Deerbrook

Deerbrook

Martineau, Harriet

London: Moxon, 1839

Internet Archive

1839

George Eliot to Herbert Spencer, [8?] July 1852. “You see I am sinking fast towards "homogeneity," and my brain will soon be a mere pulp unless you come to arrest the downward process. I have read Deerbrook, and am surprized at the depths of feeling it reveals. Rose, Blanche and Violet, too -- at least the two first volumes -- the third I left behind and (damaging fact, either for me or the novel!) I don't care to have it. I have read a good deal of "In Memoriam" -- which, believe it or not, has great beauties -- though the artificiality of the form is unforgiveable. Froude's much talked of article on Spinoza too I have read at last, and find it a mere sketch of his life -- picturesquely done but with the usual Froudian sentimentality and false veneration. This morning I determined to reform and plunged into Warburton. Henceforth I mean to live laborious days -- that is to say until I have made up my mind to fraternize with the star-fish.” GEL 8: 51-2

Martineau, Harriet, Deerbrook, George Eliot's Reading, George Eliot Archive, edited by Beverley Park Rilett. https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org, Accessed September 7, 2026. https://www.georgeeliotarchive.org/items/show/57144

https://georgeeliotarchive.org/files/original/3bdf4da1fc22b9626d8cefd96128e974.pdf