Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-07-03
"GEORGE ELLIOT. "

4 good while ago George Eliot became ac'
auaiuted with George Henry L,wcs' author o.
the History of Philosophy, Life OF Gothe,
and v,rious other works. Though he was not
,he Kind of map. artstically considered, with
whom u romantic woman would be likely to ial
IN love, he impressed her very tavorably, aud
the impression was reciprocal. lie IS nuent,
picturesque, brilliant talker, deep dyed skep-
nc, a ripe scholar, geuul1e egotlst. 1hey
we're SO much attracted to one another that
they >peat much time together, each hndng 10
the ether what he or she particularly ilked.
Theirs was not wild, fantastic passion, but a
real intellectual appreciation Of and regard for
sterling character. He was anxious to wed her
and she was quite wiling to accept HIM.
One serious obstacle 10 matrlmoDr, however,
yas that he had wite--that is, he had her
legally. without having or wanting her other
wise The trouble was this: Mrs. Lewes,
who had not proved at all a harmonious part,
per, was not content to live 10 state OF armed
neutrality with her liege but took occasion to
run away with another man. Lewes, who Is a
philosopher, made DO effort to get ber back,
and ucver would have done so had she not re
lurped voluntarily, and with such coutrltion
and so apparent distress that he generously
torgave her. and felt more affection tor her than
he had ever done before. Therefore he took
her back; in the lat guage of the law, be coz,
doued her offense. For a little while they lived
peacefully, almost happily, but she once more
eloped with another man, and had the klndness
on that occasion to be permanent IN her a0-
sepce Having condoucd her offense, her hus-
band could not, according to Eoglish law Il
believe il is he same in the United States, }
procure divorce, aud cons, quently could not
marry again during his wite's continuance on
this planet.
Such was the condition when Lcwes met
Miss Evans He told her frankly how matters
stood aud asked her TO be his IN everything
save by the technically Of ridiculous law. She
WAS sensible broad, philoSophlc, like himself,
and found within her own soul DO objection to
such spiritual union. Nevertheless, they re-
solved TO be neither rash nor imprudent. They
summoned council of their wl>est friends,
laid the subject before them, aud agreed to
abide faithfully by their decision. After due
reflection the decision was that they should
obey their own instincts, aud not permit an
empty tcchnicaiy to obstruct their happiness.
The two philosophers were fully aware OF the
affrout they offered to British conVentonahy
and custom, yet they did not hesitate to follow
where their inclinatioD, sympathy, and sober
Judgment led. They accepted one another,
and nature sanctioned the acceptance. A num-
brr of their acauaiutauces, as they had autlcl-
patcd, fell away from them, but every one OF
their friends remained steadfast; fully approx
cd of their act Miss Evans was known, and
invariably known, as. Mrs Lcwes, and enjoyed
the esteem of all who visited her. Having a
slight regard for miscellaneous or fashionable
society, her independent marriage made small
difference in her life. Recently the fugitive
Mrs Lcwes had the involuntary benevolcnce
to slip from this whirling bali into Infinite
space, where, it is to be hoped, she, will dis
cover husbands who will be glad TO have hel
elope as often as she is in the mood. Then the
other oug-deferred legal ceremony took place,
out Of respect to the prcudices Of society and
the majesty of the law.
George Henry Lcwes is now in his fifty
seventh year, George Eliot in her torty-fi!h
year. They enjoy serene, intellectual, salts
factory life, having some of the most interest,
ing and thoughtful people in London at theil
house, compeDsatiug for the paucity Of visitors
by their quality The pair, who seem to have
grown fonder and fonder as the years passed
are considered models of mutual faith, loyalty