GE to Maria Lewis, Foleshill, 18 June 1841
Title
GE to Maria Lewis, Foleshill, 18 June 1841
Title
GE to Maria Lewis, Foleshill, 18 June 1841
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Maria Lewis
Date(s)
- 1841-06-18
Place
FOLESHILL
Letter Content
GE to Maria Lewis, Foleshill, 18 June 1841
MS: Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
Foleshill Road | Coventry | June 18th 1841.
My very dear Veronica
Somnophilus was rowing his bark down the bosom of a glassy stream and saw in the distance a fair garden on its banks whose edge presented all manner of bright flowers and luscious fruits as if for the acceptance of the river nymphs. Suddenly his eye sparkled in the anticipation of gathering a rich store of these beauties, that seemed to have none of the coyness of earth, and he almost forgot his oars, as he gazed and dreamed till time and distance vanished and imagination seemed like actual enjoyment -- when lo! his neglected bark struck against the shore and roused the visionary -- where is the fair garden? lost in the distance behind him, and the ground he touches is but a marsh bordered with flags!
The conclusion to which this air balloon is to carry you is that while writing talking and thinking of the holidays I had as usual no definite idea of their when, and I am now alarmed lest you should depart from Burton without apprizing me of your destination. The object of this hasty scribbling before dinner is to beg that you will let me hear from you as soon as possible. How glad I should be to hear you!
By the bye I have not yet told you that Isaac is married, 324 that I officiated as a bridesmaid and that the pair are now in Scotland after visiting the lakes with most propitious weather. I already love my sister for her own sake as well as Isaac's and I trust she will make him a valuable partner.
I am particularly anxious to know all you can tell me of your plans and prospects, and if there be one recommendation of Foleshill as a place to visit pray put it in the scale and give it a fair trial before you decide not to come hither.
This is not a letter -- therefore do not mistake its attributes for faults -- it is a hybrid between that and a note and is half folly and half feeling with a little matter of fact and so a good type of its parent.
May Heaven bless you my Veronica as well as
Your own affectionate
Clematis.
MS: Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
Foleshill Road | Coventry | June 18th 1841.
My very dear Veronica
Somnophilus was rowing his bark down the bosom of a glassy stream and saw in the distance a fair garden on its banks whose edge presented all manner of bright flowers and luscious fruits as if for the acceptance of the river nymphs. Suddenly his eye sparkled in the anticipation of gathering a rich store of these beauties, that seemed to have none of the coyness of earth, and he almost forgot his oars, as he gazed and dreamed till time and distance vanished and imagination seemed like actual enjoyment -- when lo! his neglected bark struck against the shore and roused the visionary -- where is the fair garden? lost in the distance behind him, and the ground he touches is but a marsh bordered with flags!
The conclusion to which this air balloon is to carry you is that while writing talking and thinking of the holidays I had as usual no definite idea of their when, and I am now alarmed lest you should depart from Burton without apprizing me of your destination. The object of this hasty scribbling before dinner is to beg that you will let me hear from you as soon as possible. How glad I should be to hear you!
By the bye I have not yet told you that Isaac is married, 324 that I officiated as a bridesmaid and that the pair are now in Scotland after visiting the lakes with most propitious weather. I already love my sister for her own sake as well as Isaac's and I trust she will make him a valuable partner.
I am particularly anxious to know all you can tell me of your plans and prospects, and if there be one recommendation of Foleshill as a place to visit pray put it in the scale and give it a fair trial before you decide not to come hither.
This is not a letter -- therefore do not mistake its attributes for faults -- it is a hybrid between that and a note and is half folly and half feeling with a little matter of fact and so a good type of its parent.
May Heaven bless you my Veronica as well as
Your own affectionate
Clematis.
Signature
Clematis.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Maria Lewis, Foleshill, 18 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/92882