GHL Journal, ,15-18 March 1857
Title
GHL Journal, ,15-18 March 1857
Title
GHL Journal, ,15-18 March 1857
Sender
Ghl Journal
Recipient
U
Date(s)
- 1857-03-15–<br /> 1857-03-18
Place
Richmond
Letter Content
GHL Journal, ,15-18 March 1857
MS: Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
Sunday 15th.
Started at 9 in the evening from Richmond on our zoological expedition. Slept at the Great Western Hotel, where we were very comfortable and the next morning started at 10 for Plymouth by Express. Arrived at 'bd past 5. The Globe Hotel. -- Went out for a ramble while a chop tea was being prepared. Got to the Hoe and had a view of the sea and Mount Edgecombe. After tea Marian read Cranford aloud.
Tuesday 17th.
After breakfast rambled about the town and bought a basket. At 'bd past 10 started outside the coach for Truro. A Scotch sailor and a stout benevolent traveller interested us much; also a vulgar pretentious surgeon who laid down the law on physiology in an amusing manner, I drawing him out by feigned ignorance; also a young girl, a peasant, with unabashed hearty manners and pretty Devonshire face. The drive to Bodmin very pretty. Between Bodmin and St. Austel the drive was wild and drear, but interesting from its mining traces and the porcelain clay works. One of the passengers explained the method of extracting and preparing the clay, and from our seats we could follow all the principal episodes. Reached Truro at 6 and at 'bd past per Rail to Penzance reaching it at 8. The Union Hotel. After a chop tea we retired much fatigued to bed.
Wednesday 18th.
When the Boots called us this morning and announced that it was raining hard, and the wind was due west, we resolved not to cross, but to wait a few days at Penzance. After breakfast the rain still pouring Marian read Cranford aloud. We then went in search of lodgings, and by a strange infatuation fixed upon No. 1 Marine Parade, and repented thereof when too late. Nautical lodgings with cases of stuffed birds, a [sailor's departure] and a [sailor's return] ornamenting one side of the wall; a portrait of the late husband, proprietor of the Brig Triton (which was correctly misrepresented entering the harbour of Marseilles) graced the other side: a genuine lodging house portrait by a Bad Master, representing a blackhaired mariner on a mahogany background, with general uniformity of complexion and no expression. Silhouettes in black of son and daughter. Everything rickety in the house. Bedpole fell as I drew aside the curtain. Teapot with wobbley top; fender without rests; chairs with yielding backs etc. We resolved to stay no longer than was absolutely necessary. As it continued raining all day we stayed in. I wrote some letters and read Draper's Physiology. In the evening Marian continued Cranford.
MS: Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
Sunday 15th.
Started at 9 in the evening from Richmond on our zoological expedition. Slept at the Great Western Hotel, where we were very comfortable and the next morning started at 10 for Plymouth by Express. Arrived at 'bd past 5. The Globe Hotel. -- Went out for a ramble while a chop tea was being prepared. Got to the Hoe and had a view of the sea and Mount Edgecombe. After tea Marian read Cranford aloud.
Tuesday 17th.
After breakfast rambled about the town and bought a basket. At 'bd past 10 started outside the coach for Truro. A Scotch sailor and a stout benevolent traveller interested us much; also a vulgar pretentious surgeon who laid down the law on physiology in an amusing manner, I drawing him out by feigned ignorance; also a young girl, a peasant, with unabashed hearty manners and pretty Devonshire face. The drive to Bodmin very pretty. Between Bodmin and St. Austel the drive was wild and drear, but interesting from its mining traces and the porcelain clay works. One of the passengers explained the method of extracting and preparing the clay, and from our seats we could follow all the principal episodes. Reached Truro at 6 and at 'bd past per Rail to Penzance reaching it at 8. The Union Hotel. After a chop tea we retired much fatigued to bed.
Wednesday 18th.
When the Boots called us this morning and announced that it was raining hard, and the wind was due west, we resolved not to cross, but to wait a few days at Penzance. After breakfast the rain still pouring Marian read Cranford aloud. We then went in search of lodgings, and by a strange infatuation fixed upon No. 1 Marine Parade, and repented thereof when too late. Nautical lodgings with cases of stuffed birds, a [sailor's departure] and a [sailor's return] ornamenting one side of the wall; a portrait of the late husband, proprietor of the Brig Triton (which was correctly misrepresented entering the harbour of Marseilles) graced the other side: a genuine lodging house portrait by a Bad Master, representing a blackhaired mariner on a mahogany background, with general uniformity of complexion and no expression. Silhouettes in black of son and daughter. Everything rickety in the house. Bedpole fell as I drew aside the curtain. Teapot with wobbley top; fender without rests; chairs with yielding backs etc. We resolved to stay no longer than was absolutely necessary. As it continued raining all day we stayed in. I wrote some letters and read Draper's Physiology. In the evening Marian continued Cranford.
Citation
Ghl Journal, GHL Journal, ,15-18 March 1857, 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/94294