GE and GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, Florence, 27 May 1861
Title
GE and GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, Florence, 27 May 1861
Title
GE and GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, Florence, 27 May 1861
Sender
George Eliot, George Henry Lewes
Recipient
Charles Lee Lewes
Date(s)
- 1861-05-27
Place
Florence
Letter Content
GE and GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, Florence, 27 May 1861
MS: Yale. Published: Paterson, pp. 95-98.
Florence, May 27. 61.
Dearest Boy
Jubilate! we shall soon be at home again -- if indeed you are not learning to do without us so well that our presence will hardly be matter of jubilation. We think of starting from Leghorn to Genoa on Friday next (the 31st), and we shall probably be at home by or before the 15th; but of course we shall write again, and let you know precisely when to expect us, as soon as we have precise knowledge ourselves. Florence is getting hot, and I am the less sorry to leave it, because it has agreed very ill with the dear Paterculus: since we wrote last he has been much teazed with a cough and other ailments, but he is better just now. This evening we have been mounting to the top of Giotto's tower -- a very sublime getting-upstairs indeed, 772 and our muscles are much astonished at the unusual exercise; so you must not be shocked if my letter seems to be written with dim faculties, as well as with a dim light.
It made me feel hot and tired to read of your being out late three nights running! Nevertheless we have rejoiced at your having pleasant musical evenings -- especially at your hearing Formes and your prospect of hearing Fidelio. You perceive, you need be in no anxiety about the payment for your lessons as we shall be home before they are at an end. -- Tell Grace and Amelia to get everything in order at once -- curtains up etc. by the 10th so that if we should write to say we are coming before the 15th, they may be in no hurry or confusion. Ask Amelia to send my muslin dress to the wash, as I shall want thin clothes in the London heat -- more difficult to bear, I imagine, than the Florentine.
Our life has varied little since Pater wrote you his last description. We have seen no one but Mrs. Trollope and her pretty little girl Beatrice, 773 who is a musical genius. She is a delicate fairy about ten years old, but sings with a grace and expression that make it a thrilling delight to hear her. Poor Mrs. Hay was not well last night when we called, so we had to leave our cards P.P.C. -- We have had glorious sunsets shedding crimson and golden lights under the dark bridges across the Arno. All Florence turns out at eventide, but we avoid the slow crowds on the Lung' Arno and take our way "up all manner of streets" -- to please a certain wilful pig, of course.
You must write to us again, but Pater is going to add his say, and he will give you directions about the address. I have said nothing, after all -- but here is the pith of all possible letters from me -- that I am
Your loving
Mutter.
[In GHL's hand.]
M'fctterchen complaining of the dulness of her scribblement to the dearest of boys thinks that the brilliant Pater (not culus, as she adds) is likely to enliven the page; whereas that luminary is in a state of bowels the reverse of cheering; but as we are off to Pistoja early tomorrow, the postcript must be written now if at all.
We shall be at Berne by the 6 or 7th so you can address to Hofwyl -- no better say poste restante, unless you are writing to Bertie.
Our route as at present projected will be Genoa, Lago Maggiore, cross the Simplon to Martigny, lake of Geneva to Lausanne, and thence to Thun whither Bertie will come to us. I only hope change of scene will agree better with our bodies (feeble bodies, aren't they?); for the hot sun and cold winds of Florence have left us both very much below par all the time we have been here. Nevertheless Florence is a lovely place, and I love it.
Your letters have given us so much pleasure! The dear little Mutter has been roaming about the streets several times trying to see something to take to her boy as a remembrance of Florence but as the boy doesn't wear trinkets and there is no music worth having published in Italy she has been fairly nonplussed. I tell her it is all nonsense, and that the boy would rather have her all to himself one evening than anything Florence could furnish. She has gone to bed, much tired and I shall follow. God bless you!
Ever your loving
Pater not culus.
Another edition of Silas! and Mudie has had 100 copies of it already making 3,100 he has had.
