GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Witley, 12 July 1877
Title
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Witley, 12 July 1877
Title
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Witley, 12 July 1877
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
Mrs. Elma Stuart
Date(s)
- 1877-07-12
Place
Witley
Letter Content
GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Witley, 12 July 1877
MS: British Museum. Published: Stuart, pp. 84-87.
The Heights, Witley, | Godalming | 12 July 77.
Dear Elma
I should have written to you soon after our arrival here, 5 weeks since, had I not suspected that you would have moved towards England or Scotland, and expected to hear from you of your whereabouts.
First as to Madonna -- she is, and has been, ever since February, in constant uneasiness, varied by pain, and occasionally a day or two's interval of relief. This is the only cloud in our heaven -- and by dint of persistence it ceases to have a very black aspect; but till she is at something like her normal condition I can't help being anxious.
Next as to the new home -- it is a small paradise. With many objectionable points in the arrangement and structure of the rooms, there is so much beauty, healthiness, and peace in the grounds and surrounding country that we are in perpetual delight. I turn into my wood to meditate, and the squirrels contemplate me with astonished contempt: "What, little sir! are you there, straddling among the fir cones and unable to run up among these branches -- pondering problems and unable to enjoy nuts -- a two fisted, two legged, troublous and troubled animal!" -- The thrushes and blackbirds have their musical remarks to make -- and the cuckoo occasionally throws in a distant observation -- the pigeons coo and the moles dart into their burrows. The sweet sunshine irradiates the scene -- and the blessed sunshine of affection irradiates my interior.
We have seen none of our neighbours yet -- except Tennyson 725 -- having adroitly called when they were out, and ourselves been out, or [engaged,] when they called -- so that our solitude 'e0 deux has not been spoiled.
It is very pretty of Mrs. Menzies (to whom my love) and like herself to give her mind to your domesticities; and I know you will enjoy making Mrs. Chesney happy during her stay -- for that is your function in life. Her evasion of Mrs. Senior's question reminds me of the young Cantab who in his examination on being asked whether the earth turned round the sun or the sun round the earth? answered "Sometimes one and sometimes the other." And this leads me to tell you a delicious bit which Lord Lytton sent me the other day from the official report of the examination of native students. Question: "Describe the Horse." Answer: "The Horse is a noble animal; but if you irritate him, he will not do so." Some weeks ago Lytton sent me this also: A native pleader in the High Court of Calcutta defending a native lady is interrupted by the Judge: "I beg pardon Mr. T -- is your client an adult?" -- "No, my lud; an adultress."
Charles and Gertrude have got another daughter -- we wanted a grandson, but the superior powers thought otherwise. Perhaps they thought with Huxley, in this sense. The other day at dinner Madonna was talking with Bright about woman's suffrage, and the Princess Louise interposed with, "But you don't go in for the superiority of women, Mrs. Lewes?" "No." -- "I think," said Huxley, "Mrs. Lewes rather teaches the inferiority of men."
We are looking forward to September and having you here, so I need not describe the Heights, and as I have no more anecdotes to send I will cease this scribble -- scribbled under oppressive headache.
Madonna calls to me that I am to be sure and give her tender love and assurance that you are not likely to be forgotten by her or
Yours affectionately
G. H. Lewes.
MS: British Museum. Published: Stuart, pp. 84-87.
The Heights, Witley, | Godalming | 12 July 77.
Dear Elma
I should have written to you soon after our arrival here, 5 weeks since, had I not suspected that you would have moved towards England or Scotland, and expected to hear from you of your whereabouts.
First as to Madonna -- she is, and has been, ever since February, in constant uneasiness, varied by pain, and occasionally a day or two's interval of relief. This is the only cloud in our heaven -- and by dint of persistence it ceases to have a very black aspect; but till she is at something like her normal condition I can't help being anxious.
Next as to the new home -- it is a small paradise. With many objectionable points in the arrangement and structure of the rooms, there is so much beauty, healthiness, and peace in the grounds and surrounding country that we are in perpetual delight. I turn into my wood to meditate, and the squirrels contemplate me with astonished contempt: "What, little sir! are you there, straddling among the fir cones and unable to run up among these branches -- pondering problems and unable to enjoy nuts -- a two fisted, two legged, troublous and troubled animal!" -- The thrushes and blackbirds have their musical remarks to make -- and the cuckoo occasionally throws in a distant observation -- the pigeons coo and the moles dart into their burrows. The sweet sunshine irradiates the scene -- and the blessed sunshine of affection irradiates my interior.
We have seen none of our neighbours yet -- except Tennyson 725 -- having adroitly called when they were out, and ourselves been out, or [engaged,] when they called -- so that our solitude 'e0 deux has not been spoiled.
It is very pretty of Mrs. Menzies (to whom my love) and like herself to give her mind to your domesticities; and I know you will enjoy making Mrs. Chesney happy during her stay -- for that is your function in life. Her evasion of Mrs. Senior's question reminds me of the young Cantab who in his examination on being asked whether the earth turned round the sun or the sun round the earth? answered "Sometimes one and sometimes the other." And this leads me to tell you a delicious bit which Lord Lytton sent me the other day from the official report of the examination of native students. Question: "Describe the Horse." Answer: "The Horse is a noble animal; but if you irritate him, he will not do so." Some weeks ago Lytton sent me this also: A native pleader in the High Court of Calcutta defending a native lady is interrupted by the Judge: "I beg pardon Mr. T -- is your client an adult?" -- "No, my lud; an adultress."
Charles and Gertrude have got another daughter -- we wanted a grandson, but the superior powers thought otherwise. Perhaps they thought with Huxley, in this sense. The other day at dinner Madonna was talking with Bright about woman's suffrage, and the Princess Louise interposed with, "But you don't go in for the superiority of women, Mrs. Lewes?" "No." -- "I think," said Huxley, "Mrs. Lewes rather teaches the inferiority of men."
We are looking forward to September and having you here, so I need not describe the Heights, and as I have no more anecdotes to send I will cease this scribble -- scribbled under oppressive headache.
Madonna calls to me that I am to be sure and give her tender love and assurance that you are not likely to be forgotten by her or
Yours affectionately
G. H. Lewes.
Signature
G. H. Lewes.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to Mrs. Elma Stuart, Witley, 12 July 1877, 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/94950