GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, Devizes, [8 November 1843]
Title
GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, Devizes, [8 November 1843]
Title
GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, Devizes, [8 November 1843]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray
Date(s)
- 1843-11-08
Place
Devizes
Letter Content
GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, Devizes, [8 November 1843]
MS: Yale. Endorsed: 1843. After C.C.'s marriage. Extract published: George Eliot and John Chapman, p. 23.
Devizes Wednesday.
My dearest Friend,
Alas! I like not to tell you of my pleasant journey yesterday 488 when I think that my parting from you was a beginning of sorrow to you.
I hated myself for sitting so snugly in the coach and driving away from you like a very impersonation of selfishness, but I know not what else to do. I will hope the best -- that neither you nor Mr. Bray took cold from your wet walk and that as Mr. Hennell would say, "Forsan et haec olim meminisse juvabit." 489 Perhaps as you are reading my note you will be seated so comfortably by your dining room fire that I should be discontented with my lot if I could have a picture of you. Should you like one of me? Well then, behold me at the table in Dr. Brabant's dining room with rather aching limbs which is not wonderful, and in perfect good humour which is wonderful. I should indeed have spleen enough to make me [one of the most remarkable women in this country] if I were not made happy by the warm welcome and the delicate attentions I receive here. I have nothing to talk of yet but kind words, kind looks, good fires and warm water, all which agrémens I have luxuriated in since 7 o'clock last evening, for we did not reach Devizes until that hour.
We staid at Reading three hours yesterday, and Dr. Brabant would tell you in the first place that we had an elegant luncheon at a very splendid house belonging to a Mr. Blandy: 490 I walked with the Adonis, as Sara calls him, alias cousin Frederick, to see the ruins of Reading Abbey, and O its sounding sequence! a pin manufactory. I of course had a wretched head-ache and was right glad that Dr. B's experienced eyes detected it, so that I was allowed to go to that best type of heaven, bed, soon after we reached Devizes.
I have been feasting my eyes on the Library this morning, and Dr. Brabant insists that I shall consider that my room. What name do you think I have been baptized withal? Rather a learned pun, Deutera, which means second and sounds a little like daughter. Both my host and hostess seem pleased with me, or simulate it so well, that their acting is as good as reality. I like Mrs. B. 491 She talks so neatly and is so perfectly polite. A dose of precision, not preciseness, will be the best thing in the world for me. Dr. B's habits are of that regular and simple kind that always indicate a healthy mind. He does not even sit in an easy chair; but here is luncheon and I shall have to walk presently. I have written in a great hurry and have not said one half of what I want to say, but I threaten you with a longer letter in a few days, and to atone for its length it shall be more legibly written.
I want nothing but a letter from Father to make me happy -- I have just been writing to him to ask him the reason of his silence. Mrs. Brabant is talking, so I must leave off scribbling.
Love, love love from your
Mary Ann
The people here are all so ugly! almost as ugly as I am.
MS: Yale. Endorsed: 1843. After C.C.'s marriage. Extract published: George Eliot and John Chapman, p. 23.
Devizes Wednesday.
My dearest Friend,
Alas! I like not to tell you of my pleasant journey yesterday 488 when I think that my parting from you was a beginning of sorrow to you.
I hated myself for sitting so snugly in the coach and driving away from you like a very impersonation of selfishness, but I know not what else to do. I will hope the best -- that neither you nor Mr. Bray took cold from your wet walk and that as Mr. Hennell would say, "Forsan et haec olim meminisse juvabit." 489 Perhaps as you are reading my note you will be seated so comfortably by your dining room fire that I should be discontented with my lot if I could have a picture of you. Should you like one of me? Well then, behold me at the table in Dr. Brabant's dining room with rather aching limbs which is not wonderful, and in perfect good humour which is wonderful. I should indeed have spleen enough to make me [one of the most remarkable women in this country] if I were not made happy by the warm welcome and the delicate attentions I receive here. I have nothing to talk of yet but kind words, kind looks, good fires and warm water, all which agrémens I have luxuriated in since 7 o'clock last evening, for we did not reach Devizes until that hour.
We staid at Reading three hours yesterday, and Dr. Brabant would tell you in the first place that we had an elegant luncheon at a very splendid house belonging to a Mr. Blandy: 490 I walked with the Adonis, as Sara calls him, alias cousin Frederick, to see the ruins of Reading Abbey, and O its sounding sequence! a pin manufactory. I of course had a wretched head-ache and was right glad that Dr. B's experienced eyes detected it, so that I was allowed to go to that best type of heaven, bed, soon after we reached Devizes.
I have been feasting my eyes on the Library this morning, and Dr. Brabant insists that I shall consider that my room. What name do you think I have been baptized withal? Rather a learned pun, Deutera, which means second and sounds a little like daughter. Both my host and hostess seem pleased with me, or simulate it so well, that their acting is as good as reality. I like Mrs. B. 491 She talks so neatly and is so perfectly polite. A dose of precision, not preciseness, will be the best thing in the world for me. Dr. B's habits are of that regular and simple kind that always indicate a healthy mind. He does not even sit in an easy chair; but here is luncheon and I shall have to walk presently. I have written in a great hurry and have not said one half of what I want to say, but I threaten you with a longer letter in a few days, and to atone for its length it shall be more legibly written.
I want nothing but a letter from Father to make me happy -- I have just been writing to him to ask him the reason of his silence. Mrs. Brabant is talking, so I must leave off scribbling.
Love, love love from your
Mary Ann
The people here are all so ugly! almost as ugly as I am.
Signature
Mary Ann
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, Devizes, [8 November 1843], Complete George Eliot Letters(2026), George Eliot Archive, edited by Beverley Park Rilett. https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org, Accessed September 7, 2026. https://georgeeliotarchive.org/items/show/93234