GHL to John Blackwood, Witley, [20 June 1877]
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, Witley, [20 June 1877]
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, Witley, [20 June 1877]
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1877-06-20
Place
Witley
Letter Content
GHL to John Blackwood, Witley, [20 June 1877]
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
The Heights, Witley, Godalming | (Telegrams to be addressed:
Witley Station) | Wednesday.
My dear Blackwood
I write instead of telegraphing, because there is more to say than can be conveniently put into a telegram.
Any day will suit us, that is most convenient to yourself; only Wednesdays and Saturdays are in this respect the best that on those days we get our Fish from London! Barring that, one day is the same as another.
Then as to trains, which may not be very convenient for you. If you can spare us a long day -- which however with your press of London friends and engagements may not be easy -- there is a train which leaves Waterloo at 11.30 and reaches this 12.43. We dine at 1.30 and you could then lunch or dine with us, rest during the heat of the day, have a delicious drive in the cool, back at 7.30 or so to supper, and home by the 8.25 train. But if you can't spare all this time, there is a train from Waterloo at 2.35 reaching this at 3.54. We could then dine at 6.30 and you return by the 8.25; or if you came by the 11.20 and lunched with us you could return by the 4.13, or 7.5.
These are the alternatives -- choose the one which best suits your engagements and be sure of a hearty welcome whichever it is!
This place is Paradise. Or it would be if Madonna were only free from pain, and the bloom only return to her cheek.
Let us know when to expect you -- and with kindest regards to Mrs. Blackwood and the fair Ebonina. 711 Believe me
Yours ever
G. H. L.
You might bring down the Pilot and his Wife 712 if it is to hand and portable; or Reade's novel; 713 literature is not abundant in these diggings.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
The Heights, Witley, Godalming | (Telegrams to be addressed:
Witley Station) | Wednesday.
My dear Blackwood
I write instead of telegraphing, because there is more to say than can be conveniently put into a telegram.
Any day will suit us, that is most convenient to yourself; only Wednesdays and Saturdays are in this respect the best that on those days we get our Fish from London! Barring that, one day is the same as another.
Then as to trains, which may not be very convenient for you. If you can spare us a long day -- which however with your press of London friends and engagements may not be easy -- there is a train which leaves Waterloo at 11.30 and reaches this 12.43. We dine at 1.30 and you could then lunch or dine with us, rest during the heat of the day, have a delicious drive in the cool, back at 7.30 or so to supper, and home by the 8.25 train. But if you can't spare all this time, there is a train from Waterloo at 2.35 reaching this at 3.54. We could then dine at 6.30 and you return by the 8.25; or if you came by the 11.20 and lunched with us you could return by the 4.13, or 7.5.
These are the alternatives -- choose the one which best suits your engagements and be sure of a hearty welcome whichever it is!
This place is Paradise. Or it would be if Madonna were only free from pain, and the bloom only return to her cheek.
Let us know when to expect you -- and with kindest regards to Mrs. Blackwood and the fair Ebonina. 711 Believe me
Yours ever
G. H. L.
You might bring down the Pilot and his Wife 712 if it is to hand and portable; or Reade's novel; 713 literature is not abundant in these diggings.
Signature
G. H. L.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to John Blackwood, Witley, [20 June 1877], 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/94817