Page:George Eliot and Judaism.djvu/36

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George Eliot and Judaism.

which the genius of centuries has offered and laid down, 'Daniel Deronda' will take its place as the proudest testimony of English recognition.

It may be boldly maintained without fear of exaggeration that no great work of any modem literature not written by a Jew has taken Judaism so specially for its subject as this latest creation of the English authoress; and if it were not that every mental product is by nature unfettered and essentially opposed to restriction within narrow limits, I would not hesitate to propose as the formula of this work, expressing its entire significance, and all its tendencies, the Future of Judaism, and its influence upon its adherents. Lessing has already pointed out, in a memorable passage, that poetry, in all cases where it aims at representing a sensuous image or event, must confine itself strictly to portraying the effects which can