John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 11 December 1867
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 11 December 1867
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 11 December 1867
Sender
John Blackwood
Recipient
George Eliot
Date(s)
- 1867-12-11
Place
Edinburgh
Letter Content
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 11 December 1867
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Edinburgh | November 701 11/67.
My Dear Madam
In case of any slips I inclose revise of Felix Holt's Address. It is a most delightful and refreshing contrast to the fustian usually addressed to the wearers of that article. The real sound advice is delivered with the right feeling in the tersest and best language. The only fear is its being too much above your audience, but I do not think it is so to such a degree as to prevent its telling most forcibly. At top of proof you will see I have deleted the words delivered and a meeting of. Do you think this should be so? Keep whatever title you deem best.
I am quite ready to accept all that Felix Holt says, and I think the Address comes more dramatically without any introductory words from me. I hope the six proofs of the precious Poem arrived safely.
It was my intention to write to you a long letter with mention of my favourite lines and ideas, but between the first most striking line that catches one
"On the Mid Sea that moans with Memories" 702 to the last most touching one there are such multitudes of lines and thoughts calling for reflection that I shall never have time or confidence to say what I think ought to be said.
The whole scene and conversation in the Hostelry is a picture which one can dwell upon for any length of time. To how many a Spruch-spr'e4cher does your inimitable phrase "mournful prophet of high drollery" 704 apply. After the bright Fidalma bursts upon the scene one speedily feels her connection with the Gipsy, whose robes, not he, lose their grace when they fall from him. The contrast in the Gipsy King's case reminded me somewhat of Thackeray's best bit of satire in drawing Louis 14th with and without his robes. 705
Fidalma's explanation of the feelings which prompted her to dance is splendid. 706 I feel for the Duke when he gets her letter. The letter is a marvel. 707 Surely never note contained so much, not even in a Postscript. Yet how simple and touching the words are.
Of the alternative passages put for consideration I think that in almost every case the expressions in the text are the best.
How far a Poem which requires the reader to pause and dwell so much at every step to feel it aright will be popular with the mass is a thing that no man can tell, but there is no question that it is a grand thing.
ever yours truly
John Blackwood.
Mrs. Lewes.
I would have written to Lewes but have nothing particular to say. Tell him I hope he is not working too hard. I desired the copies of his book to be sent and I have no doubt they would reach you along with the proofs.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Edinburgh | November 701 11/67.
My Dear Madam
In case of any slips I inclose revise of Felix Holt's Address. It is a most delightful and refreshing contrast to the fustian usually addressed to the wearers of that article. The real sound advice is delivered with the right feeling in the tersest and best language. The only fear is its being too much above your audience, but I do not think it is so to such a degree as to prevent its telling most forcibly. At top of proof you will see I have deleted the words delivered and a meeting of. Do you think this should be so? Keep whatever title you deem best.
I am quite ready to accept all that Felix Holt says, and I think the Address comes more dramatically without any introductory words from me. I hope the six proofs of the precious Poem arrived safely.
It was my intention to write to you a long letter with mention of my favourite lines and ideas, but between the first most striking line that catches one
"On the Mid Sea that moans with Memories" 702 to the last most touching one there are such multitudes of lines and thoughts calling for reflection that I shall never have time or confidence to say what I think ought to be said.
The whole scene and conversation in the Hostelry is a picture which one can dwell upon for any length of time. To how many a Spruch-spr'e4cher does your inimitable phrase "mournful prophet of high drollery" 704 apply. After the bright Fidalma bursts upon the scene one speedily feels her connection with the Gipsy, whose robes, not he, lose their grace when they fall from him. The contrast in the Gipsy King's case reminded me somewhat of Thackeray's best bit of satire in drawing Louis 14th with and without his robes. 705
Fidalma's explanation of the feelings which prompted her to dance is splendid. 706 I feel for the Duke when he gets her letter. The letter is a marvel. 707 Surely never note contained so much, not even in a Postscript. Yet how simple and touching the words are.
Of the alternative passages put for consideration I think that in almost every case the expressions in the text are the best.
How far a Poem which requires the reader to pause and dwell so much at every step to feel it aright will be popular with the mass is a thing that no man can tell, but there is no question that it is a grand thing.
ever yours truly
John Blackwood.
Mrs. Lewes.
I would have written to Lewes but have nothing particular to say. Tell him I hope he is not working too hard. I desired the copies of his book to be sent and I have no doubt they would reach you along with the proofs.
Signature
John Blackwood.
Citation
John Blackwood, John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 11 December 1867, 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/95175