GHL to Charles And Thornton Lewes, Weimar, 27 September 1854
Title
GHL to Charles And Thornton Lewes, Weimar, 27 September 1854
Title
GHL to Charles And Thornton Lewes, Weimar, 27 September 1854
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
Charles And Thorn
Date(s)
- 1854-09-27
Place
Weimar
Letter Content
GHL to Charles And Thornton Lewes, Weimar, 27 September 1854
MS: Yale.
Weimar | 27 September 1854.
My dear Boys
I suppose you will be glad to hear from Papsy as he would be glad to hug you! Here I am in the capital of the Grand duchy of Weimar, about which you, Thornie, know something already, I have no doubt -- or soon will. It is a very queer little place although called the "Athens of Germany" on account of the great poets who have lived here; one of them, the greatest of all, you know already by the portraits and little bust in our house -- I mean Goethe. I am writing his Life, which work brought me to Weimar, to seek for materials. Fancy a little quiet town without cabs, omnibuses, very few carts and scarcely a carriage -- with no gas lights for the streets, which are lighted (in winter only) by oil lamps, slung across the streets on a cord. These, which are rare, give so little light that when ladies go to the theatre they take a servant with them to carry a lantern. -- But though the town is quiet and queer, it it very agreeable as the Park is within five minutes walk of even the most distant parts, and the Park is something like Kensington Gardens with a river running through it, and with rocky paths and winding ways.
As my poor head continues very bad, and prevents my working I walk a great deal; and take little journeys to Jena, Berka, Wartburg, Ilmenau etc. 221 At Jena I visited the field of battle where Napoleon thrashed the Prussians so terribly. At the Wartburg I saw the room where Luther lived so long, as Squire George; they show his inkstand, chair, footstool, and the spot on the wall made by the Inkstand which Luther through at the devil's head, when the devil came to tempt him. You know the story, don't you? I saw there portraits of Luther, of his mother and father; and a magnificent collection of ancient armour which would have pleased you more than anything else.
The other day the Grand Duke 222 sent word that he should be glad to see me at his summer palace. As I had never paid a visit to a crowned head before I felt very uncomfortable lest I should not behave myself according to strict etiquette. How should you have felt, Charley? -- However the Grand Duke at once made me feel at home, and except that I called him "Royal Highness," I did not behave otherwise than I should to any gentleman whom I might visit for the first time. He was very kind to me, and begged me not to hesitate to ask him any service I might desire. He has a just regard for the English. When the Grand Duchess 223 comes to Weimar he is to present me to her.
The last week I have been roaming through the Thuringian forests -- splendid forests of solemn pines and brilliant beeches -- with wide stretching valleys and mountains of the loveliest aspects. One day I lost my way, taking a wrong path, and had a terrible roundabout before I got right again. 224
I heard of your accident, dear Thornie, and of the clever way in which you swallowed the tooth -- I suppose to give your stomach an extra weapon for all the extra food thrust into it -- eh? And you too, dear Charley, I heard of. May I continue to hear good reports of both of you (but no more tooth swallowing) and that you are getting on well with your studies.
Give my kind remembrances to Mr. and Mrs. Pearce 225 and kiss each other for me -- the only way I know of sending a kiss so far.
Your loving
Pater.
MS: Yale.
Weimar | 27 September 1854.
My dear Boys
I suppose you will be glad to hear from Papsy as he would be glad to hug you! Here I am in the capital of the Grand duchy of Weimar, about which you, Thornie, know something already, I have no doubt -- or soon will. It is a very queer little place although called the "Athens of Germany" on account of the great poets who have lived here; one of them, the greatest of all, you know already by the portraits and little bust in our house -- I mean Goethe. I am writing his Life, which work brought me to Weimar, to seek for materials. Fancy a little quiet town without cabs, omnibuses, very few carts and scarcely a carriage -- with no gas lights for the streets, which are lighted (in winter only) by oil lamps, slung across the streets on a cord. These, which are rare, give so little light that when ladies go to the theatre they take a servant with them to carry a lantern. -- But though the town is quiet and queer, it it very agreeable as the Park is within five minutes walk of even the most distant parts, and the Park is something like Kensington Gardens with a river running through it, and with rocky paths and winding ways.
As my poor head continues very bad, and prevents my working I walk a great deal; and take little journeys to Jena, Berka, Wartburg, Ilmenau etc. 221 At Jena I visited the field of battle where Napoleon thrashed the Prussians so terribly. At the Wartburg I saw the room where Luther lived so long, as Squire George; they show his inkstand, chair, footstool, and the spot on the wall made by the Inkstand which Luther through at the devil's head, when the devil came to tempt him. You know the story, don't you? I saw there portraits of Luther, of his mother and father; and a magnificent collection of ancient armour which would have pleased you more than anything else.
The other day the Grand Duke 222 sent word that he should be glad to see me at his summer palace. As I had never paid a visit to a crowned head before I felt very uncomfortable lest I should not behave myself according to strict etiquette. How should you have felt, Charley? -- However the Grand Duke at once made me feel at home, and except that I called him "Royal Highness," I did not behave otherwise than I should to any gentleman whom I might visit for the first time. He was very kind to me, and begged me not to hesitate to ask him any service I might desire. He has a just regard for the English. When the Grand Duchess 223 comes to Weimar he is to present me to her.
The last week I have been roaming through the Thuringian forests -- splendid forests of solemn pines and brilliant beeches -- with wide stretching valleys and mountains of the loveliest aspects. One day I lost my way, taking a wrong path, and had a terrible roundabout before I got right again. 224
I heard of your accident, dear Thornie, and of the clever way in which you swallowed the tooth -- I suppose to give your stomach an extra weapon for all the extra food thrust into it -- eh? And you too, dear Charley, I heard of. May I continue to hear good reports of both of you (but no more tooth swallowing) and that you are getting on well with your studies.
Give my kind remembrances to Mr. and Mrs. Pearce 225 and kiss each other for me -- the only way I know of sending a kiss so far.
Your loving
Pater.
Signature
Pater.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to Charles And Thornton Lewes, Weimar, 27 September 1854, 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/94439