GHL to John Simon, Shottermill, 25 May 1871
Title
GHL to John Simon, Shottermill, 25 May 1871
Title
GHL to John Simon, Shottermill, 25 May 1871
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
John Simon
Date(s)
- 1871-05-25
Place
Shottermill
Letter Content
GHL to John Simon, Shottermill, 25 May 1871
Text: Copy made by Edwin Mallard Everett.
Brookbank Cottage | Shotter Mill | nr Petersfield | 25 May 71.
My dear Simon
Dr. Payne 32 who is a candidate for a post at your Hospital wishes me to say a word in his favor, and although I cannot speak as one having authority I can't refuse to bear conscientious testimony to the real worth and ability concealed under his modest and unimpressive exterior. You will be the best judge of his qualifications -- professionally -- I can only say that I believe him to be a thoroughly good man with honest work in him. That is a kind of man rare as you know!
We are here amid lovely scenes and, what is more precious, intense solitude. Lord Houghton laughs at us for our St. Simeon Stylites kind of existence, and many other friends marvel that we can run away from London with all its season gaieties and our very [curious] wish to bury ourselves in the country. But you can understand it.
I am hard at work -- digging at the foundations of things with but a distant prospect of reaching the artesian well. Meanwhile it gives life a purpose and the afternoon ramble a keener edge of enjoyment. Remember me to Helps whom I suppose you see often and whom I never see now.
Ever yours
G. H. Lewes.
Text: Copy made by Edwin Mallard Everett.
Brookbank Cottage | Shotter Mill | nr Petersfield | 25 May 71.
My dear Simon
Dr. Payne 32 who is a candidate for a post at your Hospital wishes me to say a word in his favor, and although I cannot speak as one having authority I can't refuse to bear conscientious testimony to the real worth and ability concealed under his modest and unimpressive exterior. You will be the best judge of his qualifications -- professionally -- I can only say that I believe him to be a thoroughly good man with honest work in him. That is a kind of man rare as you know!
We are here amid lovely scenes and, what is more precious, intense solitude. Lord Houghton laughs at us for our St. Simeon Stylites kind of existence, and many other friends marvel that we can run away from London with all its season gaieties and our very [curious] wish to bury ourselves in the country. But you can understand it.
I am hard at work -- digging at the foundations of things with but a distant prospect of reaching the artesian well. Meanwhile it gives life a purpose and the afternoon ramble a keener edge of enjoyment. Remember me to Helps whom I suppose you see often and whom I never see now.
Ever yours
G. H. Lewes.
Signature
G. H. Lewes.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to John Simon, Shottermill, 25 May 1871, 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/94832