George Willis Cooke

The same plan pursued in the admirable study of Emerson by Mr. Cooke is followed in this exhaustive inquiry into George Eliot's ethical teachings as evinced in her writings. The author also gives quite a full sketch of her life and her literary methods, but these are secondary to the main purpose. In the endeavor to interpret thoroughly George Eliot's religious and philosophical opinions, the author brings successively before the reader her most important works—analyzing them keenly and quoting from them largely. He obtrudes his own opinions scarcely at all, allowing the great author to speak for herself through her books. This book is full of an intense interest and well worth careful reading and study.