lady novelists, as well as that on Heine, show many indications of that subtle power and that true genius which were displayed in her later work.  There was genius displayed in these articles, without doubt, and genius of a high order.  It was genius not as yet aware of itself, and not yet at the height of its power and capable of its truest expression, but genius nevertheless.  Many of the most striking characteristics of her novel-writing were shown in these essays.  Here was the same love of common human life; the same interest in its humbler forms and expressions; the like penetrating analysis and subtle portrayal of character; a psychological method of the same probing and comprehensive nature.  Her main philosophical ideas were indicated here, though not given that clear and incisive expression they afterwards received.  When she wrote of the natural history of German life she indicated in the very title of her essay one of her main theories, and her conception of man as a social being was brought out in it.  These essays fully indicate that her opinions were already formed, that the leading ideas she was to give expression to in her novels had been arrived at by diligent study and thought, and that she had equipped herself with ample reasons for the acceptance of the opinions she held.  Their chief defect is in their occasional arrogance of expression, as if the writer had not yet wholly escaped the superior airs of the young woman elated with the greatness of her knowledge, and a certain rudeness and vehemence of statement not seen later.  It is a defect that is not very prominent, but one that is apparent enough to mar some of the best of these pages.  It was one she never wholly outgrew, though in her novels her large information was usually so managed and subordinated as to give little annoyance to the intelligent reader.

It must be quite evident to any reader of her Westminster Review contributions, that Marian Evans would never have attained to any such high literary eminence as an essayist as that which she has secured as a novelist.  Readable as are her essays,—­and the five just named are certainly worthy of a place in her complete works,—­yet they are not of the highest order.  She could attain the highest range of her power only when something far more subtile and intrinsic was concerned.  That this is true may be seen in these essays; for even here she writes the best only when she has human motives, feelings and aspirations to weigh and explain.  That she could dissect and explain the inner man they made apparent enough; but her genius demanded also the opportunity to create, to build up a life of high beauty and purpose from materials of its own construction.  Her Review articles gave her a high place in the eyes of her friends, and their chief value seems to have been, that they caused these friends to see that she could do other and better work, and led them to induce her to apply her genius in a direction more congenial to its capacity.