GE to Maria Lewis, Foleshill, [21 July 1841]
Title
GE to Maria Lewis, Foleshill, [21 July 1841]
Title
GE to Maria Lewis, Foleshill, [21 July 1841]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Maria Lewis
Date(s)
- 1841-07-21
Place
FOLESHILL
Letter Content
GE to Maria Lewis, Foleshill, [21 July 1841]
MS: Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
My very dear Veronica,
The contents of the letter bag had been a subject of interest and disappointment to me for several mornings previous to this on which I have just received your welcome little note. I think I see some advantage connected with your being driven to the apparently repulsive measure of advertising. The possession of friends able privately to serve you might have caused you to accept a settlement less propitious than perhaps may be presented in the wider range taken by an advertisement. My own natural aversion to the machinery of society, to that intercourse with my fellow creatures, whom I would fain regard as pictures from the hand of a Divine Artist, however torn and soiled, which makes one calculate about them as so much canvas and paint with a certain value of frame, united with my love for you, gives me a full comprehension and lively conception of all the little mortifications and disgusts that you have had and will have to endure in this trying stage of your education. Yes my Veronica your education, that cheering word refreshes I am sure your willingness to undergo all that the [Only Wise] sees to be a furtherance of your [growing up to Him in all things, who is the Head] 330 -- glorious portion! To feel the roots of faith strengthened by every blast, daily giving nourishment to the fair and joy-giving fruits of Love, Hope and Patience. That this is your experience is my [consolation in all my prayers for you.]
My beloved sister has gone through the trials incident to the rather sudden death of poor Charles 331 since I wrote to you. His interment took place yesterday. My two little nephews are with me.
Do you remember Cowper's Hymn beginning [I was a grovelling creature once.] 332 It is lovely and rich as the pomegranate and the vine. And the collect for last Sunday 333 -- was not that beautiful? Truly the night of sorrow brings to the ear "the sound of many fountains musical by day unheard," and in blessed freedom from troubles of my own I find those of my loved ones a sweet monitor to keep up my contemplation of that part of the Divine character expressed in the appellative "the Comforter." 334 Alas I need monitors and I need chastisement -- and God will send them in His own good time. May they never be in vain!
[God and good angels guard you,] 335 my Veronica.
Your affectionate
Clematis.
Foleshill. | Wednesday.
MS: Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
My very dear Veronica,
The contents of the letter bag had been a subject of interest and disappointment to me for several mornings previous to this on which I have just received your welcome little note. I think I see some advantage connected with your being driven to the apparently repulsive measure of advertising. The possession of friends able privately to serve you might have caused you to accept a settlement less propitious than perhaps may be presented in the wider range taken by an advertisement. My own natural aversion to the machinery of society, to that intercourse with my fellow creatures, whom I would fain regard as pictures from the hand of a Divine Artist, however torn and soiled, which makes one calculate about them as so much canvas and paint with a certain value of frame, united with my love for you, gives me a full comprehension and lively conception of all the little mortifications and disgusts that you have had and will have to endure in this trying stage of your education. Yes my Veronica your education, that cheering word refreshes I am sure your willingness to undergo all that the [Only Wise] sees to be a furtherance of your [growing up to Him in all things, who is the Head] 330 -- glorious portion! To feel the roots of faith strengthened by every blast, daily giving nourishment to the fair and joy-giving fruits of Love, Hope and Patience. That this is your experience is my [consolation in all my prayers for you.]
My beloved sister has gone through the trials incident to the rather sudden death of poor Charles 331 since I wrote to you. His interment took place yesterday. My two little nephews are with me.
Do you remember Cowper's Hymn beginning [I was a grovelling creature once.] 332 It is lovely and rich as the pomegranate and the vine. And the collect for last Sunday 333 -- was not that beautiful? Truly the night of sorrow brings to the ear "the sound of many fountains musical by day unheard," and in blessed freedom from troubles of my own I find those of my loved ones a sweet monitor to keep up my contemplation of that part of the Divine character expressed in the appellative "the Comforter." 334 Alas I need monitors and I need chastisement -- and God will send them in His own good time. May they never be in vain!
[God and good angels guard you,] 335 my Veronica.
Your affectionate
Clematis.
Foleshill. | Wednesday.
Signature
Clematis.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Maria Lewis, Foleshill, [21 July 1841], Complete George Eliot Letters(2026), George Eliot Archive, edited by Beverley Park Rilett. https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org, Accessed September 7, 2026. https://www.georgeeliotarchive.org/items/show/92874