Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-02-06

TO me personally LeweS was great philoso-
pher only because j was told so. When he
would acquafnt me with some newly-found
phySlcal phenomenon, as that frog could act
Just as well without his brains as with them
would take it all as gospel, though gospel In
which mad no part myself When he would
this or the other phloSopher-in my presence
though probably for the advantage and delight
OF some worthy Hstener-I would be careless as
TO his subject, though / loved his zeal But
though the philosopher was lost upon me- the
humorist was to me a joy forever. Sure no one
man told story as he did. To see him grad
ually rise from his chair and take his place
standing between two or three OF u.s. He must
nave known. though he never looked as though
ne knew II, that he was going to act great
part in mixed comedy and satire Then by
degrees he would pile up little incident on in
cldent; the motion OF his fingers assist
ing the peculiar fire OF his eye, till in
made ana the story told with all the finish
or jewelers. finest work. His personal an
pearance was admirably lifted for such scenes
HIS velvet coat and his neat slippers and the
rest OF his outward garniture looked-as aman's
clothes always should Iook-as though they
Were tnere by chance, there of necessity, but
not much TO be thought of; but they helped TO
make nun man peculiarly pleasant to the eye
10 conversation. No one could say that he was
handsome. The long buShy hair, and the thin
cheeks, and the heavy mustache Joined as they
were, alas! almost always to a look of sickness.
were not attributes OF beauty. But there was
ordnance In his eye, which was not to be tanned
W any SlohHcoS, Uy any suffering. winch over
came all other feeling on looking at him. /
nave portrait OF him, a finished photograph,
which he gave me some years since, in which
III would seem as though his face had blazed
up suddenly, as it often would do in strong
Indignation against the vapid vauntings OF
some literary pseudo-c celebrity. But the
smile would come again, and, before the
anger of his sarcasm had had half
minutes play, the natural drollery OF the man,
the fun overlooking love OF true humor,
would overcome himself and make US love the
poor sat1rlzed sinner for the sake or the wit his
sin had created. Perhaps 1t may be felt that In
saying these last words almost over the grave
OF one so well beloved, and one so glorious for
high requirements and high achievements,
might better have abStained from such memo
rails OF his lighter hours. l must excuse my
self by saying that i have wanted 20 paint
George Lewes as knew him. Nor VIII those
who think OF him solely as student In philoS-
Ophy, Of one who has devoted his life to re-
search at the cost OF lighter joys, understand
his full character any better than he who Shall
imagine that, because he began his literary life
with few novels and a few dramas he found
in those the occupation most congenial TO his
soul. There was never man so pleasant as he
ith.whom 10 SIT and talk vague literary gossip
over cup Of coffee and cigar. That he was a
great philosopher, great biographer, a great
critic, there is no doubt; and as little that he
has left behind him here in London no pleas
anter companion with whom to while away
an hour.-[A nthony Troliopc I'm Fortnightty Re-
ciec.