1894-05-01 to Maurice Moore

Autograph letter signed, National Library of Ireland, 373 words

[Edited for paragraph breaks, capitalization, spelling and punctuation.]

8 Kings Bench Walk, Temple, London

[Tuesday] May 1st 1894

My dear Maurice

I was delighted to hear of your luck. I only wish I had been present to see the race. You forget to say if you were riding.

Esther Waters is a great success. The general impression is that it is the best novel that has appeared since Vanity Fair. There does not seem to be much difference of opinion. The Athenaeum, in a sort of half-hearted way, tried to run it down — said it was a masterpiece of literary skill but lacking in soul. The general opinion is the opposite. If you like I will send you all the notices but I'm afraid you will find them tedious reading. They have very little interest for me. I only glance at them. They are all the same.

And now about another matter. John Oliver Hobbes (Mrs. Craigie) is going to Ireland to spend a week with the Lord Lieutenant. Could you ask her to spend a couple of days with you at Boyle at the termination of her visit at the Viceregal Lodge? I could come over, spend a few days with you and take her back. You will find her one of the most charming women in the world.

Now what do you think? Can this be managed? Have you two spare rooms? She goes over on the 11th. I could cross the day after and go straight to you. She could come to you at the termination of her visit, stop a couple of days and then I could take her back.

I know nothing about your arrangements at Boyle so I don't know if this could be managed. I long to see you but I dread travelling, especially travelling by myself. In this way I shall only be alone going over.

This is a matter you cannot settle without seeing your wife. Mrs Craigie would of course bring her maid but her maid could sleep at the hotel. I suppose there is an inn at Boyle. Boyle is a town is it not?

Affectionately yours

George Moore.