# Felix Holt, the Radical/Epilogue

EPILOGUE.
Our finest hope is finest memory; And those who love in age think youth is happy, Because it has a life to fill with love.
The very next May, Felix and Esther were married. Every one in those days was married at the parish church; but Mr Lyon was not satisfied without an additional private solemnity, "wherein there was no bondage to questionable forms, so that he might have a more enlarged utterance of joy and supplication."
It was a very simple wedding; but no wedding, even the gayest, ever raised so much interest and debate in Treby Magna. Even very great people, like Sir Maximus and his family, went to the church to look at this bride, who had renounced wealth, and chosen to be the wife of a man who said he would always be poor.
Some few shook their heads; could not quite believe it; and thought there was "more behind." ​But the majority of honest Trebians were affected somewhat in the same way as happy-looking Mr Wace was, who observed to his wife, as they walked from under the churchyard chestnuts, "It's wonderful how things go through you—you don't know how. I feel somehow as if I believed more in everything that's good."
Mrs Holt, that day, said she felt herself to be receiving "some reward," implying that justice certainly had much more in reserve. Little Job Tudge had an entirely new suit, of which he fingered every separate brass button in a way that threatened an arithmetical mania; and Mrs Holt had out her best tea-trays and put down her carpet again, with the satisfaction of thinking that there would no more be boys coming in all weathers with dirty shoes.
For Felix and Esther did not take up their abode in Treby Magna; and after a while Mr Lyon left the town too, and joined them where they dwelt. On his resignation the church in Malthouse Yard chose a successor to him whose doctrine was rather higher.
There were other departures from Treby. Mr Jermyn's establishment was broken up, and he was understood to have gone to reside at a great distance: some said "abroad," that large home of ​ruined reputations. Mr Johnson continued blond and sufficiently prosperous till he got grey and rather more prosperous. Some persons, who did not think highly of him, held that his prosperity was a fact to be kept in the background, as being dangerous to the morals of the young; judging that it was not altogether creditable to the Divine Providence that anything but virtue should be rewarded by a front and back drawing-room in Bedford Row.
As for Mr Christian, he had no more profitable secrets at his disposal. But he got his thousand pounds from Harold Transome.
The Transome family were absent for some time from Transome Court. The place was kept up and shown to visitors, but not by Denner, who was away with her mistress. After a while the family came back, and Mrs Transome died there. Sir Maximus was at her funeral, and throughout that neighbourhood there was silence about the past.
Uncle Lingon continued to watch over the shooting on the Manor and the covers until that event occurred which he had predicted as a part of Church reform sure to come. Little Treby had a new rector, but others were sorry besides the old pointers.
As to all that wide parish of Treby Magna, it has since prospered as the rest of England has prospered. ​Doubtless there is more enlightenment now. Whether the farmers are all public-spirited, the shopkeepers nobly independent, the Sproxton men entirely sober and judicious, the Dissenters quite without narrowness or asperity in religion and politics, and the publicans all fit, like Gaius, to be the friends of an apostle—these things I have not heard, not having correspondence in those parts. Whether any presumption may be drawn from the fact that North Loamshire does not yet return a Radical candidate, I leave to the all-wise—I mean the newspapers.
As to the town in which Felix Holt now resides, I will keep that a secret, lest he should be troubled by any visitor having the insufferable motive of curiosity.
I will only say that Esther has never repented. Felix, however, grumbles a little that she has made his life too easy, and that, if it were not for much walking, he should be a sleek dog.
There is a young Felix, who has a great deal more science than his father, but not much more money.
THE END.
PRINTED BY WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS, EDINBURGH.
MESSRS BLACKWOOD AND SONS’
RECENT PUBLICATIONS.
FELIX HOLT, THE RADICAL.
By GEORGE ELIOT, Author of 'Adam Bede,' &c. In 3 vols., price £1, 11s. 6d.
THE OPERATIONS OF WAR EXPLAINED AND ILLUS-
TRATED. By Colonel E. B. HAMLEY, R.A., formerly Professor of Military History, Strategy, and Tactics at the Staff College, Member of the Council of Military Education. In 1 vol. 4to, with Plans, price 28s.
THE HANDY ROYAL ATLAS OF MODERN GEOGRAPHY.
By ALEX. KEITH JOHNSTON, LL.D. F.R.S.E. F.G.S. To be completed in Twelve Parts at 4s. each. Part III. now ready.
ATLAS OF CLASSICAL GEOGRAPHY.
By ALEX. KEITH JOHNSTON, LL.D. F.R.S.E. F.G.S. A New and greatly Enlarged Edition. In royal 4to, half-bound morocco, price 25s.
THE ILIAD OF HOMER.
Translated into English Verse in the Spenserian Stanza. By PHILIP STANHOPE WORSLEY, M.A., Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Oxford. Books I.—XII. Post 8vo, 10s. 6d.
NEW CHRONICLES OF CARLINGFORD:
Miss Marjoribanks. By the Author of 'Salem Chapel,' &c. In 3 vols, post 8vo, £1, 11s. 6d.
RALPH DARNELL.