MS: Yale. Published: Paterson, pp. 95-98.
Florence, May 27. 61.
Dearest Boy
Jubilate! we shall soon be at home again -- if indeed you are not learning to do without us so well that our presence will hardly be matter of jubilation. We think of starting from Leghorn to Genoa on Friday next (the 31st), and we shall probably be at home by or before the 15th; but of course we shall write again, and let you know precisely when to expect us, as soon as we have precise knowledge ourselves. Florence is getting hot, and I am the less sorry to leave it, because it has agreed very ill with the dear Paterculus: since we wrote last he has been much teazed with a cough and other ailments, but he is better just now. This evening we have been mounting to the top of Giotto's tower -- a very sublime getting-upstairs indeed, 772 and our muscles are much astonished at the unusual exercise; so you must not be shocked if my letter seems to be written with dim faculties, as well as with a dim light.
It made me feel hot and tired to read of your being out late three nights running! Nevertheless we have rejoiced at your having pleasant musical evenings -- especially at your hearing Formes and your prospect of hearing Fidelio. You perceive, you need be in no anxiety about the payment for your lessons as we shall be home before they are at an end. -- Tell Grace and Amelia to get everything in order at once -- curtains up etc. by the 10th so that if we should write to say we are coming before the 15th, they may be in no hurry or confusion. Ask Amelia to send my muslin dress to the wash, as I shall want thin clothes in the London heat -- more difficult to bear, I imagine, than the Florentine.
Our life has varied little since Pater wrote you his last description. We have seen no one but Mrs. Trollope and her pretty little girl Beatrice, 773 who is a musical genius. She is a delicate fairy about ten years old, but sings with a grace and expression that make it a thrilling delight to hear her. Poor Mrs. Hay was not well last night when we called, so we had to leave our cards P.P.C. -- We have had glorious sunsets shedding crimson and golden lights under the dark bridges across the Arno. All Florence turns out at eventide, but we avoid the slow crowds on the Lung' Arno and take our way "up all manner of streets" -- to please a certain wilful pig, of course.
You must write to us again, but Pater is going to add his say, and he will give you directions about the address. I have said nothing, after all -- but here is the pith of all possible letters from me -- that I am
Your loving
Mutter.
[In GHL's hand.]
M'fctterchen complaining of the dulness of her scribblement to the dearest of boys thinks that the brilliant Pater (not culus, as she adds) is likely to enliven the page; whereas that luminary is in a state of bowels the reverse of cheering; but as we are off to Pistoja early tomorrow, the postcript must be written now if at all.
We shall be at Berne by the 6 or 7th so you can address to Hofwyl -- no better say poste restante, unless you are writing to Bertie.
Our route as at present projected will be Genoa, Lago Maggiore, cross the Simplon to Martigny, lake of Geneva to Lausanne, and thence to Thun whither Bertie will come to us. I only hope change of scene will agree better with our bodies (feeble bodies, aren't they?); for the hot sun and cold winds of Florence have left us both very much below par all the time we have been here. Nevertheless Florence is a lovely place, and I love it.
Your letters have given us so much pleasure! The dear little Mutter has been roaming about the streets several times trying to see something to take to her boy as a remembrance of Florence but as the boy doesn't wear trinkets and there is no music worth having published in Italy she has been fairly nonplussed. I tell her it is all nonsense, and that the boy would rather have her all to himself one evening than anything Florence could furnish. She has gone to bed, much tired and I shall follow. God bless you!
Ever your loving
Pater not culus.
Another edition of Silas! and Mudie has had 100 copies of it already making 3,100 he has had.
Signature
Pater not culus.
Citation
George Eliot, George Henry Lewes, GE and GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, Florence, 27 May 1861, Complete George Eliot Letters(2026), George Eliot Archive, edited by Beverley Park Rilett. https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org, Accessed September 7, 2026. https://www.georgeeliotarchive.org/items/show/91857