Middlemarch: Book 4, Chapter 35 Summary & Analysis

All of Featherstone’s relatives are hoping to get some of the limited amount of land and money that Featherstone has left behind. Most of the relatives are furiously jealous of the Vincys, as it is expected that Fred will inherit the majority of the land. However, all the speculation is confused by the appearance of the frog-faced stranger, who presents himself as one of the mourners. He is identified as Rigg. Fred overhears Jonah mentioning a “love-child,” and when Fred links this phrase to Rigg’s ugly face, he struggles to suppress a laugh. Seeing this, Mary asks to swap seats with him so Fred is out of the others’ sight.  

Now that all Featherstone’s relatives are assembled, it is time for the reading of his will. Featherstone’s lawyer Mr. Standish was surprised and a little excited when he found out about the second will. The audience listens nervously as Standish reads the first will, announcing that about £3000 will be distributed in small, even amounts among a great many of Featherstone’s relatives. The Garths are not mentioned, but Mr. Vincy and Mrs. Vincy learn they will receive £100 each. It is then announced that Fred will receive £10,000; he is so happy that he has to bite his cheeks to stop himself from smiling. 

The rest of Featherstone’s property and land is all given to Joshua Rigg, who is also expected to take “Featherstone” as his surname. Everyone is profoundly shocked except Rigg himself. However, then a second will is read, which cancels out the first one entirely. This new will gives all Featherstone’s land and property to Rigg, leaving only a little extra to build alms-houses in Featherstone’s name. The only person present who inherits anything is Trumbull, who gets Featherstone’s gold-plated cane.

Mr. Vincy angrily declares that Featherstone must have lost his ability to reason when he made the will. Standish and Trumbull insist that his mind was perfectly healthy. Mr. Garth suggests that the will is actually not that surprising, adding: “I wish there was no such thing as a will.” Jonah chimes in, calling Featherstone “a hypocrite.” Rigg seems unbothered by the malicious comments circulating among the relatives. Rigg has a high-pitched voice and “a vile accent.” Fred laments that he will have to train as a clergyman after all, and asks Mary what she shall do. She replies that she will get another job, and leaves.  

Concluding the chapter, the narrator reflects that any stories about “low people” in the book can be redeemed by being considered as parables. The narratives of low-ranking people may well serve as metaphors for the lives of the nobility. The narrator concludes by mentioning that Featherstone died before Lord Grey was elected Prime Minister and the Reform Act was passed.