GHL to Mrs. John Willim, Berlin, 28 March 1870
Title
GHL to Mrs. John Willim, Berlin, 28 March 1870
Title
GHL to Mrs. John Willim, Berlin, 28 March 1870
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
Mrs. John Willim
Date(s)
- 1870-03-28
Place
Berlin
Letter Content
GHL to Mrs. John Willim, Berlin, 28 March 1870
MS: Mrs. Carrington Ouvry. Hitherto unpublished.
British Hotel, Berlin, 28 March 1870.
Dearest Mother
If your son comes back "with his head where his tail ought to be" you must not be surprised; in any case you must expect him to have his head turned from all the flattery and attention which is momently paid him here. After writing to you on Tuesday, I went to the University Festival of which I spoke, and there found myself seated apart from the public among the Princes, Professors, Ambassadors, and persons covered with stars and decorations. The American Ambassador 138 and myself were the only undecorated persons there -- as Talleyrand said of Castlereagh at the Congress of Vienna "the absence of decoration was a distinction." Several of the potentates in science came up and were introduced to me and began compliments. Then the American Ambassador (Bancroft) told me there were few men he cared more to see, having carefully studied all my books. He showed that his friendly feeling was not wholly politeness, for he called on me that very day, and Mrs. Bancroft (who does not go out) sent us an invitation to a grand dinner on Sunday where we met some of the most distinguished people in Berlin, were lionized at a great rate, and enjoyed ourselves very much. Mommsen, the historian, and a son of Lord Malmesbury's who is attach'e9 to our Embassy here were the most delightful. 139
Prince Frederick of Schleswig Holstein 140 is also a new acquaintance from whom we have had much pleasure. He heard I was in Asher's book shop and begged to be introduced. I liked him amazingly and the same day he called to see Polly who also liked him. He is almost forty, speaks English like an Englishman; is highly cultivated, deep in Oriental history and languages and so Polly had plenty to talk about. He invited us to go and stay with him -- which of course we shall not do -- and begged he might come and see us in London. Altogether his Highness was as agreeable an acquaintance as if he had been Mr. Smith with a first rate education.
Besides seeing many people every hour of the time has been occupied in seeing hospitals, lunatic asylums, and laboratories. Everyone seems anxious to oblige us and to show whatever may interest. The weather continues very cold, often snow, but the air is keen and bracing and we feel it giving us strength every day. We have seen Gluck's Armida, Mozart's Figaro, and Wagner's Tannh'e4user, besides hearing delightful instrumental concerts at 6d a head. We had seats in the box set apart for the Diplomatists at the House of Parliament and heard Bismarck, Delbruck, L'f6we, Braun and other celebrated orators. 141
It was very funny last night at a grand party to see Polly surrounded by adoring women, and a crowd of others all waiting their turn to say a word. She compared it to a flock of birds waiting each to have a peck at her. But this being lionized is very fatiguing, and while one cannot help feeling the kindness, one would so much prefer being left alone! It is only by the offers of people to show us what is remarkable that we get the real value of celebrity.
You will be amused by the enclosed letter which came to Polly on Saturday. 142 We did not want to see His Royal Highness, and therefore did not go. I heard last night that there had been much talk at the Baroness's about our coming -- we were certainly calculated upon -- she no doubt thought we could not resist the princely bait.
We shall only stay here one week more not because it is not pleasant but because it is too pleasant -- and too fatiguing, so that my next letter will in all probability be from Vienna. I wonder what weather you are having in London and hope you keep as lively and young as ever.
Polly sends her dearest love and I shall finish this by a few lines to Charles.
Ever your loving
Son.
MS: Mrs. Carrington Ouvry. Hitherto unpublished.
British Hotel, Berlin, 28 March 1870.
Dearest Mother
If your son comes back "with his head where his tail ought to be" you must not be surprised; in any case you must expect him to have his head turned from all the flattery and attention which is momently paid him here. After writing to you on Tuesday, I went to the University Festival of which I spoke, and there found myself seated apart from the public among the Princes, Professors, Ambassadors, and persons covered with stars and decorations. The American Ambassador 138 and myself were the only undecorated persons there -- as Talleyrand said of Castlereagh at the Congress of Vienna "the absence of decoration was a distinction." Several of the potentates in science came up and were introduced to me and began compliments. Then the American Ambassador (Bancroft) told me there were few men he cared more to see, having carefully studied all my books. He showed that his friendly feeling was not wholly politeness, for he called on me that very day, and Mrs. Bancroft (who does not go out) sent us an invitation to a grand dinner on Sunday where we met some of the most distinguished people in Berlin, were lionized at a great rate, and enjoyed ourselves very much. Mommsen, the historian, and a son of Lord Malmesbury's who is attach'e9 to our Embassy here were the most delightful. 139
Prince Frederick of Schleswig Holstein 140 is also a new acquaintance from whom we have had much pleasure. He heard I was in Asher's book shop and begged to be introduced. I liked him amazingly and the same day he called to see Polly who also liked him. He is almost forty, speaks English like an Englishman; is highly cultivated, deep in Oriental history and languages and so Polly had plenty to talk about. He invited us to go and stay with him -- which of course we shall not do -- and begged he might come and see us in London. Altogether his Highness was as agreeable an acquaintance as if he had been Mr. Smith with a first rate education.
Besides seeing many people every hour of the time has been occupied in seeing hospitals, lunatic asylums, and laboratories. Everyone seems anxious to oblige us and to show whatever may interest. The weather continues very cold, often snow, but the air is keen and bracing and we feel it giving us strength every day. We have seen Gluck's Armida, Mozart's Figaro, and Wagner's Tannh'e4user, besides hearing delightful instrumental concerts at 6d a head. We had seats in the box set apart for the Diplomatists at the House of Parliament and heard Bismarck, Delbruck, L'f6we, Braun and other celebrated orators. 141
It was very funny last night at a grand party to see Polly surrounded by adoring women, and a crowd of others all waiting their turn to say a word. She compared it to a flock of birds waiting each to have a peck at her. But this being lionized is very fatiguing, and while one cannot help feeling the kindness, one would so much prefer being left alone! It is only by the offers of people to show us what is remarkable that we get the real value of celebrity.
You will be amused by the enclosed letter which came to Polly on Saturday. 142 We did not want to see His Royal Highness, and therefore did not go. I heard last night that there had been much talk at the Baroness's about our coming -- we were certainly calculated upon -- she no doubt thought we could not resist the princely bait.
We shall only stay here one week more not because it is not pleasant but because it is too pleasant -- and too fatiguing, so that my next letter will in all probability be from Vienna. I wonder what weather you are having in London and hope you keep as lively and young as ever.
Polly sends her dearest love and I shall finish this by a few lines to Charles.
Ever your loving
Son.
Signature
Son.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to Mrs. John Willim, Berlin, 28 March 1870, 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/94959