The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-06-18
"REMINISCENCES OF GEORGE ELIOT.
Mr.. Cross's Coming Book Not Expected To
BE Satisfactory.
Joseph Hatton's Letter.

BE Satisfactory.
Joseph Hattons Letter.
Literary gossips are forecastng the early ap-
pearance of The Life of George Eliot How
often have 1 met the late Mr. Lewes and
the authoress of adam Bede" strolling through
that part of Regent Park which lies before me
in stretches of outrageous green as l write this
letter. One day history will tell the true story
of the relationship of these people. We may
hardly expect it from Mr. Cross Mr.. Lewes
seems to have almost made it rule to contra
dict everything personal that was ever written
about George Eliot To an American author
who sent him an essay upon Miss Evans
and her work, he said: Mrs Lewes never
reads articles written about herself In the one
you have sent me every single detail is purely
imaginary One single point will suf-
fee. Mr. Herbert Spencer is said to have been
her instructor, and taught her languages. Had
the writer troubled himself to make the slightest
inquiry, he would have learned that Mr.. III. S
knows very little of one language besides his
own, whereas she, before she knew him, was
mistress of seven" The biographer Of Goethe
evidently enjoyed this little stab at Spencer; but
his contradiction of geographic notes touching
Miss Eliot were not always correct This has
been abuhdantly proved by Guy Roslyn
in his pamphlet upon the originals Of
the characters in 'Adam Bede." A
friendship between herself and Mr.. Spencer was
quite natural, for they were natives of the same
north midland district, and it is well understood
that he exercised a large influence upon her
mind and career L believe it is pretty well
known that he introduced her both to Mr.. Lewes
and to Mr.. Cross. Among the incidents of her
dealings with her publishers have a note of one
which has not yet been printed. though it is
singularly characteristic, Mr.. George Smith,
who is himself the famous firm of Smith & Elder.
offered her E10, 900 for ''Romola' which, of
course she accepted. "And we must run
it to begin with" said Mr. Smith,
through fifteen numbers of the Corn
hill Magazine mo, that will not do
replied the lady, ''such division will interfere
with its artistic construction. 1t can be satisfac-
torily divided into twelve, but not into fifteen
parts But rejoined Mr. Smith, lit will be
necessary to spread it over longer period than
to pay for it. Eyes, have considered that,
she answered, 'and you shall take off three
thousand pounds as compensation for the three
months" She therefore received seven thou
sand pounds for 'Romola" but the publishers
did not l believe make profit on the transac-
ton The period of the action of ''Romola, "
was too remote to interest the ordinary novel
reader and literary students are not sufficiently
numerous to keep the libraries going without the
aid of the young ladies who deveur fiction with
their sheets and fashion plates.
1t is pity that George Eliot did not give some
capable artist an opportunity to perpetuate her
"homely" features, with the tender feminine ex-
preston which at times almost made them hand
some She had singularly sensitive mouth a
beautiful greyish- blue eye, with suggestions of
world of sadness in their 'liquid depths Soft
brown hair, pale face, intellectual forehead:
she looked, as a rule, weary and tired, though it
could be seen that she had Il reserve force of
will and determination. soft, sweet voice;
say her conversation was as delightful as her
hooks.