GE to Maria Lewis, Foleshill, [21 June 1841]
Title
GE to Maria Lewis, Foleshill, [21 June 1841]
Title
GE to Maria Lewis, Foleshill, [21 June 1841]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Maria Lewis
Date(s)
- 1841-06-21
Place
FOLESHILL
Letter Content
GE to Maria Lewis, Foleshill, [21 June 1841]
MS: Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
Foleshill Road, | Coventry, | Monday.
My very dear Veronica,
I write impromptu on rising from the breakfast table lest new arrivals in the antechamber of intention should elbow out this first comer. You tell me that you have arrived at a decision respecting the situation described by Mr. Henslowe so that I will not by venturing a crude opinion check the confidence you may now have in the views of far more experienced judges. I strongly feel, myself, the difficulty of rejecting what has the appearance of a Providential offer, and the quality of fruit is so little to be judged of by the rind, that apparent disadvantages are not always a counterpoising argument. A week's visit can do you no mischief and will give you firm ground for a determination.
I am quite obliged to you for sending me Mr. Henslowe's letters -- they have an individuality that makes them worth preserving. His is evidently a character made up of natural crystallization, instead of one turned out of a mould. You remember Mr. Villiers 325 of Kenilworth -- he is leaving with his excellent curate, and we yesterday heard him preach his last Missionary sermon, a very inspiriting one. In the afternoon I heard a very valuable sermon on a subject dear to all Christians but to none more than those who for the time are in heaviness, [Ask and it shall be given you.] 326 Mary Jane Graham published a very ingenious and pious little work called the Test of Truth, 327 for the use of Spanish refugees who she learned were in the dreary plains of infidelity. Her argument is this -- Jesus has said [Ask and it shall be given you] -- here then is a test of His divinity -- if God, His promise will be fulfilled, if not you have demonstrated the contrary and impartially used the conditions -- but until you have asked sincerely and importunately you have no right to decide on the question. Do you know this little book? It is 6 years since I read it but I think from what I remember it would be invaluable as a present to sceptical persons. How blessed that we have not to obey this command hypothetically! Well might the Apostle say [All things are yours] 328 and we cannot escape the logical inference from this invitation and promise that every deficiency is in one sense voluntarily chosen by us! As my jewel Isaac Taylor says, The most exemplary and advanced Christians have only become such by allowing their full weight to motives that are involved in the profession of the weakest.
I am expecting the Bride and Bridegroom to return by the railway this evening. 329 They have had a delightful excursion amongst the lakes and in Scotland. Did I tell you that I have some rose-leaves from Wordsworth's garden? But why do I say anything about self. I am chiefly anxious to let you know my warm sympathy and affection towards you. In reply to the query at the close of your letter I give an unhesitating No! unless very rare conditions be annexed. Your feelings on the subject are such as God approves. A full reliance on His Wisdom and love and a firm faith that if really for our ultimate good such a protector as His laws will permit us to accept will be given is the state of mind I seek to obtain. I am convinced that every desire that relaxes this limitation is an inordinate one and will be an incubus checking the aspirations of the spiritual life. I have the firm belief that He who sits at the Helm is your Father and that your last anchorage will be in the shallows of an ocean of peace and bliss whence you shall plunge into a deep that knows no storm nor death nor danger.
In haste your own
Clematis.
MS: Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
Foleshill Road, | Coventry, | Monday.
My very dear Veronica,
I write impromptu on rising from the breakfast table lest new arrivals in the antechamber of intention should elbow out this first comer. You tell me that you have arrived at a decision respecting the situation described by Mr. Henslowe so that I will not by venturing a crude opinion check the confidence you may now have in the views of far more experienced judges. I strongly feel, myself, the difficulty of rejecting what has the appearance of a Providential offer, and the quality of fruit is so little to be judged of by the rind, that apparent disadvantages are not always a counterpoising argument. A week's visit can do you no mischief and will give you firm ground for a determination.
I am quite obliged to you for sending me Mr. Henslowe's letters -- they have an individuality that makes them worth preserving. His is evidently a character made up of natural crystallization, instead of one turned out of a mould. You remember Mr. Villiers 325 of Kenilworth -- he is leaving with his excellent curate, and we yesterday heard him preach his last Missionary sermon, a very inspiriting one. In the afternoon I heard a very valuable sermon on a subject dear to all Christians but to none more than those who for the time are in heaviness, [Ask and it shall be given you.] 326 Mary Jane Graham published a very ingenious and pious little work called the Test of Truth, 327 for the use of Spanish refugees who she learned were in the dreary plains of infidelity. Her argument is this -- Jesus has said [Ask and it shall be given you] -- here then is a test of His divinity -- if God, His promise will be fulfilled, if not you have demonstrated the contrary and impartially used the conditions -- but until you have asked sincerely and importunately you have no right to decide on the question. Do you know this little book? It is 6 years since I read it but I think from what I remember it would be invaluable as a present to sceptical persons. How blessed that we have not to obey this command hypothetically! Well might the Apostle say [All things are yours] 328 and we cannot escape the logical inference from this invitation and promise that every deficiency is in one sense voluntarily chosen by us! As my jewel Isaac Taylor says, The most exemplary and advanced Christians have only become such by allowing their full weight to motives that are involved in the profession of the weakest.
I am expecting the Bride and Bridegroom to return by the railway this evening. 329 They have had a delightful excursion amongst the lakes and in Scotland. Did I tell you that I have some rose-leaves from Wordsworth's garden? But why do I say anything about self. I am chiefly anxious to let you know my warm sympathy and affection towards you. In reply to the query at the close of your letter I give an unhesitating No! unless very rare conditions be annexed. Your feelings on the subject are such as God approves. A full reliance on His Wisdom and love and a firm faith that if really for our ultimate good such a protector as His laws will permit us to accept will be given is the state of mind I seek to obtain. I am convinced that every desire that relaxes this limitation is an inordinate one and will be an incubus checking the aspirations of the spiritual life. I have the firm belief that He who sits at the Helm is your Father and that your last anchorage will be in the shallows of an ocean of peace and bliss whence you shall plunge into a deep that knows no storm nor death nor danger.
In haste your own
Clematis.
Signature
Clematis.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Maria Lewis, Foleshill, [21 June 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/92875