GHL to William Blackwood, Witley, [17 July 1878]
Title
GHL to William Blackwood, Witley, [17 July 1878]
Title
GHL to William Blackwood, Witley, [17 July 1878]
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
William Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1878-07-17
Place
Witley
Letter Content
GHL to William Blackwood, Witley, [17 July 1878]
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
The Heights, Witley, | Nr. Godalming.
My dear Willie
I cannot have any objection to the proposed honor of reprinting my two little stories, but I have the strongest objection to avowing their authorship, as I have so long seen that Fiction is not my Forte; and moreover the writer of heavy philosophical works ought not to appear in public as a writer of light tales! Since you are travelling back upon my early contributions to Maga what say you to the "Great Tragedian" -- and "Lesurques"? 103 I have but a very vague remembrance of them but I think "Lesurques" especially would interest many readers who must have seen Charles Kean and Irving in "The Lyons Mail."
You must indeed miss the excellent Von Moltke -- indeed we shall all miss him -- but no one can grudge him his holiday repose!
We are daily looking forward to the pleasant trip to Abbotsford and Strathtyrum but are horribly uncertain as to when the expedition can be made. I am not in a condition to move yet. Every night I have an attack -- of varying severity -- and most days I am incompetent from feebleness. But I am undergoing severe regimen and hope soon to report myself fit for presentation.
Mrs. Lewes is not very well, but has improved the last few days. The weather is delightful, and we see nobody -- so that our rest is perfect.
We shall be glad of the half-yearly statement. She begs to reciprocate your kind remembrances.
Ever yours
G. H. L.
Proof returned by this post -- only one correction.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
The Heights, Witley, | Nr. Godalming.
My dear Willie
I cannot have any objection to the proposed honor of reprinting my two little stories, but I have the strongest objection to avowing their authorship, as I have so long seen that Fiction is not my Forte; and moreover the writer of heavy philosophical works ought not to appear in public as a writer of light tales! Since you are travelling back upon my early contributions to Maga what say you to the "Great Tragedian" -- and "Lesurques"? 103 I have but a very vague remembrance of them but I think "Lesurques" especially would interest many readers who must have seen Charles Kean and Irving in "The Lyons Mail."
You must indeed miss the excellent Von Moltke -- indeed we shall all miss him -- but no one can grudge him his holiday repose!
We are daily looking forward to the pleasant trip to Abbotsford and Strathtyrum but are horribly uncertain as to when the expedition can be made. I am not in a condition to move yet. Every night I have an attack -- of varying severity -- and most days I am incompetent from feebleness. But I am undergoing severe regimen and hope soon to report myself fit for presentation.
Mrs. Lewes is not very well, but has improved the last few days. The weather is delightful, and we see nobody -- so that our rest is perfect.
We shall be glad of the half-yearly statement. She begs to reciprocate your kind remembrances.
Ever yours
G. H. L.
Proof returned by this post -- only one correction.
Signature
G. H. L.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to William Blackwood, Witley, [17 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/95113