GHL to John Blackwood, London, [27 February 1876]
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, London, [27 February 1876]
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, London, [27 February 1876]
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1876-02-27
Place
London
Letter Content
GHL to John Blackwood, London, [27 February 1876]
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
Sunday.
My dear Blackwood
I was very sorry to find from your last that you did not take cordially to Mordecai -- sorry because I think it on the whole one of the greatest of her creations, (and of course one likes to have one's admiration reflected in the admiration of others) -- but mostly sorry because I knew it would damp her. It has cast a gloom over her already desponding mind; she feeling that the public will in general share your imperfect sympathy. All along this has been her vision of the effect which this presentation of the Jewish ideal would have; and I have vainly combated it. But whether it is liked or disliked do it she must and will.
The great success of Part I and the confidence exhibited by the booksellers ought to encourage her, but doesn't. She knows that her gloom is foolish, but this knowledge can't displace the feeling. What a blessing a little of the author's self satisfaction would be to her!
Last night we dined with the Lytton's to say good bye. Poor Lady Lytton is far from well and Robert is certainly not in a promising state for India and official work. 411
I have been laid up with severe lumbago, which is now gone at last. 412 Mrs. Lewes is better again, but until volume four is finished one can't hope for more than a slight improvement.
Ever yours
G. H. L.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
Sunday.
My dear Blackwood
I was very sorry to find from your last that you did not take cordially to Mordecai -- sorry because I think it on the whole one of the greatest of her creations, (and of course one likes to have one's admiration reflected in the admiration of others) -- but mostly sorry because I knew it would damp her. It has cast a gloom over her already desponding mind; she feeling that the public will in general share your imperfect sympathy. All along this has been her vision of the effect which this presentation of the Jewish ideal would have; and I have vainly combated it. But whether it is liked or disliked do it she must and will.
The great success of Part I and the confidence exhibited by the booksellers ought to encourage her, but doesn't. She knows that her gloom is foolish, but this knowledge can't displace the feeling. What a blessing a little of the author's self satisfaction would be to her!
Last night we dined with the Lytton's to say good bye. Poor Lady Lytton is far from well and Robert is certainly not in a promising state for India and official work. 411
I have been laid up with severe lumbago, which is now gone at last. 412 Mrs. Lewes is better again, but until volume four is finished one can't hope for more than a slight improvement.
Ever yours
G. H. L.
Signature
G. H. L.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to John Blackwood, London, [27 February 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/94648