GHL to Lord Lytton, London, 28 April [1875]
Title
GHL to Lord Lytton, London, 28 April [1875]
Title
GHL to Lord Lytton, London, 28 April [1875]
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
Lord Lyt
Date(s)
- 1875-04-28
Place
London
Letter Content
GHL to Lord Lytton, London, 28 April [1875]
Text: Copy in the collection of Lady Hermione Cobbold.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
April.
My dear Lytton
I began the poems 286 with the intention of trying half a dozen, and read every one of them -- some twice. From this alone you will gather that I am decidedly of your opinion as to the vintage being truly that of the grape, and not the gooseberry. But some of the bottles taste [corked,] and some have allowed the alcoholic fermentation to pass into the acetic. They are in truth of very unequal quality. They all however have a real poetic quality, and I was particularly struck with the fact that although the work of a young writer they have neither the ordinary reflex of any one of the poets of the day -- are neither Tennysonian, Browningian, Swinburnian, nor Morrisian -- nor have they the other defects of young writers namely the tinsel and trick of [poetic diction,] and the extravagance mistaken for effect. All coule de source; and with a quiet reserve of power which is very unusual. There are real notes of feeling, and genuine expression of thought, which promise in the writer a remarkable poet -- but if you want the counsel of un vieux renard, it is to the effect that the author would be wise not to publish at present. Let him put these poems by, and not look at them for two or three years; if at the end of that time he, coming upon them with a fresh eye, still finds them the expression of what he feels and means, then by all means let him trust them to the public; but my belief is that he will then be very glad he did not prematurely come before the public; and will reject several, altering others.
The very selectness of the quality implies only appreciation from a select audience, and for that audience nothing but what is exquisite should be preserved. There is a great difference between poems it is worth writing and preserving for oneself, and poems to be given to the public. A flaw which is not remarked in delf, becomes serious in china. Were the author less unmistakably a poet I should not urge the delay; but in his case, I think the delay of primary importance. At any rate should he decide on publication let him be firm in keeping to the anonymous -- for this reason: the public always classes a writer, and having classed him according to one standard, is very unwilling to view him in any other light. I write in haste, but not hastily.
Ever yours truly
G. H. Lewes.
Since I have no hesitation in my opinion, and would say publicly what I have said here as to the power of the poems, you may, if you think fit, tell the author my name. I mean if you think that it will add to the sincerity of the advice.
Text: Copy in the collection of Lady Hermione Cobbold.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
April.
My dear Lytton
I began the poems 286 with the intention of trying half a dozen, and read every one of them -- some twice. From this alone you will gather that I am decidedly of your opinion as to the vintage being truly that of the grape, and not the gooseberry. But some of the bottles taste [corked,] and some have allowed the alcoholic fermentation to pass into the acetic. They are in truth of very unequal quality. They all however have a real poetic quality, and I was particularly struck with the fact that although the work of a young writer they have neither the ordinary reflex of any one of the poets of the day -- are neither Tennysonian, Browningian, Swinburnian, nor Morrisian -- nor have they the other defects of young writers namely the tinsel and trick of [poetic diction,] and the extravagance mistaken for effect. All coule de source; and with a quiet reserve of power which is very unusual. There are real notes of feeling, and genuine expression of thought, which promise in the writer a remarkable poet -- but if you want the counsel of un vieux renard, it is to the effect that the author would be wise not to publish at present. Let him put these poems by, and not look at them for two or three years; if at the end of that time he, coming upon them with a fresh eye, still finds them the expression of what he feels and means, then by all means let him trust them to the public; but my belief is that he will then be very glad he did not prematurely come before the public; and will reject several, altering others.
The very selectness of the quality implies only appreciation from a select audience, and for that audience nothing but what is exquisite should be preserved. There is a great difference between poems it is worth writing and preserving for oneself, and poems to be given to the public. A flaw which is not remarked in delf, becomes serious in china. Were the author less unmistakably a poet I should not urge the delay; but in his case, I think the delay of primary importance. At any rate should he decide on publication let him be firm in keeping to the anonymous -- for this reason: the public always classes a writer, and having classed him according to one standard, is very unwilling to view him in any other light. I write in haste, but not hastily.
Ever yours truly
G. H. Lewes.
Since I have no hesitation in my opinion, and would say publicly what I have said here as to the power of the poems, you may, if you think fit, tell the author my name. I mean if you think that it will add to the sincerity of the advice.
Signature
G. H. Lewes.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to Lord Lytton, London, 28 April [1875], 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/94881