GE to Charles Lee Lewes, Witley, 8 September 1880
Title
GE to Charles Lee Lewes, Witley, 8 September 1880
Title
GE to Charles Lee Lewes, Witley, 8 September 1880
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Charles Lee Lewes
Date(s)
- 1880-09-08
Place
Witley
Letter Content
GE to Charles Lee Lewes, Witley, 8 September 1880
MS: Yale. Mostly published: Paterson, pp. 241-242.
The Heights, Witley, | Nr. Godalming.
September 8. 1880.
Dearest Boy
I got both your letters at Six Mile, Brett having kept the foreign one in reserve to send with other [missiles.] My anxiety about you had been previously set at rest by a charming letter from dear Florence, in which she gave me a pretty account of the children. Please tell her that I felt very much her kindness in writing to me.
We reached home yesterday evening after two thoroughly pleasant visits which, however, left us some gladness to get home again. Ranby is a healthy, breezy place, high on the Lincolnshire Wolds, but the heat was not less there than at Witley. Mr. Otter is transformed into a country gentleman with tenants around him who call him [Squire.] He is as delightful as ever to talk to, full of humour and instruction, and Emily, at the head of a large household, with three little ones to love and care for, is a very pretty young matron.
At Six Mile we met, among others, Mr. and Mrs. Sidgwick. These excellent creatures have let their house, Hill Side, that Mrs. S. may take the place of Principal in the new Nuneham College, an adjunct to the one where Miss Clough presides. 471 They count on living in the new house for at least a year, the motive being to lighten the difficulties of the double institution both as to money and management.
The interest for Kensington will be due this quarter. I think it will be better for me to send £7 on this occasion as the sums have varied several times during the year. But I will not send you the cheque until I hear from you when you think of going, for I have just reduced my balance by paying £189 to the lawyers! 472 -- and also by poor Susanna's cheque, who has written me a sad account of her own illness and Baby's. 473 She says that . . . . but I will enclose her letter.
Best love to Gertrude and the ducklings from
Mutter.
J. is gone into the City.
MS: Yale. Mostly published: Paterson, pp. 241-242.
The Heights, Witley, | Nr. Godalming.
September 8. 1880.
Dearest Boy
I got both your letters at Six Mile, Brett having kept the foreign one in reserve to send with other [missiles.] My anxiety about you had been previously set at rest by a charming letter from dear Florence, in which she gave me a pretty account of the children. Please tell her that I felt very much her kindness in writing to me.
We reached home yesterday evening after two thoroughly pleasant visits which, however, left us some gladness to get home again. Ranby is a healthy, breezy place, high on the Lincolnshire Wolds, but the heat was not less there than at Witley. Mr. Otter is transformed into a country gentleman with tenants around him who call him [Squire.] He is as delightful as ever to talk to, full of humour and instruction, and Emily, at the head of a large household, with three little ones to love and care for, is a very pretty young matron.
At Six Mile we met, among others, Mr. and Mrs. Sidgwick. These excellent creatures have let their house, Hill Side, that Mrs. S. may take the place of Principal in the new Nuneham College, an adjunct to the one where Miss Clough presides. 471 They count on living in the new house for at least a year, the motive being to lighten the difficulties of the double institution both as to money and management.
The interest for Kensington will be due this quarter. I think it will be better for me to send £7 on this occasion as the sums have varied several times during the year. But I will not send you the cheque until I hear from you when you think of going, for I have just reduced my balance by paying £189 to the lawyers! 472 -- and also by poor Susanna's cheque, who has written me a sad account of her own illness and Baby's. 473 She says that . . . . but I will enclose her letter.
Best love to Gertrude and the ducklings from
Mutter.
J. is gone into the City.
Signature
Mutter.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Charles Lee Lewes, Witley, 8 September 1880, 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/92250