GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, [Foleshill, 25 September 1845]
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, [Foleshill, 25 September 1845]
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, [Foleshill, 25 September 1845]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Sara Sophia Hennell
Date(s)
- 1845-09-25
Place
[FOLESHILL]
Letter Content
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, [Foleshill, 25 September 1845]
MS: Yale. Endorsed: Sep. 25. Extracts published: Cross, 1, 134-135.
Thursday.
My dear Sara,
I am delighted with the proof -- the type and everything else are just what I wished. To see the first sheet is the next best thing to seeing the last which I hope we shall all have done this time next year. I have never yet been able to learn whether the volumes are to come out separately or all at once. Some time when you write to Rosehill or to me, do send me word. I see the Greek notes are given in the Introduction just as they are in the original. Will it not look rather queer to begin with giving Greek and then to alter the plan? I have been thinking over the matter of the notes and it seems to me that when, as is generally the case the substance or the leading idea contained in them is given in the text it would look very ungeschickt to translate without at the same time giving the Greek, since Strauss's object is to verify his assertions rather than to give information by the quotations at the foot. 578 What thinkest thou?
There is a very misty vision of a trip to the Highlands haunting us in this quarter. The vision would be much pleasanter if Sara were one of the images in it. You would surely go if we went, and then the thing would be perfect. 579 I long to see you, for you are becoming a sort of transfigured existence, a mere ideal to me and I have nothing to tell me of your flesh and blood self but sundry very useful little pencil marks and a scrap of Mrs. Bray's notes now and then. So if you would have me bear in my memory your own self and not some aerial creation that I call by your name you must make your appearance. Ever dear Sara
Your true and affectionate
Mary Ann.
MS: Yale. Endorsed: Sep. 25. Extracts published: Cross, 1, 134-135.
Thursday.
My dear Sara,
I am delighted with the proof -- the type and everything else are just what I wished. To see the first sheet is the next best thing to seeing the last which I hope we shall all have done this time next year. I have never yet been able to learn whether the volumes are to come out separately or all at once. Some time when you write to Rosehill or to me, do send me word. I see the Greek notes are given in the Introduction just as they are in the original. Will it not look rather queer to begin with giving Greek and then to alter the plan? I have been thinking over the matter of the notes and it seems to me that when, as is generally the case the substance or the leading idea contained in them is given in the text it would look very ungeschickt to translate without at the same time giving the Greek, since Strauss's object is to verify his assertions rather than to give information by the quotations at the foot. 578 What thinkest thou?
There is a very misty vision of a trip to the Highlands haunting us in this quarter. The vision would be much pleasanter if Sara were one of the images in it. You would surely go if we went, and then the thing would be perfect. 579 I long to see you, for you are becoming a sort of transfigured existence, a mere ideal to me and I have nothing to tell me of your flesh and blood self but sundry very useful little pencil marks and a scrap of Mrs. Bray's notes now and then. So if you would have me bear in my memory your own self and not some aerial creation that I call by your name you must make your appearance. Ever dear Sara
Your true and affectionate
Mary Ann.
Signature
Mary Ann.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, [Foleshill, 25 September 1845], 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/93817