Welcome back, Middlemarchers. We’re getting pretty far through the book. It feels odd to say for an 800 page book, but I keep checking how many pages are left and feeling like I want more time with these characters and this story!

Summary

Lydgate is ashamed of his own behavior after his losses at the Green Dragon, and they’re running out of options because Mr. Vincy has already refused to help Rosamund twice. Lydgate puts off asking Mr. Bulstrode for a loan because he views it as a sign of weakness, and he does not want to create a more personal tie to the unpopular banker. Bulstrode catches him off guard by announcing that he might leave Middlemarch for the sake of his health. Bulstrode has talked to Dorothea about taking over as benefactor for the New Hospital, but she has asked for some time to consider the idea. Lydgate finally gets up the nerve to ask Bulstrode for money, but Bulstrode says he can’t help because he has already lent the Vincys too much money over the years. He advises Lydgate to declare bankruptcy, but Lydgate claims that bankruptcy would not help him, even if it would be less shameful than begging for money.

We then rewind to learn more about why Bulstrode has suddenly decided to leave Middlemarch. It’s because Raffles made yet another visit to Middlemarch on Christmas Eve. Once again, Bulstrode has to pretend that Raffles is a poor relative whom he feels obligated to help. Raffles is even more unruly than usual, and it’s the last straw for Bulstrode. He gives Raffles an ultimatum: if he ever comes back to Middlemarch, he won’t get another cent of Bulstrode’s money. Raffles seems temporarily mollified by Bulstrode’s money and leaves first thing on Christmas morning. In making his preparations to move away, Bulstrode asks Mr. Garth to help find a tenant for Stone Court. Caleb realizes this could be an opportunity for Fred to establish himself in the neighborhood under Caleb’s tutelage, and would allow Fred and Mary to marry. Mrs. Garth worries that he is being too optimistic, so they decide not to tell Fred and Mary about the scheme.

Context and references

A Philistine is a boorish and uncultured person.

Bulstrode mentions that they might have to “besiege the Mercy-seat” for protection if cholera comes to Middlemarch. The Mercy-seat was the platform covering the ark of the covenant and considered the throne of God.

Lydgate and Bulstrode discuss the spread of cholera and the possibility of an outbreak in Middlemarch. We know that Eliot carefully tracked the spread of the disease in doing her research for the novel. According to her notes, the first cases of cholera in Sunderland and Newcastle occurred in 1831, and it spread to Edinburgh and London in 1832.