GE to John Blackwood, [Wandsworth], 13 February 1859
Title
GE to John Blackwood, [Wandsworth], 13 February 1859
Title
GE to John Blackwood, [Wandsworth], 13 February 1859
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1859-02-13
Place
[Wandsworth]
Letter Content
GE to John Blackwood, [Wandsworth], 13 February 1859
MS: National Library of Scotland. Published: Cross, II, 82.
February 13. 1859.
My dear Sir
Will you tell Dr. John Brown that when I read an account of "Rab and his Friends" in a newspaper, I wished I had the story to read at full length and I thought to myself, the writer of "Rab" would perhaps like "Adam Bede."
When you have told him this, he will understand the peculiar pleasure I had on opening the little parcel with "Rab" inside and a kind word from Rab's friend. I have read the story twice -- once aloud, and once to myself, very slowly, that I might dwell on the pictures of Rab and Ailie, and carry them about with me more distinctly. I will not say any commonplace words of admiration about what has touched me so deeply: there is no adjective of that sort left undefiled by the newspapers. The writer of "Rab" knows that I must love the grim old mastiff with the short tail and the long dewlaps -- that I must have felt present at the scenes of Ailie's last trial.
Thanks for your cheering letter. I will be hopeful -- if I can.
Ever yours truly
George Eliot.
John Blackwood Esq.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Published: Cross, II, 82.
February 13. 1859.
My dear Sir
Will you tell Dr. John Brown that when I read an account of "Rab and his Friends" in a newspaper, I wished I had the story to read at full length and I thought to myself, the writer of "Rab" would perhaps like "Adam Bede."
When you have told him this, he will understand the peculiar pleasure I had on opening the little parcel with "Rab" inside and a kind word from Rab's friend. I have read the story twice -- once aloud, and once to myself, very slowly, that I might dwell on the pictures of Rab and Ailie, and carry them about with me more distinctly. I will not say any commonplace words of admiration about what has touched me so deeply: there is no adjective of that sort left undefiled by the newspapers. The writer of "Rab" knows that I must love the grim old mastiff with the short tail and the long dewlaps -- that I must have felt present at the scenes of Ailie's last trial.
Thanks for your cheering letter. I will be hopeful -- if I can.
Ever yours truly
George Eliot.
John Blackwood Esq.
Signature
George Eliot.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to John Blackwood, [Wandsworth], 13 February 1859, 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/92566