FAMOUS VICARAGE

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 May 1934, Page 3

FAMOUS VICARAGE

GEORGE ELIOT RELIC. — Chilvcrs Colon vicarage, Nuneaton, j famous as “Shopper) on vicarage” in George Eliot's “Scenes of Clerical Life,” has been declared to be uninhabitable. and Sir Francis Newdegal e. of Arbury Hall (the “Chevral Manor” of the novels). has given a site for a new vicarage south of the parish hall. The vicarage of Chilvers Colon, situated in Hie heart of the Warwickshire mining community, is the most visited place of all the George Eliot country. A building of grey stone, tin? vicarage adjoins the church where George Eliot (Alary Avon Evans) was baptised. and opposite stands the quaint low roofed school, the first which she attended. The vicarage was used by George Eliot as a background for “Amos Bar-

ton” and “Air GiliH's Love Story.” both [of which are to be found in “Scenes l of ilicrical Life.” | Till? interior of the vicarage to-day |is damn, but its outward appearance j lias not altered since George Eliot's I time, though the ravages of time have I told on it. since the days when a let- (;?■■■ siic preserved at Arbury described Hl “v:-st.'y comfortable.” ■ T''ir letter was written by the i bride <;!' I lie Per. Gilpin Ebdell. She 'was a vciiam: 'diild whose singing ati I varied lhe attention of Hester Lady I Newdegiile, who adopted her and had j her taught Italian and music by lhe | best, musters. Her delicate health prel vented 'nor from becoming a proficient singer, so Lady Ncwdegate retained ‘her at Arbury almost on the footing i of a daughter. I I The ful ure of the vicarage has no! yet been decided.