GHL to John Blackwood, Boulogne-Sur-Mer, 28 October 1872
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, Boulogne-Sur-Mer, 28 October 1872
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, Boulogne-Sur-Mer, 28 October 1872
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1872-10-28
Place
Boulogne-Sur-Mer
Letter Content
GHL to John Blackwood, Boulogne-Sur-Mer, 28 October 1872
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Boulogne Monday 28 October 1872.
My dear Blackwood
We are here awaiting a fine day for crossing and a little recruitment of our somewhat damaged strength. On Wednesday we hope to be at the Priory again, and hope there to have a line from you or Willie to say the revise we despatched from Strasburg reached Edinburgh in safety.
We were driven away from Homburg by the fatigue of acquaintances and sought refuge in the delightful quiet of South German towns where no grandeurs were visible. Fortunately the weather was delightful and what with good living, 616 quiet, and quiet amusement we managed to pick up considerably. But unluckily we travelled all night from Strasburg to Paris, which set us both wrong, and Paris was not the place to set us right again. I got to loathe its splendours and frivolity and we came here for a breath of the sea and an aspect of real human nature, however inelegant, so unlike Boulevard nature!
I dare say when we get back again the good effects of our holiday will manifest themselves, but at present they belong to the class of hopes rather than realities.
The rain is now pouring down with a quite English vigour and the sky is as gloomy as London. Fortunately we have grand apartments; (there being scarcely any one in the hotel) which after the pokey holes of Paris seem more like home, and we have books in abundance. Mrs. Lewes begs her kindest regards and believe me
Yours faithfully
G. H. Lewes.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Boulogne Monday 28 October 1872.
My dear Blackwood
We are here awaiting a fine day for crossing and a little recruitment of our somewhat damaged strength. On Wednesday we hope to be at the Priory again, and hope there to have a line from you or Willie to say the revise we despatched from Strasburg reached Edinburgh in safety.
We were driven away from Homburg by the fatigue of acquaintances and sought refuge in the delightful quiet of South German towns where no grandeurs were visible. Fortunately the weather was delightful and what with good living, 616 quiet, and quiet amusement we managed to pick up considerably. But unluckily we travelled all night from Strasburg to Paris, which set us both wrong, and Paris was not the place to set us right again. I got to loathe its splendours and frivolity and we came here for a breath of the sea and an aspect of real human nature, however inelegant, so unlike Boulevard nature!
I dare say when we get back again the good effects of our holiday will manifest themselves, but at present they belong to the class of hopes rather than realities.
The rain is now pouring down with a quite English vigour and the sky is as gloomy as London. Fortunately we have grand apartments; (there being scarcely any one in the hotel) which after the pokey holes of Paris seem more like home, and we have books in abundance. Mrs. Lewes begs her kindest regards and believe me
Yours faithfully
G. H. Lewes.
Signature
G. H. Lewes.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to John Blackwood, Boulogne-Sur-Mer, 28 October 1872, 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/94592