there also with a company from Rome. We went twice and enjoyed it. 265 On Monday morning we went to Verona; this was a great delight to us. It is one of the most picturesque and interesting cities we have seen, and we did not half see it on our former hurried visit. There were drawbacks of much rain and much society (fleas); but we stayed there till Friday at 10, and then went to Brescia, a very quiet and lovely place, at the very foot of exquisite mountains which make a verdant wall on one side while on the other stretches the vast rich plain of Lombardy. Friday and Saturday were actively occupied in seeing all that is to be seen, and last night after a delicious journey under the most enchanting lights of Italian summer afternoon and evening we got here.
We left the painter at Venice, he not being able to tear himself away so soon, and wishing to make some sketches. He is to join us here tonight. We shall then spend Monday in looking again at our favorite pictures; and on Tuesday start for Como, Lago Maggiore, St. Gothard, Lucerne, Strasbourg, Paris, and the picturesque Grove Road! 266 How long precisely we shall take in getting through these lovely scenes I can't say; but I hope not many days after the 15th. I shall of course write again; but don't whisper to Grace and Amelia that we are contemplating extending our absence beyond the 15th as in that case they will put off the cleaning, which the Mutter is anxious should be thoroughly done.
I conclude from your letters that dear Grandmamma has not been to Cheltenham yet. I hope health has not been the cause of her postponement. Ben seems to be enlarging the circle of his acquaintance: query? Will contact with dogs of an artistic society elevate and refine him? If one Butor, why not two? Strange that no letter has come from Thornie. I suppose you wrote to Bertie with my permission to buy a saddle? Send him my letters.
This is written after breakfast while the Mutter is resting and as she has now completed her toilette, I leave her to send her own love. Give mine to all and believe ever in the love of
Your feeble
Pater.
[In GE's hand.]
Dearest Chick! Mutter is delighted to think of you as enjoying many pleasures in her absence. She is wonderfully well and strong, and life would appear singularly jolly to her just now if the little Pater were as well as she is. Greetings to Grace and Amelia and much love from
Mutter.
MS: Mrs. Carrington Ouvry. Extracts published: Paterson, pp. 114-115.
Hotel Gran Bretagne. Milan 5 June 64.
Dearest Butor
On reaching Milan last night at 9 I found your two letters, one sent on from Venice and one addressed here. While the Inn was getting ready for Mutter's weakness -- tea -- I read them aloud to her, and we were both delighted to hear how you had been enjoying yourselves while we have been in a state of perpetual delight (mitigated somewhat by my continued ill health, which though better since I left Venice on the 28th is still very far from the thing. However headaches have quite vanished and the little Mutter continues vigorous).
We left Venice under one of the most magnificent sunsets ever seen by mortal eye. Padua, where we stayed Sunday and Monday did not preserve its former glory -- perhaps because this time we saw it after the matchless Venice; however we had delicious weather and the art there is immensely interesting, especially Giotto's chapel, built and painted entirely by himself -- a rare gem. There was a very good theatre there also with a company from Rome. We went twice and enjoyed it. 265 On Monday morning we went to Verona; this was a great delight to us. It is one of the most picturesque and interesting cities we have seen, and we did not half see it on our former hurried visit. There were drawbacks of much rain and much society (fleas); but we stayed there till Friday at 10, and then went to Brescia, a very quiet and lovely place, at the very foot of exquisite mountains which make a verdant wall on one side while on the other stretches the vast rich plain of Lombardy. Friday and Saturday were actively occupied in seeing all that is to be seen, and last night after a delicious journey under the most enchanting lights of Italian summer afternoon and evening we got here.
We left the painter at Venice, he not being able to tear himself away so soon, and wishing to make some sketches. He is to join us here tonight. We shall then spend Monday in looking again at our favorite pictures; and on Tuesday start for Como, Lago Maggiore, St. Gothard, Lucerne, Strasbourg, Paris, and the picturesque Grove Road! 266 How long precisely we shall take in getting through these lovely scenes I can't say; but I hope not many days after the 15th. I shall of course write again; but don't whisper to Grace and Amelia that we are contemplating extending our absence beyond the 15th as in that case they will put off the cleaning, which the Mutter is anxious should be thoroughly done.
I conclude from your letters that dear Grandmamma has not been to Cheltenham yet. I hope health has not been the cause of her postponement. Ben seems to be enlarging the circle of his acquaintance: query? Will contact with dogs of an artistic society elevate and refine him? If one Butor, why not two? Strange that no letter has come from Thornie. I suppose you wrote to Bertie with my permission to buy a saddle? Send him my letters.
This is written after breakfast while the Mutter is resting and as she has now completed her toilette, I leave her to send her own love. Give mine to all and believe ever in the love of
Your feeble
Pater.
[In GE's hand.]
Dearest Chick! Mutter is delighted to think of you as enjoying many pleasures in her absence. She is wonderfully well and strong, and life would appear singularly jolly to her just now if the little Pater were as well as she is. Greetings to Grace and Amelia and much love from
Mutter.
Signature
Pater.
Citation
George Henry Lewes (and George Eliot), GHL and GE to Charles Lee Lewes, Milan, 5 June 1864, 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/94261