Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-12
GEORGE ELIOT. Leslie stephens. Cloth,

he NaCtllitaI ScIhPdhSs A'S''
York. For sale here by Hunter & Co.
-IR LESLIE STEPHENSS study
q | of George Eliot, recently pub
lol lished In the well-known Eng
fG--1.74 l!sh Men Of Letters series
lssKs1xSI asks attention because OF tina
distinction OF It's writer. as well
es for the unfailing interest OF the SUD
feet discussed. And yet, with Its Pc
.elsa, there comes a feeling of some Ut
lie disappointment at its lack OF fnahty
liz the cautious criticism which keeps us
paEss constantly non-committai. Inc
st;,dy is, however thoughtful. we'll bal
,ncc3 and sane in its weighing and
Judging of the good and III habits OF the
aovcIists mind and it undoubtedly has
the faculty of drawing into its discus
sions the interest and judgment of the
readers own opinion on each subject or
It's thought.
In summing up his own estimate OF
George Elot's work as whole, the
writer insists on the personal influence
which is felt IN the writings OF every
author, but which has a peculiar force
hcre in spite OF the fact that the infu-
ence. of course varies with the chaEac-
ter and prejudice OF the reader. But. in
any case, he saws I'VE feel that the
writer. with whom we have been In con-
tact. possessed a singuiarly wide and
reflective intellect a union of keen SEN
S!hjlitv with a thoroughly tolerant spirit,
a desire 10 appreciate all the good md
Den under the commonplace and narrow.
n. vivid insight into the perpleSites and
decisions which besct even the strong
est minds. lively sympathy with all
the noble aspirations, brishaht powers
of wit at once PLAYFUL anG punsent. ana.
II we must add. rather melancholy
of n &c
play. but forced upon fine understand
ing by the view of q state of things which
ne must admit does not altogether lend
.self 20 cheerful optimism"
George Eliot's works. as l have read.
have not at the present day. quite so
nigh a position as was assigned them
by contemporary enthusiasm. That is
common phenomenon enough and. in her
ease. / take it to be due chiefly to the
partial misdirectioE of her powers in The
later period. But when l compare her
work with that Of other novelists. ] cam
not doubt that she had powers of mind
and a richness of emotional nature rare
iy equaled. or that her writings-what
ever their shortcomings-wil have a cor
responding value In the estimation of
thoughtful readers
In the biographical portion of his study.
Stephens gives no new details, but fol-
lows closely. for the most part. Crosss
Very sympathetic Memoir. OF the great
transgrcssion OF tie novelist's life little
is said. and the only apology made is
in her sincere belief in the uprightnesS
and justice of what she did. The story
of her life is not. however. given here, for
the sake of historical information. but
rather for the purpose of studying
through it. the influences that produced
Il lnl no nj f1f
which she was the author. These stories
are taken up in detail and studied IN
all their varying aspects of failure or Of
perfection. One is made to see here
anaw. through the critics eyes, the per-
fecr picture that George Eliot has made
of certain phases OF the rural life Of
England Of her day. and to realize with
clearer understanding and wider knowl-
edge .1le humaneness of her humber
characters, the point and aptneas of her
humor. and our loss by her TOO frequent
abandonment of it. and TO feel, with
more perfect appreciation. the beauties
and faults of her most ambitious efforts,
the sweetness and nobleness of her great
characters and the human frailty and
bitterness of her weak ones. We are here
again helped to see and feel and know,
with strong assurance, the faithfulneSs
of Scenes of Clerical Life: the overbal-
anced didactcs of Felix Holt" yet the
tales sympathetic knowledge Of hidden
incentive and character; the huge ana
cronism of "Romola." yet its far-seeing
picture of a great hearts story: the weak
climax of adam Rede," with its con-
trasting characters. and with the unreal
goodness of its heroine unintentionally
overshadowed by The Iruch-quoted ana
unforgettable Mrs. Peyser: the impoSsi-
bility of the passion that brought on the
catastrophe of Mill on the Floss yet
the greatness and strength of the storys
theme of a beautiful soul in common
place surroundings: and the lofty sweet
ness of Dorothea Brooke. with the har-
raising lack of satisfaction in her storys
close. These. and many other points of
comment and discussion. are brought out
in the writer's careful study of George |
Ehot's peculiar and characteristic genius, |
and while il is true that the praise and |
discrimination Of no critic can win for |
book that complete understanding that !
comes from an ungrudging and uncalcu- |
lating abandonment to TIE Joy of cad !
Ing it, Vet Stephens is deserving of large |
gratitude for his success in winning for |
the writer whom he discusses. each |
readers earnest thought and deep con- |
sideration, and for aiding iii one Of |
us to find with her ''the depth below |
lne trivial life" and ''the unspokcn sor-
rows and sacred joys the poetry. |
and pathos. tradegdy and comedy living |
In the experience of even those human |
souls that look out through dull eyes and |
speak in voices Of ordinary tones |
OUT OF THE WEST: Elizabeth Hig-
G