GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, London, 21 May 1862
Title
GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, London, 21 May 1862
Title
GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, London, 21 May 1862
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
Charles Lee Lewes
Date(s)
- 1862-05-21
Place
London
Letter Content
GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, London, 21 May 1862
MS: Mrs. Carrington Ouvry. Extracts published: Paterson, pp. 107-108.
Blandford Square | 21 May 1862.
Dearest Boy
Your good news of health and enjoyment was very welcome to the old people who talk much about you. Said old people have been very dissipated -- for them. One day we hired a Brougham -- drove to the Museum with Scharf's letter, and saw the prints in the print room -- did shopping -- sent the Brougham for the grossmutter who came to lunch with us, and I then took her to the Zoo gardens where there are two puppy bears -- such loves! I had one out of the cage and let him suck and bite my thumb, like a pup; but the old lady was nervous and I was forced to desist. In the evening mutter and I went to the New Phil[harmonic] -- Spohr's [Power of Sound] -- exquisite -- and Beethoven's Concerto in G which I dare say you know -- immense! -- On Saturday Smith gave us his stalls at the Royal Italian Opera. Rigoletto -- music poor, but Mario charming. Yesterday we had another day -- went to the Royal Academy -- to the National Portrait Gallery (Scharf not in) and did shopping.
The other day Anthony Trollope came in to lunch -- and my old friend W. Smith -- "Thorndale Smith" -- so we were very jolly indeed. Then Miss Blagden came; and on Monday she took tea with us. So you see we have been "going it"!
Now for a bit of news which you may tell M. D'Albert -- mutter has consented to let her novel appear in the [Cornhill] -- it will be announced in the next number and in July will appear the first part -- to the end of the scene with Bardo and Romola. 69 It is to be illustrated by Leighton 70 who is by far the best man to be had in England. Smith is in high glee at such an attraction for the Magazine, and mutter is less desponding than usual. She read Smith a few chapters before making the arrangement with him, because she naively thought, "he might not like it." He was in raptures. Don't tell any one the nature of the work; we want that to be a surprise -- and tell M. D'Albert that as the work is sold to Smith for 6 years -- he, and not she has the arrangement and right of foreign translation.
As she is only three numbers, or less, in advance she will have to work steadily now to keep well ahead in case of illness, or other contretemps. But she is in better spirits, and will work all the more readily on that account.
Thornie is to be up on the 21st and examinations begin on the 23rd of June.
When you go to Hofwyl tell Bertie that as his grandmamma sent him 10/ -- that must pay for his boat, if he still hankers after it. Give him our love; and from both of us say all manner of pretty things to that good woman Mrs. M'fcller. 71
Mutter sends a shower of kisses.
Ever your loving
Pater.
Kind things to M. and Mad. D'Albert.
MS: Mrs. Carrington Ouvry. Extracts published: Paterson, pp. 107-108.
Blandford Square | 21 May 1862.
Dearest Boy
Your good news of health and enjoyment was very welcome to the old people who talk much about you. Said old people have been very dissipated -- for them. One day we hired a Brougham -- drove to the Museum with Scharf's letter, and saw the prints in the print room -- did shopping -- sent the Brougham for the grossmutter who came to lunch with us, and I then took her to the Zoo gardens where there are two puppy bears -- such loves! I had one out of the cage and let him suck and bite my thumb, like a pup; but the old lady was nervous and I was forced to desist. In the evening mutter and I went to the New Phil[harmonic] -- Spohr's [Power of Sound] -- exquisite -- and Beethoven's Concerto in G which I dare say you know -- immense! -- On Saturday Smith gave us his stalls at the Royal Italian Opera. Rigoletto -- music poor, but Mario charming. Yesterday we had another day -- went to the Royal Academy -- to the National Portrait Gallery (Scharf not in) and did shopping.
The other day Anthony Trollope came in to lunch -- and my old friend W. Smith -- "Thorndale Smith" -- so we were very jolly indeed. Then Miss Blagden came; and on Monday she took tea with us. So you see we have been "going it"!
Now for a bit of news which you may tell M. D'Albert -- mutter has consented to let her novel appear in the [Cornhill] -- it will be announced in the next number and in July will appear the first part -- to the end of the scene with Bardo and Romola. 69 It is to be illustrated by Leighton 70 who is by far the best man to be had in England. Smith is in high glee at such an attraction for the Magazine, and mutter is less desponding than usual. She read Smith a few chapters before making the arrangement with him, because she naively thought, "he might not like it." He was in raptures. Don't tell any one the nature of the work; we want that to be a surprise -- and tell M. D'Albert that as the work is sold to Smith for 6 years -- he, and not she has the arrangement and right of foreign translation.
As she is only three numbers, or less, in advance she will have to work steadily now to keep well ahead in case of illness, or other contretemps. But she is in better spirits, and will work all the more readily on that account.
Thornie is to be up on the 21st and examinations begin on the 23rd of June.
When you go to Hofwyl tell Bertie that as his grandmamma sent him 10/ -- that must pay for his boat, if he still hankers after it. Give him our love; and from both of us say all manner of pretty things to that good woman Mrs. M'fcller. 71
Mutter sends a shower of kisses.
Ever your loving
Pater.
Kind things to M. and Mad. D'Albert.
Signature
Pater.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, London, 21 May 1862, 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/94467