noble impulse struggling under prosaic conditions. Among the many remarks passed upon her mistakes, it was never said in the neighbourhood of Middlemarch that such mistakes could not have happened, if the society into which she was born had not smiled on propositions of marriage from a sickly man to a girl less than half his own age-on modes of education which makes a woman's knowledge another name for motley ignorance-on rules of conduct which are in flat contradiction with its own loudly asserted beliefs While this is the social air in which mortals begin to breathe, there will be collisions such as those in Dorothea's life, where great feelings will take the aspect of great errors and great faith the aspect of illusion. For there is no creature so strong that it is not greatly determined by what lies outside it." With the remark on female education we fully agree, and the last sentence contains a truth no one will be likely to deny ; but there is ground for complaint that in the author's theory the word "greatly" is exaggerated into "entirely, to the exclusion of human volition and the positive influence of individual character altogether. The first count of the indictment which charges society with the ill-starred marriage is not only not proven, but clearly disproven by the narrative itself. Rosa by working hopelessly at what I have no belief in ?" Mrs. Cadwallader is a perfect marvel in her way. ances are exceedingly rich. Bulstrode, the philanthropic banker, "who predominated so much in the town, that some called a Methodist, others a hypocrite, according to the resources of their vocabulary,” comes to grief, as such men are sure to do in the hands of George Eliot. Then there is Standish, the old lawyer, "who had been so long concerned with the landed gentry that he had become landed himself," and therefore uses oaths properly pertaining to the soil. Mr. Chichely belongs to the same group. His study of the fair sex had proved detrimental to his theology, since he was clearly of opinion that "there ought to be a little of the devil in a woman. This discrepancy between fact and comment excepted, the figure of Dorothea is nobly conceived and exquisitely finished. She commands the reader's admiration in spite of her illusions, although it can hardly be said that she wins his love. Her victory over the shallower nature of Rosamond is complete in every respect--and is altogether the most power-sition "up to a certain point." His election utterful passage in the work. Dorothea's second marriage is also dwelt upon as the unfortunate result of "the meanness of opportunity." Having first married a cold-blooded pedant, "old enough to be her father, in a little more than a twelvemonth after his death she gave up her estate to marry his cousin young enough to be his son, with no property, and not well-born." Will Ladislaw was a somewhat rash, capricious and petulant young reformer, but this second marriage was one of mutual affection. "They were bound to each other by a love stronger than any impulses which could have marred it. Still the author thinks that a love-match, happy as this one admittedly was, was another mistake. Dorothea's life was necessarily a lite of emotion, and her affections were satisfied. But her great ideal was to remain for ever unfulfilled; her personality had been lost in her husband's, and nought remained for her but the activities of domestic life. Many who knew her thought it a pity that so substantive and rare a creature should have been absorbed into the life of another, and be only known in a certain circle as a wife and mother." Most of our readers, whilst they will differ from the author's reflections on Dorothea's fate, will thank her for leaving her so happy even in the "inferior" position of wife and mother. We are pleased to find a woman so noble in character happy and contented, even under circumstances lowering to her dignity as a high-minded woman. Before leaving Dorothea, we cannot avoid noticing the touch of genius which makes her faithful to the task she undertook on her first marriage. Taking up after Casaubon's death the " Synoptical Tabulation, for the use of Mrs. Casaubon of his mythological | work, she sealed it in an envelope, and inscribed upon it these words :-"I could not use it. Do you not see now that I could not submit my soul to yours Here our space admonishes us to pause. As we have already remarked Middlemarch cannot be surpassed in the delicate art of its construction, and the breadth of delineation shown throughout. George Eliot does not label her characters with a single eccentricity, and expect the reader to recognize them by it, when they turn up in the story. Every figure is conscientiously formed, and laboriously worked out into perceptible shape and proportions. The moral tone of the work is of the highest kind, as it is in all the author's works. The undertone which runs through the whole is melancholy, but the sadness is not often obtruded. The author is too great a master of the art to fail in the distribution of light and shade. Still we must confess the conclusions to which we are invited are disappointing and unsatisfactory, not to say repulsive. A theory which at once inores God's guidance and man's will in the affairs of life is a cheerless creed even for genius to work with. We can well rejoice that so powerful a champion of woman's just claims to a higher culture and nobler