GHL to John Blackwood, Petersthal, 23 June 1868
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, Petersthal, 23 June 1868
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, Petersthal, 23 June 1868
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1868-06-23
Place
Petersthal
Letter Content
GHL to John Blackwood, Petersthal, 23 June 1868
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Petersthal June 23rd 1868.
My dear Blackwood
Your letter with its enclosures acted like a tonic! I believe Mrs. Lewes was fast lapsing into the private opinion that you and I were the only people likely to care about the poem, and when Patterson's enthusiasm reached her it gave her confidence in the possibilities of future works -- at least for a time! It is indeed a fine augury when one superior soul can be stirred as Patterson's evidently is; and we both regret he could not carry out his idea of reviewing it for the Brit.
Quart. Unlike the Times critic he has felt the significance and grandeur of the work -- nor is he so wise as to find out "influences of Browning!" -- (a discovery due I believe to the fact that the critic met Browning at our table). 777
With regard to making a drama of the [Spanish Gypsy] tell Mrs. Siddons that no one thoroughly acquainted with the stage and the poem would fail to see that it was eminently suited for an opera (and I hope will take that shape) but as eminently unsuited for an acting play. To put it on the stage would be to spoil the poem -- and it could not be shaped into an effective drama. 778 I say that "as one having authority." 779
With regard to the proposal of Messrs. Hutchings and Romer 780 of Conduit Street if you have not already informed them of Mrs. Lewes's absence perhaps Mr. Simpson would drop them a note to that effect. When we return we can resume the matter.
Will you ask Langford to get a copy of the poem bound in russia somewhat as the Queen of Holland's copy of [Adam Bede] was bound 781 and let it be at the Priory on or before the 25 July? Mrs. Lewes wants to make a present as soon as she gets back.
We continue enchanted with this place and intend exploring the Black Forest to see if there are more such spots. Both our bodies and both our souls are manifestly the better -- her's would have been more manifestly so had she not been troubled with toothache which is depressing. Our next permanent abode will be St. M'e4rgen | bei Freiburg | im Breisgau | where a letter will be acceptable on the 7 July if you have any news to send.
The delightful sound of the dinner bell -- (and on y dine tr'e8s bien!) -- all the more welcome after a four hours ramble through the woods interspersed with snatches of rest and poetry read aloud -- cuts the thread of my discourse sharp off, but not before I have said all essentials.
Mrs. Lewes begs me to add her very kindest regards and to say your letters always do her good, you seem always to pick out just the most agreeable details.
Ever yours
G. H. L.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Petersthal June 23rd 1868.
My dear Blackwood
Your letter with its enclosures acted like a tonic! I believe Mrs. Lewes was fast lapsing into the private opinion that you and I were the only people likely to care about the poem, and when Patterson's enthusiasm reached her it gave her confidence in the possibilities of future works -- at least for a time! It is indeed a fine augury when one superior soul can be stirred as Patterson's evidently is; and we both regret he could not carry out his idea of reviewing it for the Brit.
Quart. Unlike the Times critic he has felt the significance and grandeur of the work -- nor is he so wise as to find out "influences of Browning!" -- (a discovery due I believe to the fact that the critic met Browning at our table). 777
With regard to making a drama of the [Spanish Gypsy] tell Mrs. Siddons that no one thoroughly acquainted with the stage and the poem would fail to see that it was eminently suited for an opera (and I hope will take that shape) but as eminently unsuited for an acting play. To put it on the stage would be to spoil the poem -- and it could not be shaped into an effective drama. 778 I say that "as one having authority." 779
With regard to the proposal of Messrs. Hutchings and Romer 780 of Conduit Street if you have not already informed them of Mrs. Lewes's absence perhaps Mr. Simpson would drop them a note to that effect. When we return we can resume the matter.
Will you ask Langford to get a copy of the poem bound in russia somewhat as the Queen of Holland's copy of [Adam Bede] was bound 781 and let it be at the Priory on or before the 25 July? Mrs. Lewes wants to make a present as soon as she gets back.
We continue enchanted with this place and intend exploring the Black Forest to see if there are more such spots. Both our bodies and both our souls are manifestly the better -- her's would have been more manifestly so had she not been troubled with toothache which is depressing. Our next permanent abode will be St. M'e4rgen | bei Freiburg | im Breisgau | where a letter will be acceptable on the 7 July if you have any news to send.
The delightful sound of the dinner bell -- (and on y dine tr'e8s bien!) -- all the more welcome after a four hours ramble through the woods interspersed with snatches of rest and poetry read aloud -- cuts the thread of my discourse sharp off, but not before I have said all essentials.
Mrs. Lewes begs me to add her very kindest regards and to say your letters always do her good, you seem always to pick out just the most agreeable details.
Ever yours
G. H. L.
Signature
G. H. L.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to John Blackwood, Petersthal, 23 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/94711