GHL to Richard Bentley, Wandsworth, [2 October 1860]
Title
GHL to Richard Bentley, Wandsworth, [2 October 1860]
Title
GHL to Richard Bentley, Wandsworth, [2 October 1860]
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
Richard Bentley
Date(s)
- 1860-10-02
Place
Wandsworth
Letter Content
GHL to Richard Bentley, Wandsworth, [2 October 1860]
MS: University of Illinois.
Private
Holly Lodge | Tuesday.
My dear Sir
Yesterday I saw Dr. Schmitz, and in talking with him about the Mommsen I learned that his editing is to be confined to writing the preface, and that he is under no responsibility as to the accuracy of the translation. 519 Remembering our conversation on this very point, I would beg to suggest that, unless you have already engaged someone else to see to the translation, it would be eminently desirable to engage Dr. Schmitz to do that thoroughly. There are two things and only two which can prevent the book having an enormous sale -- the first is inaccuracy and the second inelegance or want of force and attractiveness in the style. For the second you must have a writer (not a common article, by any means, as you know); but for the first there can be no difficulty. Believe me,
Ever truly yours
G. H. Lewes.
R. Bentley Esq.
MS: University of Illinois.
Private
Holly Lodge | Tuesday.
My dear Sir
Yesterday I saw Dr. Schmitz, and in talking with him about the Mommsen I learned that his editing is to be confined to writing the preface, and that he is under no responsibility as to the accuracy of the translation. 519 Remembering our conversation on this very point, I would beg to suggest that, unless you have already engaged someone else to see to the translation, it would be eminently desirable to engage Dr. Schmitz to do that thoroughly. There are two things and only two which can prevent the book having an enormous sale -- the first is inaccuracy and the second inelegance or want of force and attractiveness in the style. For the second you must have a writer (not a common article, by any means, as you know); but for the first there can be no difficulty. Believe me,
Ever truly yours
G. H. Lewes.
R. Bentley Esq.
Signature
G. H. Lewes.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to Richard Bentley, Wandsworth, [2 October 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/94985