opportunities has arisen. But when she tells us that "the Supreme Power" has fashioned woman's nature, "with inconvenient indefiniteness," our sympathy begins to falter in the blackness and darkness around us. The complaint has been made that George Eliot lacks enthusiasm, as if enthusiasm were possible with such a view of human life. Strive as she may to deck the barren rocks of her creed with creeping plants and flowers, the bloom and the ver dure but scantly cover the sharp angles of the hard and callous mass beneath. This is not a gospel to regenerate the world; it is the realistic outgrowth in art of utilitarian ethics and sensational philosophythe yearning and groping of a transition period struggling in darkness-the stretching forth of longing arms to welcome the dawning of the coming day. LITERARY NOTES. "The Intellectual Life," is the title of Mr. P. G. Hamerton's new book. This author's previous volume, "Thoughts about Art," was received with great favour, and, we doubt not, the present work, which takes the form of a series of ideal letters addressed to literary aspirants and others, will be equally acceptable. A reprint is announced of a rather remarkable book on political philosophy, viz., “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity," by Mr. Fitzjames Stephen, Q.C., which has been recently issued by Messrs. Smith, Elder & Co. The same publishers announce Mr. Robert Browning's new poem, which bears the unpoetical title of "Red Cotton Night-Cap Country; or, Turf and Towers." The press, of late, has been prolific of works of theological enquiry and speculation. Of these publications a few may be enumerated, as indicating the drift of contemporary thought :-Prominent in the list is the recent work of Dr. David Strauss, "The Old Belief and the New," which has called forth the denunciations of Mr. Gladstone, though in the midst of political excitement. "Literature and Dogma; an Essay towards a better apprehension of the Bible," by Mr. Matthew Arnold, is at pre ent exciting the hostility of orthodox critics. Mr. W. R. Greg's Enigmas of Life," is attracting many readers. Thoughts for the Times," by the Rev. H. R. Haweis, is suggestive of the critical enquiry of the age. "The Theory of Prayer, with special reference to Modern Thought," by the Rev. W. H. Karslake, is timely in its discussion of a subject which Prof. Tyndall led off in. "Faith and Free Thought," the Christian Evidence Society Lectures; "The Scientific Bases of Faith," by Mr. J. J. Murphy; "Blending Lights, Natural Science and the Bible," by the Rev. W. Fraser, are other recent works in this department. A new work by Mr. Darwin is announced under the title of "The Evil Effect of Inter-breeding in the Vegetable Kingdom." Messrs. Routledge & Sons, who have become the proprietors of all the works of the late Lord Lytton, are about to issue an entirely new edition of them, in uniform monthly volumes. A new work entitled, "White Rose and Red," is announced, by the author of " Saint Abe and his Seven Wives." tion across the Continent, in the Pacific Railway Survey Mission. The work is edited by the Rev. Geo. M. Grant, of Halifax, the Secretary to the Expedition; and we trust to be able to notice it more fully in our next issue. Messrs. Hunter, Rose & Co. supplement the service they have just rendered to native novel readers, in the publication of Lord Lytton's recent story, "Kenelm Chillingly," by issuing Mr. Wilkie Collin's latest novel, The New Magdalen." The Messrs. Adam, Stevenson & Co. publish their handsome" Punshon Memorial Volume"-the Lectures and Sermons of the Rev. W. Morley Punshon, D.D., issued by arrangement with the author. volume, which is meeting with an extensive sale, is par excellence, the most artistic effort in native publishing which has appeared in Canada Messrs. Hunter, Rose & Co. are the printers and binders of the volume. "Bits of Talk about Home Matters," by H. H.- -a suggestive work on home education which should find a place in every Canadian household; and a new work from the pen of the Rev. Dr. John Hall, of New York, entitled " Questions of the Day," are among the current issues of this firm. The Rev. Dr. Scadding's long expectant and important volume of local history, "Toronto of Old," is to be immediately issued by this house, which has also just issued Mr. Nicholas Flood Davin's Lecture, in reply to the Rev. Dr. Tiffany, on "British versus American Civilization.' Dr. A. M. Ross, Toronto, has issued a supplemental volume to his useful and attractive little work on Canadian Birds, lately published by Messrs. Rowsell & Hutchison. The present production is a handbook of the "Butterflies and Moths of Canada," described from specimens represented in the authors collection. The work is tastefully illustrated, and commends itself to all lovers of native entomology. Messrs. Dawson Bros. of Montreal, have completed their series of School Histories of Canada, by the Deputy Minister of Education for Quebec, H. H. Miles, M. A., LL.D. It consists of three works "A Child's History for Elementary Schools," "A School History for the Model Schools," and "An Advanced History for Superior Schools, and intended also to serve as a general reader in French Schools." The series has been prepared with great care, and is calculated to stimulate a taste for the study of our native history. Canadian publications continue to claim attention. Messrs. Lancefield Brothers, Hamilton, have