From Somewhere in Time

Lewis Carroll certainly read that Victorian giant of literature, George Eliot (the pseudonym of Mary Anne Evans). His diary notes in 1858 that he began "Mr. Gilfil's love-story" from "Scenes of Clerical Life," although he doesn't say what he thought of it. After that, if he read anything more of her work, or noticed the mathematical references in it, we don't know about it.

So it doesn't seem as if her work grabbed him at the time. But, perhaps, if his shade is looking down on us, it would be interested to attend the next free Lewis Carroll Society talk which takes place next week on 2 June - and then perhaps paying Ms. Evans a call afterwards in Paradise to discuss it.



(Yes, it's only a fanciful thought, but I like it.... )

In the talk, Derek Ball of Leicester University shares his work about Eliot's sometimes outrageous mathematical imagery, which he has found to be almost invariably associated with the tragicomedy in her novels.

The talk is free to attend, but if you want to come, please email secretary@lewiscarrollsociety.org.uk to say you will be coming so that they can get an idea of numbers. The talk will be held in the Gradidge Room of the Art Worker's Guild, which is a fascinating place in its own right, being one of the few unrestored Georgian houses in an 18th century Bloomsbury square, and full of the most beautiful work created by its members.

The Art Workers Guild is at 6 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AT and all LCS meetings are held at 6:30 for 7:00 pm. Just ring the doorbell.