GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, Florence, [31] May 1861
Title
GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, Florence, [31] May 1861
Title
GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, Florence, [31] May 1861
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
Charles Lee Lewes
Date(s)
- 1861-05-31
Place
Florence
Letter Content
GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, Florence, [31] May 1861
Text: Paterson, pp. 98-100.
Florence. | May 30, 1861.
Dearest Boy,
Mr. Trollope 774 has returned and has seduced us into prolonging our stay for another week, in order that we may witness the great national festival of regenerated Italy on Sunday; and on Monday make an expedition to the monasteries of the Val d'Arno -- the Camaldoli and La Verrica [Verna]. Does the word Camaldoli excite any thrill in you? It does in us, and in most of those who have read romance. The Mutter is looking forward to a great treat in going there. But in spite of this delay in starting we shall not be much behind the time we stated for our arrival home, as we shall make up by journeying rapidly.
Since our last we have witnessed a solemn and interesting ceremony, in honour of the devoted youths who fell in 1848 fighting for Liberty. The large church of Santa Croce was arranged with banners, catafalques, tablets and black crape, which gave it a festal yet solemn air. The aisle was filled with troops, the reserved seats with officers and high functionaries, and the reserved seats on each side with the invit'e9s (among whom were il Signor Lewes e consorte). Every altar was ablaze with wax candles. Two fine bands, one military, and a large but loud chorus performed a requiem and some other pieces. After about an hour of this we had Padre Angelico, a famous preacher, who preached a politico-religious sermon with affecting eloquence and most impressive oratory. He is old and blind, and it was intensely interesting to the Mutter, as you may imagine, to sit and look at his face and hear him uttering brave, wise words to the Florentines. Altogether this is the religious ceremony which I have most thoroughly enjoyed; generally they have been wearisome and rather exasperating, but this was grand throughout and had a real feeling in it.
Also since I wrote we have discovered two open-air theatres to which we have been four times, 775 and intend going as often again as may be. At one there is a really fine melodramatic actress, 776 one who would draw all the town if in Paris or London. At the other there are two good actors. To-night 777 we are going to see Goldoni's "Bottega del Caff'e8," the comedy you began to read with the Mutter. Don't you wish you could be with us? Dinner is just about to be put on the table and I have nothing more to say except God bless you.
Mutter sends many kisses.
Ever your loving
Pater.
Text: Paterson, pp. 98-100.
Florence. | May 30, 1861.
Dearest Boy,
Mr. Trollope 774 has returned and has seduced us into prolonging our stay for another week, in order that we may witness the great national festival of regenerated Italy on Sunday; and on Monday make an expedition to the monasteries of the Val d'Arno -- the Camaldoli and La Verrica [Verna]. Does the word Camaldoli excite any thrill in you? It does in us, and in most of those who have read romance. The Mutter is looking forward to a great treat in going there. But in spite of this delay in starting we shall not be much behind the time we stated for our arrival home, as we shall make up by journeying rapidly.
Since our last we have witnessed a solemn and interesting ceremony, in honour of the devoted youths who fell in 1848 fighting for Liberty. The large church of Santa Croce was arranged with banners, catafalques, tablets and black crape, which gave it a festal yet solemn air. The aisle was filled with troops, the reserved seats with officers and high functionaries, and the reserved seats on each side with the invit'e9s (among whom were il Signor Lewes e consorte). Every altar was ablaze with wax candles. Two fine bands, one military, and a large but loud chorus performed a requiem and some other pieces. After about an hour of this we had Padre Angelico, a famous preacher, who preached a politico-religious sermon with affecting eloquence and most impressive oratory. He is old and blind, and it was intensely interesting to the Mutter, as you may imagine, to sit and look at his face and hear him uttering brave, wise words to the Florentines. Altogether this is the religious ceremony which I have most thoroughly enjoyed; generally they have been wearisome and rather exasperating, but this was grand throughout and had a real feeling in it.
Also since I wrote we have discovered two open-air theatres to which we have been four times, 775 and intend going as often again as may be. At one there is a really fine melodramatic actress, 776 one who would draw all the town if in Paris or London. At the other there are two good actors. To-night 777 we are going to see Goldoni's "Bottega del Caff'e8," the comedy you began to read with the Mutter. Don't you wish you could be with us? Dinner is just about to be put on the table and I have nothing more to say except God bless you.
Mutter sends many kisses.
Ever your loving
Pater.
Signature
Pater.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, Florence, [31] May 1861, 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/94456