Notable eras of modern civilization Nineteenth Century, the age of novelists Scott, Fielding, Dickens, Thackeray Bulwer; women novelists Charlotte Brontë, Harriet Beecher Stowe, George Eliot Early life of Marian Evans Appearance, education, and acquirements Change in religious views; German translations; Continental travel Westminster Review; literary and scientific men Her alliance with George Henry Lewes Her life with him Literary labors First work of fiction, "Amos Barton," with criticism upon her qualities as a novelist, illustrated by the story "Mr. Gilfils Love Story" "Adam Bede" "The Mill on the Floss" "Silas Marner" "Romola" "Felix Holt" "Middlemarch" "Daniel Deronda" "Theophrastus Such" General characteristics of George Eliot Death of Mr. Lewes; her marriage with Mr. Cross Lofty position of George Eliot in literature Religious views and philosophical opinions Her failure as a teacher of morals Regret at her abandonment of Christianity LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS VOLUME VII. Madame de Récamier _After the painting by Baron François Pascal Gérard_. Abélard Teaching in the Paraclete _After the painting by A. Steinheil_. Joan of Arc Hears the Voices _After the painting by Eugene Thirion_. The Vision of St. Therese _After the painting by Jean Brunet_. Reception of the Great Condé by Louis XIV _After the painting by J. L. Gérôme_. Ministerial Conference of Louis XIV. at the Salon of Madam de Maintenon _After the painting by John Gilbert_. John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough _After the painting by Pieter van der Werff, Pitti Palace, Florence_. Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough _After the painting by Sir Godfrey Kneller_. Mme. de Récamier _After the painting by Mlle. Morin_ Madame de Staël _After the painting by Mlle. de Godefroid, Versailles_. Garrick and His Wife _After the painting by William Hogarth_. Hannah More _After the painting by H.W. Pickersgill, A.R.A._. BEACON LIGHTS OF HISTORY HÉLOÏSE. * * * * * A.D. 1101-1164. LOVE. When Adam and Eve were expelled from Paradise, they yet found one flower, wherever they wandered, blooming in perpetual beauty. This flower represents a great certitude, without which few would be happy,--subtile, mysterious, inexplicable,--a great boon recognized alike by poets and moralists, Pagan and Christian; yea, identified not only with happiness, but human existence, and pertaining to the soul in its highest aspirations. Allied with the transient and the mortal, even with the weak and corrupt, it is yet immortal in its nature and lofty in its aims,--at once a passion, a sentiment, and an inspiration.