GHL to John Blackwood, Petersthal, 15 June 1868
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, Petersthal, 15 June 1868
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, Petersthal, 15 June 1868
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1868-06-15
Place
Petersthal
Letter Content
GHL to John Blackwood, Petersthal, 15 June 1868
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Petersthal im Schwarzwalde | Monday 15 June 1868.
Dear Blackwood
I got your note just before leaving Baden and in consequence went over to the Rooms to get a look at the [Times] critique which I thought a wretched affair and a complete evasion of the task; but as an advertisement it had its good points. Evidently the poem has laid no hold upon the writer, nor was he prompted to say a word about its nature, but only to [knock off an article] in the readiest manner.
The weather after having been lovely for three days at Baden got cold and continuously wet again so that partly from fatigue with the grandeurs and the stupid gambling and partly from not feeling well we were glad enough to get away and find ourselves in this Earthly Paradise "unknown to Murray." The weather is perfect, the scenery ravishing, life all peace and poetic suggestion, and the food excellent -- if we don't pick up again under such circumstances it will be our fault. We take Morris's poem into the woods with us and read it aloud, greedily looking to see how much more there is in store for us. If ever you have an idle afternoon bestow it on the "Earthly Paradise."
We shall stay here certainly till the 26th so if you write on the 22 or 23rd you will be able to send us news from the Saturday papers -- and I hope another such a slip as the one you sent to Baden showing a movement in the sale. Any good news will act like a tonic. We left London before Maga appeared so did not see it. Willie told me you were not quite satisfied with it. But one never is satisfied with a criticism of a book one thoroughly knows. -- "Unqualified praise and all extracted" -- that is the only criticism which satisfies!
Mrs. Lewes is in her bath and I occupy the leisure moment in writing letters. I know what she would wish me to send in the way of messages -- and send them!
Ever yours
G. H. L.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Petersthal im Schwarzwalde | Monday 15 June 1868.
Dear Blackwood
I got your note just before leaving Baden and in consequence went over to the Rooms to get a look at the [Times] critique which I thought a wretched affair and a complete evasion of the task; but as an advertisement it had its good points. Evidently the poem has laid no hold upon the writer, nor was he prompted to say a word about its nature, but only to [knock off an article] in the readiest manner.
The weather after having been lovely for three days at Baden got cold and continuously wet again so that partly from fatigue with the grandeurs and the stupid gambling and partly from not feeling well we were glad enough to get away and find ourselves in this Earthly Paradise "unknown to Murray." The weather is perfect, the scenery ravishing, life all peace and poetic suggestion, and the food excellent -- if we don't pick up again under such circumstances it will be our fault. We take Morris's poem into the woods with us and read it aloud, greedily looking to see how much more there is in store for us. If ever you have an idle afternoon bestow it on the "Earthly Paradise."
We shall stay here certainly till the 26th so if you write on the 22 or 23rd you will be able to send us news from the Saturday papers -- and I hope another such a slip as the one you sent to Baden showing a movement in the sale. Any good news will act like a tonic. We left London before Maga appeared so did not see it. Willie told me you were not quite satisfied with it. But one never is satisfied with a criticism of a book one thoroughly knows. -- "Unqualified praise and all extracted" -- that is the only criticism which satisfies!
Mrs. Lewes is in her bath and I occupy the leisure moment in writing letters. I know what she would wish me to send in the way of messages -- and send them!
Ever yours
G. H. L.
Signature
G. H. L.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to John Blackwood, Petersthal, 15 June 1868, 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/94710