GE to Maria Lewis, Griff, 11 March 1841
Title
GE to Maria Lewis, Griff, 11 March 1841
Title
GE to Maria Lewis, Griff, 11 March 1841
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Maria Lewis
Date(s)
- 1841-03-11
Place
GRIFF
Letter Content
GE to Maria Lewis, Griff, 11 March 1841
MS: Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
Your letter this morning, my Veronica, was sweet to me as the early incense of the Jasmine, and sent a thrill from my heart to my finger ends that impels them at the risk of indigestion, to employ the half hour after dinner, being the only one at liberty, to thank you for the affection that same letter breathes. As well I am anxious to tell you that you have my young and poor judgment now entirely with you in your decision respecting Baginton. I was from the first tremulously alive to the contra of the matter, and was guided solely by what I imagined to be my duty to her whose welfare I have in my heart of hearts.
Thank you, my dear Veronica, for your admonition that I should spare my worthless self. It is true that I am weak, chiefly I believe from a cause that existed when you were with me and continues still, but which I fancy will in the end be beneficial, and must not therefore be checked. I have had considerable bodily exertion of late but I am now favoured with a short breathing time before our departure. My spirits are not exactly low, but my mind is nauseated by feeding on material trifles, and I even find my habit of immersing myself in a pursuit accompany me in engagements naturally repulsive. This is blameworthy, for I ought not to suppose a necessity under any possible circumstances for mere earthliness. I have to be grateful for the disappearance of some little black clouds that seemed to be steering their course towards me, and on the whole our family prospect is comfortable as it respects this nether stage.
Mrs. T. Bull won on my affections during her little stay with me, and I feel much interest in her happiness.
I am expecting four visitors to spend the afternoon with me! I must therefore put myself in company guise and say good bye to you, my Veronica, assuring you that I am as ever
Your affectionate,
Clematis.
Griff March 11th 1841.
MS: Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
Your letter this morning, my Veronica, was sweet to me as the early incense of the Jasmine, and sent a thrill from my heart to my finger ends that impels them at the risk of indigestion, to employ the half hour after dinner, being the only one at liberty, to thank you for the affection that same letter breathes. As well I am anxious to tell you that you have my young and poor judgment now entirely with you in your decision respecting Baginton. I was from the first tremulously alive to the contra of the matter, and was guided solely by what I imagined to be my duty to her whose welfare I have in my heart of hearts.
Thank you, my dear Veronica, for your admonition that I should spare my worthless self. It is true that I am weak, chiefly I believe from a cause that existed when you were with me and continues still, but which I fancy will in the end be beneficial, and must not therefore be checked. I have had considerable bodily exertion of late but I am now favoured with a short breathing time before our departure. My spirits are not exactly low, but my mind is nauseated by feeding on material trifles, and I even find my habit of immersing myself in a pursuit accompany me in engagements naturally repulsive. This is blameworthy, for I ought not to suppose a necessity under any possible circumstances for mere earthliness. I have to be grateful for the disappearance of some little black clouds that seemed to be steering their course towards me, and on the whole our family prospect is comfortable as it respects this nether stage.
Mrs. T. Bull won on my affections during her little stay with me, and I feel much interest in her happiness.
I am expecting four visitors to spend the afternoon with me! I must therefore put myself in company guise and say good bye to you, my Veronica, assuring you that I am as ever
Your affectionate,
Clematis.
Griff March 11th 1841.
Signature
Clematis.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Maria Lewis, Griff, 11 March 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/92898