GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Foleshill, 23 November [1842]
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Foleshill, 23 November [1842]
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Foleshill, 23 November [1842]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Sara Sophia Hennell
Date(s)
- 1842-11-23
Place
FOLESHILL
Letter Content
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Foleshill, 23 November [1842]
MS: Yale. Endorsed: 1842. Hitherto unpublished.
Foleshill November 23d.
My dear Sara,
May you see as many more birthdays 455 as it is desirable for birds of passage from one eternity to another to see on this earth, and may each succeeding one be increasingly beautiful and lovely like the latter half of a long summer's day. Mrs. Bray told me of the epoch, but I have forgotten whether it be to-day or to-morrow, and I am anxious not to let it pass without sending you my love-breathings, although but hastily.
My birthday (the 23d) I celebrated yesterday, much, I fancy, as the oysters on the rock celebrate theirs. I am glad we are so near together in the day of the month as it will be a memorandum for me. Alas! I think I see an Elihu standing before me and saying with a reproachful glance, "Days should speak, multitude of years should bring forth wisdom." 456 Very true good Elihu, but remember that years are but the canvass, and that the utmost efforts of your born dauber can produce nothing fit for the critic's eye. Your life meine liebe has been all activity and creation and my love longs to crown you with a wreath of the best happiness this sun-and-moonlit world can give.
I have been grieved to hear of Miss Hennell's sad want of health 457
I am writing in too great a hurry to think of anything you want to know, so do not reproach me with not answering questions. O, by the bye, I can tell you that Mrs. Bray is very industrious with her German and has made great progress since you were here, with scarcely the least help. "No more at present" from
Your ever affectionate
Mary Ann.
MS: Yale. Endorsed: 1842. Hitherto unpublished.
Foleshill November 23d.
My dear Sara,
May you see as many more birthdays 455 as it is desirable for birds of passage from one eternity to another to see on this earth, and may each succeeding one be increasingly beautiful and lovely like the latter half of a long summer's day. Mrs. Bray told me of the epoch, but I have forgotten whether it be to-day or to-morrow, and I am anxious not to let it pass without sending you my love-breathings, although but hastily.
My birthday (the 23d) I celebrated yesterday, much, I fancy, as the oysters on the rock celebrate theirs. I am glad we are so near together in the day of the month as it will be a memorandum for me. Alas! I think I see an Elihu standing before me and saying with a reproachful glance, "Days should speak, multitude of years should bring forth wisdom." 456 Very true good Elihu, but remember that years are but the canvass, and that the utmost efforts of your born dauber can produce nothing fit for the critic's eye. Your life meine liebe has been all activity and creation and my love longs to crown you with a wreath of the best happiness this sun-and-moonlit world can give.
I have been grieved to hear of Miss Hennell's sad want of health 457
I am writing in too great a hurry to think of anything you want to know, so do not reproach me with not answering questions. O, by the bye, I can tell you that Mrs. Bray is very industrious with her German and has made great progress since you were here, with scarcely the least help. "No more at present" from
Your ever affectionate
Mary Ann.
Signature
Mary Ann.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Foleshill, 23 November [1842], 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/93917