I am very glad to hear of your projected visit to town, and shall hope to have a good batch of MS. for you to carry back. Mr. Lewes is in an unprecedented state of delight with the poem, now that he is reading it with close care. He says he is astonished that he can't find more faults. He is especially pleased with the sense of variety it gives; and this testimony is worth the more because he urged me to put the poem by (in 1865) on the ground of monotony. He is really exultant about it now, and after what you have said to me I know this will please you.
Hearty wishes that the coming year may bring you much good, and that the "Spanish Gypsy" may contribute a little to that end.
SUMMARY.
January, 1867, to December, 1867.
Letter to Madame Bodichon from Bordeaux—Madame Mohl—Scherer—Renan—Letter to Mrs. Congreve from Biarritz—Delight in Comte's "Politique"—Gratitude to him for illumination—Learning Spanish—Papers in the Revue des Deux Mondes, by Saveney—Letter to Madame Bodichon from Barcelona—Description of scenery—Pampeluna—Saragossa—Lerida—Letter to F. Harrison from Granada—The vindication of the law in "Felix Holt"—Spanish travelling—Letter to John Blackwood from Granada—Alicante—Granada—Letter to Mrs. Congreve from Biarritz—Delight of the journey—Madrid pictures—Return to the Priory—Letter to John Blackwood—"Felix Holt"—Cheap edition of novels—"Spanish Gypsy"—Dr. Congreve's Lectures on Positivism—Letter to Miss Hennell—Historical Portraits at South Kensington—Letter to Mrs. Peter Taylor—Women's claims—Comte's position—Fortnight's Visit to the Isle of Wight—Letter of adieu to Mrs. Congreve—Two months' visit to North Germany—Return to England—Reading on Spanish subjects—Mr. Lewes and Mr. Spencer at Weybridge—Acquaintance with Mrs. Cross and family—Letter to Miss Hennell—Deutsch's article on the Talmud—Letter to Blackwood about putting "Spanish Gypsy" in type—"Address to Workingmen, by Felix Holt"—Letter to Miss Hennell—Girton College—Letter to Madame Bodichon—The higher education of women—Letter to John Blackwood on the "Address"—Christmas day at the Priory—Letter to Miss Hennell—Visit of Mr. Lewes to Bonn—Letter to Mrs. Congreve—Depression—Letter to John Blackwood—Mr. Lewes on "Spanish Gypsy."
CHAPTER XV.
Letter to Mrs. Congreve, 9th Jan. 1868.