John Blackwood to GE, St. Andrews, 3-4 August 1878
Title
John Blackwood to GE, St. Andrews, 3-4 August 1878
Title
John Blackwood to GE, St. Andrews, 3-4 August 1878
Sender
John Blackwood
Recipient
George Eliot
Date(s)
- 1878-08-03–<br /> 1878-08-04
Place
St. Andrews
Letter Content
John Blackwood to GE, St. Andrews, 3-4 August 1878
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Strathtyrum | St. Andrews | N.B.
August 3/78.
My Dear Mrs. Lewes
There is a strong feeling of regret and disappointment throughout the house since the receipt of your letter telling that you did not think you could come to us this year. My wife and daughter are very low on the subject and beg you both to reconsider your decision and start for the north. My own opinion is most decided that it would do Lewes good as it would be a thorough change and a change to quiet pleasant places. We have lovely weather (even for Scotland) and there is every prospect of it continuing. I too am leading exactly the life for a man who has been ill, eating fish puddings and all manner of what we used to call Baby's Meat, while for drink I take [lemonade?] strengthened by a change to claret after dinner. For exercise I walk round the links after lunch looking at a Golf Match and after dinner comes a mild cigar round the woods and then with possibly another cigar in smoking room to bed. All I can say for this manner of life is that I came here a month ago feeling it a labour to go up stairs or walk half a mile and now I am quite ready to walk any reasonable distance and sometimes find myself walking up the stairs two steps at a time in the old fashion.
I had almost forgot to mention that I satisfy my business conscience by working about 3 hours after breakfast. Tell Lewes I do hope he will come yet as I sincerely think it will do him good and I need not say it will be a great treat to us. The journey by the Flying Scotchman to Edinburgh is the easiest in the world, 400 miles in 9 hours and you sweep into Edinburgh as the clock strikes seven with Princes St. and the Castle looking splendid in the setting sun. "Ah! We're a Great Nation"!!!!
We had a famous time last week with the Fife Mounted Rifles. Their Colonel the famous "Jack Thomson" of the Atherstone etc. and the inspecting officer, Col. Munger [?] a most pleasant fellow being with us. In the games after the review Willie won the prize for horsemanship which pleased him and his friends. Jack came home upon Saturday. He had been out with the Fife Artillery Militia in which he is a sublieutenant as I thought a little drilling would do him good, and it has. I should like him to make your acquaintance and Lewes.] My wife and daughter ride a good deal but there is also much driving and if the weather is fine the sea makes up for the want of your beautiful trees and vallies. The drives with you must be splendid but almost too hot this summer.
There has been a hot passage at the end of the Session but Ld Beaconsfield's speech tonight and the division last night will wind it up sweetly. Disraeli will be in great form tonight at Guildhall. 108
I had written the first word of this letter yesterday morning when Mr. Main was announced. He was looking well and we had a pleasant luncheon. I told him we would not publish Birth Day Book until October. I did not breath[e] a word of your possibly being here nor have I said a word on that head to anyone as I did not wish invaders.
My wife sends her best regards and earnestly hopes you may yet come, and begging Lewes to consider this the best place for gout imaginary or concealed, I am always
yours very truly
John Blackwood.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Strathtyrum | St. Andrews | N.B.
August 3/78.
My Dear Mrs. Lewes
There is a strong feeling of regret and disappointment throughout the house since the receipt of your letter telling that you did not think you could come to us this year. My wife and daughter are very low on the subject and beg you both to reconsider your decision and start for the north. My own opinion is most decided that it would do Lewes good as it would be a thorough change and a change to quiet pleasant places. We have lovely weather (even for Scotland) and there is every prospect of it continuing. I too am leading exactly the life for a man who has been ill, eating fish puddings and all manner of what we used to call Baby's Meat, while for drink I take [lemonade?] strengthened by a change to claret after dinner. For exercise I walk round the links after lunch looking at a Golf Match and after dinner comes a mild cigar round the woods and then with possibly another cigar in smoking room to bed. All I can say for this manner of life is that I came here a month ago feeling it a labour to go up stairs or walk half a mile and now I am quite ready to walk any reasonable distance and sometimes find myself walking up the stairs two steps at a time in the old fashion.
I had almost forgot to mention that I satisfy my business conscience by working about 3 hours after breakfast. Tell Lewes I do hope he will come yet as I sincerely think it will do him good and I need not say it will be a great treat to us. The journey by the Flying Scotchman to Edinburgh is the easiest in the world, 400 miles in 9 hours and you sweep into Edinburgh as the clock strikes seven with Princes St. and the Castle looking splendid in the setting sun. "Ah! We're a Great Nation"!!!!
We had a famous time last week with the Fife Mounted Rifles. Their Colonel the famous "Jack Thomson" of the Atherstone etc. and the inspecting officer, Col. Munger [?] a most pleasant fellow being with us. In the games after the review Willie won the prize for horsemanship which pleased him and his friends. Jack came home upon Saturday. He had been out with the Fife Artillery Militia in which he is a sublieutenant as I thought a little drilling would do him good, and it has. I should like him to make your acquaintance and Lewes.] My wife and daughter ride a good deal but there is also much driving and if the weather is fine the sea makes up for the want of your beautiful trees and vallies. The drives with you must be splendid but almost too hot this summer.
There has been a hot passage at the end of the Session but Ld Beaconsfield's speech tonight and the division last night will wind it up sweetly. Disraeli will be in great form tonight at Guildhall. 108
I had written the first word of this letter yesterday morning when Mr. Main was announced. He was looking well and we had a pleasant luncheon. I told him we would not publish Birth Day Book until October. I did not breath[e] a word of your possibly being here nor have I said a word on that head to anyone as I did not wish invaders.
My wife sends her best regards and earnestly hopes you may yet come, and begging Lewes to consider this the best place for gout imaginary or concealed, I am always
yours very truly
John Blackwood.
Signature
John Blackwood.
Citation
John Blackwood, John Blackwood to GE, St. Andrews, 3-4 August 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/95338