GE to John Blackwood, London, 19 February 1869
Title
GE to John Blackwood, London, 19 February 1869
Title
GE to John Blackwood, London, 19 February 1869
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1869-02-19
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to John Blackwood, London, 19 February 1869
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
February 19. 1869.
My dear Sir
I am much obliged to you for departing from your wise rule 31 on my behalf, and I accept your offer with much satisfaction, liking the old ingle nook better than the new hearths.
I am glad too that you like Lisa's story which fascinated me. When I began to write it, it was simply with the longing to fulfil an old intention, and with no distinct thought of printing.
Mr. Lewes wishes me not to have it published in the March number, for it is absolutely unrevised, and stands just as it came to me in the first writing, for when I copied some of the pages fairly to send to you, I did not alter. I do not know that I shall make much alteration anyhow, but it is best not to be in a hurry, and as I conclude that your wish to have it in time for the next number was in kind consideration of what was my wish, I do not return the proof as you requested; though I have read it and made every correction that I see my way to now, except those lines about which you are doubtful and which I will reconsider. Mr. Lewes has not yet read the Proof.
I mean to begin my novel at once, having already sketched the plan. But between the beginning and the middle of a book I am like the lazy Scheldt; between the middle and end I am like the arrowy Rhone -- unless, as Mr. Skelton 32 might suggest, the difference is that between a languid gutter and a lively one. The various elements of the story have been soliciting my mind for years -- asking for a complete embodiment.
Were you not amused by the article in the Times on the Colonial fourpence? Ticknor and Field have intimated some intention to bring out a library edition of all my books, in defiance of other reprinters. 33
I hope you are sharing the sunshine. The gardens here are all budding beyond the permission of the Calendar. I long very much to be away from London, but we tremble to say we are going, lest we should rouse Mother's visions, which there is really no symptom to make reasonable.
A young man who has lately been introduced to us 34 is writing an elaborate article on "The Spanish Gypsy." I don't know where it is to appear. He has a considerable position as a journalist, but whether it is deserved I cannot judge, for I know nothing that he has written -- at least as having been his production.
Do not let this small news teaze you into writing more than business renders necessary. I have fellow-feeling with all difficulty in getting through much letter-writing.
Always yours truly
M. E. Lewes.
John Blackwood Esq.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
February 19. 1869.
My dear Sir
I am much obliged to you for departing from your wise rule 31 on my behalf, and I accept your offer with much satisfaction, liking the old ingle nook better than the new hearths.
I am glad too that you like Lisa's story which fascinated me. When I began to write it, it was simply with the longing to fulfil an old intention, and with no distinct thought of printing.
Mr. Lewes wishes me not to have it published in the March number, for it is absolutely unrevised, and stands just as it came to me in the first writing, for when I copied some of the pages fairly to send to you, I did not alter. I do not know that I shall make much alteration anyhow, but it is best not to be in a hurry, and as I conclude that your wish to have it in time for the next number was in kind consideration of what was my wish, I do not return the proof as you requested; though I have read it and made every correction that I see my way to now, except those lines about which you are doubtful and which I will reconsider. Mr. Lewes has not yet read the Proof.
I mean to begin my novel at once, having already sketched the plan. But between the beginning and the middle of a book I am like the lazy Scheldt; between the middle and end I am like the arrowy Rhone -- unless, as Mr. Skelton 32 might suggest, the difference is that between a languid gutter and a lively one. The various elements of the story have been soliciting my mind for years -- asking for a complete embodiment.
Were you not amused by the article in the Times on the Colonial fourpence? Ticknor and Field have intimated some intention to bring out a library edition of all my books, in defiance of other reprinters. 33
I hope you are sharing the sunshine. The gardens here are all budding beyond the permission of the Calendar. I long very much to be away from London, but we tremble to say we are going, lest we should rouse Mother's visions, which there is really no symptom to make reasonable.
A young man who has lately been introduced to us 34 is writing an elaborate article on "The Spanish Gypsy." I don't know where it is to appear. He has a considerable position as a journalist, but whether it is deserved I cannot judge, for I know nothing that he has written -- at least as having been his production.
Do not let this small news teaze you into writing more than business renders necessary. I have fellow-feeling with all difficulty in getting through much letter-writing.
Always yours truly
M. E. Lewes.
John Blackwood Esq.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to John Blackwood, London, 19 February 1869, 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/92626