GHL to John Blackwood, Wandsworth, [21 November 1859]
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, Wandsworth, [21 November 1859]
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, Wandsworth, [21 November 1859]
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1859-11-21
Place
Wandsworth
Letter Content
GHL to John Blackwood, Wandsworth, [21 November 1859]
Text: B. C. Williams, George Eliot, New York, Macmillan, 1936, pp. 166-168; corrections have been made from facsimile of first page of letter on p. 167. Reprinted by permission of the Macmillan Co. Endorsed: Octr or Novr | 59.
Holly Lodge | Monday.
My dear Blackwood
In a letter just received from Dickens 399 there is this story about "Adam Bede, Junior," which he says "I have at first hand and know to be true." A scavenging wretch in the employment of Mr. Newby goes to a certain Librarian to subscribe the book. Librarian says he considers it a dishonest proceeding and will have nothing to do with it. "Dishonest!" says the Scavenger, "how do you know by whom it's written? How do you know it is not by Miss Evans?" Librarian replies, "All I know is I will have nothing to do with the book or you either." But behold! the Librarian's subscribers attracted by the advertisement, demand the book, and because he is under contract to supply them with all new books he is obliged to order it, and has ordered it!
This, as you may suppose, has deeply annoyed us; and I cannot help expressing my regret that, if you thought it advisable to treat Newby with silent contempt, you did not inform me of it, that I might have taken some steps in time.
It is now too late for anything but a letter in the Times and they will, I suppose, insert one from you, not only undeceiving the public, but characterizing Newby's proceedings. An advertisement will be overlooked; a letter will be read and talked about.
Yours in haste
G. H. Lewes.
We feel that Mrs. Lewes's interests are compromised by silence on such a point.
Text: B. C. Williams, George Eliot, New York, Macmillan, 1936, pp. 166-168; corrections have been made from facsimile of first page of letter on p. 167. Reprinted by permission of the Macmillan Co. Endorsed: Octr or Novr | 59.
Holly Lodge | Monday.
My dear Blackwood
In a letter just received from Dickens 399 there is this story about "Adam Bede, Junior," which he says "I have at first hand and know to be true." A scavenging wretch in the employment of Mr. Newby goes to a certain Librarian to subscribe the book. Librarian says he considers it a dishonest proceeding and will have nothing to do with it. "Dishonest!" says the Scavenger, "how do you know by whom it's written? How do you know it is not by Miss Evans?" Librarian replies, "All I know is I will have nothing to do with the book or you either." But behold! the Librarian's subscribers attracted by the advertisement, demand the book, and because he is under contract to supply them with all new books he is obliged to order it, and has ordered it!
This, as you may suppose, has deeply annoyed us; and I cannot help expressing my regret that, if you thought it advisable to treat Newby with silent contempt, you did not inform me of it, that I might have taken some steps in time.
It is now too late for anything but a letter in the Times and they will, I suppose, insert one from you, not only undeceiving the public, but characterizing Newby's proceedings. An advertisement will be overlooked; a letter will be read and talked about.
Yours in haste
G. H. Lewes.
We feel that Mrs. Lewes's interests are compromised by silence on such a point.
Signature
G. H. Lewes.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to John Blackwood, Wandsworth, [21 November 1859], 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/94788