GE to John Blackwood, Florence, 19 May 1861
Title
GE to John Blackwood, Florence, 19 May 1861
Title
GE to John Blackwood, Florence, 19 May 1861
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1861-05-19
Place
Florence
Letter Content
GE to John Blackwood, Florence, 19 May 1861
MS: National Library of Scotland. Extracts published: Cross, II, 303-304.
Florence | May 19. 61.
My dear Sir
"Adam" and "The Mill" are translated into French. The former was published some time ago, the latter will be published soon. The translator is an old friend of mine in whose family I lived for some months at Geneva after my father's death, and since he is an accomplished man and the work of translating my books brings some extra happiness to himself and his wife, I don't mean to take it away from him, though I give up any share in payment. By this time I have no doubt he has begun to translate "Silas." But if Mrs. Blackwell, 769 who, I imagine, is a competent person, would like to translate the "Scenes of Clerical Life," I am under no obligation to reserve them for M. d'Albert, and, if I live, I dare say there will be something else for him to do. Will you then be so good as to write again to Mrs. Blackwell and tell her that she can translate the Scenes, if she likes. Of course I have no right to any money for a translation now, so there is no further "business" to be settled on my part.
I was ill for a week with a sort of influenza which was prevalent in Florence when we arrived, but since I have been well, we have been industriously foraging -- in old streets and old books. I feel very brave just now and enjoy the thought of work -- but don't set your mind on my doing just what I have dreamed. It may turn out that I can't work freely and fully enough in the medium I have chosen, and in that case, I must give it up; for I will never write anything to which my whole heart, mind, and conscience don't consent, so that I may feel that it was something -- however small -- which wanted to be done in this world, and that I am just the organ for that small bit of work.
I am very much cheered by the way in which "Silas" is received. I hope it has made some slight pleasure for you too, in the midst of incomparably deeper feelings of sadness. Your quiet tour among the Lakes was the best possible thing for you. What place is not better "out of the season"? -- though I feel I am almost wicked in my hatred of being where there are many other people enjoying themselves. I am very far behind Mr. Buckle's millennial prospect, 770 which is, that men will be more and more congregated in cities and occupied with human affairs, so as to be less and less under the influence of Nature, i.e. the sky, the hills, and the plains; whereby superstition will vanish and statistics will reign for ever and ever. I think there is no chance of the Lacustrine article being done at Florence. Mr. Lewes is kept in continual distraction by having to attend to my wants -- going with me to the Magliabecchian library, and poking about everywhere on my behalf -- I having very little self-help about me of the pushing and inquiring kind. He has read the big book, which is very interesting, and has made notes, but beyond this he has found it impossible to go at present.
We are grieved to read of the bad weather in England, and the destruction of the fruit blossoms. Here we have had bright mild days for more than a week, but no great heat such as we found here this time last year. I look forward with keen anxiety to the next outbreak of war -- longing for some turn of affairs that will save poor Venice from being bombarded by those terrible Austrian forts. Thanks for your letters; we both say, "More, give us more."
Ever yours truly
M. E. Lewes.
What has Edwin James 771 been doing? Our movements are uncertain, but we shall probably not be here after the 1st of June. Are you going to London soon?
MS: National Library of Scotland. Extracts published: Cross, II, 303-304.
Florence | May 19. 61.
My dear Sir
"Adam" and "The Mill" are translated into French. The former was published some time ago, the latter will be published soon. The translator is an old friend of mine in whose family I lived for some months at Geneva after my father's death, and since he is an accomplished man and the work of translating my books brings some extra happiness to himself and his wife, I don't mean to take it away from him, though I give up any share in payment. By this time I have no doubt he has begun to translate "Silas." But if Mrs. Blackwell, 769 who, I imagine, is a competent person, would like to translate the "Scenes of Clerical Life," I am under no obligation to reserve them for M. d'Albert, and, if I live, I dare say there will be something else for him to do. Will you then be so good as to write again to Mrs. Blackwell and tell her that she can translate the Scenes, if she likes. Of course I have no right to any money for a translation now, so there is no further "business" to be settled on my part.
I was ill for a week with a sort of influenza which was prevalent in Florence when we arrived, but since I have been well, we have been industriously foraging -- in old streets and old books. I feel very brave just now and enjoy the thought of work -- but don't set your mind on my doing just what I have dreamed. It may turn out that I can't work freely and fully enough in the medium I have chosen, and in that case, I must give it up; for I will never write anything to which my whole heart, mind, and conscience don't consent, so that I may feel that it was something -- however small -- which wanted to be done in this world, and that I am just the organ for that small bit of work.
I am very much cheered by the way in which "Silas" is received. I hope it has made some slight pleasure for you too, in the midst of incomparably deeper feelings of sadness. Your quiet tour among the Lakes was the best possible thing for you. What place is not better "out of the season"? -- though I feel I am almost wicked in my hatred of being where there are many other people enjoying themselves. I am very far behind Mr. Buckle's millennial prospect, 770 which is, that men will be more and more congregated in cities and occupied with human affairs, so as to be less and less under the influence of Nature, i.e. the sky, the hills, and the plains; whereby superstition will vanish and statistics will reign for ever and ever. I think there is no chance of the Lacustrine article being done at Florence. Mr. Lewes is kept in continual distraction by having to attend to my wants -- going with me to the Magliabecchian library, and poking about everywhere on my behalf -- I having very little self-help about me of the pushing and inquiring kind. He has read the big book, which is very interesting, and has made notes, but beyond this he has found it impossible to go at present.
We are grieved to read of the bad weather in England, and the destruction of the fruit blossoms. Here we have had bright mild days for more than a week, but no great heat such as we found here this time last year. I look forward with keen anxiety to the next outbreak of war -- longing for some turn of affairs that will save poor Venice from being bombarded by those terrible Austrian forts. Thanks for your letters; we both say, "More, give us more."
Ever yours truly
M. E. Lewes.
What has Edwin James 771 been doing? Our movements are uncertain, but we shall probably not be here after the 1st of June. Are you going to London soon?
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to John Blackwood, Florence, 19 May 1861, 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/92579