GHL to Alexander Main, Earlswood Common, 8 September 1874
Title
GHL to Alexander Main, Earlswood Common, 8 September 1874
Title
GHL to Alexander Main, Earlswood Common, 8 September 1874
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
Alexander Main
Date(s)
- 1874-09-08
Place
Earlswood Common
Letter Content
GHL to Alexander Main, Earlswood Common, 8 September 1874
Text: Main's copy owned by Mr. John R. Sprunt. Hitherto unpublished.
The Cottage | Earlswood Common | September 8. 74.
My dear Main
I quite agree with you about Tyndall's speech, and think Huxley's open to quite as much objection: both as to matter and manner. 143 I could not help regretting that my second volume was not out, or just about to appear; for I believe many readers would see in it how baseless were the exultations and the tribulations founded on the supposed reality of atoms. As to the Unknowable, I have a regular crusade against it, though I don't expect to be more listened to than any other unpopular teacher. What a strange perversity of speculation is that which makes men declare we cannot know a given thing because we do not know something else!
For once the round of the papers was not a fiction respecting Mrs. Lewes. She is writing what I believe will be a glorious book. I can't say the country has done her so much good as I had hoped -- still she is stronger. As for me, I have had a worse time of it than in town and my rewriting (not revision alas!) of Volume 2 has been much delayed in consequence.
We go back to town on the 25th and then start for the Continent where we shall probably remain till November. But our movements are uncertain.
It is very delightful to both of us to think of you and Ritter returning with such zest and satisfaction to the works you know so well.
Ever faithfully yours
G. H. L.
Text: Main's copy owned by Mr. John R. Sprunt. Hitherto unpublished.
The Cottage | Earlswood Common | September 8. 74.
My dear Main
I quite agree with you about Tyndall's speech, and think Huxley's open to quite as much objection: both as to matter and manner. 143 I could not help regretting that my second volume was not out, or just about to appear; for I believe many readers would see in it how baseless were the exultations and the tribulations founded on the supposed reality of atoms. As to the Unknowable, I have a regular crusade against it, though I don't expect to be more listened to than any other unpopular teacher. What a strange perversity of speculation is that which makes men declare we cannot know a given thing because we do not know something else!
For once the round of the papers was not a fiction respecting Mrs. Lewes. She is writing what I believe will be a glorious book. I can't say the country has done her so much good as I had hoped -- still she is stronger. As for me, I have had a worse time of it than in town and my rewriting (not revision alas!) of Volume 2 has been much delayed in consequence.
We go back to town on the 25th and then start for the Continent where we shall probably remain till November. But our movements are uncertain.
It is very delightful to both of us to think of you and Ritter returning with such zest and satisfaction to the works you know so well.
Ever faithfully yours
G. H. L.
Signature
G. H. L.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to Alexander Main, Earlswood Common, 8 September 1874, 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/94381