GHL Journal, Lucerne, 13-16 July 1859
Title
GHL Journal, Lucerne, 13-16 July 1859
Title
GHL Journal, Lucerne, 13-16 July 1859
Sender
Ghl Journal
Recipient
U
Date(s)
- 1859-07-13–<br /> 1859-07-16
Place
Lucerne
Letter Content
GHL Journal, Lucerne, 13-16 July 1859
MS: Yale. Extracts published: Kitchel, pp. 190-191.
Wednesday 13th.
Up at 4. Started at 5 for Zollikofen, 211 which was reached at 10. Found the boys awaiting me, and looking in splendid condition. After a hot walk through the wood and along the dusty road a little lemonade and quiet chat in the shade with Dr. and Mrs. M'fcller and the boys was grateful enough. We then went to the Inn where I unpacked and distributed the presents I had brought. Dined at the school. Coffee and fruit in the drawingroom, followed by cigar in the shade. The boys then accompanied me to the wood and there lying on the moss I unburthened myself about Agnes to them. They were less distressed than I had anticipated and were delighted to hear about Marian. This of course furnished the main topic for the whole day. -- Came back and heard Charles play -- surprised and delighted with his progress. Took tea at the school. Cigar and chat as we watched the sunset over the Bernese Alps. Bed at 9.
Thursday.
Up at 5. Boys came to breakfast, after which we all set off to walk to Berne, by way of Reichenbach -- a delicious walk had the sun, dust, and horseflies been less obtrusive. At Berne I called on Prof. Schiff, 212 and had a long interview with him discussing points of nervous physiology, and witnessing some experiments. I then lounged through the town to the Platteforme where the boys were to be and took them to the Hotel to dine. After dinner returned to the Platteforme for coffee, cigar, and ices. Came back to Hofwyl by train at 5. Took tea with the school. Music singing and chatting. Bed at 9.
Friday 15th.
Up at 5. The boys came and in the cool of the morning we rambled about the wood and grounds. Charles played with his master Mozart's duett for piano and violin, very well. Went with the school to bathe. Dined; and got the whole school a half holiday, which made me popular. Spent the day as usual in talk, and rambling. Our talk mainly about the domestic changes, and future arrangements. In the evening music. Bed at 9.
Saturday 16th.
Up at 4. The boys accompanied me to the station and said a painful goodbye. Reached Lucerne at 10. Long chat with Polly about the boys. Rambled with her and went to see Thorwaldsen's Lion 213 -- which greatly disappointed me having very little that was truly leonine about it. After dinner Mrs. Congreve called and sat with us. We then accompanied her to her rooms, took tea there, and went out with the three to see the sunset -- a delicious walk and superb view. Back at 9 to supper.
MS: Yale. Extracts published: Kitchel, pp. 190-191.
Wednesday 13th.
Up at 4. Started at 5 for Zollikofen, 211 which was reached at 10. Found the boys awaiting me, and looking in splendid condition. After a hot walk through the wood and along the dusty road a little lemonade and quiet chat in the shade with Dr. and Mrs. M'fcller and the boys was grateful enough. We then went to the Inn where I unpacked and distributed the presents I had brought. Dined at the school. Coffee and fruit in the drawingroom, followed by cigar in the shade. The boys then accompanied me to the wood and there lying on the moss I unburthened myself about Agnes to them. They were less distressed than I had anticipated and were delighted to hear about Marian. This of course furnished the main topic for the whole day. -- Came back and heard Charles play -- surprised and delighted with his progress. Took tea at the school. Cigar and chat as we watched the sunset over the Bernese Alps. Bed at 9.
Thursday.
Up at 5. Boys came to breakfast, after which we all set off to walk to Berne, by way of Reichenbach -- a delicious walk had the sun, dust, and horseflies been less obtrusive. At Berne I called on Prof. Schiff, 212 and had a long interview with him discussing points of nervous physiology, and witnessing some experiments. I then lounged through the town to the Platteforme where the boys were to be and took them to the Hotel to dine. After dinner returned to the Platteforme for coffee, cigar, and ices. Came back to Hofwyl by train at 5. Took tea with the school. Music singing and chatting. Bed at 9.
Friday 15th.
Up at 5. The boys came and in the cool of the morning we rambled about the wood and grounds. Charles played with his master Mozart's duett for piano and violin, very well. Went with the school to bathe. Dined; and got the whole school a half holiday, which made me popular. Spent the day as usual in talk, and rambling. Our talk mainly about the domestic changes, and future arrangements. In the evening music. Bed at 9.
Saturday 16th.
Up at 4. The boys accompanied me to the station and said a painful goodbye. Reached Lucerne at 10. Long chat with Polly about the boys. Rambled with her and went to see Thorwaldsen's Lion 213 -- which greatly disappointed me having very little that was truly leonine about it. After dinner Mrs. Congreve called and sat with us. We then accompanied her to her rooms, took tea there, and went out with the three to see the sunset -- a delicious walk and superb view. Back at 9 to supper.
Citation
Ghl Journal, GHL Journal, Lucerne, 13-16 July 1859, 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/94330