The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1880-07-15
Geo. Eliot and Her Young MAN.

peonle have not yet gotten over talking
Of George Eliot's strans seo n tn 3 Sn thot
the great objection TO ~ Se' nma ~ th -" ' sho
it took place in q chnfch, anu .ia' sn !,
wore an elegant dress. speaking OF u
tho otber evening, agentleman mentioned
s s,u o PARTICULARS regarding the great
o oO that were rather interesting
He said the first time he met her was at
an entertainment given by Millais, the
artist and, delighted to find himself in
company so distinguished, he requested
an introduction Of friend, who was on
speaking terms with her. "That," he
replied, lis liberty l should not dare
to take; George Eliot never allows any
one to be introduced to her at n gathering
Of this kind; if she wishes to do 50, she
will speak to you without being intro
duced."
At the table the gentleman found him
self placed between Gorge Eliot and the
young lady to whom he had been directed
to act as escort, and afraid to address the
lion personally, he "laid himself out " to
attract her attention by much that he
said. She did not speak to him, how
ever, and he felt greatly disappointed.
Shortly afterward he attended II popu-
lar concert at the Royal Albert Music
Hall, and again found himself seated
beside the famous author. This time she
addressed him, asking him if she had not
met him at Mr.. Millais house, and in IN
animated, and to him delightful, CONVERSE
ton ended in the extention of an invita-
ton to her "Monday Evenings" an OPP
portunity he was only too happy to avail
himself Of, and which gave him the most
valued and charming Of his London re-
collections.
George Eliot Mrs. Cross now is, he
remarked, Il large woman, tall-at least
quite above the medium height-and
largely rather than massively built. She
is so homely at first sight as to be re-
pulsive; but she possesses the richest,
most musical of voices, and an extremely
winning manner. And there is such n
sense Of power, of depth, of comprc-
hensivc humanity about her, that after
talking to her II very little while you can
not help the recognition of all that she is,
and would not have her different.
Her birthplace lies about halfway be-
tween Liverpool and London, two miles
from Nuncaton, on the broad, smooth
highway leading to the ancient city of
Coventry. The house is Il large brick
building, surrounded by well-stocked
and pleasant garden, quite devoid of
ornament but strongly suggestive Of
comfort and convenience. Her father,
Robert Evans, was bailiff to Lord Home
and Sir Robert Newdigate, position
which her brother, Isaac p. Evans, who
resides in the old homestead, complies at
the present time. Near by is Bosworth
Field, and in another direction are the
ruins of Ashley Castle, celebrated as one
Of the houses of the unfortunate Lady
Jane Grey.
Marian Evans parents were, of course,
Church of England people. They could
hardly he anything else, as the father
was i'll n position of trust under u titled
master; and there are still persons in the
vicinity who remember the little girl as
she sat in the high-backed pew in Shcp-
perton Church listening to the sermon
with grave attention. Many illusions to
these localities will be found in her
"Sccnes from Clerical Life and il
was perhaps these sketches that first gave
the impression so widely prevalent that
she was the daughter of clergyman.
Mrs. COrLy to baltimore American