The weekly Shasta courier., 1873-07-26
George Eliot.


variously told. Perhaps this is the most
authentic version of what has never been
authoritatively told by the actors in it (;
MIR. Lewes, the distinguished and clever
biographer of Goethe, and well-known au-
thor of philosophical works, had been un-
fortunate in his marriage relations; SO, too,
had Mrs. Lewes they were most ill as
sorted pair, aud she shook off the bond
which CALLED her, and became unfaithful to
her marriage VOW. But Mr. Lewes himself
was equally guilty of infidelity to his wife,
and the laws of England does this equal
justice to man and woman, viz, it absolves
neither from marriage bond on account Of
the in6delity of the other, unless the one
who asks freedom can claim to have been
faithful to his or her own vow. The mar
rage tie between 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 a woman of singularly
unattractive person. No photograph Of
her is to be found anywhere, and she shrinks
from contact with strangers, for she is pain
fully conscious of her own lack of personal
charms. 1t was her mind and heart which
won Mr.. Lewes' love, and the nobility and
purity of this most pure spirit lifted that love
into reverence he had never before felt for
woman. His love was returned, and the
question 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 emer-
gency, and at last, alter much thought and
discussion, it was decided by themselves
and counselors that this being an excep-
tional case it must be dealt with in an ex-
ceptional manner. A legal marriage be-
tween them was impossible, but since the
affection which united them was no youth
full passion, but the stable bond of love
founded on mutual congeniality and respect,
they would be justified in uniting their lives
outside of the law if they were strong
enough to bear the social consequences
which must naturally follow from the infrac-
ton of the law. This they resolved to do,
and from that time they have lived happily,
contentedly and hopefully together. All
their best friends approve of their course,
and no truer wife to her husband, no more
tender mother to his children, for she has
has none of her own, is to be found in all
England than this brave and true woman.
Of course, in society so rigid as that of
England in the outward observance of the
moralities though it is whispered that, un-
der decorous regard for the CONVENTIONAL
ties, plenty of indecorous acts are committed
and winked at-such a course as that OF
Mr.. and Mrs. Lewes puts them outside Of
general social recognition. Mrs. Lewes
never visits the houses of other people; she
receives only her special friends at her own.
Since she has achieved fame, she might be
received by many ladies who, before this,
would have refused her entree to their
homes, but she neither desires nor will she
accept their proffered recognition. She did
not overstep the conventional laws of soci
ETY. without due consideration she knew
the price she must pay for happy home and
a satisfied heart, and she is content to pay
it, nor does she find it too high. 1t was a
perious experiment, and one that no wom-
pure, and as sure of holding her lover, as
Miss Evans, would do well to repeat.
Though Adam Bede" was the first work
which brought Mrs. Lewes prominently into
notice as writer, it was by no means her
first effort. Very few people, like the Bar
oness Tautpheus, achieve fame as an author
without serving previous apprenticeship at
literature. "The Initials which made the
name of the English wife of the German
baron household word in two continents,
was actually the very first attempt the au-
thor made at writing. She was devoted to
painting, but the oils and colors she used,
being pronounced in part accountable for
her failing health, were taken from her by
the physicians order, and she was literally
driven to her pen to fill up her idle and
heavily hanging hours. Nothing 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
of rapid success in the path which she en-
tered upon. She herself tells US that she
had for years been an untiring and diligent
worker, translating, writing essays and stor-
les, which brought her no reward in fame,
and but small compensation in money.
Adam Bede first made her famous, and
her subsequent novels, The Mill on the
Floss" "Silas Mariner" Felix Holt" "Ro-
mola," and Middlemarch," have steadily
augmented her reputation. Each has its
troop Of admirers, who consider it her best
work. Mr. Greeley regarded "Silas Mariner"
as her finest effort, but we think few would
be found to agree with him.-Portland
Transcript.
BRoADCLoTH AN ENEMY OF HEALTH. -