Page:George Eliot and Judaism.djvu/90

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George Eliot and Judaism.

is a fine touch of humour, too, in the name of the musical genius of the book, the critic and judge of Gwendolen and Mirah. He is unmistakably a Jew, but he never betrays himself, although the unfortunate name Julius Klesmer is enough for the initiated, and causes Mrs Arrowpoint even to take the first opportunity of breaking out into references to Jews and gypsies when the question of her daughter's marriage to the artist comes on the tapis. What an insight into land and people these bitter words reveal which the authoress puts in the mouth of that splendid figure Joseph Kalonymos, the Jew of Mayence—"We increase our strength in safety, and the learning of all Germany is fed and fattened by Jewish brains—though they keep not always their Jewish hearts"! Who can deny this? The hit goes right into the gold!

Poetical justice in 'Daniel Deronda'