GE to John Blackwood, London, 12 January 1862
Title
GE to John Blackwood, London, 12 January 1862
Title
GE to John Blackwood, London, 12 January 1862
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1862-01-12
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to John Blackwood, London, 12 January 1862
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Blandford Square, | N.W.
January 12. 62.
My dear Sir
As you stated when we were talking together, 6 that you had not formed any definite intention concerning the time of bringing out the 6s/ volume containing "Silas Marner" and the "Scenes of Clerical Life," I wish you would take into consideration the possible advantage of publishing the volume at Easter. 7 It has appeared to me that if the set of three volumes were completed, they might have a better chance of sale and be better worth advertising. These details of management, I suppose, must affect the temporary destiny of books, or publishers would not continue to give so much attention to them.
I am presuming that the fact of the volumes having been lettered "The Works of George Eliot" and advertised as to appear in succession, will incline you to complete the set. But if not, and if you think too despondingly of my books to like incurring the risk of another 6s/ volume, I do not, of course, wish to press it for a moment. Indeed, if I had had any idea that the 6s/ edition could have been considered premature, as you appeared to hint concerning the Mill, 8 I should certainly have been in the highest degree averse to it. My present letter is simply intended to express the opinion, that supposing the third volume is not to be given up in despair, it would be for the interest of my books that it should not be deferred.
I fear Mr. Langford has forgotten my existence, for I have not had a copy of the 6s/ "Mill" sent me. Believe me, my dear Sir
Yours sincerely
M. E. Lewes.
John Blackwood Esq.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Blandford Square, | N.W.
January 12. 62.
My dear Sir
As you stated when we were talking together, 6 that you had not formed any definite intention concerning the time of bringing out the 6s/ volume containing "Silas Marner" and the "Scenes of Clerical Life," I wish you would take into consideration the possible advantage of publishing the volume at Easter. 7 It has appeared to me that if the set of three volumes were completed, they might have a better chance of sale and be better worth advertising. These details of management, I suppose, must affect the temporary destiny of books, or publishers would not continue to give so much attention to them.
I am presuming that the fact of the volumes having been lettered "The Works of George Eliot" and advertised as to appear in succession, will incline you to complete the set. But if not, and if you think too despondingly of my books to like incurring the risk of another 6s/ volume, I do not, of course, wish to press it for a moment. Indeed, if I had had any idea that the 6s/ edition could have been considered premature, as you appeared to hint concerning the Mill, 8 I should certainly have been in the highest degree averse to it. My present letter is simply intended to express the opinion, that supposing the third volume is not to be given up in despair, it would be for the interest of my books that it should not be deferred.
I fear Mr. Langford has forgotten my existence, for I have not had a copy of the 6s/ "Mill" sent me. Believe me, my dear Sir
Yours sincerely
M. E. Lewes.
John Blackwood Esq.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to John Blackwood, London, 12 January 1862, 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/92605