Ceres' Runaway, and Other Essays

"Ceres' Runaway" by Alice Meynell is a collection of essays likely written in the late 19th century. The essays explore various topics, reflecting Meynell's keen observations on nature, art, and the human condition, with a particular emphasis on the beauty of the natural world and the intricacies of existence. The opening portion of the work introduces the essay titled "Ceres' Runaway." It vividly describes the thriving wild flora of Rome that defies municipal control and regulation, creating a dynamic contrast between nature's resilience and the rigid structures of governance. Meynell paints an enchanting picture of how wild plants, like grass, escape the oversight of the city officials, flourishing in the high places and ancient ruins, embodying a sense of freedom and vitality that constantly pushes against the boundaries set by civilization. As she reflects on how the beauty of nature persists in the face of human attempts to tame it, Meynell sets the tone for a deeper exploration of aesthetic appreciation and the relationship between humanity and the natural world throughout the collection. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Alice Christiana Gertrude Meynell was a British writer, editor, critic, and suffragist, now remembered mainly as a poet. She was considered for the position of Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom twice, first in 1892 on the death of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, and later in 1913 on the death of Alfred Austin, but was never appointed to the position.