The sun., 1885-02-22
.I-I /.

believe that the majority will applaud its taste
and Judgment Here as elsewhere" no writes
" 1t seems to me to be Of the first importance
that she should speak for herself; and there is
fortunately a letter TO Mrs. Bray. dated In Seps
tember. 1865 fourteen months after the event
which puts on record the point OF
view from which she regarded her own
action. I give this letter here. and may
add that not only was Mr.. Lewes's
previous family life irretrievably spoiled. but
his home had been wholly broken up for nearly
two years. In forming a judgment on 80 mo-
mentous question. IL Is. above all things
necessary to understand what was actually
undertaken. what WAS actually achieved: and
in my opinion. this can best be arrived at not
from any outside statements or arguments. but
by consideration OF the whole tenor Of the life
which follows in the development OF which
Mr.. Lewes's true character as we'll rs
George Eiot's will unfold ITSELF No words
that any one else can write no arguments
any one else can use. will. think. be so i'm
pressive as the life itself" Then follows tho
letter to Mrs. Bray from which we make somo
extracts: III there is." Miss Evans wrote.
any one action or relation OF my life which
Is. and always has been. profoundly serious it
Is my relation to Mr.. Lewes. 1t Is. however,
natural enough that you should mistake me in
many ways. for not only are you unacauainted
with Mr.. Lewess real character and the course
OF his actions. but also 1t Is several years now
since YOU and were much together. and 1t is
possible that the notifications which my mind
has undergone may be quite in the opposite
direction OF what you imagine. - II We dif-
fer or the subject OF the marriage laws at least
can believe of you that you cleave to what you
believe to be good; and don't know Of any
thing In the nature OF your views that should
prevent you from believing the same Of me.
Ono thing can tell you in few words
Light and easily broken ties are what neither
desire theoretically. nor could live for pract-
cally. Women who are satisfied with
such ties do not act as have done.
That any unworldly. unsuperstitious per-
son who is sufficiently acquainted with
the realities OF life. can pronounce my re-
ation to Mr.. Lewes immoral. can only un-
derstand BY remembering how subtle and
complex are the influences that mould opinion.
But do remember this. and l indulge in no
arrogant or uncharItnbe thoughts about those
who condemn us. even though We might havo
expected somewhat different verdict
From the majority of persons. o. course.
we never looked for anything but con-
domination. We are leading no life Of
self-indulgence, except indeed. That being
happy in each other we ind everything easy.
We are working hard to provide for others
better than we provide for ourselves. and to
fulfil every responsibility that lies upon us.
Levity and pride would not be sufficient basis
for that Pardon me II. In viudicatinc myself
from some unjust conclusions. I seem too cold
and seif-asseri!ve. l should not caro- to vindl-
cato myself II did not love YOU. and desire
to relieve you OF the pain which YOU say these
conclusions have given YOU"
We will carry out the suggestion Of Mr. Cross
that Judgment may wisely and charitably be mr.
rested until the purpose and effect Of step, by
which Miss Evans offended public opinion and
shocked many OF her friends, has been traced
throughout tho term OF married life with
MIR. Lewes Ut was thus she always designated
and regarded IN by bringing together in this
place number OF illusions to the strength OF
their attachment and the benefits which flowed
from Tito both. In 1857 three years after the be.
ginning OF their union and six months after the
appearance Of her lrst tale In Blact,rood. we
find her writing to an old and valued friend: If
I live Ave years longer, the positive rs.ul, OF my
existence on the slde Of truth and goodness
Will outweigh the small negative good that
would nave consisted In my not doing anything
to shock others, and can conceive no conse-
Quences that VIII make me repent the past. Do
not misunderstood me and suppose that I
think myself heroic or groat In any way. Far
enough from that! Faulty. miserably faulty
am-but least of all faulty where others most
blame" On the last night of the same year
she made the following entry in her journal:
My life has deepened unspeakahly during tho
last year. / feel greater capacity for moral
and Intellectual enjoyment. n more acute
sense Of my deficiencies in the past, a more
solemn desire TO be faithful 10 coming duties
than remember at any former period OF my
lie. And my happiness has despensd too the
bIessedneas OF a perfect love and union grows
daily Under date OF November. 1850 she
tells correspondent: The intense happiness
OF our union is derived In Il high degree from
the perfect freedom with which VIC each follow
and declare our own impressions. In this re-
spect know no man 30 great as he-that dii-
ference OF opinion rouses no ecoistic irritation
In him. and that he ls roady to admit that an
other argument is tho stronger the moment his
intel!ec, recognizes It," In letter to Mrs.
Taylor. written in 1851, George Eiot's own view
OF the position she had assumed is set forth at
some length: I remember gratefully how YOU
wrote to me with generous consideration and
be!iot att time when most persons who knew
anything OF me. wore disposed NATURALLY
enough TO Judge mo rather severely. Only a
woman OF rare qualities would have written to
mo AS you did on tho strength OF the brief in
tercourse that had passed between us, Itw was
never tria! to me TO have been cut off from
"nat 10 caIeu tae world. and l think / love
mono OF my fellow creatures the less for 1t;
sun l must always retain n peculiar regard
for those who showed me any kindness in
word or deed ct that time when thege was the
least evidence In Iny favor Tho list OF those
VINO did SO is a short one. SO that | can often
and easily recall It," She adds tlat, For the
last ak years have ceased TO be Miss Evans,
Tor any one who has personal relations with
mo, having hold myself under all the rospon-
sibiliiles Of n married woman. | wish this 10
be distinctly understood: and when toll you
Nthat We have great boy OF Is at home who
calls me mother rs we'll as two other boys
almost rs tall who writs to mo under the same
name. you will understand that the poip,
is not one OF mere egeism or personal
dignity when l request tina, any one who
mas regard Tor me will cease to speak OF mo
ty my maiden name" Again. In 1865, apronos
Of The Spanish Gypsy" she writes TO Mrs.
Bray: Next to the doing Of the thing. Of