GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, [Foleshill, 20 September 1842]
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, [Foleshill, 20 September 1842]
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, [Foleshill, 20 September 1842]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Sara Sophia Hennell
Date(s)
- 1842-09-20
Place
[FOLESHILL]
Letter Content
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, [Foleshill, 20 September 1842]
MS: Yale. Endorsed: Sep. 1842. Hitherto unpublished.
Tuesday.
My dear Sara,
I saw yesterday for the first time the beautiful Autumn picture, which Mrs. Bray had detained for the sake of contemplating it a little while. It is, like many other things that fall to my share, quite too good for me, and I cannot help regretting, much as I shall value and try to appreciate the gift, that I should rob your portfolio of so lovely a specimen of your taste and power. It is a scene after my own heart; I should like to be a Hamadryad among such woods and have my feet in such peaceful water as you have painted. I fancy I could manage to live in an old oak and drink out of the palm of my hand as well as the old cynic did in his tub, but it must be when the [lights are [burnt] dead and all but me departed] 445 from my little life's banquet, for though I can forego spoons and carpets, I would not willingly say good bye to the loved and the loving. You must have thought me strangely insensible to your kindness, never to speak of the very nicest present you had sent me; my ignorance of its arrival is the explanation. I shall soon go to Mrs. Bray to read what you have permitted me to share, like a blessed little Houri that you are! May my paradise be peopled with such.
Tell Miss Hennell we have had another evening with Dr. Ullathorne, 446 whom I wish you had seen. I love to "interrogate a picked man of countries," 447 and he is one who has shivered among ice-bergs, been broiled between the tropics, and seen the wonders and beauties of the old world and the new.
Mrs. Hennell 448 tells me you were well when she left home, and to me that is news worth hearing. I am in a hurry now as I was when I wrote last, but I will chat a little more leisurely with you soon, that is unless you impetrate me to desist from teazing you with my nothings. [Rien faire] generally merges into "faire des riens" and that is my case. Those favourites of the skies who are living their "glorious hour of crowded life" 449 are the only beings who have no temptation to act and talk folly. I look ever with new delight at the representation of your back in my pretty little picture. May I one day have the face to kiss again! Love to Miss Hennell. Ever, my Sara,
Your affectionate
Mary Ann.
MS: Yale. Endorsed: Sep. 1842. Hitherto unpublished.
Tuesday.
My dear Sara,
I saw yesterday for the first time the beautiful Autumn picture, which Mrs. Bray had detained for the sake of contemplating it a little while. It is, like many other things that fall to my share, quite too good for me, and I cannot help regretting, much as I shall value and try to appreciate the gift, that I should rob your portfolio of so lovely a specimen of your taste and power. It is a scene after my own heart; I should like to be a Hamadryad among such woods and have my feet in such peaceful water as you have painted. I fancy I could manage to live in an old oak and drink out of the palm of my hand as well as the old cynic did in his tub, but it must be when the [lights are [burnt] dead and all but me departed] 445 from my little life's banquet, for though I can forego spoons and carpets, I would not willingly say good bye to the loved and the loving. You must have thought me strangely insensible to your kindness, never to speak of the very nicest present you had sent me; my ignorance of its arrival is the explanation. I shall soon go to Mrs. Bray to read what you have permitted me to share, like a blessed little Houri that you are! May my paradise be peopled with such.
Tell Miss Hennell we have had another evening with Dr. Ullathorne, 446 whom I wish you had seen. I love to "interrogate a picked man of countries," 447 and he is one who has shivered among ice-bergs, been broiled between the tropics, and seen the wonders and beauties of the old world and the new.
Mrs. Hennell 448 tells me you were well when she left home, and to me that is news worth hearing. I am in a hurry now as I was when I wrote last, but I will chat a little more leisurely with you soon, that is unless you impetrate me to desist from teazing you with my nothings. [Rien faire] generally merges into "faire des riens" and that is my case. Those favourites of the skies who are living their "glorious hour of crowded life" 449 are the only beings who have no temptation to act and talk folly. I look ever with new delight at the representation of your back in my pretty little picture. May I one day have the face to kiss again! Love to Miss Hennell. Ever, my Sara,
Your affectionate
Mary Ann.
Signature
Mary Ann.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, [Foleshill, 20 September 1842], 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/93811