GHL Journal, Weymouth, 5-16 September 1859
Title
GHL Journal, Weymouth, 5-16 September 1859
Title
GHL Journal, Weymouth, 5-16 September 1859
Sender
Ghl Journal
Recipient
U
Date(s)
- 1859-09-05–<br /> 1859-09-16
Place
Weymouth
Letter Content
GHL Journal, Weymouth, 5-16 September 1859
MS: Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
Monday 5th.
After breakfast we rambled out and the weather was so tempting that we resolved to give up the morning to a walk up the Wey. Having made our way, in rather a roundabout manner and some trespassing to Radipole, we there went all over a Mill which was kindly shown us by the Miller. This was the very thing for Polly who has a Mill in her new novel and wanted some details. We were so delighted with the spot that we enquired about lodgings thinking a day or two might pleasantly and profitably be spent near the mills (there are five within three miles) and the stream. A laborer seemed willing to let his cottage, which we found very clean, and quite comfortable enough. We left him to ask his wife, and then rambled about. Came home at 2 -- dined. Polly read Layard 289 aloud, and we went out for a stroll, and our letters. Tea. I then rewrote the finale to my article, and some letters.
Tuesday 6th.
Read Schr'f6der van der Kolk; 290 went to the post for letters and found a large packet there. Wrote to Blackwood, the Major, and Nurse; 291 rambled; read Athenaeum and lunched. After that we walked to Radipole and were much put out at finding the laborer's wife decidedly opposed to letting her cottage. We sat with a little old woman whom we were told might possibly let lodgings and had a little talk with her; then wandered along the river to another Mill which we went over; and came back very tired. In the evening Polly cont[inue]d Layard; I, the Excursion. Read Schr'f6der.
Wednesday 7th.
Read Schroeder van der Kolk; lounged about the beach. Examined a serpula under the Microscope; but felt too unwell to do any work. After lunch we had a ramble on the Cliff. In the evening went to the Theatre and saw the Hunchback 292 performed in true provincial style.
Thursday 8th.
Read Schroeder van der Kolk. The proof of Feeling and Thinking 293 arrived, and correcting it was occupation for the whole morning. Rambled on the cliff and read Blackwood. In the evening we walked on the Parade to hear the band. I read the Excursion aloud, and Schr'f6der van der Kolk to myself. --
Friday 9th.
Read K'f6lliker: Gewebelehre. 294 Rambled on the sands and had a talk with Mr. Barnes the Kensington tax gatherer. Came in and began to rewrite "The Mind and the Brain." 295 After lunch we went across by Steamer to Portland Island and went to see the Breakwater now in course of construction. After dinner Polly continued Layard.
Saturday 10th.
Read Moreau Psychologie Morbide. 296 Continued "The Brain and the Mind." At 1 o'clock we took the rail to Dorchester, desirous of ascertaining whether the river Frome would suit Polly's purposes. Had lunch at an inn and learned from the landlord that there was no footpath and that the stream was insignificant. We then rambled through the meadows by the side of the stream which is deliciously clear, showing the weeds and waterplants beneath in great beauty and as the day was lovely we enjoyed our ramble greatly. Dorchester a very pretty quiet town with chesnut avenues and trees along the turnpike roads reminding us of Germany. Came back by the 'bd past 5 train. After dinner Polly cont[inue]d Layard and I read Ernest Renan Essais de Morale et de litterature. 297
Sunday 11th.
Read Moreau. Polly's head being troublesome we resolved to give up the morning to fresh air, and walked along the cliff and sands to Portland Island. Returned, lunched, and then went on the Esplanade. Read the papers. After dinner Polly cont[inue]d Layard and I Renan.
Monday 12th.
Read Moreau: Psychologie Morbide. Went out marketing and [bought] both a hare and brace of partridges. Then returned and continued the Mind and the Brain. After lunch we hired an open carriage and went to Upwey, a lovely village, the source of the Wey, which we visited and should have found it enchanting had it not been beset by a crowd of small boys and girls with glasses of water which they thrust upon us with unmistakeable demands for backsheesh; and even when they got it would not retire but stood gaping round us all the while. The spot is however a study for a painter. The whole village remarkably pretty. On my return found a long letter from Dr. Inman 298 on my proofs of Feeling and Thinking -- it dispirited me to find that even he had quite failed to seize my meaning which I had taken such immense trouble to make clear to every understanding. It is a bad presage of what the public will think! -- In the evening Polly cont[inue]d Layard, and I, Renan.
Friday 16th.
This morning we left Weymouth for home. Started by 8.20 train and reached Holly Lodge 3.40. Found letters from Charley, Spencer, Mr. Quirk, Chapman, etc. Baker was there to meet us and Pug somewhat sceptical at first but finally acknowledging us. Unpacked and set things in order for tomorrow. After dinner read Aurora Leigh aloud and Once a Week to myself.
