GHL to Mrs. Charles Eliot Norton, London, 4 February 1869
Title
GHL to Mrs. Charles Eliot Norton, London, 4 February 1869
Title
GHL to Mrs. Charles Eliot Norton, London, 4 February 1869
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
Mrs. Charles Eliot Nor
Date(s)
- 1869-02-04
Place
London
Letter Content
GHL to Mrs. Charles Eliot Norton, London, 4 February 1869
MS: Harvard. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
February 69.
My dear Mrs. Norton
Some years ago it was my supreme good fortune to be on intimate terms with the late King of Holland -- or was it his Cook? Perhaps. At any rate my royal friend had a flavour of the court about him; and he graciously condescended to initiate me into many deeply interesting details respecting the Great -- or as he called them the Haute Volaille. These details I imparted very freely to my friends acquaintances and fellow travellers in railway and steamboat. Also to wandering Americans, by whom I was much respected in consequence.
Among the valuable hints His Royal Culinariness gave me, was one respecting Lunch. "Whenever" said H.R.C. with some emphasis "you can persuade a perfectly charming woman to partake of that repast" (you detect the styl choisi of my royal friend?) "remember by all means, let it be on a Monday -- and the hour Two."
Under such circumstances must we not say next Monday the hour Two? 18
If the P.C.W. in question happen to prefer the enclosed photo of her aristocratic friend, to the one which accompanies the letter to the Gr'e4fin Baudissin the exchange can be made. But in every case let it be observed that photos of herself mother, husband, and sisters are clamorously claimed by her
Very faithful
G. H. Lewes.
MS: Harvard. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
February 69.
My dear Mrs. Norton
Some years ago it was my supreme good fortune to be on intimate terms with the late King of Holland -- or was it his Cook? Perhaps. At any rate my royal friend had a flavour of the court about him; and he graciously condescended to initiate me into many deeply interesting details respecting the Great -- or as he called them the Haute Volaille. These details I imparted very freely to my friends acquaintances and fellow travellers in railway and steamboat. Also to wandering Americans, by whom I was much respected in consequence.
Among the valuable hints His Royal Culinariness gave me, was one respecting Lunch. "Whenever" said H.R.C. with some emphasis "you can persuade a perfectly charming woman to partake of that repast" (you detect the styl choisi of my royal friend?) "remember by all means, let it be on a Monday -- and the hour Two."
Under such circumstances must we not say next Monday the hour Two? 18
If the P.C.W. in question happen to prefer the enclosed photo of her aristocratic friend, to the one which accompanies the letter to the Gr'e4fin Baudissin the exchange can be made. But in every case let it be observed that photos of herself mother, husband, and sisters are clamorously claimed by her
Very faithful
G. H. Lewes.
Signature
G. H. Lewes.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to Mrs. Charles Eliot Norton, London, 4 February 1869, 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/94929