GE to George Combe, Broadstairs, 16 July [1852]
Title
GE to George Combe, Broadstairs, 16 July [1852]
Title
GE to George Combe, Broadstairs, 16 July [1852]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
George Combe
Date(s)
- 1852-07-16
Place
Broadstairs
Letter Content
GE to George Combe, Broadstairs, 16 July [1852]
MS: National Library of Scotland. Endorsed: Miss Evans and J. Brown | 18 July ansd.
Chandos Cottage | Broadstairs | July 16.
My dear Sir
I have read several of Dr. J. Brown's articles, and I think they exhibit considerable depth and earnestness of mind, a refined taste, and very copious and varied information. He seems to me hardly so much a master of the pen as his brother, Dr. Samuel; 122 his style wants a little more of the labor limoe; 123 but this a well-managed hint from you will probably induce him to apply. I fancy, the greatest danger with respect to him would be the tendency occasionally rather to exhibit his own information than to instruct the reader and so to produce a striking article, instead of a popular and useful one. But the best guarantee against such a result is your offer to write to him on the subject of Mr. Bastard's article. Since you have kindly undertaken this, I think it would be better for me to leave the negotiation entirely to you and not to write to him myself.
I am much obliged to you for your opinion on the English article -- it coincides entirely with my own. I am concerned to hear that you think so hopelessly of Mr. Chapman's affairs. 124 The maintenance of his position as a publisher is of importance on other grounds than personal ones.
I am glad to hear of your progress towards health. Pray give my kindest regards to Mrs. Combe and believe me, my dear Sir
Yours very truly
Marian Evans.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Endorsed: Miss Evans and J. Brown | 18 July ansd.
Chandos Cottage | Broadstairs | July 16.
My dear Sir
I have read several of Dr. J. Brown's articles, and I think they exhibit considerable depth and earnestness of mind, a refined taste, and very copious and varied information. He seems to me hardly so much a master of the pen as his brother, Dr. Samuel; 122 his style wants a little more of the labor limoe; 123 but this a well-managed hint from you will probably induce him to apply. I fancy, the greatest danger with respect to him would be the tendency occasionally rather to exhibit his own information than to instruct the reader and so to produce a striking article, instead of a popular and useful one. But the best guarantee against such a result is your offer to write to him on the subject of Mr. Bastard's article. Since you have kindly undertaken this, I think it would be better for me to leave the negotiation entirely to you and not to write to him myself.
I am much obliged to you for your opinion on the English article -- it coincides entirely with my own. I am concerned to hear that you think so hopelessly of Mr. Chapman's affairs. 124 The maintenance of his position as a publisher is of importance on other grounds than personal ones.
I am glad to hear of your progress towards health. Pray give my kindest regards to Mrs. Combe and believe me, my dear Sir
Yours very truly
Marian Evans.
Signature
Marian Evans.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to George Combe, Broadstairs, 16 July [1852], Complete George Eliot Letters(2026), George Eliot Archive, edited by Beverley Park Rilett. https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org, Accessed September 7, 2026. https://georgeeliotarchive.org/items/show/92452