John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 11 October 1861
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 11 October 1861
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 11 October 1861
Sender
John Blackwood
Recipient
George Eliot
Date(s)
- 1861-10-11
Place
Edinburgh
Letter Content
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 11 October 1861
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Edinburgh | October 11/61.
My Dear Madam
You would guess from my not writing sooner that I was puzzling over the amount that I should offer you for the entire remaining copy right of "The Scenes" Adam Bede, The Mill, and Silas.
I now beg to offer Three Thousand Pounds ('a33000) payable in the course of a couple of years from date of publication of first volume of reprint.
I wished to make the sum larger but I cannot see my way to making it answer within any reasonable term of years.
The profit on the very cheap editions, even calculating upon enormous sales, is very small, and how these cheap publishers manage is to me inexplicable. I have no objections to show you our calculations if Lewes and you would like to look at them. If the sum I have mentioned does not come up to your expectations I shall be sorry, but I am sure you will give me credit for wishing to give as much as any prudent man would. 856
Tell Lewes I got his paper on Buckle 857 on coming here yesterday afternoon and have sent it into the printing office. From the tone of his note and seeing his M.S. I do hope he is better. His critique on the Magazine papers in his previous note did savour of dyspepsia; at all events I did not agree with him, but judges often do differ. Did you read the Chronicles of Carlingford? 858 I have not seen his lad 859 yet but Willie tells me the home influences with you have had a decidedly good effect upon him. We all like him.
We have been in great griefs at St. Andrews owing to the fearfully sudden seizure and death of Lord Eglinton. 860 He dined with us on the Saturday and was as always delightful -- happy himself and making all about him so. On the Tuesday he was golfing all day as usual and we were all laughing and talking over the prospects for the Medal on the following day. That evening he dined at a neighbouring house -- in his usual spirits until he dropped in the hall while pulling on his greatcoat and never spoke again.
When I repaired to the usually gay scene on the links next morning I could hardly resist crying aloud when I heard of the Catastrophe. I had received a great deal of kindness from him and had a very warm feeling of affection and respect for him, admiring his frank manly character with all my heart. He was indeed a very fine fellow and a very able clear-headed man.
ever yours truly
John Blackwood.
Mrs. Lewes
I go back to Strathtyrum tonight but address here.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Edinburgh | October 11/61.
My Dear Madam
You would guess from my not writing sooner that I was puzzling over the amount that I should offer you for the entire remaining copy right of "The Scenes" Adam Bede, The Mill, and Silas.
I now beg to offer Three Thousand Pounds ('a33000) payable in the course of a couple of years from date of publication of first volume of reprint.
I wished to make the sum larger but I cannot see my way to making it answer within any reasonable term of years.
The profit on the very cheap editions, even calculating upon enormous sales, is very small, and how these cheap publishers manage is to me inexplicable. I have no objections to show you our calculations if Lewes and you would like to look at them. If the sum I have mentioned does not come up to your expectations I shall be sorry, but I am sure you will give me credit for wishing to give as much as any prudent man would. 856
Tell Lewes I got his paper on Buckle 857 on coming here yesterday afternoon and have sent it into the printing office. From the tone of his note and seeing his M.S. I do hope he is better. His critique on the Magazine papers in his previous note did savour of dyspepsia; at all events I did not agree with him, but judges often do differ. Did you read the Chronicles of Carlingford? 858 I have not seen his lad 859 yet but Willie tells me the home influences with you have had a decidedly good effect upon him. We all like him.
We have been in great griefs at St. Andrews owing to the fearfully sudden seizure and death of Lord Eglinton. 860 He dined with us on the Saturday and was as always delightful -- happy himself and making all about him so. On the Tuesday he was golfing all day as usual and we were all laughing and talking over the prospects for the Medal on the following day. That evening he dined at a neighbouring house -- in his usual spirits until he dropped in the hall while pulling on his greatcoat and never spoke again.
When I repaired to the usually gay scene on the links next morning I could hardly resist crying aloud when I heard of the Catastrophe. I had received a great deal of kindness from him and had a very warm feeling of affection and respect for him, admiring his frank manly character with all my heart. He was indeed a very fine fellow and a very able clear-headed man.
ever yours truly
John Blackwood.
Mrs. Lewes
I go back to Strathtyrum tonight but address here.
Signature
John Blackwood.
Citation
John Blackwood, John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 11 October 1861, 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/95179