GEORGE ELIOT
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—I have followed with much interest the recent corre- spondence about George Eliot and was much surprised at the statement that Mr. G. H. Lewes had two daughters. My aunt by marriage, Mrs. Edward Hobday, was a first cousin of George Eliot, and when I lost my mother at the age of fourteen, she, more than anyone else, took my mother's place. She was very intimate in her uncle Evans' family. Chrissie Evans was the same age as herself, while Marian was a few years younger. Later, I often heard my aunt allude to her alliance with Mr. Lewes and regret it, as did all her relatives. She also spoke of her great kindness to his three sons, but never mentioned his having any daughters. It was entirely inconsistent with Marian Evans' nature to have neglected them had there been any. This is a matter which should be made clear in justice to her memory.—
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