Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-27
Earnings Of George Eliot.

very radical ideas.
Earnings Of George Eliot.
No novelist of the present day has made
more money than George Eliot. The entire
earnings from her novels have exceeded
100000, and several Of her stories. including
"Middlemarch" and Daniel Deronda"
brought her $4,000 each. Her heirs are
still receiving a revenue of 5000 or $6.OOO
year from the copyrights. There has
been no falling OF in the sales of her
books for several years. The authorized
editions of her complete works. twelve
volumes, are staples in the book market.
adam Bede." which was her first mo-
table story, brought her $4,000 during her
life. 1.-The Mill on the Floss brought her
more than $4,000. but 'silas Manner and
Felix Holt" two of her strongest stories,
were very poor sellers. For some reason
or other they did not meet the popular
out doubt her money-making power has
never been exceled by any woman writer
of any age.
Her name was Marian C. Evans. She
was the daughter of clergyman near
Coventry, England. and was never married.
although during the later years of her life
she formed sort of semi-matrimonial al
lance with Mr.. Lewes, which caused
great deal of scandal. She was very plain
in appearance. with large, coarse features
and an ungraceful figure, but her manners
and conversation were charming. and her
versatility and mental requirements were
remarkable. She spoke f1uently French, Ger
man. Italian, Spanish and Dutch; she
could read all those languages freely, as
we'll as Russian, Latin and Greek: she
was brilliant musician and painted and
Sketched as well as any amateur. 1t was
often said that if she had devoted herself
to the study Of art she might have been
as great painter as she was an author
Like other women of prOdigous intellect,
CHI rnfSN 1tof haI f1av
usual views concerning the marriage rela-
ton, although her father was a clergyman
Of the strictest sect of the Church of
England
Amusing Story Of "Ouida."
In New York the other day 1 heard an
amusing anecdote of "Ouida,' the au-
thOress who is notorious for her frankness
and candor. An American lady. who told
me the story. says that being in Florence
for few weeks she determined to call
upon the famous writer and see for herself
what sort of woman She is Climbing
five pairs of stairs to the top of an ancient
apartment house, she knocked on the door.
A maid of rather slovenly appearance re-
sponded and took the offered card, leaving
the door open and The visitor waiting out
side the threshold. Within very few
moments the maid returned to inquire what
the visitor wanted. The latter replied that
she was an American admirer of Madame
de la Rance and was very anxious to
make her acquaintance. Before the maid
had reached the end of the hall to deliver
the message. voice like that Oh a parrot
was heard saying in Italian:
Go back and tell her l cannot see her.
/ don't like Americans"
The visitor followed the maid down the
hallway and replied to the unseen speaker
with equal emphasis:
You ought to like them. They are the
only people who read your nasty books. 1
tried all Paris TO blIv several of
novels and the booksellers told me there
was no call for them, but you can find
them in every bookshop in America
At this point in the dialogue a stout
woman of sixty so, in a much-soiled
wrapper and frouzly hair, appeared in a
doorway, laughing and said:
Come in, you American, with all your
American impudence. 1 like your wit.
Tell me about my admirers in America. 1t
is true. as you say, have very few friends
over here.
The visit lasted for an hour and was very
much enjoyed on both sides.