The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-09-24

that George Eliot would,, by living with him.
place herself under ban ; that she would ex-
pose herself to misunde rstanding. to harsh
Comment. to cruel criticism ; that she could
the few. Their friends were among the best
and most intellectual persons in the United
Kingdom. They discussed the question from
every side, and finally give their verdict IN
fayorof f@
. A SPIRITUAL UNION
which the law, through o technicality, wonld
not sanction. George Ellottand George Hen.
~ Lewes went to reside under the same, roof,
and unit! his death, nearly q year ago,Ithey
were the best OF friends. the most sympa-
thetic OF comrades, the most harmonious OF
literary co-workers They lived in Q quiet
modest but comfortable and elegant home,
full Of books, pictures, e~ngravings, bronzes,
bric-a-bac, and other objects OF taste and
art.
ceived Sunday evenings during, the season
with her friend. md they who called were al
most always people OF some kind or distinc-
ton. It was deemed O privilege to go. and o
number OF cultured and liberal Americans
have passed delightful hours there. George
Eliot lives there still but Sunday receptions
have been relinquished since his. death, and
arc not likely to be resumed. She now sees
only a very small number Of her nearest ana
oldest friends. Lewes's death was terrible
bereavement to her, one from which she will
hardly Gov He was a.great stay and sup
port TO her: he encouraged her to write : was
her best and most stimulating critic, and 1t ts
no doubt on account OF herloss, go severe and
irreparable,, that she has determined to
LAY ASIDE HER woNDRous PEN
She, is 9and childless, and, though 1t
may not be called SO, hers Is y most melan:
choly w~idowhood. She was always referred
to, while he lived, as the wife OF Lewes. She
neverwas his wife she could not be, for Mrs.
Lewes proper still survives. Bin frequently
George Eliot's writings have been very prof.
liable. Their value In the market has rapid.
ly Increased. For ."Scenes OF Clerical Life
she received but 900 81 %o0;l for Adam Bede"
less I fear, for "Miill on the Floss" :Romola'
perhaps her most artistic and one OF the most
interesting Of her novels TO cultured people,
has never been fully appreciated. It's earn.
ings have to date, / am told, not been much
march," issued by the Blackwoods In eight
divisions, the enormou sum Of $4,000, and for
II anfeI Deronda" about the same. "Silas
Mariner" one OF her strongest stories, was
ut all equal to it, gave her six times as much
umes-has not been liked, nor docs IL deserve
to be liked In any measure with her novels,
Still she prefers her poetry. and would ratber
be ranked rs a poet than o fctionist. Her en-:
tire earnings have been about $4,000, and
she could make a contract any day FOR a new
story for which she would be guaranteed $40.
900.
HER MoTEY-NAKING POWER
Is not cxcelled by that OF any writer In Great
Britain.
IN her case genius has been rewarded
George Eliot is ono or the most learned an.
thors of her time. The amount OF her nc
QuIrements Is wonderful. Shc is mistress OF
French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, has
o tolerable acquaintance with Romaic and
Russian, is up In all the sciences. Is o critical
Latin and Greek scholar, an admirable histo
rlan an archeologist, understands music
painting and statuHry. and Is o brilliant cor.
versatioualist. Beauty she has not and moth.
Ing like it.. Some persons count her very
plain, even homely others hold that she hal
q very interesting face. To me she Is inHnc
wise remarkable In appearance ; sho docs moi
look o bit like a gentus-geniuses seldom do
She has gray eyes, rather large features abln.
dant hair streaked with white, q medium fig.
ure, neither stout nor slender, and a pleasant
well -modutated voice. She has been ex'
tremely industrious in her profession. She
com rapidly often, hut correctss with
great care, n frequently Injuries her health
not robust by any means, by her excessive mp
plicatlon. Sue Is q pronounced Nationalist In
belief; In most respects o wonderful woman
and surely a prodfrtOus Intellect. ZEe%E -