John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 17 January 1872
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 17 January 1872
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 17 January 1872
Sender
John Blackwood
Recipient
George Eliot
Date(s)
- 1872-01-17
Place
Edinburgh
Letter Content
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 17 January 1872
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
George Street, | Edinburgh.
January 17/72
My Dear Mrs. Lewes
It suddenly flashed across me last night that by some unaccountable oversight I had not written to you to say how perfectly delighted I was with the third book of Middlemarch. It is beautiful all over and I could not do justice to my feelings without going over nearly every sentence and dwelling upon it. I do not know what to admire most in it. Every turn is perfect. Poor Mrs. Vincy all mushed up, Rosamond working up to Lydgate, with the winding up scene in which he is done, are pictures indeed, which the back ground of young Plymdale, his mother, and Mrs. Bulstrode just fill up. 439
The higher parts where Dorothea and her surroundings come in are beyond praise. The General will swear at you for not disposing of Casaubon in that fit. 440 Mrs. Waule is a darling. In fact the three dramas going on at the Vincys, at Lowick Manor and at Stone Court are not only perfect pictures but in the most delicious contrast.
Even the pen of Main will I think drop speechless from his hand when he comes to this third Book. I felt all this so strongly when I read the proof that I seem to have been under the impression that I had written or said it to you, and the sheets coming into my hands last night made me start when I realised the fact that I had not.
All who have spoken to me about the Sayings are delighted. I remonstrated strongly with Main about the unnecessarily unmeasured tone of Preface, but like all enthusiasts he was obstinate and as I thought Lewes had seen it I did not press the matter further. It would be cruel to hint to him that you agreed with me, but it would be a good lesson as I could see he never reflected that on such a point I was about the most practised adviser that could be found. 441
I was very sorry to hear from Lewes that your expedition to Weybridge had not done your health good. The weather was mild too and I was in hopes of hearing of your return to Town quite vigorous. The weather here has been very unsatisfactory neither fit for Curling Golfing nor Hunting and very unwholesome. The Doctors say they never had so much sickness in the Town. I have been exceptionally busy and even less than usually disposed to work. Give my best regards to Lewes. I am quite ashamed to find a request in his note to which I forget to attend, but have now given orders about a copy of Brougham. Hoping that this will find you much better,
I am always yours truly
John Blackwood.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
George Street, | Edinburgh.
January 17/72
My Dear Mrs. Lewes
It suddenly flashed across me last night that by some unaccountable oversight I had not written to you to say how perfectly delighted I was with the third book of Middlemarch. It is beautiful all over and I could not do justice to my feelings without going over nearly every sentence and dwelling upon it. I do not know what to admire most in it. Every turn is perfect. Poor Mrs. Vincy all mushed up, Rosamond working up to Lydgate, with the winding up scene in which he is done, are pictures indeed, which the back ground of young Plymdale, his mother, and Mrs. Bulstrode just fill up. 439
The higher parts where Dorothea and her surroundings come in are beyond praise. The General will swear at you for not disposing of Casaubon in that fit. 440 Mrs. Waule is a darling. In fact the three dramas going on at the Vincys, at Lowick Manor and at Stone Court are not only perfect pictures but in the most delicious contrast.
Even the pen of Main will I think drop speechless from his hand when he comes to this third Book. I felt all this so strongly when I read the proof that I seem to have been under the impression that I had written or said it to you, and the sheets coming into my hands last night made me start when I realised the fact that I had not.
All who have spoken to me about the Sayings are delighted. I remonstrated strongly with Main about the unnecessarily unmeasured tone of Preface, but like all enthusiasts he was obstinate and as I thought Lewes had seen it I did not press the matter further. It would be cruel to hint to him that you agreed with me, but it would be a good lesson as I could see he never reflected that on such a point I was about the most practised adviser that could be found. 441
I was very sorry to hear from Lewes that your expedition to Weybridge had not done your health good. The weather was mild too and I was in hopes of hearing of your return to Town quite vigorous. The weather here has been very unsatisfactory neither fit for Curling Golfing nor Hunting and very unwholesome. The Doctors say they never had so much sickness in the Town. I have been exceptionally busy and even less than usually disposed to work. Give my best regards to Lewes. I am quite ashamed to find a request in his note to which I forget to attend, but have now given orders about a copy of Brougham. Hoping that this will find you much better,
I am always yours truly
John Blackwood.
Signature
John Blackwood.
Citation
John Blackwood, John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 17 January 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/95201