New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-10
STUDY OF GEORGE MERED! II.
Ely MAKING EGOISM REPUISIVE THIS
WRITER HAS HELPED THE CAUSE OF
AITRUISM. SAYS MISS FORD.

WRITER HAS HELPED THE CAUSE OF
ALTRUIsM. SAYS MISS FORD.
Miss NJ f. Ford IN her lecture-tak at the Wal
dorf yesterday considered "Altruism as Taught by
George Meredith"
The speaker said IN part that Meredith belongs
TO the class OF aesthetic teachers whose function
is to make man desire the social right His method
was compared in certain respects TO that OF Bal
FAC, although inferior in dramatic realism and
style and TO Thackeray in the use OF satire TO
teach what is desirable by picturing the reverse
in forbdding colors. BY making egoism repulsive'
Meredith has helped the cause af eltruism
In his psychologist analysis he is a follower Of
George Eliot Meredith considers his books an
epitome OF the Great Human Comedy, and even
goes so far excuse his style by claiming that
Il is the part of the humorist Ito puzzle our wits.
which would indicate that he IS desgnedy obscure.
Several selections were read from Tho Egoist'
TO disclose the fact that 1t not only the selfish
ness of the hero but his admirlng self-revelation
that wrecked his life and made others sad or
bitter according to their characters Many ques-
lions 10 why the egoist of extreme type seems
peculiarly Indigenous TO British soil were consid-
cred one answer TO this was that the law OF en-
tall makes the eldest son of supreme interest In
the family, while the superlative Importance at
tached TO competitive examinations in the SCHOOLS
and tho popularity Of certain sports all tend to
the cultivation Of egoism.
Mr. Richard Hovey added realistic interest 10
the occasion by relating some personal reminis-
cences Of Meredith. He declared that IN reading
Mereditn's works he had not thought OF his phil
osophy and deep thoughts az set forth by MISS
Ford but chiefly OF his rocco style or entangle-
ment He confessed that Mcredith's women ex-
asperated him as they always failed Mt the last
moment; but in talking with the novelist no dis
covered that he IS not lacking in high Ideals or
woman but depicts her the result OF education
and environment
.I was amazed" said Mr.. Hovey. ITO learn that
Mr. Meredith detested everything Englsh M
discovered he was a Welshman. lie Is appreclatlVe
Of the best French writer's and Is FOND or Anerl-
,ns might say he has three Notwithstanding
of which he is most fond' socialism anu inc "o"
NJ I<eelev felt indebted TO Miss Ford for the
lucid manner in which she had brought OUT the
thoughts wrapped up In mazes ,, ,,,,..
Professor +. Edge Kavanagh believed MereultI
IN his psychological studies OF the inner Workings vi
he human heart. superior 70 any one since Snakes
Miss Annie Vernon Dorsey, the novelist. ASKED
FOR an expression OF opinion as to the motive OF
iIt;ora al me Cross Roads in Detraying her
lnyer Miss Ford said Il Is inexplicable unless the
author desires to emphasize the ihtIltv9 nm Iii
,,non which women so often act. MT iioVty ud
moi think II a reflection on the loyalty OF woman
only the lack OF responsibility In her training
The subject OF the next conference VIII Dc inc
Modern Woman Portrayed by Women. IN realty n
stndv in recent fiction. This will be the last con-
rerence OF the series which has been patronlzed py
many people well brown in the social ana literary
world. a., ,,oAut.
Among the women present were Mrs. McA,ns-
ter Mrs Ioriliard Spencer. Miss McEnery Mrs;
Theodore Sutro. Mrs. Sarah Cowell lie Moyhe ana
Mercedes Leigh.