GHL to Edward Dowden, Redhill, 17 August 1872
Title
GHL to Edward Dowden, Redhill, 17 August 1872
Title
GHL to Edward Dowden, Redhill, 17 August 1872
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
Edward Dowden
Date(s)
- 1872-08-17
Place
Redhill
Letter Content
GHL to Edward Dowden, Redhill, 17 August 1872
Text: Maggs Brothers Catalogue 353 (Spring 1917), item 455.
Red Hill, Surrey.
It is so well known to all Mrs. Lewes's friends that she abstains on principle from reading what is written about her works . . . .
It is only now, and through an incidental mention of your article 577 in a letter to me, that I have had the good fortune to know how exquisitely a deep sympathetic insight has expressed itself in reference to one who is more than life to me.
Although I agree with her that reading and hearing opinions about one's work is deleterious, by encouraging what never needs over encouragement -- our self-consciousness -- and is especially very injurious to the artist -- of course this doesn't apply to criticism of others, and accordingly I am always delighted when I can -- which however is but seldom -- read anything about George Eliot which seems to come from genuine insight, and is not mere echo. I was moved to tears by your noble essay; and in the woods of Gatton Park, read aloud to her some of the passages which I knew she would most like to hear. 578 They touched her very much. . . . Accept therefore our gratitude for your kindly feeling, and its public expression.
Text: Maggs Brothers Catalogue 353 (Spring 1917), item 455.
Red Hill, Surrey.
It is so well known to all Mrs. Lewes's friends that she abstains on principle from reading what is written about her works . . . .
It is only now, and through an incidental mention of your article 577 in a letter to me, that I have had the good fortune to know how exquisitely a deep sympathetic insight has expressed itself in reference to one who is more than life to me.
Although I agree with her that reading and hearing opinions about one's work is deleterious, by encouraging what never needs over encouragement -- our self-consciousness -- and is especially very injurious to the artist -- of course this doesn't apply to criticism of others, and accordingly I am always delighted when I can -- which however is but seldom -- read anything about George Eliot which seems to come from genuine insight, and is not mere echo. I was moved to tears by your noble essay; and in the woods of Gatton Park, read aloud to her some of the passages which I knew she would most like to hear. 578 They touched her very much. . . . Accept therefore our gratitude for your kindly feeling, and its public expression.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to Edward Dowden, Redhill, 17 August 1872, 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/94497