By Captain MEADOWS TAYLOR, M.R.I.A., Author of 'Tara, a Mahratta Tale,' &c. Three Vols, post 8vo, price £1, 11s. 6d.
GEOLOGY FOR GENERAL READERS:
A Series of Popular Sketches in Geology and Palæontology. By DAVID PAGE, F.R.S.E. F.G.S. In crown 8vo, price 5s.
THE HANDY HORSE-BOOK;
Or, Practical Instructions in Riding, Driving, and the General Care and Management of Horses. By a CAVALRY OFFICER. Second Edition, crown 8vo, price 3s, 6d.
DESIGNS FOR VILLA RESIDENCES.
By JOHN STARFORTH, Architect. Comprising Perspective Views, Elevations, Ground Plans, Stone and Timber Details, and Ceilings. 40 Plates royal 4to, beautifully engraved on copper, with Descriptions. Price 25s., bound in cloth.
Considered in its General and Special Aspects. By THOMAS J. CRAWFORD, Professor of Divinity in the University of Edinburgh. Crown 8vo, price 6s. 6d.
THE THEORY OF RULING ELDERSHIP;
or, the Position of the Laity in Church Administration in Presbyterian Churches Examined. By P. C. CAMPBELL, D.D., Principal of the University of Aberdeen. Crown 8vo, price 3s.
THE DECALOGUE AND THE LORD'S DAY,
In the Light of the General Relations of the Old and New Testaments; with a Chapter on Confessions of Faith. By the Rev. WILLIAM MILLIGAN, D.D., Professor of Divinity and Biblical Criticism in the University of Aberdeen. Crown 8vo, price 4s. 6d.
FAMILY PRAYERS,
As authorised by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, with other Prayers by the Committee of the General Assembly on Aids to Devotion, forming a Course of Prayers for Four Weeks. Crown 8vo, red edges, price 4s. 6d.
LECTURES AND SERMONS.
By the late Rev. JOHN PARK, D.D., Minister of the First Charge, St Andrews. Post 8vo, price 9s.
CHRIST'S KINGDOM UPON EARTH.
A Series of Discourses. By the Rev. ROBERT FLINT, Professor of Moral Philosophy in the University of St Andrews. Crown 8vo, price 7s. 6d.
ANNIE WEIR, AND OTHER POEMS.
By DAVID WINGATE. Fcap. 8vo, price 5s.
THE CULTURE OF THE PINE-APPLE.
By DAVID THOMSON, Archerfield Gardens, N.B. Octavo, price 5s.
ETONIANA, ANCIENT AND MODERN.
Originally published in 'Blackwood's Magazine.' One Vol. fcp. 8vo, price 5s.
SELECTION FROM THE POEMS OF MRS HEMANS.
Small foolscap, cloth, gilt edges, price 5s.
CAPTAIN SHERARD OSBORN.
Narratives of Voyage and Adventure. In 3 vols, crown 8vo, price 17s. 6d.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO NATURAL HISTORY,
Chiefly in relation to the Food of the People. By a Rural D.D. In crown 8vo, price 6s.
COMPARATIVE GEOGRAPHY.
By CARL RITTER, Professor of Geography in the University of Berlin. Translated by W. L. Gage. In crown 8vo, 3s. 6d.
By DAVID PAGE, F.R.S.E. F.G.S., Author of 'Introductory and Advanced Text-Books of Geology,' &c. Crown 8vo, with a Glossary of Terms and numerous Illustrations, 5s.
"Mr Page's volume is aptly entitled, and meets the wants of earnest and systematic students."—Athenæum.
"A thoroughly good Text-Book of Physical Geography."—Saturday Review.
THE TALES FROM "BLACKWOOD."
A Cheap Re-issue, in Twelve Volumes, at 1s. each, paper cover. In cloth boards, 18s.
FAUST: A DRAMATIC POEM.
By GOETHE. Translated into English Verse by THEODORE MARTIN. In 1 vol. post 8vo, 6s. Second Edition.
Illustrated Edition of Professor AYTOUN'S
LAYS OF THE SCOTTISH CAVALIERS.
The Designs by J. Noel Paton, R.S.A. Engraved on Wood by John Thompson, W. J. Linton, W. Thomas, J. W. Whymper, J. Cooper, W. T. Green, Dalziel Brothers, E. Evans, J. Adam, &c. Small 4to, printed on toned paper, bound in gilt cloth, 21s.
"The artists have excelled themselves in the engravings which they have furnished. Seizing the spirit of Mr Aytoun's 'Ballads' as perhaps none but Scotchmen could have seized it, they have thrown their whole strength into the work with a heartiness which others would do well to imitate. Whoever there may be that does not already know these 'Lays,' we recommend at once to make their acquaintance in this edition, wherein author and artist illustrate each other as kindred spirits should."—Standard.
THE DISCOVERY OF THE SOURCE OF THE NILE:
A JOURNAL. By JOHN HANNING SPEKE, Captain H.M. Indian Army. With a Map of Eastern Equatorial Africa by Captain Speke; numerous Illustrations, chiefly from Drawings by Captain Grant; and Portraits, engraved on Steel, of Captains Speke and Grant. 8vo, 21s.
