GHL to John Blackwood, London, [14 January 1876]
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, London, [14 January 1876]
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, London, [14 January 1876]
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1876-01-14
Place
London
Letter Content
GHL to John Blackwood, London, [14 January 1876]
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
Friday.
My dear Blackwood
Mrs. Lewes has been greatly worried about this Harper business, because they will not unreasonably feel that we have not acted up to our promise. Giving so exceptionally large a sum for early sheets they had a right to expect to have their convenience consulted and I promised them the sheets as soon as they were ready. Nor was there any valid reason for not letting the sheets go; and I cannot explain how the prompt and considerate Simpson disregarded my last letter to him on the subject wherein I explained why Harpers wanted the sheets earlier and that I wished them to be sent. Even now, neither he nor you have mentioned the date at which they were dispatched -- so as in some sense to relieve Mrs. Lewes's anxiety. You both merely say the sheets have been sent. Nor do you say whether you have asked Harpers if they wished publication postponed. This is absolutely important to keep to our contract -- otherwise the sheets may have arrived too late or not at all -- and we should then have no claim whatever on them. I should like the postponement as little as you but it would be the only fair course. Please telegraph to me on the two points of date and postponement.
Will you also please have Part II sent at once, and make a note that each succeeding part be sent off on the 20th of each month -- thus giving them a full month in advance?
As we are in this state with Harper's we must not issue the book before the 20th and press copies 25th. Otherwise it will reach America too soon. We have determined not to reprint at all in Germany until our sale in parts has been exhausted, namely in October next.
Will you send a copy to Main? I haven't included him in my list because Mrs. Lewes said you always sent to him.
Ever yours truly
G. H. L.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
Friday.
My dear Blackwood
Mrs. Lewes has been greatly worried about this Harper business, because they will not unreasonably feel that we have not acted up to our promise. Giving so exceptionally large a sum for early sheets they had a right to expect to have their convenience consulted and I promised them the sheets as soon as they were ready. Nor was there any valid reason for not letting the sheets go; and I cannot explain how the prompt and considerate Simpson disregarded my last letter to him on the subject wherein I explained why Harpers wanted the sheets earlier and that I wished them to be sent. Even now, neither he nor you have mentioned the date at which they were dispatched -- so as in some sense to relieve Mrs. Lewes's anxiety. You both merely say the sheets have been sent. Nor do you say whether you have asked Harpers if they wished publication postponed. This is absolutely important to keep to our contract -- otherwise the sheets may have arrived too late or not at all -- and we should then have no claim whatever on them. I should like the postponement as little as you but it would be the only fair course. Please telegraph to me on the two points of date and postponement.
Will you also please have Part II sent at once, and make a note that each succeeding part be sent off on the 20th of each month -- thus giving them a full month in advance?
As we are in this state with Harper's we must not issue the book before the 20th and press copies 25th. Otherwise it will reach America too soon. We have determined not to reprint at all in Germany until our sale in parts has been exhausted, namely in October next.
Will you send a copy to Main? I haven't included him in my list because Mrs. Lewes said you always sent to him.
Ever yours truly
G. H. L.
Signature
G. H. L.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to John Blackwood, London, [14 January 1876], 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/94621