GE to George Combe, London, 7 February 1854
Title
GE to George Combe, London, 7 February 1854
Title
GE to George Combe, London, 7 February 1854
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
George Combe
Date(s)
- 1854-02-07
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to George Combe, London, 7 February 1854
MS: National Library of Scotland. Endorsed: London 7 Feby 1854 London | Miss Evans | @ Printing | Pamphlet | 9th Feby wrote John | Chapman @ &c. | Miss Evans | 9th wrote John Chapman @ printing.
1 Cambridge Street | February 7. 1854.
My dear Sir
I have read and posted your letter to Sir James Clark. I think the suggestion it contains an excellent one so far as the Pamphlet is concerned. As to the Review, I confess I am in doubt as to the practicability of producing an effective article within the allotted space, but I cannot form a decided opinion until I have seen the pamphlet in print. I am sorry to tell you that I have not yet received a proof though it is a fortnight or more since I gave the M.S. to Mr. Chapman, who at once sent it to the printer. In whatever I have to do in the matter, there shall be no delay, but with regard to the speed or tardiness of the printers I am powerless, except so far as begging Mr. Chapman to spur them on, will go.
My doubts as to the possibility of contracting the pamphlet into a telling article arise from the fact that almost all the matter is essential to a just and at the same time striking presentation of your views. But if the condensation can be accomplished without doing injustice both to your ideas and your exposition of them, it is certainly desirable that the circulation of the Westminster should be made the means of spreading truths so important.
With kind regards to Mrs. Combe, I remain, my dear Sir,
Yours very truly
Marian Evans.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Endorsed: London 7 Feby 1854 London | Miss Evans | @ Printing | Pamphlet | 9th Feby wrote John | Chapman @ &c. | Miss Evans | 9th wrote John Chapman @ printing.
1 Cambridge Street | February 7. 1854.
My dear Sir
I have read and posted your letter to Sir James Clark. I think the suggestion it contains an excellent one so far as the Pamphlet is concerned. As to the Review, I confess I am in doubt as to the practicability of producing an effective article within the allotted space, but I cannot form a decided opinion until I have seen the pamphlet in print. I am sorry to tell you that I have not yet received a proof though it is a fortnight or more since I gave the M.S. to Mr. Chapman, who at once sent it to the printer. In whatever I have to do in the matter, there shall be no delay, but with regard to the speed or tardiness of the printers I am powerless, except so far as begging Mr. Chapman to spur them on, will go.
My doubts as to the possibility of contracting the pamphlet into a telling article arise from the fact that almost all the matter is essential to a just and at the same time striking presentation of your views. But if the condensation can be accomplished without doing injustice both to your ideas and your exposition of them, it is certainly desirable that the circulation of the Westminster should be made the means of spreading truths so important.
With kind regards to Mrs. Combe, I remain, my dear Sir,
Yours very truly
Marian Evans.
Signature
Marian Evans.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to George Combe, London, 7 February 1854, 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/92483