GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, [15 February 1869]
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, [15 February 1869]
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, [15 February 1869]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Sara Sophia Hennell
Date(s)
- 1869-02-15
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, [15 February 1869]
MS: Yale. Endorsed: Feb. 15, 1869. Extracts published: Cross, III, 78.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
Sunday Morning.
Dear Sara
I have looked back to the verses in Browning's poem about Elisha, 27 and I find no mystery in them. The foregoing context, for three pages, describes that function of genius which revivifies the past -- that past which is not totally forgotten and cannot therefore be said to be quite dead. Man, says Browning (I am writing from recollection of his general meaning) cannot create, but he can restore: the poet gives forth of his own spirit and reanimates the forms that lie breathless. His use of Elisha's story is manifestly symbolical, as his mention of Faust is -- the illustration which he abandons the moment before to take up that of the Hebrew seer.
I presume you did not read the context yourself, but only had the two concluding verses pointed out or quoted to you by your friends. It is one of the afflictions of authorship to know that the brains which should be used in understanding a book are wasted in discussing the hastiest misconceptions about it, and I am sure you will sympathize enough in this affliction to set any one right, when you can, about this quotation from Browning.
You had a bright day for your journey home, and I hope you will enjoy your home life, for some time to come, all the more for having been away from it. This is usually the best result of visits. With love to all
Yours always
Marian.
I forgot to tell you that in two young men named Payne, who visit us -- one, a physician of promise, the other a clergyman who writes a great deal -- I have discovered second cousins of Miss R. Franklin's, whom I have often heard speak of their mother, once Eliza Dyer. 28
MS: Yale. Endorsed: Feb. 15, 1869. Extracts published: Cross, III, 78.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
Sunday Morning.
Dear Sara
I have looked back to the verses in Browning's poem about Elisha, 27 and I find no mystery in them. The foregoing context, for three pages, describes that function of genius which revivifies the past -- that past which is not totally forgotten and cannot therefore be said to be quite dead. Man, says Browning (I am writing from recollection of his general meaning) cannot create, but he can restore: the poet gives forth of his own spirit and reanimates the forms that lie breathless. His use of Elisha's story is manifestly symbolical, as his mention of Faust is -- the illustration which he abandons the moment before to take up that of the Hebrew seer.
I presume you did not read the context yourself, but only had the two concluding verses pointed out or quoted to you by your friends. It is one of the afflictions of authorship to know that the brains which should be used in understanding a book are wasted in discussing the hastiest misconceptions about it, and I am sure you will sympathize enough in this affliction to set any one right, when you can, about this quotation from Browning.
You had a bright day for your journey home, and I hope you will enjoy your home life, for some time to come, all the more for having been away from it. This is usually the best result of visits. With love to all
Yours always
Marian.
I forgot to tell you that in two young men named Payne, who visit us -- one, a physician of promise, the other a clergyman who writes a great deal -- I have discovered second cousins of Miss R. Franklin's, whom I have often heard speak of their mother, once Eliza Dyer. 28
Signature
Marian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, [15 February 1869], 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/93940