GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, Venice, [18] May 1864
Title
GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, Venice, [18] May 1864
Title
GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, Venice, [18] May 1864
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
Charles Lee Lewes
Date(s)
- 1864-05-18
Place
Venice
Letter Content
GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, Venice, [18] May 1864
Text: Paterson, pp. 110-112.
H'f4tel de la Ville, | Venice. | May 20, 262 1864.
Dearest Boy,
Your letter was read aloud to the Mutter as we floated in our gondola down the enchanting Grand Canal. We have the same apartment that we had four years ago. It consists of a comfortable salon and three bedrooms on the first floor. The balcony of our salon overhangs the Grand Canal with the Rialto only a few yards off. We pay for this, and excellent breakfast, table d'h'f4te dinner, with meat, fish (such fish!), etc., and wine ad libitum, light and attendance, how much do you think? Nine francs each per diem.
I often wish Ben 263 were here -- such sniffing! -- and it would enlarge his mind. Impossible in words to convey any idea of the dream-like beauty of Venice and the incessant variety of pictures it presents. I don't mean painted pictures only, though they are superb, but animated pictures which are to be seen at almost every step. Burton's enjoyment is quite delicious to see. To think of his never having been in Italy before! He will gain immensely by his holiday and I hope we shall too. Your mother continues to flourish, she is the best man of the three -- she is in the picture gallery with Burton still. Both in body and mind she feels the journey to have been a great help to her. She patters away her Italian in fine style. The day before yesterday we had a capital scene with three gamins who chaffed us into the pleasurable weakness of giving them soldi. One of these boys reminded your mother and me greatly of Thornie.
Give my love in the most endearing terms to Ben and a saucer of milk in his mother's name. Embrace your brother 264 and imagine your Mutter's embraces. God bless you my dearest boy.
Ever your loving
Pater.
Text: Paterson, pp. 110-112.
H'f4tel de la Ville, | Venice. | May 20, 262 1864.
Dearest Boy,
Your letter was read aloud to the Mutter as we floated in our gondola down the enchanting Grand Canal. We have the same apartment that we had four years ago. It consists of a comfortable salon and three bedrooms on the first floor. The balcony of our salon overhangs the Grand Canal with the Rialto only a few yards off. We pay for this, and excellent breakfast, table d'h'f4te dinner, with meat, fish (such fish!), etc., and wine ad libitum, light and attendance, how much do you think? Nine francs each per diem.
I often wish Ben 263 were here -- such sniffing! -- and it would enlarge his mind. Impossible in words to convey any idea of the dream-like beauty of Venice and the incessant variety of pictures it presents. I don't mean painted pictures only, though they are superb, but animated pictures which are to be seen at almost every step. Burton's enjoyment is quite delicious to see. To think of his never having been in Italy before! He will gain immensely by his holiday and I hope we shall too. Your mother continues to flourish, she is the best man of the three -- she is in the picture gallery with Burton still. Both in body and mind she feels the journey to have been a great help to her. She patters away her Italian in fine style. The day before yesterday we had a capital scene with three gamins who chaffed us into the pleasurable weakness of giving them soldi. One of these boys reminded your mother and me greatly of Thornie.
Give my love in the most endearing terms to Ben and a saucer of milk in his mother's name. Embrace your brother 264 and imagine your Mutter's embraces. God bless you my dearest boy.
Ever your loving
Pater.
Signature
Pater.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, Venice, [18] May 1864, 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/94477