John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 13 March 1872
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 13 March 1872
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 13 March 1872
Sender
John Blackwood
Recipient
George Eliot
Date(s)
- 1872-03-13
Place
Edinburgh
Letter Content
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 13 March 1872
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
George Street, | Edinburgh.
March 13/72.
My Dear Mrs. Lewes
I intended to have written to you the day after I read Part IV but I went to Golf instead of working and the East Wind nearly caught my throat again.
Part 4 is graphic to a degree in every sketch and detail. Every individual character stands out as clear and finished as can be, although it may be seen but for a moment. The Frog-faced gentleman 474 becomes at once a thing of flesh and blood as much as the Tichborne Claimant. If Mrs. Garth had given Caleb a thump on the side of the head when he proposed to take Fred Vincy as his assistant, 475 she would have been perfectly justified, but it is in perfect keeping with the old fellow's character.
It could not well be such an attractive picture as Book III which will I think fairly bring down the House, but there is nothing more exquisite anywhere than that touch at the end where Dorothea is so thankful that she had not given way to her irritation. It is so true and so beautifully put. 476
The inclosed is I think the last report we had of Sales which will show you how it has been going on. There are sales since. I was disappointed to find the Scotch Sales so small as you will see on the small memorandum. Still it is all very satisfactory. A young fellow Donnithorne belonging to one of the regiments here dined with us the other day and I as nearly as possible informed him that I was well acquainted with his family and I could not for some time recollect the origin of the confusion in my mind. 477
I am tearing through proofs for post time and work in a desperate hurry. I trust Lewes and you are well.
always yours truly
John Blackwood.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
George Street, | Edinburgh.
March 13/72.
My Dear Mrs. Lewes
I intended to have written to you the day after I read Part IV but I went to Golf instead of working and the East Wind nearly caught my throat again.
Part 4 is graphic to a degree in every sketch and detail. Every individual character stands out as clear and finished as can be, although it may be seen but for a moment. The Frog-faced gentleman 474 becomes at once a thing of flesh and blood as much as the Tichborne Claimant. If Mrs. Garth had given Caleb a thump on the side of the head when he proposed to take Fred Vincy as his assistant, 475 she would have been perfectly justified, but it is in perfect keeping with the old fellow's character.
It could not well be such an attractive picture as Book III which will I think fairly bring down the House, but there is nothing more exquisite anywhere than that touch at the end where Dorothea is so thankful that she had not given way to her irritation. It is so true and so beautifully put. 476
The inclosed is I think the last report we had of Sales which will show you how it has been going on. There are sales since. I was disappointed to find the Scotch Sales so small as you will see on the small memorandum. Still it is all very satisfactory. A young fellow Donnithorne belonging to one of the regiments here dined with us the other day and I as nearly as possible informed him that I was well acquainted with his family and I could not for some time recollect the origin of the confusion in my mind. 477
I am tearing through proofs for post time and work in a desperate hurry. I trust Lewes and you are well.
always yours truly
John Blackwood.
Signature
John Blackwood.
Citation
John Blackwood, John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 13 March 1872, 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/95182