GHL to Robert Lytton, Limpsfield, [12] August [1870]
Title
GHL to Robert Lytton, Limpsfield, [12] August [1870]
Title
GHL to Robert Lytton, Limpsfield, [12] August [1870]
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
Robert Lyt
Date(s)
- 1870-08-12
Place
Limpsfield
Letter Content
GHL to Robert Lytton, Limpsfield, [12] August [1870]
MS: Lady Hermione Cobbold.
Park Farm, Limpsfield, Red Hill | Friday 10 924 August.
My dear Lytton
How could a diplomat be so oblivious of written instructions as to send a dispatch to Harrogate after I had left that for Whitby, stayed there a fortnight, left for London, stayed there a week, and again left for Surrey? All my campaign had been laid out before you with the precision of a Moltke, executed with the same, and you went on the hypothesis that I was a Nap[oleon] III. 925
We had been marvelling at not hearing from you and considered that the war had forced you back to Vienna. Glad we are to hear that such is not the case and that we shall see you in London, where we shall return by the beginning of September (say the 8th) at latest.
I am sorry about Smith's decision. He evidently does not see a large sale in the Fables, and only on the hope of a very large sale could he afford to give 'a3500 (which sum I had named to him as what ought to be offered). Just now indeed Fables would have no chance; and on all accounts it is well that you keep them back.
We are here in the prettiest and peacefullest village I know in England -- seven miles from the railway whistle -- and unable to get The Times until the following day -- which is primitive but irritating in such times as these. It seems like Sadowa 926 over again, and all that appeal ad misericordiam of the official journal to Prague to protect France against the rapacity of invading Prussia!
I am slowly going on with the preparation of my 4th ed. 927 glad to be at work again; and Polly is at work in her own den. We both count upon seeing you and Edith in town.
Give her our love and bite bambine for us.
Ever yours affectionately
G. H. Lewes.
MS: Lady Hermione Cobbold.
Park Farm, Limpsfield, Red Hill | Friday 10 924 August.
My dear Lytton
How could a diplomat be so oblivious of written instructions as to send a dispatch to Harrogate after I had left that for Whitby, stayed there a fortnight, left for London, stayed there a week, and again left for Surrey? All my campaign had been laid out before you with the precision of a Moltke, executed with the same, and you went on the hypothesis that I was a Nap[oleon] III. 925
We had been marvelling at not hearing from you and considered that the war had forced you back to Vienna. Glad we are to hear that such is not the case and that we shall see you in London, where we shall return by the beginning of September (say the 8th) at latest.
I am sorry about Smith's decision. He evidently does not see a large sale in the Fables, and only on the hope of a very large sale could he afford to give 'a3500 (which sum I had named to him as what ought to be offered). Just now indeed Fables would have no chance; and on all accounts it is well that you keep them back.
We are here in the prettiest and peacefullest village I know in England -- seven miles from the railway whistle -- and unable to get The Times until the following day -- which is primitive but irritating in such times as these. It seems like Sadowa 926 over again, and all that appeal ad misericordiam of the official journal to Prague to protect France against the rapacity of invading Prussia!
I am slowly going on with the preparation of my 4th ed. 927 glad to be at work again; and Polly is at work in her own den. We both count upon seeing you and Edith in town.
Give her our love and bite bambine for us.
Ever yours affectionately
G. H. Lewes.
Signature
G. H. Lewes.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to Robert Lytton, Limpsfield, [12] August [1870], 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/94999