GHL to John Blackwood, Wandsworth, [4 January 1860]
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, Wandsworth, [4 January 1860]
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, Wandsworth, [4 January 1860]
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1860-01-04
Place
Wandsworth
Letter Content
GHL to John Blackwood, Wandsworth, [4 January 1860]
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Holly Lodge, Wandsworth | Wednesday.
My dear Blackwood
First about Darwin -- I am half through the paper, but your doubts give me pause. Although I don't think it will turn out in any way objectionable, yet it is perhaps safer to wait a month or two, and see how the public generally accepts the book. At present it has been treated by the Press with great respect and the National Review seems to think that only very narrow bigots indeed can see any danger in it. Meanwhile I will set to work with Tom Jones. 447
Oh yes, I enjoyed "the Last French Hero" 448 and had a shrewd guess as to its military author. It will serve to illuminate the garbage of France and do some good I hope. A glance at St. Stephens 449 made me exclaim Aut Bulwerus aut Diabolus. Apropos of the Bart., did you ascertain what sums he got from America and Germany? We have to answer applications from both, and should like to have a guide, if possible -- not to ask more than is likely to be given, and not less.
Ponder on these titles.
Sister Maggie. (That sounds rather like a child's story)
The House of Tulliver or Life on the Floss.
The Tulliver Family or Life on the Floss.
Maggie Tulliver.
The Tullivers.
It will be well now to begin announcing it in lists -- if not the title at any rate the fact of a new novel being in the press.
I had the satisfaction yesterday of making a clean breast of it with Cook 450 'e0propos of the Saturday Review and its tone towards men of genius and eminence. We got very warm, and I told him of the growing execration in which the journal was held by all kinds of readers. There will probably be no alteration, but at any rate I have "said my say." I wish Mrs. Poyser could have tackled him and had her say out. The night before last a scene was read to me between Bob Jakin and Mrs. Glegg which would have convulsed you, I think. But you will soon have volume 2 in your hands, I expect; and may chuckle over it in private. The book decidedly improves as it goes on.
Ever faithfully yours
G. H. Lewes.
Don't forget to send word about Bulwer's price if you know it.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Holly Lodge, Wandsworth | Wednesday.
My dear Blackwood
First about Darwin -- I am half through the paper, but your doubts give me pause. Although I don't think it will turn out in any way objectionable, yet it is perhaps safer to wait a month or two, and see how the public generally accepts the book. At present it has been treated by the Press with great respect and the National Review seems to think that only very narrow bigots indeed can see any danger in it. Meanwhile I will set to work with Tom Jones. 447
Oh yes, I enjoyed "the Last French Hero" 448 and had a shrewd guess as to its military author. It will serve to illuminate the garbage of France and do some good I hope. A glance at St. Stephens 449 made me exclaim Aut Bulwerus aut Diabolus. Apropos of the Bart., did you ascertain what sums he got from America and Germany? We have to answer applications from both, and should like to have a guide, if possible -- not to ask more than is likely to be given, and not less.
Ponder on these titles.
Sister Maggie. (That sounds rather like a child's story)
The House of Tulliver or Life on the Floss.
The Tulliver Family or Life on the Floss.
Maggie Tulliver.
The Tullivers.
It will be well now to begin announcing it in lists -- if not the title at any rate the fact of a new novel being in the press.
I had the satisfaction yesterday of making a clean breast of it with Cook 450 'e0propos of the Saturday Review and its tone towards men of genius and eminence. We got very warm, and I told him of the growing execration in which the journal was held by all kinds of readers. There will probably be no alteration, but at any rate I have "said my say." I wish Mrs. Poyser could have tackled him and had her say out. The night before last a scene was read to me between Bob Jakin and Mrs. Glegg which would have convulsed you, I think. But you will soon have volume 2 in your hands, I expect; and may chuckle over it in private. The book decidedly improves as it goes on.
Ever faithfully yours
G. H. Lewes.
Don't forget to send word about Bulwer's price if you know it.
Signature
G. H. Lewes.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to John Blackwood, Wandsworth, [4 January 1860], 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/94800