GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Foleshill, 3 November [1842]
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Foleshill, 3 November [1842]
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Foleshill, 3 November [1842]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Sara Sophia Hennell
Date(s)
- 1842-11-03
Place
FOLESHILL
Letter Content
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Foleshill, 3 November [1842]
MS: Yale. Endorsed: 1842. Extracts published: Cross, I, 116.
Foleshill | November 3.
My dear Sara,
I have been as slow to write as they tell me I am to speak, and that for two reasons -- first, because bien-séance requires that we do not run up to kiss people who bow to us at the other side of the room, and next because I have been musing on many things and have been in high displeasure with myself, have thought my soul only fit for Limbo to keep company with other abortions, and my life the shallowest, muddiest, most unblessing stream. Having got my head above this slough of Despond, I feel quite inclined to tell you how much pleasure your letter gave me -- it was so bright and good and loving, like yourself, you dear one. I think of you more and love you better than ever, and could almost turn Guebre 450 and worship the sun for giving me a sight of my favourite glance.
I have had many pleasures since you wrote in the society of Mr. Hennell and Miss Brabant. 451 You wish to know what conception or misconception I may happen to have about the character of the latter. The first empfindung was unfavourable and unjust, for in spite of what some caustic people may say, I fall not in love with every one, but I can now satisfy your affection by telling you that I admire your friend exceedingly; there is a tender seriousness about her that is very much to my taste, and thorough amiability and retiredness, all which qualities make her almost worthy of Mr. Hennell.
I read your [Confessional] with pleasure and not unfruitfully. Reason seeks not for a release from penalty -- if the result of that penalty be purification, but this cannot apply to the doctrine of Forgiveness as presented by Christianity. According to that, forgiveness is synonymous with the enlargement of the spirit from the prison of darkness and enmity to God. The punishment to be shunned would be unmixed evil to the individual and to choose unmixed evil is impossible to the human mind. You observe in your note that [some persons say that the unsatisfied longing we feel in ourselves for something better than the greatest perfection to be found on earth is a proof that the true object of our desires lies beyond it.] Assuredly this earth is not the home of the spirit -- it will rest only in the bosom of the Infinite. But the non-satisfaction of the affections and intellect being inseparable from the unspeakable advantage of such a mind as that of man in connection with his corporeal conditions and terrene destiny, forms not at present an argument with me for the realization of particular desires. 452
That huge Gryphon necessity that robs us of all the gold we dream of obliges me to stop short, for I only allow myself the time from tea to the departure of the letter bag to write. My love to all I know. I had a world more to say, but perhaps you are fortunate in being rescued from the trouble of reading another half sheet of scribble.
Ever your true and loving
Mary Ann.
MS: Yale. Endorsed: 1842. Extracts published: Cross, I, 116.
Foleshill | November 3.
My dear Sara,
I have been as slow to write as they tell me I am to speak, and that for two reasons -- first, because bien-séance requires that we do not run up to kiss people who bow to us at the other side of the room, and next because I have been musing on many things and have been in high displeasure with myself, have thought my soul only fit for Limbo to keep company with other abortions, and my life the shallowest, muddiest, most unblessing stream. Having got my head above this slough of Despond, I feel quite inclined to tell you how much pleasure your letter gave me -- it was so bright and good and loving, like yourself, you dear one. I think of you more and love you better than ever, and could almost turn Guebre 450 and worship the sun for giving me a sight of my favourite glance.
I have had many pleasures since you wrote in the society of Mr. Hennell and Miss Brabant. 451 You wish to know what conception or misconception I may happen to have about the character of the latter. The first empfindung was unfavourable and unjust, for in spite of what some caustic people may say, I fall not in love with every one, but I can now satisfy your affection by telling you that I admire your friend exceedingly; there is a tender seriousness about her that is very much to my taste, and thorough amiability and retiredness, all which qualities make her almost worthy of Mr. Hennell.
I read your [Confessional] with pleasure and not unfruitfully. Reason seeks not for a release from penalty -- if the result of that penalty be purification, but this cannot apply to the doctrine of Forgiveness as presented by Christianity. According to that, forgiveness is synonymous with the enlargement of the spirit from the prison of darkness and enmity to God. The punishment to be shunned would be unmixed evil to the individual and to choose unmixed evil is impossible to the human mind. You observe in your note that [some persons say that the unsatisfied longing we feel in ourselves for something better than the greatest perfection to be found on earth is a proof that the true object of our desires lies beyond it.] Assuredly this earth is not the home of the spirit -- it will rest only in the bosom of the Infinite. But the non-satisfaction of the affections and intellect being inseparable from the unspeakable advantage of such a mind as that of man in connection with his corporeal conditions and terrene destiny, forms not at present an argument with me for the realization of particular desires. 452
That huge Gryphon necessity that robs us of all the gold we dream of obliges me to stop short, for I only allow myself the time from tea to the departure of the letter bag to write. My love to all I know. I had a world more to say, but perhaps you are fortunate in being rescued from the trouble of reading another half sheet of scribble.
Ever your true and loving
Mary Ann.
Signature
Mary Ann.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Foleshill, 3 November [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/93922