GHL to John Blackwood, Wandsworth, [6 August 1860]
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, Wandsworth, [6 August 1860]
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, Wandsworth, [6 August 1860]
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1860-08-06
Place
Wandsworth
Letter Content
GHL to John Blackwood, Wandsworth, [6 August 1860]
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Holly Lodge | Monday.
My dear Blackwood
You who know everybody in Edinburgh, can doubtless help me to a decision in the following matter.
My second son, aged 16, is about to leave Switzerland in October and I intend him to spend a final year at the High School, Edinburgh under Schmitz's 599 own eye. But for this it is necessary to find some family where he could be received at a not too high a sum, and where besides his board and lodging, he would find some man willing and capable of looking after him in every respect except that of tuition. I want him to have the advantages of family life; and at the same time to have someone over him to replace me.
I have already heard of one place which might be suitable; but before concluding I should like to run down to Edinburgh, and see for myself the kind of person to whom I was entrusting the boy. In this case it would be an advantage for me to have two or three to choose from. Do you know of anyone -- NOT Calvinistic -- but Episcopalian and gentlemanly -- who would be likely to undertake such a charge? Perhaps Mr. Simpson does?
I hope you will not be golfing or rusticating when I do come to Edinburgh. I have so much to tell you -- "the secret" -- among other things. I suppose you saw the impertinent Athenaeum on the Physiology? 600 It was lucky however they were not more impertinent and objectionable -- I dare say they were afraid.
I shall be getting to work soon on Great Wits Mad Wits, but have had all my time occupied with preparing my eldest son for his competitive examination -- and am only just free.
Mrs. Lewes begs her kindest remembrances to you and the Major. She is in grief because Pug's eye (always threatning) has at last become completely covered with cataract.
She is sitting to Laurence for her portrait, and I hope it will be a success. It is to be the same style as his portrait of Thackeray (you know the one -- that published by Smith and Elder?) and as it was Laurence's own express wish to draw her, because he felt he could, I have some confidence in the result.
[Unsigned]
Mr. Simpson has never written about the binding of the Mill on the Floss.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Holly Lodge | Monday.
My dear Blackwood
You who know everybody in Edinburgh, can doubtless help me to a decision in the following matter.
My second son, aged 16, is about to leave Switzerland in October and I intend him to spend a final year at the High School, Edinburgh under Schmitz's 599 own eye. But for this it is necessary to find some family where he could be received at a not too high a sum, and where besides his board and lodging, he would find some man willing and capable of looking after him in every respect except that of tuition. I want him to have the advantages of family life; and at the same time to have someone over him to replace me.
I have already heard of one place which might be suitable; but before concluding I should like to run down to Edinburgh, and see for myself the kind of person to whom I was entrusting the boy. In this case it would be an advantage for me to have two or three to choose from. Do you know of anyone -- NOT Calvinistic -- but Episcopalian and gentlemanly -- who would be likely to undertake such a charge? Perhaps Mr. Simpson does?
I hope you will not be golfing or rusticating when I do come to Edinburgh. I have so much to tell you -- "the secret" -- among other things. I suppose you saw the impertinent Athenaeum on the Physiology? 600 It was lucky however they were not more impertinent and objectionable -- I dare say they were afraid.
I shall be getting to work soon on Great Wits Mad Wits, but have had all my time occupied with preparing my eldest son for his competitive examination -- and am only just free.
Mrs. Lewes begs her kindest remembrances to you and the Major. She is in grief because Pug's eye (always threatning) has at last become completely covered with cataract.
She is sitting to Laurence for her portrait, and I hope it will be a success. It is to be the same style as his portrait of Thackeray (you know the one -- that published by Smith and Elder?) and as it was Laurence's own express wish to draw her, because he felt he could, I have some confidence in the result.
[Unsigned]
Mr. Simpson has never written about the binding of the Mill on the Floss.
Signature
[Unsigned]
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to John Blackwood, Wandsworth, [6 August 1860], 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/94802