John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 31 March 1858
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 31 March 1858
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 31 March 1858
Sender
John Blackwood
Recipient
George Eliot
Date(s)
- 1858-03-31
Place
Edinburgh
Letter Content
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 31 March 1858
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Edinburgh | March 31/58.
My Dear Sir
I have again carefully read the 219 M.S. pages of Adam Bede and a very remarkable story it promises to be.
To begin at the beginning the scene in the carpenter's workshop is very lifelike, and Adam's reflections upon Religion are capital as also upon men working without heart in their work, striking when the bell strikes -- the grindstone illustration is happy.
The picture of the cottage preparatory to the sermon is very complete -- the loud talking habit of the rustics truly and graphically described. I did not think you could possibly have managed such an outr'e9 proceeding as Dinah's Sermon with such delicacy and skill -- freedom from cant or offence of any kind. It is beautiful. I think her prayer too much of an address rather than a petition but perhaps this is done as characteristic of her sect. The meaning of the proverb about Chad's Bess should be made clear or it may be taken to imply something more than I suppose it does. 1108 I feel doubtful about the direct address to poor Bess and her throwing down the ear rings. It strikes me that the passage page 53 about the identity of Love, religious feeling, and Love of Art would be better modified a little. 1109
At page 57 some of the remarks about relations are most beautiful and true, but part of the reflections might be softened with advantage. 1110 Adam's dreary night work, the rap of the willow wand, and the brothers carrying the coffin in the lovely morning 1111 most skilfully throw in the shadows, preparing one for the coming catastrophe. The wind up of the first part and Adam's reflections are admirable.
The Vicar is a capital fellow and the visit to the sick room is very touching, 1112 but I wish for the sake of my Church of England friends he had more of "the root of the matter in him." However I hope he is to sublime as the story goes on.
The description of Mrs. Poyser is first rate. The Captain's inquiries as to Hetty walking in the Chase are direct enough. 1113 Dinah and the clergyman are good together and Hetty is certainly very attractive.
Does it not seem inconsistent with the minute reality of the story to say nothing of the Vicar's visit to the cottage after the death.
Lisbeth is a very perfect picture but there is rather too much of her, or rather of her dialect. 1114 The reflections on her emotions after the old man's death are beautifully true. Dinah's soothing influence on her is exquisitely painted -- the influence of real religion and good feeling with no cant or methodism about it. Dinah's is indeed an angel visit. Adam's reflections on hearing her footstep in the house with the illustration of dreaming in sunshine and waking in moonlight are very touching. I should not wonder if Dinah fell in love with the manly fellow.
The Captain's unfortunate attachment to Hetty will I suppose form a main element in the Tragic part of the story. I am not quite sure how far I like the scenes in the wood and I hope things will not come to the usual sad catastrophe!
Is the mysterious stranger who listens to the Sermon the general of the district -- looking at Adam with an eye to a recruit? I suppose he will reappear soon. 1115 There is as you said too much of the dialect but this can be remedied in proof.
The story is altogether very novel and I cannot recollect anything at all like it. I find myself constantly thinking of the characters as real personages, which is a capital sign. It will be very different from anything that has ever appeared in the Magazine and as far as I can at present judge will do well there, but if you will allow me I shall not decide on the form of publication until I have seen more.
When you send down the two other parts you mention will you give me a sketch of the rest of the story?
I look anxiously for more of Adam Bede and believe me
ever yours truly
John Blackwood.
George Eliot Esq.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Edinburgh | March 31/58.
My Dear Sir
I have again carefully read the 219 M.S. pages of Adam Bede and a very remarkable story it promises to be.
To begin at the beginning the scene in the carpenter's workshop is very lifelike, and Adam's reflections upon Religion are capital as also upon men working without heart in their work, striking when the bell strikes -- the grindstone illustration is happy.
The picture of the cottage preparatory to the sermon is very complete -- the loud talking habit of the rustics truly and graphically described. I did not think you could possibly have managed such an outr'e9 proceeding as Dinah's Sermon with such delicacy and skill -- freedom from cant or offence of any kind. It is beautiful. I think her prayer too much of an address rather than a petition but perhaps this is done as characteristic of her sect. The meaning of the proverb about Chad's Bess should be made clear or it may be taken to imply something more than I suppose it does. 1108 I feel doubtful about the direct address to poor Bess and her throwing down the ear rings. It strikes me that the passage page 53 about the identity of Love, religious feeling, and Love of Art would be better modified a little. 1109
At page 57 some of the remarks about relations are most beautiful and true, but part of the reflections might be softened with advantage. 1110 Adam's dreary night work, the rap of the willow wand, and the brothers carrying the coffin in the lovely morning 1111 most skilfully throw in the shadows, preparing one for the coming catastrophe. The wind up of the first part and Adam's reflections are admirable.
The Vicar is a capital fellow and the visit to the sick room is very touching, 1112 but I wish for the sake of my Church of England friends he had more of "the root of the matter in him." However I hope he is to sublime as the story goes on.
The description of Mrs. Poyser is first rate. The Captain's inquiries as to Hetty walking in the Chase are direct enough. 1113 Dinah and the clergyman are good together and Hetty is certainly very attractive.
Does it not seem inconsistent with the minute reality of the story to say nothing of the Vicar's visit to the cottage after the death.
Lisbeth is a very perfect picture but there is rather too much of her, or rather of her dialect. 1114 The reflections on her emotions after the old man's death are beautifully true. Dinah's soothing influence on her is exquisitely painted -- the influence of real religion and good feeling with no cant or methodism about it. Dinah's is indeed an angel visit. Adam's reflections on hearing her footstep in the house with the illustration of dreaming in sunshine and waking in moonlight are very touching. I should not wonder if Dinah fell in love with the manly fellow.
The Captain's unfortunate attachment to Hetty will I suppose form a main element in the Tragic part of the story. I am not quite sure how far I like the scenes in the wood and I hope things will not come to the usual sad catastrophe!
Is the mysterious stranger who listens to the Sermon the general of the district -- looking at Adam with an eye to a recruit? I suppose he will reappear soon. 1115 There is as you said too much of the dialect but this can be remedied in proof.
The story is altogether very novel and I cannot recollect anything at all like it. I find myself constantly thinking of the characters as real personages, which is a capital sign. It will be very different from anything that has ever appeared in the Magazine and as far as I can at present judge will do well there, but if you will allow me I shall not decide on the form of publication until I have seen more.
When you send down the two other parts you mention will you give me a sketch of the rest of the story?
I look anxiously for more of Adam Bede and believe me
ever yours truly
John Blackwood.
George Eliot Esq.
Signature
John Blackwood.
Citation
John Blackwood, John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 31 March 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/95277