GE to John Blackwood, London, 30 July 1868
Title
GE to John Blackwood, London, 30 July 1868
Title
GE to John Blackwood, London, 30 July 1868
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1868-07-30
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to John Blackwood, London, 30 July 1868
MS: National Library of Scotland. Published: Cross, III, 55.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
July 30. 68.
My dear Sir
I enclose a list of corrections for the reprint. I am indebted to my friendly correspondent from Belfast for pointing out several oversights which I am ashamed of, after all the proof-reading. But among the well-established truths of which I never doubt, the fallibility of my own brain stands first.
I suppose Mudie and the other librarians will not part with their copies of the poem quite so soon as they would part with their more abundant copies of a novel. And this supposition, if warranted, would be an encouragement to reprint another moderate edition at the same price. Perhaps before a cheaper edition is prepared I may add to the corrections, but at present my mind resists strongly the effort to go back on its old work.
I think I never mentioned to you that the occasional use of irregular verses, and especially verses of 12 syllables, has been a principle with me, and is found in all the finest writers of blank verse. I mention it now because, as you have a certain "solidarit'e9" with my poetical doings, I would not have your soul vexed by the detective wisdom of critics. Do you happen to remember that saying of Balzac's -- "When I want the world to praise my novels, I write a drama: when I want them to praise my drama, I write a novel." On the whole, however, I should think I have more to be grateful for than to grumble at. Mr. Lewes read me out last night some very generous passages from the St. Paul's Magazine. 799
Always yours sincerely
M. E. Lewes.
John Blackwood Esq.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Published: Cross, III, 55.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
July 30. 68.
My dear Sir
I enclose a list of corrections for the reprint. I am indebted to my friendly correspondent from Belfast for pointing out several oversights which I am ashamed of, after all the proof-reading. But among the well-established truths of which I never doubt, the fallibility of my own brain stands first.
I suppose Mudie and the other librarians will not part with their copies of the poem quite so soon as they would part with their more abundant copies of a novel. And this supposition, if warranted, would be an encouragement to reprint another moderate edition at the same price. Perhaps before a cheaper edition is prepared I may add to the corrections, but at present my mind resists strongly the effort to go back on its old work.
I think I never mentioned to you that the occasional use of irregular verses, and especially verses of 12 syllables, has been a principle with me, and is found in all the finest writers of blank verse. I mention it now because, as you have a certain "solidarit'e9" with my poetical doings, I would not have your soul vexed by the detective wisdom of critics. Do you happen to remember that saying of Balzac's -- "When I want the world to praise my novels, I write a drama: when I want them to praise my drama, I write a novel." On the whole, however, I should think I have more to be grateful for than to grumble at. Mr. Lewes read me out last night some very generous passages from the St. Paul's Magazine. 799
Always yours sincerely
M. E. Lewes.
John Blackwood Esq.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to John Blackwood, London, 30 July 1868, 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/92676