GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, London, [26 April 1871]
Title
GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, London, [26 April 1871]
Title
GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, London, [26 April 1871]
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
Charles Lee Lewes
Date(s)
- 1871-04-26
Place
London
Letter Content
GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, London, [26 April 1871]
MS: Mrs. Carrington Ouvry. Extracts published: Paterson, pp. 145-146.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
Wednesday.
Dearest Boy
Your nice long letter gave us a good idea of your journey and its pleasures. We conclude, though you don't mention it, that health has been improved as well as mind. Can't say as much for us. We pine for the country. Society is oppressive -- though pleasant. Last Sunday we had Tourg'e9neff, 269 Trollope, Bullock 270 and Emily Cross 271 to lunch -- 17 people afterwards -- including Lady Castletown 272 (her third visit), Lady Colville, 273 Mrs. Clough, 274 a broad church Mr. Abbott, 275 Rallston, Dr. Payne, Barbara, Mr. and Mrs. Burne Jones and Viardot 276 who sang divinely and entranced every one, some of them to positive tears. This lasted till 6. At 9 I went to dinner at Mrs. Orr's 277 to meet Tyndall, Dr. Budd, 278 Leighton, and the Hardmans 279 and got home at 'bc to 12. Imagine what a day of talk and excitement!
The other day we met Jenny Lind at a matinee in Hyde Park Gate. She sang four songs -- not to our delight by any means. -- Tomorrow we go to the opera to see Patti in La Sonnambula and on Sunday we shall have the last of our gaieties.
We shall stay away till the beginning of August when we go to Edinburgh to be present at the Scott Centenary Festival -- the committee having specially requested the attendance of the Mutter and yours truly. 280 Never was a compliment more acceptable to her. Her veneration for Scott had almost made her resolve to conquer her dislike of crowds, and accompany me, among the thousands; but now we shall be able to enjoy it with all possible advantages -- sauf un peu de publicit'e9, which the Mutter must endure with what fortitude she may!
The alterations of the Priory (the estimates amount to 505 £ without bookcases and furniture!) will keep us away till August whether we like Hazlemere or not. By the way our address will be "Brookbank, Shotter's Mill, Liphook, Hants."
The little Mutter is very far from well. Her poem appears in Macmillan in July -- it is postponed till then in order to accommodate the Americans who gave 100 £ for the early sheets. The novel advances slowly.
Our love to both.
Pater.
MS: Mrs. Carrington Ouvry. Extracts published: Paterson, pp. 145-146.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
Wednesday.
Dearest Boy
Your nice long letter gave us a good idea of your journey and its pleasures. We conclude, though you don't mention it, that health has been improved as well as mind. Can't say as much for us. We pine for the country. Society is oppressive -- though pleasant. Last Sunday we had Tourg'e9neff, 269 Trollope, Bullock 270 and Emily Cross 271 to lunch -- 17 people afterwards -- including Lady Castletown 272 (her third visit), Lady Colville, 273 Mrs. Clough, 274 a broad church Mr. Abbott, 275 Rallston, Dr. Payne, Barbara, Mr. and Mrs. Burne Jones and Viardot 276 who sang divinely and entranced every one, some of them to positive tears. This lasted till 6. At 9 I went to dinner at Mrs. Orr's 277 to meet Tyndall, Dr. Budd, 278 Leighton, and the Hardmans 279 and got home at 'bc to 12. Imagine what a day of talk and excitement!
The other day we met Jenny Lind at a matinee in Hyde Park Gate. She sang four songs -- not to our delight by any means. -- Tomorrow we go to the opera to see Patti in La Sonnambula and on Sunday we shall have the last of our gaieties.
We shall stay away till the beginning of August when we go to Edinburgh to be present at the Scott Centenary Festival -- the committee having specially requested the attendance of the Mutter and yours truly. 280 Never was a compliment more acceptable to her. Her veneration for Scott had almost made her resolve to conquer her dislike of crowds, and accompany me, among the thousands; but now we shall be able to enjoy it with all possible advantages -- sauf un peu de publicit'e9, which the Mutter must endure with what fortitude she may!
The alterations of the Priory (the estimates amount to 505 £ without bookcases and furniture!) will keep us away till August whether we like Hazlemere or not. By the way our address will be "Brookbank, Shotter's Mill, Liphook, Hants."
The little Mutter is very far from well. Her poem appears in Macmillan in July -- it is postponed till then in order to accommodate the Americans who gave 100 £ for the early sheets. The novel advances slowly.
Our love to both.
Pater.
Signature
Pater.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, London, [26 April 1871], 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/94465