John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 2 April 1858
Title
John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 2 April 1858
Title
John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 2 April 1858
Sender
John Blackwood
Recipient
George Henry Lewes
Date(s)
- 1858-04-02
Place
Edinburgh
Letter Content
John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 2 April 1858
MS: National Library of Scotland. Extract published: John Blackwood, p. 41.
Edinburgh | April 2/58.
My Dear Lewes
I have the pleasure of sending a cheque One Hundred and Thirty
Five Pounds being £30 in acknowledgment of Food and Drink parts 2 and 3 and £105 your honorarium for editing Johnston.
The additions are not so extensive as I thought you would find necessary, but I am not sorry to see this, as it is the best practical testimony to the merit of my old friend's book, and I am in every way satisfied with the judgment you have shown in adding only what you thought necessary and not cumbering the book with superfluous matter. It must have cost you much trouble and research to satisfy yourself as to what additions were necessary.
The Food and Drink papers are exceedingly good and I read No. 3 (of which I inclose proof) with great pleasure last night. Your tribute to Tripe 1116 quite touched me and I read it aloud in triumph to Mrs. Blackwood. That lady cannot bear the sight of what she irreverently calls the horrid mess and it is only at very rare intervals that I am allowed to see the dish, which is an old and particular favourite with me, especially to supper in my supper days.
The M.S.S. of the two papers on the Blood 1117 arrived safely today and I expect to read them with much interest. I hear nothing but praise of the Seaside Studies. Mr. Langford has not said how the book is moving lately but I shall get the return of Sales for the month tomorrow or next day in time to tell you if there are any pleasant features -- but if you are passing the Row look in and see for yourself.
I have an admirable letter from George Eliot today. 1118 I knew that he would fear to give me a sketch of the rest of the Story lest he should give me a wrong impression and I very nearly said so when I made the request. On the whole I think he is right. What he says of the treatment of a subject being the essence of art is very true and a more elegant rendering of my constant reply to fellows sending lists of subjects for articles, "that any subject being suitable entirely depends upon how it is handled." I shall steal his expression the next time I wish to choke off any anxious enquirer as to the probable acceptability of his proposed "little paper."
I hope to receive the additional M.S. tomorrow in time to congratulate George on its merits before he leaves England.
ever yours truly
John Blackwood.
G. H. Lewes Esq.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Extract published: John Blackwood, p. 41.
Edinburgh | April 2/58.
My Dear Lewes
I have the pleasure of sending a cheque One Hundred and Thirty
Five Pounds being £30 in acknowledgment of Food and Drink parts 2 and 3 and £105 your honorarium for editing Johnston.
The additions are not so extensive as I thought you would find necessary, but I am not sorry to see this, as it is the best practical testimony to the merit of my old friend's book, and I am in every way satisfied with the judgment you have shown in adding only what you thought necessary and not cumbering the book with superfluous matter. It must have cost you much trouble and research to satisfy yourself as to what additions were necessary.
The Food and Drink papers are exceedingly good and I read No. 3 (of which I inclose proof) with great pleasure last night. Your tribute to Tripe 1116 quite touched me and I read it aloud in triumph to Mrs. Blackwood. That lady cannot bear the sight of what she irreverently calls the horrid mess and it is only at very rare intervals that I am allowed to see the dish, which is an old and particular favourite with me, especially to supper in my supper days.
The M.S.S. of the two papers on the Blood 1117 arrived safely today and I expect to read them with much interest. I hear nothing but praise of the Seaside Studies. Mr. Langford has not said how the book is moving lately but I shall get the return of Sales for the month tomorrow or next day in time to tell you if there are any pleasant features -- but if you are passing the Row look in and see for yourself.
I have an admirable letter from George Eliot today. 1118 I knew that he would fear to give me a sketch of the rest of the Story lest he should give me a wrong impression and I very nearly said so when I made the request. On the whole I think he is right. What he says of the treatment of a subject being the essence of art is very true and a more elegant rendering of my constant reply to fellows sending lists of subjects for articles, "that any subject being suitable entirely depends upon how it is handled." I shall steal his expression the next time I wish to choke off any anxious enquirer as to the probable acceptability of his proposed "little paper."
I hope to receive the additional M.S. tomorrow in time to congratulate George on its merits before he leaves England.
ever yours truly
John Blackwood.
G. H. Lewes Esq.
Signature
John Blackwood.
Citation
John Blackwood, John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 2 April 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/95380