, 1872-12-25

erted powerful influence upon her mental de-
ve1opment. It is said on good authority that it
was at his urgent solicitation that Mrs. !eWe5
first began to write fiction, and if such Is the
case, the world is indebted not little to him.
Mr.. Lewes has wisely restrained from Interior
ing with the natural development Of lis wife's
genius, though be must have influenced 1t lndl-
rectty not u little.
Tie .'Scenes from Clerical Life.'' frat pub
lished in Btackuood, at once drew the attention
Of thoughtful readers in England. Tlackeray
hailed them proofs OF the advent OF q ne"
literary star OF the first magnitude, ana they
prepared the Way for the after popularity OF
Adam Bede and George Eiot's later novels
These later works have been produced at rare
intervals, and with great slowness. in comparl-
son with the rate OF composition OF most other
modern nyoeIists.
Some five years ago, in the winter OF OF 1867,
the writer had the good fortune to spend an
evening in company with several OF the tatero-
teurs OF New York, who had gathered to meet
Reuie,o. Who was then making a. hasty visit
to the United States, and was 1uet
about returning to England. Ths main topic Of
conversation during the evening. was George
Eliot, with whom MI. Morley wss well acquainted
ested. MIR. Morley described Mrs. Lewes as
very plain person, but with a most benevolent
expression OF countenanca. She ia exceedingly
pleasant and genial In conversation. and ls fairly
adored by her frienda. By nature she is OF q de-
cided1y Religious disposition and is most deeply
interested IN subjects Of TINT nature. There is
something very striking in her manner, aud
Al1. Morley said she always reminded him
of St. Paul. As might be expected from her
writings she has exquisite sensibilities, and
is actually sensitive Of pain and suffering in
others SO aa to be much affected by the disagree
able sights that are daily to be met with in the
streets. She lives very retired llfe and sees
| but little society on account Of her marriage,
while like her husband who ia the most brilliant
talker in London society, she is almost always
sick, owing to the inability OF her fine o1ganiza-
ton to bear much strain.
kind interests her, and her mind is OF encyco-
pfediac cast, 80 her sympathies are broad enough
| to embrace the whole Of the race. She is not
much absorbed in politics, Mr. Morley said, and
she takes but little interest in the present re-
| form movement in Great Britain.
| A gentleman who WAS present asked nr. Nor
! ley if he thought George Eiot's marriage was
| the result of impulse OF was deliberately under
| taken. He replied, !" the former" as the oct
was too much opposed to many of her social
| opinions to hnye been decided upon with calm
| reconciliation. Mira Iewas is q devoted follow
| or Of Comte, and believes that it only needs an
| apostle Of sufficient power to- promulgate his
views in order to SEQ the establishment OF q new
| religion, based upon Positivism. Her Gfo since
| her marriage has not been happy, principally
through tho social ostracism which resulted
! from her union with Mr. Lewes. and for q
long time she did not write anything, Mr.
|
/ tribute to the greatness of her genius. No
| WOMAN whom he had met had ever impressed
| him to anything like the extent she had doTe,
| There seemed to be something apostolic about
| her moral character, while her intellect VAS OF
| the first order.
| An American literary lady who visited Mrs.
Lewes not long since, describes her as having q
very masculine appearance, with strong
ner, however, is exceedingly womaaly and
| the reverse OF masculine. Her conver-
| sation was animated and interesting,
| yet somewhat subdued. She complained OF be-
ing shut out from female society and Of the loss
of certain kind of sympathy which this entaled.
and she seemed to appreciate highly the visits OF
lady friends or admirers.
! Her married life has been happy and calm, itH
only drawback being that she has been ehlldless
Like the harmonious welded union OF Ca1lyle'
her married life goes for to disproye the oft.aa-
serted theory that two persons OF Literary talent
| are not fit to associate with each other.
Her favori:e ct all her writing was i" Sllas
Marner," though most readers prefer !" Adam
! Bede." W.