GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, Wandsworth, 17 March 1860
Title
GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, Wandsworth, 17 March 1860
Title
GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, Wandsworth, 17 March 1860
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
Charles Lee Lewes
Date(s)
- 1860-03-17
Place
Wandsworth
Letter Content
GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, Wandsworth, 17 March 1860
MS: Mrs. Carrington Ouvry. Extracts published: Paterson, 79-81.
Holly Lodge, Wandsworth | 17 March 1860.
My dear Charles
Tell Dr. M'fcller with my compliments that yesterday I paid 50'a3 to his account at Messrs. Scott's, in anticipation, as I shall be away when he sends in the quarterly account.
We think of starting on Monday week for Paris and Rome; but as our movements depend upon printers, we can't say very precisely when we shall be off. We are both longing for the day, as our health is far from flourishing, and our hearts are set on Italy and Italian skies. Of course you will hear from us from Rome; and tell Thornie I will get him all the stamps I can.
Thornie asked whether I had any objection to your being confirmed at Bern. Yes, I have; and intend it to take place in England -- where you will become a "confirmed" musician and he a "confirmed" poet. I do not wish either of you to see Deacons, or other Swiss clergy to get their notions of theology, which might be troublesome here. This of course is only for your private ears, and must not be talked about. But you may mention it privately to Dr. M'fcller.
Another thing I do not wish, and that is that you, Charlie, now you are about to quit school, should have your hair cut so short as is necessary with school boys. Let it grow nice and long, so that when your mother embraces you, she may embrace a good-looking chap!
Yesterday Maumy[?] and I went to see Nursie, 504 who will "keep house" while I am away, and whom you will find here on your return. She was pretty well -- for her -- and read us your letter, which gives a formidable catalogue of your music. How rich you are! We then went to dine with Grandmamma and found the Captain 505 very shaky indeed and in low spirits -- I'm afraid he will not last many years.
I have this week received application for permission to translate the Life of Goethe into French 506 and my History of Philosophy into German. 507 The "Physiology of Common Life" (my new book) is already being translated into German, 508 and the English reprint is also to be published in Germany. -- "Adam Bede" is translated into Hungarian, Dutch, German, and French -- so you see we are becoming quite European celebrities; and Thornie will have a hard task of it to keep up and extend the family fame -- he must work hard now, while he has the chance! As for you, you do not need to be told to work, you have done it manfully.
The "Cornhill Magazine" (of which you will have received the 1st number by this time in the parcel I sent) is the greatest success of any magazine ever published in this country. It sells 100,000 copies -- whereas "Blackwood" which is the first and best magazine only sells, 8,000.
All England is on tiptoe with expectation for the "Mill on the Floss" but we shall not hear the cheers which will greet it, for we shall be off before it is out. I expect it will be even more popular than "Adam Bede"; though that has had greater success than any novel since Scott (except Dickens). I do not mean has sold more -- for "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and "Les Myst'e8res de Paris" surpass all novels in sale; 509 but in its influence, and in obtaining the suffrages of the highest and wisest as well as of the ordinary novel reader, nothing equals "Adam Bede." But her genius is nothing to her tenderness and goodness, and you will all love her, nearly as much as I do, when you come to know her.
I hope Bertie is well and improving. The young rascal does not favor us with many letters. But we shall see him and you some time in June. God bless you my boys. Your mother sends a shower of kisses.
Ever your loving
Pater.
MS: Mrs. Carrington Ouvry. Extracts published: Paterson, 79-81.
Holly Lodge, Wandsworth | 17 March 1860.
My dear Charles
Tell Dr. M'fcller with my compliments that yesterday I paid 50'a3 to his account at Messrs. Scott's, in anticipation, as I shall be away when he sends in the quarterly account.
We think of starting on Monday week for Paris and Rome; but as our movements depend upon printers, we can't say very precisely when we shall be off. We are both longing for the day, as our health is far from flourishing, and our hearts are set on Italy and Italian skies. Of course you will hear from us from Rome; and tell Thornie I will get him all the stamps I can.
Thornie asked whether I had any objection to your being confirmed at Bern. Yes, I have; and intend it to take place in England -- where you will become a "confirmed" musician and he a "confirmed" poet. I do not wish either of you to see Deacons, or other Swiss clergy to get their notions of theology, which might be troublesome here. This of course is only for your private ears, and must not be talked about. But you may mention it privately to Dr. M'fcller.
Another thing I do not wish, and that is that you, Charlie, now you are about to quit school, should have your hair cut so short as is necessary with school boys. Let it grow nice and long, so that when your mother embraces you, she may embrace a good-looking chap!
Yesterday Maumy[?] and I went to see Nursie, 504 who will "keep house" while I am away, and whom you will find here on your return. She was pretty well -- for her -- and read us your letter, which gives a formidable catalogue of your music. How rich you are! We then went to dine with Grandmamma and found the Captain 505 very shaky indeed and in low spirits -- I'm afraid he will not last many years.
I have this week received application for permission to translate the Life of Goethe into French 506 and my History of Philosophy into German. 507 The "Physiology of Common Life" (my new book) is already being translated into German, 508 and the English reprint is also to be published in Germany. -- "Adam Bede" is translated into Hungarian, Dutch, German, and French -- so you see we are becoming quite European celebrities; and Thornie will have a hard task of it to keep up and extend the family fame -- he must work hard now, while he has the chance! As for you, you do not need to be told to work, you have done it manfully.
The "Cornhill Magazine" (of which you will have received the 1st number by this time in the parcel I sent) is the greatest success of any magazine ever published in this country. It sells 100,000 copies -- whereas "Blackwood" which is the first and best magazine only sells, 8,000.
All England is on tiptoe with expectation for the "Mill on the Floss" but we shall not hear the cheers which will greet it, for we shall be off before it is out. I expect it will be even more popular than "Adam Bede"; though that has had greater success than any novel since Scott (except Dickens). I do not mean has sold more -- for "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and "Les Myst'e8res de Paris" surpass all novels in sale; 509 but in its influence, and in obtaining the suffrages of the highest and wisest as well as of the ordinary novel reader, nothing equals "Adam Bede." But her genius is nothing to her tenderness and goodness, and you will all love her, nearly as much as I do, when you come to know her.
I hope Bertie is well and improving. The young rascal does not favor us with many letters. But we shall see him and you some time in June. God bless you my boys. Your mother sends a shower of kisses.
Ever your loving
Pater.
Signature
Pater.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to Charles Lee Lewes, Wandsworth, 17 March 1860, 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/94478