The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-07-20
A VISIT TO GEORGE ELIOT.
An American WOman's RscolIeOiions Of tho Great
hoysIist a. Home.

Mrs James r. Fields tells i'm The July
| Century the story of her acquaintance
with the famous novelist George Eliot.
IL was my good fortune To pass a
month or more during the early suIs
mer OF 1869 i'm London. at "A hotel Opp0-
site st. Georges church. Hanover
Square. II was a small old-fashioned
hotel kept by two ladies. and our par
lor wore the air. as Dickens used to
say when he came into IL. "of a stage
drawing room" The vases and artifi-
cial flowers and small mirrors and un-
necessary tables were all there and
were often In strange contrast to the
simple tastes OF its temporary ,occu-
pants and their guests although 1t
could not be denied that the Iightness
and cheer and fancifulness had a real
charm for us in the somewhat dark
world of London. 1t was here that Mr.
LeWes found US one afternoon (by
| great good fortune we had just re-
turned from rambling about. sight
see-nSD, and while he explained that
Airs, lseHNts-Nas never abfe to make
| visits, stayed himself, and talked freely
ABOUT George Eliot and literary affairs.
he was not avery prepossessing person
In MS appearance. but his mercuriai
temperament and his large intelligence
made him gay and interesting in con-
versation He fingered, full Of agreeable
subjects OF talk. until We knew some
thing of each other. and he had OBJ
tained a promise that we would go on
the following Sunday, in the afternoon.
TO see his wife.
we round them at the tine appointed
in a pleasant house somewhat retired
from the road with trees and shrub
berry outside. and plenty OF books i'm
side. small company OF ladies and
gentlemen We're already assembled
and there was much conversation. Pres
entity. however George Eliot olsen
gagged herself from the general talk.
and. allowing the company TO break up
into groups. came and seated herself
by my side for moro intimate ac-
quaintance. | recall the glow which
overspread her face when she dscov-
cred that we had a common friend in
Harriet Beecher Stowe. The affection
ate generosity with which she poured
out her unbounded admiration for Mrs
Stowe, and her love for her work. is
never to be forgotten. She seemed to
understand the rapt intensity of Mrs.
Stoves nature as few Of her contem-
poraries have done. and 10 rejoice i'm
the inspiration which prompted her
great book. Nor did she stop there She
had read and appreciated her later
books as well and she loved and rever-
enced the woman.
After this first visit TO The Priory,"
the doors We're kindly open to us on
Sundays during our stay i'm London.
Unhappily, L have no notes OF those
visits, nor of George Eliot's conversa-
ton. but | must always remember how
the beauty of her voice impressed me. |
also remarked the same quality | hav.
mentioned IN speaking Of her letters
a sense of perfectness i'm her presenta-
tiOn on any scene or subject. / recall
this impression especially i'm connection
with a description she gave one after
noon OF a late visit 10 Germany. pDr-
-traying the charm OF living i'm one Of
the places (was IL IlmenauD made
classic to us by association with Goethe
The whole WAS so clearly yet simply
and vigorously said. that any listener.
ignorant of her fame, must have felt
her unusual qualities both of mind aCd
heart.