GE to John Blackwood, London, 19 May 1862
Title
GE to John Blackwood, London, 19 May 1862
Title
GE to John Blackwood, London, 19 May 1862
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1862-05-19
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to John Blackwood, London, 19 May 1862
Text: Copy by George Simpson, National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Copy
Blandford Square | May 19. 1862
My dear Sir
I fear this letter will seem rather abrupt to you, but the abruptness is unavoidable.
Some time ago I received an offer for my next novel which I suppose was handsomer than almost any terms ever offered to a writer of Fiction. As long as I hesitated on the subject I contemplated writing to you to ascertain your views as to the arrangement you would be inclined to make for the publication of the same work; since I was not willing to exchange my relations with you for any new ones without overpowering reasons. Ultimately I declined the offer (on various grounds) and there was therefore no need to write.
But another offer, removing former objections, has been made, and after further reflection, I felt that, as I was not at liberty to mention the terms to you, and as they were hopelessly beyond your usual estimate of the value of my books to you, there would be an indelicacy in my making an appeal to you before decision. I have consequently accepted the offer, 67 retaining however a power over my copyright at the end of six years so that my new work may then be included in any general edition.
I know quite well from the feeling you have invariably shewn, that if the matter were of more importance to you than it is likely to be, you would enter fully into the views of the case as it concerned my interests as well as your own.
I remain, my dear Sir
Always yours very truly signed
M. E. Lewes.
John Blackwood Esq.
Text: Copy by George Simpson, National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Copy
Blandford Square | May 19. 1862
My dear Sir
I fear this letter will seem rather abrupt to you, but the abruptness is unavoidable.
Some time ago I received an offer for my next novel which I suppose was handsomer than almost any terms ever offered to a writer of Fiction. As long as I hesitated on the subject I contemplated writing to you to ascertain your views as to the arrangement you would be inclined to make for the publication of the same work; since I was not willing to exchange my relations with you for any new ones without overpowering reasons. Ultimately I declined the offer (on various grounds) and there was therefore no need to write.
But another offer, removing former objections, has been made, and after further reflection, I felt that, as I was not at liberty to mention the terms to you, and as they were hopelessly beyond your usual estimate of the value of my books to you, there would be an indelicacy in my making an appeal to you before decision. I have consequently accepted the offer, 67 retaining however a power over my copyright at the end of six years so that my new work may then be included in any general edition.
I know quite well from the feeling you have invariably shewn, that if the matter were of more importance to you than it is likely to be, you would enter fully into the views of the case as it concerned my interests as well as your own.
I remain, my dear Sir
Always yours very truly signed
M. E. Lewes.
John Blackwood Esq.
Signature
M. E. Lewes
Citation
George Eliot, GE to John Blackwood, London, 19 May 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/92627