John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 25 December 1858
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 25 December 1858
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 25 December 1858
Sender
John Blackwood
Recipient
George Eliot
Date(s)
- 1858-12-25
Place
Edinburgh
Letter Content
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 25 December 1858
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Edinburgh | December 25/58.
My Dear Sir
What you say by way of Preface is excellent in itself and I cordially sympathise with your feelings, but I decidedly advise against the publication of such a preface. It might raise a nest of hornets about you. Consider that probably one half of the small deer who will sit down to review you are constantly guilty of the very crime you reprobate and would consequently come to the book with highly irritated feelings after seeing themselves so justly shown up.
Lewes is almost as knowing and experienced about such things as I am, so that I attach great weight to his suggestion, but I am sure I am right. I have read the first volume in print and am delighted to tell you that I am more confident than ever. Your characters are wonderfully individual and lifelike.
I am not sure but what Mrs. Poyser is the most perfect picture. She makes me chuckle uncommonly. While laughing over her quaint reflections on Hetty's want of feeling, I was positively affected at the illustration she gave of Hetty's supposed strong indifference to the child she had handled from its cradle. 1245 In the third volume her passage at arms with Bartle 1246 is a wonderful performance.
The second volume I have not yet begun as I wish to let the proofs accumulate so as to read it more in a mass. I had more doubt about the latter half of second volume than any other part of the book. I often think of the Italian Story of which you told me you had the idea in your head. 1247 I look to it for the Magazine. Do you ever think of reviewing or writing miscellaneous papers. Your preface would come in capitally in a review.
Give my regards to Lewes when you see him and with every good wish of the season, Believe me
ever yours truly
John Blackwood.
George Eliot Esq. 1248
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Edinburgh | December 25/58.
My Dear Sir
What you say by way of Preface is excellent in itself and I cordially sympathise with your feelings, but I decidedly advise against the publication of such a preface. It might raise a nest of hornets about you. Consider that probably one half of the small deer who will sit down to review you are constantly guilty of the very crime you reprobate and would consequently come to the book with highly irritated feelings after seeing themselves so justly shown up.
Lewes is almost as knowing and experienced about such things as I am, so that I attach great weight to his suggestion, but I am sure I am right. I have read the first volume in print and am delighted to tell you that I am more confident than ever. Your characters are wonderfully individual and lifelike.
I am not sure but what Mrs. Poyser is the most perfect picture. She makes me chuckle uncommonly. While laughing over her quaint reflections on Hetty's want of feeling, I was positively affected at the illustration she gave of Hetty's supposed strong indifference to the child she had handled from its cradle. 1245 In the third volume her passage at arms with Bartle 1246 is a wonderful performance.
The second volume I have not yet begun as I wish to let the proofs accumulate so as to read it more in a mass. I had more doubt about the latter half of second volume than any other part of the book. I often think of the Italian Story of which you told me you had the idea in your head. 1247 I look to it for the Magazine. Do you ever think of reviewing or writing miscellaneous papers. Your preface would come in capitally in a review.
Give my regards to Lewes when you see him and with every good wish of the season, Believe me
ever yours truly
John Blackwood.
George Eliot Esq. 1248
Signature
John Blackwood.
Citation
John Blackwood, John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 25 December 1858, 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/95238