GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 23 December 1876
Title
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 23 December 1876
Title
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 23 December 1876
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
Mrs. Elma Stuart
Date(s)
- 1876-12-23
Place
London
Letter Content
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 23 December 1876
MS: British Museum. Published: Stuart, pp. 67-69.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
December 76.
A merry Christmas, dear Elma, to you and Roly! and if wishes will draw down blessings, you will be blessed.
Herewith I send you the precious autograph, which you alone among my friends I care to give it to -- it is the batch of notes which Darwin wrote at my request on some articles of mine on his hypothesis, which appeared in the "Fortnightly Review," April, June, July and November 1868.
You will be glad to hear that at last we have secured a place in the country which promises to fulfil our expectations. There are 8 acres of beautiful grounds and wood, with a house not too large for us, five minutes from a station, 70 minutes from town, sandy soil, lovely country, and nice neighbours. It is called "The Heights" -- Witley, near Godalming, Surrey. Next door on either side are Birket Foster and Sir Henry Holland 587 -- the son of our old friend. It is there we intend to have you as a guest next summer. Owing to the dreadful state of the money market we have got this place for £3000 less than was asked! Isn't that luck?
Madonna is pretty well just now, greatly comforted by the testimonies she receives from Jews and Jewesses in Germany, France, America and England -- especially the learned Rabbis who seem to think "Deronda" will instruct, elevate, and expand the minds of Jews no less than modify the feelings of [Christians] towards the Jews.
We are to spend Christmas with our fervid Scotch friends at Weybridge -- our own children having their family gathering with Gertrude's relatives.
When I asked Madonna if she had any special message for you she said that beyond her dear love there was nothing but to say how she wished to hear full particulars of your joys and sorrows, occupations and plans whenever you care to send them. "She knows I like receiving letters -- it is the answering them I don't like!"
Ever your loving
G. H. L.
MS: British Museum. Published: Stuart, pp. 67-69.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
December 76.
A merry Christmas, dear Elma, to you and Roly! and if wishes will draw down blessings, you will be blessed.
Herewith I send you the precious autograph, which you alone among my friends I care to give it to -- it is the batch of notes which Darwin wrote at my request on some articles of mine on his hypothesis, which appeared in the "Fortnightly Review," April, June, July and November 1868.
You will be glad to hear that at last we have secured a place in the country which promises to fulfil our expectations. There are 8 acres of beautiful grounds and wood, with a house not too large for us, five minutes from a station, 70 minutes from town, sandy soil, lovely country, and nice neighbours. It is called "The Heights" -- Witley, near Godalming, Surrey. Next door on either side are Birket Foster and Sir Henry Holland 587 -- the son of our old friend. It is there we intend to have you as a guest next summer. Owing to the dreadful state of the money market we have got this place for £3000 less than was asked! Isn't that luck?
Madonna is pretty well just now, greatly comforted by the testimonies she receives from Jews and Jewesses in Germany, France, America and England -- especially the learned Rabbis who seem to think "Deronda" will instruct, elevate, and expand the minds of Jews no less than modify the feelings of [Christians] towards the Jews.
We are to spend Christmas with our fervid Scotch friends at Weybridge -- our own children having their family gathering with Gertrude's relatives.
When I asked Madonna if she had any special message for you she said that beyond her dear love there was nothing but to say how she wished to hear full particulars of your joys and sorrows, occupations and plans whenever you care to send them. "She knows I like receiving letters -- it is the answering them I don't like!"
Ever your loving
G. H. L.
Signature
G. H. L.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, London, 23 December 1876, 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/94940