"The volume which Captain Speke has presented to the world possesses more than a geographical interest. It is a monument of perseverance, courage, and temper displayed under difficulties which have perhaps never been equalled."—Times.
WHAT LED TO THE DISCOVERY OF THE NILE
SOURCE. By JOHN HANNING SPEKE, Captain H.M. Indian Army. 8vo, with Maps, &c., 14s.
"Will be read with peculiar interest, as it makes the record of his travels complete, and at the same time heightens, if possible, our admiration of his indomitable perseverance, as well as tact."—Dispatch.
A WALK ACROSS AFRICA;
Or, Domestic Scenes from my Nile Journal. By JAMES AUGUSTUS GRANT, Captain H.M. Bengal Army, Fellow and Gold-Medallist of the Royal Geographical Society. 8vo, with Map, 15s.
"Captain Grant's frank, manly, unadorned narrative."—Daily News.
"Captain Grant's book will be doubly interesting to those who have read Captain Speke's. He gives, as his special contribution to the story of their three years' walk across Africa, descriptions of birds, beasts, trees, and plants, and all that concerns them, and of domestic scenes throughout the various regions. The book is written in a pleasant, quiet, gentlemanly style, and is characterised by a modest tone. . . . . The whole work is delightful reading."—Globe.
CAXTONIANA:
A Series of Essays on Life, Literature, and Manners. By Sir EDWARD BULWER LYTTON, Bart. 2 vols. crown 8vo, 21s.
"It would be very possible to fill many pages with the wise bright things of these volumes."—Eclectic.
"Gems of thought, set upon some of the most important subjects that can engage the attention of men."—Daily News.
From the 'Saturday Review.' First and Second Series. Crown 8vo, each 7s. 6d.
"In their own way of simple, straightforward reflection upon life, the present century has produced no essays better than these."—Examiner.
"We shall welcome the author again if he has more to say on topics which he treats so well."—Guardian.
THE SCOT ABROAD,
AND THE ANCIENT LEAGUE WITH FRANCE. By JOHN HILL BURTON, Author of the 'Book-Hunter,' &c. 2 vols, crown 8vo, in Roxburghe binding, 15s.
"Mr Burton's lively and interesting 'Scot Abroad,' not the least valuable of his contributions to the historical literature of his country."—Quarterly Review.
"An excellent book, that will interest Englishmen and fascinate Scotchmen."—Times.
"No amount of selections, detached at random, can give an adequate idea of the varied and copious results of reading which are stored up in the compact and pithy pages of 'The Scot Abroad.'"—Saturday Review.
"A charming book."—Spectator.
THE CAIRNGORM MOUNTAINS.
By JOHN HILL BURTON. In crown 8vo, 3s. 6d.
"One of the most complete as well as most lively and intelligent bits of reading that the lover of works of travel has seen for many a day"—Saturday Review.
THE GREAT GOVERNING FAMILIES OF ENGLAND.
By J. LANGTON SANFORD and MEREDITH TOWNSEND.
Contents:—The Percies—The Greys of Howick—The Lowthers—The Vanes or Fanes—the Stanleys of Knowsley—The Grosvenors—The Fitzwilliams—The Cavendishes—The Bentincks—The Clintons—The Stanhopes—The Talbots—The Leveson-Gowers—The Pagets—The Manners—The Montagus—The Osbornes—The Fitzroys—The Spencers— The Grenvilles—The Russells—The Cecils—The Villiers—The Barings—The Petty-Fitzmaurices—The Herberts—The Somersets—The Berkeleys—The Seymours—The Lennoxes—The Howards.
2 vols. 8vo, £1, 8s. in extra binding, with richly gilt cover.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF EMINENT SOLDIERS
OF THE LAST FOUR CENTURIES. By the late Major-General JOHN MITCHELL, Author of 'Life of Wallenstein,' the 'Fall of Napoleon,' &c. Edited, with a Memoir of the Author, by Leonhard Schmitz, LL.D. In post 8vo, 9s.
ELEMENTS OF MODERN GEOGRAPHY.
For the Use of Junior Classes. By the Rev. ALEX. MACKAY, A.M. F.R.G.S. In crown 8vo, pp. 304, 3s.
"There is no work of the kind, in the English or any other language, known to me, which comes so near my ideal of perfection in a school-book, on the important subject of which it treats. In arrangement, style, selection of matter, clearness, and thorough accuracy of statement, it is without a rival; and knowing as I do, the vast amount of labour and research bestowed on its production, I trust it will be so appreciated as to insure, by an extensive sale, a well-merited reward."—A. Keith Johnston, Esq., F.R.S.E. F.R.G.S. H.M. Geographer for Scotland; Author of the 'Physical Atlas,' &c. &c.
"The best geography we have ever met with."—Spectator.
OUTLINES OF MODERN GEOGRAPHY.
A Book for Beginners. 18mo, 112 pages, price 1s.
THE ECONOMY OF CAPITAL: GOLD AND TRADE.
By R. H. PATTERSON, Author of 'The New Revolution,' &c. In 1 thick vol. crown 8vo, 12s. cloth.