George Eliot, within The Contemporary Review, vol. 20

George Eliot, within The Contemporary Review, vol. 20

Dowden, Edward

London: Bradbury, Evans, & Co., 1872. The Contemporary Review, vol. 20, August 1872, pp. 403-22

HathiTrust

1872

George Henry Lewes to Edward Dowden, 17 August 1872. “Although I agree with her that reading and hearing opinions about one's work is deleterious, by encouraging what never needs over encouragement -- our self-consciousness -- and is especially very injurious to the artist -- of course this doesn't apply to criticism of others, and accordingly I am always delighted when I can -- which however is but seldom -- read anything about George Eliot which seems to come from genuine insight, and is not mere echo. I was moved to tears by your noble essay; and in the woods of Gatton Park, read aloud to her some of the passages which I knew she would most like to hear. They touched her very much. . . . Accept therefore our gratitude for your kindly feeling, and its public expression.” GEL 5: 299-300

Dowden, Edward, George Eliot, within The Contemporary Review, vol. 20, George Eliot's Reading, George Eliot Archive, edited by Beverley Park Rilett. https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org, Accessed September 7, 2026. https://georgeeliotarchive.org/items/show/57377

https://georgeeliotarchive.org/files/original/80d30e6b19b9551b1365343e1d5ccd8b.pdf