GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Witley, 10 July 1878
Title
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Witley, 10 July 1878
Title
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Witley, 10 July 1878
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
Mrs. Elma Stuart
Date(s)
- 1878-07-10
Place
Witley
Letter Content
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Witley, 10 July 1878
MS: British Museum. Published: Stuart, pp. 111-113.
The Heights, Witley, | Nr. Godalming.
July 78.
My poor dear Elma!
We had feared from your silence that you were ill again and now comes the news from Edith how ill you have been and are. That a pang shot through our hearts on getting that news you need not be told -- a pang all the sharper from the accompanying sense of helplessness to relieve your suffering. I too -- in a small way -- am a gouty patient; and every night have two or three attacks of cramp. But it isn't worth speaking about, as during the day I am cheerful and active enough. I only do speak of it to give a sort of authoritative emphasis to my advice to you to avoid fruits, sweets, wines, and all acid-making foods, to keep your blood as free from acid as you can by baths, rubbings, exercise, and diet. If you could be persuaded to spend a few weeks at a German Bad it wouldn't be bad for you; or if you prefer France why not go over from Jersey to Vichy or Plombi'e8res? England is the very worst place you could come to with its damp and ever-changing climate.
We have got summer at last -- how long we shall have it is a question -- meanwhile the Heights is not a bad version of Paradise before the serpents (visitors) spoiled that garden. Madonna I grieve to say is and has been much out of sorts, but nothing serious, and no return of her old enemy.
Did she tell you when she wrote that Dr. Lyon Playfair took her down to dinner at the Goschens'? When introduced he claimed having a common friend in Mrs. Stuart. He made himself particularly agreeable. I had no talk with him, though some 30 years ago I used to meet him at Dr. Arnott's. 100
Our furniture troubles are not quite over yet. All men are liars -- upholsterers and builders particularly. But even liars at last fulfil their engagements.
I get up at 6, and before breakfast take a solitary ramble, which I greatly enjoy but which I can't get Madonna to share. Instead of this, she sits up in bed and buries herself in Dante or Homer. When the weather is cooler I hope to get her into regular practice of lawn tennis, but at present except our drives in the afternoon she gets but little of the sunshine and breezes to put color into her cheeks.
I have just been up to ask her if she had any special message to send, and she says nothing but her [dearest love and sympathy] -- well, that is special. As for me I send the biggest kiss which will go by post; and send also loving remembrances to Mrs. Menzies who is the very best Gamp you could have. God bless you.
Ever your loving
G. H. Lewes.
MS: British Museum. Published: Stuart, pp. 111-113.
The Heights, Witley, | Nr. Godalming.
July 78.
My poor dear Elma!
We had feared from your silence that you were ill again and now comes the news from Edith how ill you have been and are. That a pang shot through our hearts on getting that news you need not be told -- a pang all the sharper from the accompanying sense of helplessness to relieve your suffering. I too -- in a small way -- am a gouty patient; and every night have two or three attacks of cramp. But it isn't worth speaking about, as during the day I am cheerful and active enough. I only do speak of it to give a sort of authoritative emphasis to my advice to you to avoid fruits, sweets, wines, and all acid-making foods, to keep your blood as free from acid as you can by baths, rubbings, exercise, and diet. If you could be persuaded to spend a few weeks at a German Bad it wouldn't be bad for you; or if you prefer France why not go over from Jersey to Vichy or Plombi'e8res? England is the very worst place you could come to with its damp and ever-changing climate.
We have got summer at last -- how long we shall have it is a question -- meanwhile the Heights is not a bad version of Paradise before the serpents (visitors) spoiled that garden. Madonna I grieve to say is and has been much out of sorts, but nothing serious, and no return of her old enemy.
Did she tell you when she wrote that Dr. Lyon Playfair took her down to dinner at the Goschens'? When introduced he claimed having a common friend in Mrs. Stuart. He made himself particularly agreeable. I had no talk with him, though some 30 years ago I used to meet him at Dr. Arnott's. 100
Our furniture troubles are not quite over yet. All men are liars -- upholsterers and builders particularly. But even liars at last fulfil their engagements.
I get up at 6, and before breakfast take a solitary ramble, which I greatly enjoy but which I can't get Madonna to share. Instead of this, she sits up in bed and buries herself in Dante or Homer. When the weather is cooler I hope to get her into regular practice of lawn tennis, but at present except our drives in the afternoon she gets but little of the sunshine and breezes to put color into her cheeks.
I have just been up to ask her if she had any special message to send, and she says nothing but her [dearest love and sympathy] -- well, that is special. As for me I send the biggest kiss which will go by post; and send also loving remembrances to Mrs. Menzies who is the very best Gamp you could have. God bless you.
Ever your loving
G. H. Lewes.
Signature
G. H. Lewes.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Witley, 10 July 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/94948