GHL to John Blackwood, Richmond, 5 February 1858
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, Richmond, 5 February 1858
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, Richmond, 5 February 1858
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1858-02-05
Place
Richmond
Letter Content
GHL to John Blackwood, Richmond, 5 February 1858
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Park Shot | Richmond | February 5th 1858.
My dear Blackwood
The checque for 75 £, 1081 with the pleasant news arrived in due course. I had no conception that it was your custom to pay six months after publication although as you do not get your money till 12 months after the plan is fair. G.E. says he also understood his arrangement to be on date of publication and made his calculations on that basis.
How very handsome [Sea-Side Studies] looks! I do not remember anything in better taste, or more genuinely attractive. It almost tempts me to read it myself -- which is the utmost stretch temptation can reach after I have once dismissed proofs.
G.E. is again [down in the mouth] because his book does not sell and all his old misgivings come over him in spite of Dickens's letter which raised his spirits for a time. I preach a sanguine philosophy, but half the prosperity of a sermon lies in the audience, and here my audience is painfully deaf. If you hear of any good critical notices mention them when you write. They will make his new story (which I think surpassingly fine) evolve itself more pleasantly.
By this post I send you part 1 of Food and Drink. There will be three parts 1082 I find: the two to come being occupied with examination of the various articles used by man, with dietetic explanations and practical hints. I have done all three parts, but retain the two last in case of additions suggesting themselves. With kind regards to your brother Believe me
Ever truly yours
G. H. Lewes.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Park Shot | Richmond | February 5th 1858.
My dear Blackwood
The checque for 75 £, 1081 with the pleasant news arrived in due course. I had no conception that it was your custom to pay six months after publication although as you do not get your money till 12 months after the plan is fair. G.E. says he also understood his arrangement to be on date of publication and made his calculations on that basis.
How very handsome [Sea-Side Studies] looks! I do not remember anything in better taste, or more genuinely attractive. It almost tempts me to read it myself -- which is the utmost stretch temptation can reach after I have once dismissed proofs.
G.E. is again [down in the mouth] because his book does not sell and all his old misgivings come over him in spite of Dickens's letter which raised his spirits for a time. I preach a sanguine philosophy, but half the prosperity of a sermon lies in the audience, and here my audience is painfully deaf. If you hear of any good critical notices mention them when you write. They will make his new story (which I think surpassingly fine) evolve itself more pleasantly.
By this post I send you part 1 of Food and Drink. There will be three parts 1082 I find: the two to come being occupied with examination of the various articles used by man, with dietetic explanations and practical hints. I have done all three parts, but retain the two last in case of additions suggesting themselves. With kind regards to your brother Believe me
Ever truly yours
G. H. Lewes.
Signature
G. H. Lewes.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to John Blackwood, Richmond, 5 February 1858, 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/94757