New-York tribune., 1878-12-03
UBITUARY.
GEORGE HENRY LEWES,


The death of George Henry Lewes, which was an
nounced by telegraph on December 2, removes from
sphere of exceptional activity one of the most yer-
satile accomplished, prolific, and brilliant writers
in modern English literature. Mr.. Lewes, who was
known the husband Of the illustrious novelist,
Marian Evaus, held high place in the intellectual
circles of Great Britain in virtue oil his own genius
and his literary and scientific achievements There
is scarcely branch of mental inquiry and endeavor
in which he not more or less of anNdept. lit
cannot be said of him that he adorned whatever he
touched. there no doubt that he attempted to
reach everything of interest in science and letters.
He was journalist, historian, a biographer, q dra-
matte critic, poet, novelist. a writer on philos-
ophy natural history, and physical science. In the
wide range of his literary career, he certainly
often superficial often ippant, often eoneeited and
audacIous, without a tincture of the reverence OF
modesty essential to the character of consummate
scholar; but he was always original, ingenious,
acute, plausible, though never profound, conspcu-
ously wise. or highly suggestive. He was indefatI-
gable in research, sometimes infatuated in theory,
passionate in argument, forcible in expression fer
tile IN illustrative fancies, but not always trans
parent in elucdation. HIS extensive studies ri-
pened into accurate knowledge; he was q keen
observer and bold experimenter in the domain of
animal life; and though he never attained an emf
nent rank as authority in physical science, his
writings in that department possess certain charm
from their vivacIty and uncton. which is not always
found in the productions of more solid and
weighty thinkers. AS he advanced in life,
Mr.. Lewes lost something of the petulance and
concetedness of his earlier days. His views became
more comprehensive he learned wider tolerance,
more catholic appreciation; with the enlarge
ment of mis- experience his nature seemed to acquire
greater mellOwness and the latest productions of
his pen, while they exhibit the same keenness of
intellect betray of the scholar and less Of the
gladiator. than marked the previous stages of his
career. The external events of Mr. Lewes's life,
apart fOm his domestic experience, which can only
bo alluded to with reserve, were not of signal mo
ment. He was born in London, April Is, 1917, and
hence but little more than turned of slxtyOne at
the time of his DEATH His early education was le-
ceived partly in England and partly the Conti-
nent. when he became clerk in o Russian mer-
camille house. He soon left this employment for
the study of medicine, but subsequently, resolved to
devote himself to q literary career After passing
year or two in Germany for purposes of study, be
returned to London, where he at once became noted
as q snowy writer and a popular contributor
to the current periodicals. For about six years
he was attached TO the staff OF The Leader
newspaper, and in 1865 he founded The Fortnghhy
two years TO relinquIsh its editOrshp: Hisfrst i'm
portant work was the Biographical History of
Philosophy" 1S47l, of which greatly improved
edition was issued Ia 1874. The quaint title of this
production was derived from the assumption that
philosophy dead. and that 1t was his duty TO
comfort the at the funeral by recIting an
elaborate obituary. This was followed by Prob
lens of Life and Mind" discussing several inn
portant questions of biology and psychology es-
pecially with reference to the teachings of previous
physiologisIs the phenomena OF reflex action.
Among Mr. Lewes's purely literary works his Life
of taoetheD holds hi gh rank a descriptive biogra-
pby while his tales of ''RaDthorpe." Rose
Blanche and Violet" and his tragedy OF "A Noble
Heart have gained only temporary place in
English literature. His "Comte's Philosophy
of Science" and Aristotle are valuable specimens
of philosophical exposition, and his physiology
of Common lIfe,n Seaside Studies" and Studies
i'm Animal Life" are admirable for the clearness and
matter-of fact simplicity with which scientific de-
tails are brought to the level of popular cOmprehen-
sion. His work Oh Actors ana Acting" which
was published during the present year. is collec-
ton OF lively descriptions and criticisms showing
nis charac terstlc ficlty of composition, and his
readiness 10 engage in the discussion of subjects the
most remote from his haDitual sphere OF thought
and study. In fact, Mr. Lewes may be regarded IN
a certain sense a literary prodigy, born out OF
the common line of conventional authorship, mod
elIed Oh precedent, INSPIRED by no tradition but,
like all prodi ges, whether of mammoth pumpkins
or two-neaded calves with no promise of a perma-
nent date history, OF great influences over the
interests of mankind.