Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-12-31
Death of George Eliot.

| Der says: Mrs. Cross George Elliott, the
distinguished novelist, died at ten o'clock
last night Her death was quiet and almost
painless. The Pail Mall Gazette this even
ing announces that Mrs. Cross was seized
with sudden chill, which attacked her in
the larynx, on Sunday last. She had shortly
before the attack received several friends,
who left her apparently in good health and
spirits The attack, however, did not give
serious cause for alarm until six o'clock last
evening DR.. Andrew Clark then discoy-
cred that the pericardum was seriously af-
iccted, and pronounced the case almost hope
less. She passed away quietly. On the 9th
of May last the deceased was married rs
Miss Marian Evans to John Walter Cross,
of Weybridge Surrey, n merchant in this
city"
The deceased was the daughter of poor
curate, born in Warwickshre, England
about 1920, but was adopted by wealthy
clergyman, who gave her careful educa-
ton. On leaving.the academy she became a
pupil of Herbert Spencer afterwards famous
for his philosophical writings) and under
his training acquired great breadth of mental
development learning German, French aud
Italian, studying music and art, ms we'll as
metaphysics and logic. Her first literary
effort was translation Of Strauss Life of
Jesus" in 1916, followed in 1854 by Feuer-
backs Essence of Christianity. As associate
editor of the Westminster Repeso she soon
became acquainted with the leading repre-
sentatives ofthe school of Benthaen and j S.
Mill, with which she may be classified As
novelist, her first work was "Scenes of
Clerical Life in 1853, originally published
in BidcksooOd In 1860 "Adam Bede" proved
a brilliant seccess, and her monde plume of
George Eliot became a warranty for the
excellence of all that followed from her
pen. This was followed up by the "NIill on
the Floss" in 1850, "Silas Mariner" in 1851,
"Romolo" 1868, "Felex Holt, the Radical"
in 1865, and "Middlemarch" 1912, The
last is universally considered one of the
greatest novels of the century. As a poet
she published "The Spanish Gypsy" in 1868,
Agatha" in 1869, and "rhe Legend of
Jubel" in 1874, which would have sufficed
to establish poetcal reputation for an un.
known writer, but have scarcely added 20
the fame she had acquired as n novelist.
Her skill as painter Of strongly marked
characters was marvellous. In all her novels
the physical and material difficulties to which
the characters are subjected, and in all those
things which ordinarily constitute the plot
of romance, are, without losing their in
terest in any way, made completely subor.
dinate to this leading design of picturing
the development of the individual character
under different conditions. Thus her novels
form some Of the best examples in the Eng
fish language Of the true carrying out of the
highest purposes of fiction. Hardly less inn
portant characteristics were her singular skill
in Selling and embodying thoroughly human
types of mind and thought 50 that each one
Of her characters became a living representa-
tive of some traits which every reader recog-
nized. She also exhibited power of terse
and almost opigrammatic expression, which
placed her works among that small mum
Der from which expressions pass into popu-
lar and current quotation. With the ex-
ception of "Romolo,' the subjects of her
novels were generally taken from English
village and provincial life. Her latest work
was the Impressions Of Theophrastus Such"
besides which she edited two posthumous
volumes Of George Henry Lewes's "Treatse
on Philosophy"
Her relations with Mr.. Lcwes were pecu.
liar and afforded much room for gossip. lie
was a married man, and he and his wife
shook off the martial relation, and we've liy.
ing apart when he became attached to Miss
Evans. Ills love was returned, aud the
question Of their future was discussed by
these loving friends and friendly lovers.
They asked the advice and counsel Of the
wisest and best Of their friends in this emer. |
gcncy, and at last, after much thought and
discussion, II was decided by themselves
and their counsellors that this being an OK.
ccptional case, II must be dealt with in an
exceptional manner. A legal marriage be-
tween them was impossible, but since the |
affection which united them was no youth /
full passion, but the stable bond Of love
founded on mutual congeniality and respect
they would be justified in uniting their Iiyos
outside the law. ifthey wero strong enough
10 bear the social consequences which must
naturally follow from the iniraction of the
law. This they resolved 10 do, and from
that time they lived happily, hopefully and
contentedly together. Mr.. Lewes died In
November, 1878, and tho bereavement was
n shock that nearly proved fatal Her mar
rage 10 Mr.. John Walter Gross last MAY
was great surprise TO all her friends. AZ
ter the wedding they made an extensive
continental trip in consequence OF her deli. [
cate health Mr. Cross was well known in /
New York, where for ton years he had been /
a member Of the banking firm Of DENNIS.
town, Wood Il Go. In 1871 he went 10
London, and went into business "a one Of
the firm Of Gross, Benson 81 Co., Of London.
lie is 40 years Of age, and has been writer
for several London magazines He was
very intimate in the literary society b which
george Henry Lewcs and George Eliot be-
longed, and was one Of the mourners at the
funeral Of Mr.. Lcwes.
90
A gentleman met his little boy on the
street and asked him how they were all
coming on at home. "First rate, Mamma
has made whole new shirt" "Tcl man.
ma when ! come homo I'll give her nicklo."
"Better give II 10 me" you didn't make
the shirt" "If hadn't kept my eye ON her
she would have been leaning over the fence
talking about the fashions instead Of work.
ing ought 10 be encouraged some, any.
how"
An Oil City man calls his wife the red,
white and blue, because she has red hair,
white teeth and blue eyes II might also be
incidentally mentioned that when he sees
her head sticking out Of a window &C mid.