New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-04
GEORGE ELIOT7S EARLY LIFE IN LONDON

From The Pen.
2 The house. of which a large part ~ now occupied
by Messrs Gaze the tourist agents, which Is num-
bered 142, and which stands in the Strand between
Somerset House and Wellington Street was once
the home or DR.. Chapman, the editor and publisher
the handsome publisher" as Leigh HUNT called
him-of The Westminster Rerie'C. With Dr. CHAP
man and his wife lived about twenty eight years
ago. Mary Anne Evans, now known as Mrs: Gross,
bat most generally as George Eliot Her position IN
the house more that OF near relation than
friend. The wass of the Chapmaus we're her ways
and their interests her interests. Her time was
occupied partly with the household duieswhich she
shared with Mrs. Oh apman, and partly in assisting
DR.. Chapman in his literary labors. She was put
little known outside her own circle of friends, her
only published work being a translation Of
Strauss's Life of Jesus. Her original writing was
confined to political and philosophical articles
and reviews contributed to The WsstmiHster Revier
Her method of work on these was the same as that
which she employs in the writing OF her novels.
Having thought deeply over the subject with which
she intended TO deal she would retire to her room
that room at the tourist agents and with infinite
pains put her thoughts into writing. dong 50
little actual written work in the course of the day,
that a single article often took week or more OF
the most aborious tell. .
We are informed by one who knew her IN those
DAYS when her genius " bided its time" that her
habits were simple in the extreme. and that 1t was
during this period that her metaphysical studies
and unremittng literary labor matqred IN her inae
entirely left her. Her residence in DR.. Chapinan's
house must be regarded as one OF the most lmpor-
tant epOchs in her career, for 1t was here that
she met George Henry Lewes who wrote for Inc
Rerietc and who a constant visitor: The inti-
mate friends of the Chapmans were few IN number
but among them were to be found some of the most
celebrated people of the day. In the draw room
over the book shop were often to be seen, amongst
Others Thomas Carlyle, John Stuart Nj Emerson,
DIR. Neuberg who translated Carlyles Frederick
the Great into German DR. Hodson one OF the ablest
contributors to The Reriew and DR.. Garth Wllkln-
son. Even in such company as this MARY Anne
Evans was noticeable for the briliancy OF her con-
versation, her depth of thought, and the closeness
of her reasoning.
1t may be mentioned here. in illustration of the
practical assistance which Mr. Lewes afforded
George Eliot in the early days of her intimacy, that
so modest was her opinion OF her powers she was
in grave doubt after the Scenes of Clerical Life had
been begun. whether they were good enough to be
continued. But Mr.. Lewes, whom she consulted,
was of course, alive to the real value OF the work.
Another celebrated name is intimately associated
with ID. Chapman's house-that of Ralph Waldo
Emerson who came over to this country from
America in 1S49. Heiwas one of its inmates at the
same time as George Eliot, and he also wrote for
The RerieC. With Dr. and Mrs. Chapman and
George Eliot the poet essayist. aud metaphysleian
was in congenial company and often when in
larger circles he had sat almost speeches., he
would, when alone with the little family circle of
which he was a member pace up ana down the
room talking with eagerness and animation for
hours together without welTying his hearers
Alas we have all met with Americans who were
as fluent. and whose range of subject was indie
fntey wide-but they were not Emersonsi -