GE to Samuel Evans, Foleshill, 2 October 1841
Title
GE to Samuel Evans, Foleshill, 2 October 1841
Title
GE to Samuel Evans, Foleshill, 2 October 1841
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Samuel Evans
Date(s)
- 1841-10-02
Place
FOLESHILL
Letter Content
GE to Samuel Evans, Foleshill, 2 October 1841
MS: Yale. Address: Mr. Evans | The Mill Houses | Wirksworth | Derbyshire. Postmarks: COVENTRY | OC 2 | 1841. WIRKSWORTH | OC | 1841. Hitherto unpublished.
Foleshill October 2d 1841.
My very dear Uncle,
I have quite enjoyed your letter, and am determined to prove that I have done so by writing in return immediately. I had been for some time expecting to hear from you, and should have done so by my Father, who intended to visit you the last time he was in Derbyshire but that he was detained at Hallam by the election. I am glad to hear a good account of my Aunt's health, and to conclude from your silence about your own that you are free from your old enemy, the rheumatism. I am thankful to tell you that my Father is quite well and appears very comfortable under his change of situation, indeed I feel the ordering of our outward circumstances a special call for gratitude.
My Brother Isaac about whom you kindly enquire seems to have a very suitable partner as far as similarity of taste and domestic habits are concerned, and I think we have reason to hope for his worldly prosperity. You justly observe, my dear Uncle, that this alone is insufficient to give peace. I feel increasingly that nothing but the enjoyment of God's favour, walking in the light of His countenance, and daily progressing in fitness for His presence and the companionship of the saints in light, can give real satisfaction. Our earthly friends disappoint us and often wound us by coldness, and there is in every cup enough of bitterness to make him who drinks it feel the need of patience, faith, and hope.
You ask me about my own state and express a hope that I am running the way of God's commandments. I must answer that I am often, very often stumbling, but I have been encouraged to believe that the mode of action most acceptable to God, is not to sit still desponding, but to rise and pursue my way. I have often occasion to use David's words, "I have gone astray like a lost sheep, yet seek thy servant for I do not forget thy commandments." 369 He who condescends to seek the lost, will not I trust cast them away from his presence when they go to him in the spirit of Job. "What I know not teach Thou me; if I have done iniquity, I will do so no more." 370
I shall look forward to a letter from my dear Aunt, and pray tell her that if there is anything which it is in my power to send her that will be of any use I shall be pleased if she will mention it. We had not heard from my Uncle William of his recent attack although my Brother Robert has just been with us. Pray give my love to my Cousins and tell Samuel and Mary that I hope their little Joseph will prove as rich a treasure as he after whom they have named him. We are not greatly favoured in our Minister 371 -- though we hear the truth, yet it is not recommended by the mode of its delivery. But there may be as much profit reaped by humble endeavours to derive good under disadvantages, as from the highest privileges, and I would rather narrowly examine my own state of feeling than complain of the lack of outward helps. With my best love to Aunt, believe me my dear Uncle
Your affectionate Niece
Mary Ann Evans.
MS: Yale. Address: Mr. Evans | The Mill Houses | Wirksworth | Derbyshire. Postmarks: COVENTRY | OC 2 | 1841. WIRKSWORTH | OC | 1841. Hitherto unpublished.
Foleshill October 2d 1841.
My very dear Uncle,
I have quite enjoyed your letter, and am determined to prove that I have done so by writing in return immediately. I had been for some time expecting to hear from you, and should have done so by my Father, who intended to visit you the last time he was in Derbyshire but that he was detained at Hallam by the election. I am glad to hear a good account of my Aunt's health, and to conclude from your silence about your own that you are free from your old enemy, the rheumatism. I am thankful to tell you that my Father is quite well and appears very comfortable under his change of situation, indeed I feel the ordering of our outward circumstances a special call for gratitude.
My Brother Isaac about whom you kindly enquire seems to have a very suitable partner as far as similarity of taste and domestic habits are concerned, and I think we have reason to hope for his worldly prosperity. You justly observe, my dear Uncle, that this alone is insufficient to give peace. I feel increasingly that nothing but the enjoyment of God's favour, walking in the light of His countenance, and daily progressing in fitness for His presence and the companionship of the saints in light, can give real satisfaction. Our earthly friends disappoint us and often wound us by coldness, and there is in every cup enough of bitterness to make him who drinks it feel the need of patience, faith, and hope.
You ask me about my own state and express a hope that I am running the way of God's commandments. I must answer that I am often, very often stumbling, but I have been encouraged to believe that the mode of action most acceptable to God, is not to sit still desponding, but to rise and pursue my way. I have often occasion to use David's words, "I have gone astray like a lost sheep, yet seek thy servant for I do not forget thy commandments." 369 He who condescends to seek the lost, will not I trust cast them away from his presence when they go to him in the spirit of Job. "What I know not teach Thou me; if I have done iniquity, I will do so no more." 370
I shall look forward to a letter from my dear Aunt, and pray tell her that if there is anything which it is in my power to send her that will be of any use I shall be pleased if she will mention it. We had not heard from my Uncle William of his recent attack although my Brother Robert has just been with us. Pray give my love to my Cousins and tell Samuel and Mary that I hope their little Joseph will prove as rich a treasure as he after whom they have named him. We are not greatly favoured in our Minister 371 -- though we hear the truth, yet it is not recommended by the mode of its delivery. But there may be as much profit reaped by humble endeavours to derive good under disadvantages, as from the highest privileges, and I would rather narrowly examine my own state of feeling than complain of the lack of outward helps. With my best love to Aunt, believe me my dear Uncle
Your affectionate Niece
Mary Ann Evans.
Signature
Mary Ann Evans.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Samuel Evans, Foleshill, 2 October 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/93788