George Eliot speaks of a time where slow, more relaxing ways of life are being replaced with more "eager," faster ways of life. She conveys this through literary styles such as descriptive detail and personification.
Eliot personifies leisure, creating the image of an old, content man called "Old Leisure." Old Leisure acts like a regular human. Examples like "fingered the guines in his pocket" and "ate his dinners" are examples of the human-like nature Old Leisure has.
New Leisure isn't exactly made into a life-like persona. Eliot describes the new way as "a vacuum for eager thought to rush in." InEliot's opinion this "new leisure"isn't even considered leisure. It is more eager and exciting than the old leisure originally had been. Although she does miss the slow and steadiness of leisure, she does not seem to be opposed to this new view of leisure. She seems tolerant of it, in fact.
Eliot also seemed to be creating a backstory for Old Leisure as the passage progressed. Her description of Old Leisure became more and more ridiculuous, politely poking fun with Old Leisure's attitude towards Church and sermons. Yet at the same time, she has a reminiscent tone, almost caring, for the olda days and the old ways. The new world with its new fast pace just doesn't seem to have room for old leisure.
Although Eliot dearly misses silly old Leisure, she does not seem to object to the new coming of age ways. Her use of personification and detail gave the reader insight into the beloved old ways and at the same time prepared the reader for what is most certainly to come.
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