GE to John Chapman, East Sheen, 27 June [1855]
Title
GE to John Chapman, East Sheen, 27 June [1855]
Title
GE to John Chapman, East Sheen, 27 June [1855]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
John Chapman
Date(s)
- 1855-06-27
Place
East Sheen
Letter Content
GE to John Chapman, East Sheen, 27 June [1855]
MS: Berg Collection, New York Public Library. Published: B. C. Williams, George Eliot, 1936, pp. 113-114.
E. Sheen | June 27.
Dear Friend
Assuredly your article is worth publishing. I think it very valuable and interesting; indeed I thought I had said so in my letter. It is for that very reason that I dwelt on certain defects of style which you can remedy by giving a little more trouble. The opening of the article would be really beautiful if the sentences were pruned a little.
As to the matter the only parts that struck me as defective were the conclusion where, as I think I mentioned, there is some historical confusion, and the account of Greece, which is certainly very inferior to the rest. When I mentioned this to Mr. Lewes, he suggested that perhaps it would be better for you to dismiss Greece in a sentence. This suggestion is worth entertaining, since the points in which Greece is exceptional with regard to the treatment of women -- though they are points of immense interest in themselves -- are not immediately important to any argument you wish to enforce. There was an expression about Sparta which I meant to commend to your reconsideration. I think you say that in the laws of Lycurgus there was an attempt, as far as possible, to eradicate modesty. 610 Surely this is not a philosophical view of the laws, as to their spirit.
There is no reason for you to be desponding about your writing. You have made immense progress during the last few years, and you have so much force of mind and sincerity of purpose that you may work your way to a style which is free from vices, though perhaps you will never attain felicity -- indeed, that is a free gift of Nature rather than a reward of labour. You have plenty of thoughts, and what you have to aim at is the simple, clear expression of those thoughts, dismissing from your mind all efforts after any other qualities than precision and force -- any other result than the complete presentation of your idea. It would be the best possible symptom in you if your sentences became rather rugged. It would prove that you no longer introduced words for the sake of being flowing.
I am sure you will not attribute these observations to any conceited assumptions on my part, but to their real motive -- personal and intellectual sympathy.
If in writing hastily I have said anything at all impertinent, it is the vice of my expression and not of my feeling.
When you send again will you lend me De Motte's Commentary on the Old Testament? I want it for a reference 'e0propos of Westminster work. 611
Ever yours truly
Marian E.
MS: Berg Collection, New York Public Library. Published: B. C. Williams, George Eliot, 1936, pp. 113-114.
E. Sheen | June 27.
Dear Friend
Assuredly your article is worth publishing. I think it very valuable and interesting; indeed I thought I had said so in my letter. It is for that very reason that I dwelt on certain defects of style which you can remedy by giving a little more trouble. The opening of the article would be really beautiful if the sentences were pruned a little.
As to the matter the only parts that struck me as defective were the conclusion where, as I think I mentioned, there is some historical confusion, and the account of Greece, which is certainly very inferior to the rest. When I mentioned this to Mr. Lewes, he suggested that perhaps it would be better for you to dismiss Greece in a sentence. This suggestion is worth entertaining, since the points in which Greece is exceptional with regard to the treatment of women -- though they are points of immense interest in themselves -- are not immediately important to any argument you wish to enforce. There was an expression about Sparta which I meant to commend to your reconsideration. I think you say that in the laws of Lycurgus there was an attempt, as far as possible, to eradicate modesty. 610 Surely this is not a philosophical view of the laws, as to their spirit.
There is no reason for you to be desponding about your writing. You have made immense progress during the last few years, and you have so much force of mind and sincerity of purpose that you may work your way to a style which is free from vices, though perhaps you will never attain felicity -- indeed, that is a free gift of Nature rather than a reward of labour. You have plenty of thoughts, and what you have to aim at is the simple, clear expression of those thoughts, dismissing from your mind all efforts after any other qualities than precision and force -- any other result than the complete presentation of your idea. It would be the best possible symptom in you if your sentences became rather rugged. It would prove that you no longer introduced words for the sake of being flowing.
I am sure you will not attribute these observations to any conceited assumptions on my part, but to their real motive -- personal and intellectual sympathy.
If in writing hastily I have said anything at all impertinent, it is the vice of my expression and not of my feeling.
When you send again will you lend me De Motte's Commentary on the Old Testament? I want it for a reference 'e0propos of Westminster work. 611
Ever yours truly
Marian E.
Signature
Marian E.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to John Chapman, East Sheen, 27 June [1855], 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/92789