isThe Messrs. Campbell issue an interesting and pro- sued a mélange of prose and poetry from the pen of fusely illustrated volume of a thoroughly national a native poet, Mr. J. R. Ramsay. The contents are character. It bears the title of "Ocean to Ocean," varied in character, and principally concern them---the narrative of Mr. Sandford Fleming's expedi-selves with Canadian subjects. Insurances effected on all classes of Risks. Losses promptly paid. LIFE DEPARTMENT. Ninety per cent. of Profits divided among Policies of participating scale. HEAD OFFICE FOR CANADA: 72 ST. FRANCOIS XAVIER STREET, MONTREAL. London Assurance Corporation, ESTABLSHED BY ROYAL CHARTER A.D. 1720. £2,463,533 17s. 4d. stg. MONTREAL. Funds in hand. (1868) HEAD OFFICE (CANADA) No. 7 ROYAL EXCHANGE, CORNHILL, LONDON, ENGLAND. ROMEO H. STEPHENS, CHIEF AGENT. $150,000 invested in Government Securities, in conformity with the Act of Parliament. FIRE DEPARTMENT. INSURANCE against LOSS BY FIRE effected on the most favourable terms. The Corporation has granted Assurances on Lives for over a CENTURY AND A HALF, having issued its First Policy on the 7th June, 1721. Two-thirds of the entire Profits, WITHOUT ANY DEDUCTION FOR EXPENSES OF MANAGEMENT, are allotted to the Assured. This arrangement will be found to be more advantageous to the Policy-holders than an apparently larger proportion of the Profits, subject to the expenses of management. C. C. FOSTER, TORONTO, JUNE, 1873. 32 Wellington St., E TO THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO, CANADA. TENANT FARMERS-Improved Farms, with Dwellings and Farm Buildings, can be purchased at from £4 to 10 stg. per Acre, or for the amount required to carry on a leased farm in Great Britain. CAPITALISTS-Eight per cent. can easily be obtained for money, on first-class security. MECHANICS, FARM LABOURERS, SERVANT GIRLS-Employment can readily be obtained at good wages. A FREE GRANT OF 200 ACRES Of Land can be obtained, on condition of settlement, by every head of a family having children under 18 years of age; and any person over 18 years of age can obtain a FREE GRANT OF 100 ACRE on condition of settlement. These lands are protected from seizure for any debt incurred before the issue of the Patent, and for 20 years after its issue, by a "HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION ACT." Emigrants, on their arrival at Quebec, should communicate with the Agent for the Province of Ontario, MR. G. T. HAIGH, who attends all Vessels coming into port. ASSISTED PASSAGES. The Government of Ontario will pay to regularly organized Emigration Societies, or to individuals, in Europe or in Ontario, the sum of six dollars (1 4s. 8d. stg.) for every statute adult pecuniarily assisted and sent to this Province, or to any emigrant paying his or her own passage, or the passage of his or her family, on the following conditions: 1st. Each Emigrant so sent out, or paying his or her own passage out, must be approved of by some one of the Ontario Emigration Agents in Europe, or by the London Agent for the Dominion of Canada, and furnished by such Agent with a certificate entitling such Emigrant, or the Society or individual by whom such Emigrant has been assisted, at the end of three months' residence in the Province, to the refund bonus of six dollars. 2nd. The Agent in Europe issuing the certificate shall be satisfied that the Emigrant is of good character, and that at least seventy-five per cent, of the adult males are of the Agricultural or farm-labouring class, and the residue Mechanics or skilled labourers. Of "professional men, book-keepers, clerks and shop-men," the Province has already enough and to spare. Dress-makers, Milliners, and Seamstresses are required; and female Domestic Servants are in great demand. 3rd. The Emigrant, or the party in charge of assisted Emigrants, on landing at Quebec, must present the endorsed certificate to the Emigration Agent for the Province of Ontario, at his office at Quebec, who will again endorse the certificate, and give the Emigrant such advice and instructions as may be required. 4th. The Emigrant having reached the Agency in the Province of Ontario nearest to his intended destination, will then be provided for by the Local Agent, and sent by free pass or otherwise to where employment is to be had. 5th. At any time after three months from the date of the endorsement of the certificate at Quebec, and on proof being furnished and endorsed upon such certificate (which certificate must be presented in person or sent by mail to this Department), that the Emigrant has, during the interval, been and still is a settler in the Province, the Government of Ontario will pay to the Society or to the individual entitled to the same, the sum of six dollars per statute adult. 6th. Forms of Certificate, and full information, can be had by application to W. DIXON, II Adam Street, Adelphi, and Rev. HORROCKS COCKS, 120 Salisbury Square, London; to C. J. SHEIL, Eden Quay, Dublin; to J. MCMILLAN, II Claremont Street, Belfast; to ALEX. BEGG, 43 York Street, Glasgow; to Col. G. T. DENISON, II Adam Street, Adelphi, London; to JOHN DYKE, Germany; to DOMINIC WAGNER, Alsace; or to any other Commissioner or Agent for the Province of Ontario. ARCHIBALD MCKELLAR, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND PUBLIC WORKS, Toronto, Province of Ontario, 1873. Commissioner. HC NTER, ROSI & Co, Printers, Toronto. |