John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 30 November 1875
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 30 November 1875
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 30 November 1875
Sender
John Blackwood
Recipient
George Eliot
Date(s)
- 1875-11-30
Place
Edinburgh
Letter Content
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 30 November 1875
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
George Street, | Edinburgh.
November 30/75.
My Dear Mrs. Lewes
You would get proof of all the M.S. we have last week, which brings us to the end of the second volume. I have been reading and rereading and always with increased wonder and admiration. As I read I constantly lean back in my chair to make sure that I am taking in all the beauty of the thought and feeling. It is like inspiration and you may rest assured that you are writing one of the most remarkable Books that ever was produced by man or woman. I know nothing like it.
It seemed hard to be torn away from Gwendolen after she read that "horrible" letter and Grandcourt came down "dressed for dinner," 355 but so exquisitely do you work the other chain of your story that one is speedily as engrossed as ever. Where did you get your knowledge of the Jews? But indeed one might say that of all your characters, so life-like and human are they. That Jew boy 356 is a little marvel and in the midst of their substantial kindliness Mordecai being helped to "the tails" of the whitings 357 is irresistible.
Simpson tells me he sent you yesterday specimens of cover papers which he has gathered in all directions. I rather lean to the pearl grey which he told me is the name of the colour. 358 At home we have constant discussions as to what is going to happen and who Deronda is, all being spoken of as living beings, but I must not tell you of our speculations.
When you are ready we shall be glad to stereotype so as to return type. It seems confoundedly prosaic to mention such things in connection with such a book.
always yours truly
John Blackwood.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
George Street, | Edinburgh.
November 30/75.
My Dear Mrs. Lewes
You would get proof of all the M.S. we have last week, which brings us to the end of the second volume. I have been reading and rereading and always with increased wonder and admiration. As I read I constantly lean back in my chair to make sure that I am taking in all the beauty of the thought and feeling. It is like inspiration and you may rest assured that you are writing one of the most remarkable Books that ever was produced by man or woman. I know nothing like it.
It seemed hard to be torn away from Gwendolen after she read that "horrible" letter and Grandcourt came down "dressed for dinner," 355 but so exquisitely do you work the other chain of your story that one is speedily as engrossed as ever. Where did you get your knowledge of the Jews? But indeed one might say that of all your characters, so life-like and human are they. That Jew boy 356 is a little marvel and in the midst of their substantial kindliness Mordecai being helped to "the tails" of the whitings 357 is irresistible.
Simpson tells me he sent you yesterday specimens of cover papers which he has gathered in all directions. I rather lean to the pearl grey which he told me is the name of the colour. 358 At home we have constant discussions as to what is going to happen and who Deronda is, all being spoken of as living beings, but I must not tell you of our speculations.
When you are ready we shall be glad to stereotype so as to return type. It seems confoundedly prosaic to mention such things in connection with such a book.
always yours truly
John Blackwood.
Signature
John Blackwood.
Citation
John Blackwood, John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 30 November 1875, 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/95273