# - Lewes and Hill families.

three autograph letters by octavia hill, one to her mother Caroline Hill and two to her niece Maud Lewes, on family affairs, 5 pages, 1895-1905; one letter by caroline hill to Edmund [Lewes?] offering philosophy ("...things become to me more important, & hallowed & full of purpose the longer I live...") and family news, 4 pages, 28 June 1877; four letters to Octavia Hill including by john ruskin, the Duke of Westminster (encouraging her to stand for the London County Council), and the Marquess of Salisbury, 9 pages, 1865-1897; five letters to Charles Lee Lewes, by george du maurier, on the death of george eliot ("...our admiration for her was, I think, greater than for any body we have ever known..."), [1880], robert browning, accepting an invitation to the funeral of G.H. Lewes, 3 December 1878, Mary Howitt, William Howitt, 1870, and William Gladstone, 1889, altogether 9 pages; an autograph letter signed by thomas carlyle to g.h. lewes, responding to "your mournful Poetical Epistle", writing in favour of the Guild of Literature ("...if ... it save one man of merit from a fate such as you describe, it will have done some good to all men!..."), but refusing practical help, 2 pages, 8 February 1852; and various fragments and cut signatures including by john ruskin (3), william morris (3), Thomas Hughes, and Thomas Masaryk; most items 8vo, some spotting, nicks and tears, adhesive residue to a few items (29)

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

In 1865 Charles Lee Lewes, the son of G.H. Lewes and stepson of George Eliot, married Gertrude Hill, sister of the social reformer Octavia Hill. For C.L. Lewes and George Eliot see also lot 46.