Letter to Mrs. Congreve, 22d Dec. 1866.
Just before we received Dr. Congreve's letter we had changed our plans. George's increasing weakness and the more and more frequent intervals in which he became unable to work, made me at last urge him to give up the idea of "finishing," which often besets us vainly. It will really be better for the work as well as for himself that he should let it wait. However, I care about nothing just now except that he should be doing all he can to get better. So we start next Thursday for Bordeaux, staying two days in Paris on our way. Madame Mohl writes us word that she hears from friends of the delicious weather—mild, sunny weather—to be had now on the French southwestern and southeastern coast. You will all wish us well on our journey, I know. But I wish I could carry a happier thought about you than that of your being an invalid. I shall write to you when we are at Biarritz or some other place that suits us, and when I have something good to tell. No; in any case I shall write, because I shall want to hear all about you. Tell Dr. Congreve we carry the "Politique" with us. Mr. Lewes gets more and more impressed by it, and also by what he is able to understand of the "Synthèse." I am writing in the dark. Farewell. With best love to Emily, and dutiful regards to Dr. Congreve.
Journal, 1866.
Dec. 27.—Set off in the evening on our journey to the south.
SUMMARY.
JANUARY, 1866, TO DECEMBER, 1866.
Letters to Frederic Harrison on Industrial Co-operation—Consults him about law in "Felix Holt"—Asks his opinion on other questions—Letter to Mrs. Congreve—Visit to Tunbridge Wells—Reading Comte's "Synthèse"—Letter to F. Harrison on "case" for "Felix Holt"—Letter to Miss Hennell—Joy in the world getting better—Letter to Madame Bodichon—"Felix Holt" growing like a sickly child—Want of sincerity in England—Desire for knowledge increases—Blackwood offers £5000 for "Felix Holt"—Letters to John Blackwood renewing correspondence—Thanks for encouragement—Painstaking with "Felix Holt"—Letter to F. Harrison on legal points—The book finished—Inscription—Letter of adieu to Mrs. Congreve—Letter to Mrs. Bray—Excitement of finishing "Felix Holt"—Journey to Holland and Germany—Letter to Mrs. Congreve from Schwalbach—Return to the Priory—Letter to F. Harrison asking for sympathy—Letter to John Blackwood—Colonel Hamley—Letter to Miss Hennell describing German trip—Miracle play at Antwerp—Amsterdam synagogue—Takes up drama "The Spanish Gypsy" again—Reading on Spanish subjects—Letter to F. Harrison—Need of sympathy—Æsthetic teaching—Tells him of the proposed drama—Letters to John Blackwood—Dean Ramsay—Sir Henry Holland—Article on "Felix Holt" in Macmillan's Magazine—"The Spanish Gypsy" recommenced—Reading Renan's "Histoire des Langues Sémitiques" and Ticknor's "Spanish Literature"—Visit to Tunbridge Wells for a week—Reading Cornewall Lewis's "Astronomy of the Ancients"—Ockley's "History of the Saracens," and Spanish Ballads—Letter to Miss Hennell—Enjoyment of study—Depression—Letter of adieu to Mrs. Congreve—Set off on journey to Spain.
END OF VOL. II.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] The Brays' new house.