GE to John Blackwood, Richmond, 28 December 1858
Title
GE to John Blackwood, Richmond, 28 December 1858
Title
GE to John Blackwood, Richmond, 28 December 1858
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1858-12-28
Place
Richmond
Letter Content
GE to John Blackwood, Richmond, 28 December 1858
MS: National Library of Scotland. Extracts published: Cross, II, 74-75.
Richmond | December 28. 58.
My dear Sir
I see with you entirely about the preface; indeed, I had myself anticipated the very effects you predict. The deprecatory tone is not one I can ever take willingly, but I am conscious of a shrinking sort of pride which is likely to warp my judgment in many personal questions, and on that ground I distrusted my own opinion.
Mr. Lewes went to Vernon Hill 1252 yesterday for a few days' change of air, but before he went, he said, "Ask Mr. Blackwood what he thinks of putting a mere advertisement at the beginning of the book to this effect: As the story of Adam Bede will lose much of its effect if the development is foreseen, the author requests those critics who may honour him with a notice, to abstain from telling the story." I write my note of interrogation accordingly. "?"
Pray do not begin to read the second volume until it is all in print. There is necessarily a lull of interest in it to prepare for the crescendo. I am delighted that you like my Mrs. Poyser. I'm very sorry to part with her and some of my other characters -- there seems to be so much more to be done with them. Mr. Lewes says she gets better and better as the book goes on, and I was certainly conscious of writing her dialogue with heightening gusto. Even in our imaginary worlds there is the sorrow of parting.
I have left off writing articles of late, but my hand is not quite untried in that sort of work, and if you think the doctrine in my [Remonstrance] is one desirable to be enforced, and any book happens to turn up 'e0 propos of which said doctrine could be gracefully introduced, I would willingly do that service to my future self and my fellow novelists. I read more old books than new ones, so that I am in need of suggestions.
Articles expressly on criticism or reviewing are likely to be too invidious, I suppose.
I hope the Christmas weather is as bright in your beautiful Edinburgh as it is here, and that you are enjoying all other Christmas pleasures too, without disturbance.
Ever yours truly
George Eliot.
John Blackwood Esq.
I have not yet made up my mind what my next story is to be, but I must not lie fallow any longer when the new year is come. Do not trouble yourself to write a special answer to the query in this letter. Any time, when you are writing, in the course of the next ten days, a word or two will suffice.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Extracts published: Cross, II, 74-75.
Richmond | December 28. 58.
My dear Sir
I see with you entirely about the preface; indeed, I had myself anticipated the very effects you predict. The deprecatory tone is not one I can ever take willingly, but I am conscious of a shrinking sort of pride which is likely to warp my judgment in many personal questions, and on that ground I distrusted my own opinion.
Mr. Lewes went to Vernon Hill 1252 yesterday for a few days' change of air, but before he went, he said, "Ask Mr. Blackwood what he thinks of putting a mere advertisement at the beginning of the book to this effect: As the story of Adam Bede will lose much of its effect if the development is foreseen, the author requests those critics who may honour him with a notice, to abstain from telling the story." I write my note of interrogation accordingly. "?"
Pray do not begin to read the second volume until it is all in print. There is necessarily a lull of interest in it to prepare for the crescendo. I am delighted that you like my Mrs. Poyser. I'm very sorry to part with her and some of my other characters -- there seems to be so much more to be done with them. Mr. Lewes says she gets better and better as the book goes on, and I was certainly conscious of writing her dialogue with heightening gusto. Even in our imaginary worlds there is the sorrow of parting.
I have left off writing articles of late, but my hand is not quite untried in that sort of work, and if you think the doctrine in my [Remonstrance] is one desirable to be enforced, and any book happens to turn up 'e0 propos of which said doctrine could be gracefully introduced, I would willingly do that service to my future self and my fellow novelists. I read more old books than new ones, so that I am in need of suggestions.
Articles expressly on criticism or reviewing are likely to be too invidious, I suppose.
I hope the Christmas weather is as bright in your beautiful Edinburgh as it is here, and that you are enjoying all other Christmas pleasures too, without disturbance.
Ever yours truly
George Eliot.
John Blackwood Esq.
I have not yet made up my mind what my next story is to be, but I must not lie fallow any longer when the new year is come. Do not trouble yourself to write a special answer to the query in this letter. Any time, when you are writing, in the course of the next ten days, a word or two will suffice.
Signature
George Eliot
Citation
George Eliot, GE to John Blackwood, Richmond, 28 December 1858, 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/92714