MS: Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
Monday 5th.
After breakfast we rambled out and the weather was so tempting that we resolved to give up the morning to a walk up the Wey. Having made our way, in rather a roundabout manner and some trespassing to Radipole, we there went all over a Mill which was kindly shown us by the Miller. This was the very thing for Polly who has a Mill in her new novel and wanted some details. We were so delighted with the spot that we enquired about lodgings thinking a day or two might pleasantly and profitably be spent near the mills (there are five within three miles) and the stream. A laborer seemed willing to let his cottage, which we found very clean, and quite comfortable enough. We left him to ask his wife, and then rambled about. Came home at 2 -- dined. Polly read Layard 289 aloud, and we went out for a stroll, and our letters. Tea. I then rewrote the finale to my article, and some letters.
Tuesday 6th.
Read Schr'f6der van der Kolk; 290 went to the post for letters and found a large packet there. Wrote to Blackwood, the Major, and Nurse; 291 rambled; read Athenaeum and lunched. After that we walked to Radipole and were much put out at finding the laborer's wife decidedly opposed to letting her cottage. We sat with a little old woman whom we were told might possibly let lodgings and had a little talk with her; then wandered along the river to another Mill which we went over; and came back very tired. In the evening Polly cont[inue]d Layard; I, the Excursion. Read Schr'f6der.
Wednesday 7th.
Read Schroeder van der Kolk; lounged about the beach. Examined a serpula under the Microscope; but felt too unwell to do any work. After lunch we had a ramble on the Cliff. In the evening went to the Theatre and saw the Hunchback 292 performed in true provincial style.
Thursday 8th.
Read Schroeder van der Kolk. The proof of Feeling and Thinking 293 arrived, and correcting it was occupation for the whole morning. Rambled on the cliff and read Blackwood. In the evening we walked on the Parade to hear the band. I read the Excursion aloud, and Schr'f6der van der Kolk to myself. --
Friday 9th.
Read K'f6lliker: Gewebelehre. 294 Rambled on the sands and had a talk with Mr. Barnes the Kensington tax gatherer. Came in and began to rewrite "The Mind and the Brain." 295 After lunch we went across by Steamer to Portland Island and went to see the Breakwater now in course of construction. After dinner Polly continued Layard.
Saturday 10th.
Read Moreau Psychologie Morbide. 296 Continued "The Brain and the Mind." At 1 o'clock we took the rail to Dorchester, desirous of ascertaining whether the river Frome would suit Polly's purposes. Had lunch at an inn and learned from the landlord that there was no footpath and that the stream was insignificant. We then rambled through the meadows by the side of the stream which is deliciously clear, showing the weeds and waterplants beneath in great beauty and as the day was lovely we enjoyed our ramble greatly. Dorchester a very pretty quiet town with chesnut avenues and trees along the turnpike roads reminding us of Germany. Came back by the 'bd past 5 train. After dinner Polly cont[inue]d Layard and I read Ernest Renan Essais de Morale et de litterature. 297
Sunday 11th.
Read Moreau. Polly's head being troublesome we resolved to give up the morning to fresh air, and walked along the cliff and sands to Portland Island. Returned, lunched, and then went on the Esplanade. Read the papers. After dinner Polly cont[inue]d Layard and I Renan.
Monday 12th.
Read Moreau: Psychologie Morbide. Went out marketing and [bought] both a hare and brace of partridges. Then returned and continued the Mind and the Brain. After lunch we hired an open carriage and went to Upwey, a lovely village, the source of the Wey, which we visited and should have found it enchanting had it not been beset by a crowd of small boys and girls with glasses of water which they thrust upon us with unmistakeable demands for backsheesh; and even when they got it would not retire but stood gaping round us all the while. The spot is however a study for a painter. The whole village remarkably pretty. On my return found a long letter from Dr. Inman 298 on my proofs of Feeling and Thinking -- it dispirited me to find that even he had quite failed to seize my meaning which I had taken such immense trouble to make clear to every understanding. It is a bad presage of what the public will think! -- In the evening Polly cont[inue]d Layard, and I, Renan.
Friday 16th.
This morning we left Weymouth for home. Started by 8.20 train and reached Holly Lodge 3.40. Found letters from Charley, Spencer, Mr. Quirk, Chapman, etc. Baker was there to meet us and Pug somewhat sceptical at first but finally acknowledging us. Unpacked and set things in order for tomorrow. After dinner read Aurora Leigh aloud and Once a Week to myself.
Citation
Ghl Journal, GHL Journal, Weymouth, 5-16 September 1859, 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/94348