The Portland daily press., 1873-04-28
George Eliot.
THE STORY OF HER LIFE AGAIN TOLD.
From tho Golden Ace.

From the Golden Age.
The story of Marian Evans life has been
variously told. Perhaps this is the most at
thentic version of what has never been au-
thoritatively told by the actors in it; MIR.
Lewes, the distinguished and clever biogra-
pher of Goethe. and well-known author of
philosophical works, had been unfortunate lie
his marriage relations; so, toe, had Mrs.
Lewes; they were a most ill-assorted pair,
and she shook off the bond which CALLED her,
and became unfaithful to her marriage VOW.
But Mr.. Lewcs himself was equally guilty of
infidelity to his wife, and the law of England
does this equal justice to man and woman.
viz, it absolves neither from marrige bond
on account of the other, unless the one who
asks freedom can claim to have been f. ithful
to his or her own vow. The marriage tie be-
tween this disloyal husband and wife was
broken in fact but not in law. They had
long lived separate lives when Mr.. Lewes
met and learned to love Miss Evans.
Miss Evans was woman of singulaIly un-
attractive person. No photograph of her is
to be found anywhere, and she shrinks from
contact with strangers, for she is painfully
conscious of her own lack Of personal charm.
1t was her mind ard heart which won Mr..
Lewes's love, and the nobility and purity of
this most pure spirit lifted that love into
reverence be had never before felt for wo-
man. His love was returned, and the ques-
ton of their future was discussed by these
loving friends and friendly lovers. They
asked the advice and counsel OF the wisest
and best of their friends in this emergency,
and at last, after much thought and discus
sion, it was decided by themselves and their
counseors that this being an exceptional
case, it must be dealt with in an exceptional
manner. A legal marriage between them
was impossible, but since the affection which
united them was no youthful passion, but
the stable bond ola love founded on mutual
congeniality and respect, they would be jus
titled in uniting their lives outside Of the law,
if they were strong enough TO bear the social
consequence which must naturally follow
from the infraction of the law. This they re-
solved to do, and from that time they have
lived happily, contentedly, and hopefully to-
ge her. All their best friends approve of
their course, and no truer wife to her hus-
band, no more tender mother to his children.
for she has none other own, is to found in ali
England, than this brave and true woman.
Ofcourse, in society so rigid as in that of
England in the outward observance of the
moralities-though it is whispered that, un-
der decorous regard to the conyentionai-
ties, plenty OF indecorous acts are committed
and winked at-such course as that of Mr..
and Mrs. Lewes puts them outside of gener-
its the house of other people; she receives on
ly her special friends at her own. Since she
has achieved fame, she might be received by
many ladies who before this, would have re-
fused her entree to their homes, but she Meth
er desires nor will accept their proffered
recognition. She did not overstep the con-
ventional laws of society without considera
ton; she knew the price she must pay for a
happy home and a satisfied heart, and she is
content to pay it, nor does she find 1t too
high. 1t was perilous experiment, and one
that 10 woman, unless she pe rs s'Iohg, as
brave. and as pure, and as sure OF holding
bar lover as Miss Evans, would do well to re-
peat. nj. A., c.. -.
which brought Mrs. LeweB prominently into
notice as writer, 1t was by no means her
first effort. Very few people, like the Baron
ess Tautphias, achieve fame as an author
without serving previous apprenticeship at
literature. "The Initials" which made the
name of the English wife Of the German bar
on household word in two continents, was
actually the very first attempt its author
made at writing. She was devoted to paint
inc. but the oils and colors she used, being
pronounced in part accountable for her fail
inc health, were taken from her by the phv
sician's order, and she was literally driven fo
her pen to fill up her idle and heavily-hanoino
hours. Norhing is more wonderful in the
history of literature than the brilliant novel
which this mere tyro in art produced.
But Mrs. Lewes had no such experience os
rapid success in the path which she had on ~
tered upon. She herself tells US that she had
for years been an untiring and diligent work. M
er, translating,. writing essays and stories.
winch brought her no reward in fame, and
put small compensation, in money. 'sAdam
bede hrst made her famous, and her subse-
quent novels, ''The Mill on the FIoss,' ISL
las Mariner" "Felix Holt,' s'Romola," and
"Middlemarch," have steadily augmented her