GHL to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, [5 June 1878]
Title
GHL to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, [5 June 1878]
Title
GHL to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, [5 June 1878]
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon
Date(s)
- 1878-06-05
Place
London
Letter Content
GHL to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, [5 June 1878]
MS: Yale.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
Dear Barbara
Before you leave town please send me the French novels, I shall want them in the country.
If you have a laugh at disposal these stories claim it. They have just arrived from Lytton.
In a recent number of the Hindu Patriot this sentence occurs. "Sir G. Campbell 443 set up as a great authority in England but House of Commons soon stripped him to pieces and exposed his cui bono in all its naked hideousness" --
A Hindoo suspecting that during his absence his wife might be imitating Lady Potiphar, asked leave, went home, and found my lady in the arms of her unreluctant Joseph. Narrating the event he said "Think, Sahib, what a magnificent spectacle!"
We have not yet finished our furniture troubles, nor our dissipations. On Friday we dined with the Crown Prince and Princess. They were extremely gracious, reproaching us for not having let them know when we were in Berlin and on taking leave both Prince and Princess made Madonna promise that we would not again visit Berlin without reporting ourselves. -- "I believe you know my sister Louise" were the Princess's first words to Madonna. "I have long wanted to know you" -- etc.
When she was complimenting me, I got over the awkwardness by saying that I should excuse myself as Dr. Johnson did for accepting the flatteries of George III: "Sir, it was not for me to bandy words with my sovereign." 444 -- and I told her that one of her future subjects would have an extra groll against her if he heard of the notice she was taking of me.
She opened her wide eyes and asked "Who? Werder?" 445 -- I could not name him, but I told her the alarm some one felt about her coming to the throne lest she should introduce English laxity in Religion! This amused her and then dropping her voice she said seriously "I know why it is. It is because Strauss was a dear friend of mine." It was a delightful party -- every man present (except Lord Ripon) being distinguished, and except the necessity of standing so long everything was pleasant.
Tonight we go to Lord Carnarvon's, on Saturday 446 to Jowett at Oxford -- on Monday to music party at Sir H. Thompson's, on Tuesday to music party at Hamilton A'efd'e9's -- and then I hope to Witley.
Ever yours affectionately
G. H. L.
MS: Yale.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
Dear Barbara
Before you leave town please send me the French novels, I shall want them in the country.
If you have a laugh at disposal these stories claim it. They have just arrived from Lytton.
In a recent number of the Hindu Patriot this sentence occurs. "Sir G. Campbell 443 set up as a great authority in England but House of Commons soon stripped him to pieces and exposed his cui bono in all its naked hideousness" --
A Hindoo suspecting that during his absence his wife might be imitating Lady Potiphar, asked leave, went home, and found my lady in the arms of her unreluctant Joseph. Narrating the event he said "Think, Sahib, what a magnificent spectacle!"
We have not yet finished our furniture troubles, nor our dissipations. On Friday we dined with the Crown Prince and Princess. They were extremely gracious, reproaching us for not having let them know when we were in Berlin and on taking leave both Prince and Princess made Madonna promise that we would not again visit Berlin without reporting ourselves. -- "I believe you know my sister Louise" were the Princess's first words to Madonna. "I have long wanted to know you" -- etc.
When she was complimenting me, I got over the awkwardness by saying that I should excuse myself as Dr. Johnson did for accepting the flatteries of George III: "Sir, it was not for me to bandy words with my sovereign." 444 -- and I told her that one of her future subjects would have an extra groll against her if he heard of the notice she was taking of me.
She opened her wide eyes and asked "Who? Werder?" 445 -- I could not name him, but I told her the alarm some one felt about her coming to the throne lest she should introduce English laxity in Religion! This amused her and then dropping her voice she said seriously "I know why it is. It is because Strauss was a dear friend of mine." It was a delightful party -- every man present (except Lord Ripon) being distinguished, and except the necessity of standing so long everything was pleasant.
Tonight we go to Lord Carnarvon's, on Saturday 446 to Jowett at Oxford -- on Monday to music party at Sir H. Thompson's, on Tuesday to music party at Hamilton A'efd'e9's -- and then I hope to Witley.
Ever yours affectionately
G. H. L.
Signature
G. H. L.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, [5 June 1878], 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/94906