John Gwyther to the Editor of Blackwood's, Fewston, 13 June 1859
Title
John Gwyther to the Editor of Blackwood's, Fewston, 13 June 1859
Title
John Gwyther to the Editor of Blackwood's, Fewston, 13 June 1859
Sender
John Gwyther
Recipient
the Edi
Date(s)
- 1859-06-13
Place
Fewston
Letter Content
John Gwyther to the Editor of Blackwood's, Fewston, 13 June 1859
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Private
Nr. Otley, Yorkshire | Fewston Vicarage | June 13. 1859.
To the Editor of "Blackwood's Magazine"
Sir
The above article taken from "Bells Weekly Messenger" 152 of Saturday last, is the cause of my writing to you at this time. I have been a subscriber to your Magazine for about 12 years, and was much perplexed when I read the 1st number of "Amos Barton" -- on shewing it to my Eldest Daughter she said "Who in the world could have written this -- have you Papa?". So strongly were we certain it was an episode in my own life -- the succeeding numbers confirmed the opinion: -- and the Two succeeding Stories of Mr. Gilfil and Janette's Repentance, 'abwere'bb are Historical reminisences of the Former Vicar -- where I was Curate and of a Clergyman and the persecutions to which he was subject, all in the immediate Neighbourhood where I resided, during the events recorded in the Story of Amos Barton. All confirmed that I was the party delineated, and that it must have been written by some one intimate with me. My own suspicions fixed upon the Revd W. H. King 153 who was Curate of Nuneaton, adjoining me, at that time -- who afterwards went to Manchester and since then I learn is resident in Scotland. The Countess too and her (professed Father) the Rev. Sir John Waldron 154 went in 1836-7 to Holyrood, since which time I have heard nothing of them.
Time passed away and my pained feelings at the making public my private history abated, when our attention was called to it by a correspondent and we were asked if we knew who wrote it, but we said No -- And were in reply assured it was "Mr. Liggins"! Now we had known a little of Mr. L. whilst resident at Chilvers Coton, where the scene is laid, but never thought him equal to writing such a tale -- but we were assured it was 'abhim'bb he. 155 In consequence of this, we gave the information to a friend in London 156 who had interested herself in the subject; and I presume it is through that medium that Mr. Liggin's name has been bruited. But of what is meant by "Charitable Contributions" I know nothing, as all that I have done is giving the name of our gratuitous Historian, as I was assured of it. If it were not Mr. L -- I am thrown back upon my first suspicion Mr. King, who alone of all my acquaintances of the time, was competent or had sufficient information to write it. If it was 'abhim'bb he, and you have any communication with him, you may make my kind remembrances to him, and say that now the pain I felt at the first publication is past off -- although I thought it unkind and taking a great liberty with a living Character -- yet I fully forgive for old acquaintance sake. For we are as assured that I am intended by Amos Barton as I am of the Truth of any Fact soever.
I would just take the opportunity as I am writing to you, to ask you to republish in your "Tales," a poetical and humourous Article from your magazine of 1830 or there about. I remember laughing much when I heard it read at the time, and I should like to laugh over it again with my Children. I think it was called "Skying the Copper."
Your Obedient Servant
John Gwyther.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Private
Nr. Otley, Yorkshire | Fewston Vicarage | June 13. 1859.
To the Editor of "Blackwood's Magazine"
Sir
The above article taken from "Bells Weekly Messenger" 152 of Saturday last, is the cause of my writing to you at this time. I have been a subscriber to your Magazine for about 12 years, and was much perplexed when I read the 1st number of "Amos Barton" -- on shewing it to my Eldest Daughter she said "Who in the world could have written this -- have you Papa?". So strongly were we certain it was an episode in my own life -- the succeeding numbers confirmed the opinion: -- and the Two succeeding Stories of Mr. Gilfil and Janette's Repentance, 'abwere'bb are Historical reminisences of the Former Vicar -- where I was Curate and of a Clergyman and the persecutions to which he was subject, all in the immediate Neighbourhood where I resided, during the events recorded in the Story of Amos Barton. All confirmed that I was the party delineated, and that it must have been written by some one intimate with me. My own suspicions fixed upon the Revd W. H. King 153 who was Curate of Nuneaton, adjoining me, at that time -- who afterwards went to Manchester and since then I learn is resident in Scotland. The Countess too and her (professed Father) the Rev. Sir John Waldron 154 went in 1836-7 to Holyrood, since which time I have heard nothing of them.
Time passed away and my pained feelings at the making public my private history abated, when our attention was called to it by a correspondent and we were asked if we knew who wrote it, but we said No -- And were in reply assured it was "Mr. Liggins"! Now we had known a little of Mr. L. whilst resident at Chilvers Coton, where the scene is laid, but never thought him equal to writing such a tale -- but we were assured it was 'abhim'bb he. 155 In consequence of this, we gave the information to a friend in London 156 who had interested herself in the subject; and I presume it is through that medium that Mr. Liggin's name has been bruited. But of what is meant by "Charitable Contributions" I know nothing, as all that I have done is giving the name of our gratuitous Historian, as I was assured of it. If it were not Mr. L -- I am thrown back upon my first suspicion Mr. King, who alone of all my acquaintances of the time, was competent or had sufficient information to write it. If it was 'abhim'bb he, and you have any communication with him, you may make my kind remembrances to him, and say that now the pain I felt at the first publication is past off -- although I thought it unkind and taking a great liberty with a living Character -- yet I fully forgive for old acquaintance sake. For we are as assured that I am intended by Amos Barton as I am of the Truth of any Fact soever.
I would just take the opportunity as I am writing to you, to ask you to republish in your "Tales," a poetical and humourous Article from your magazine of 1830 or there about. I remember laughing much when I heard it read at the time, and I should like to laugh over it again with my Children. I think it was called "Skying the Copper."
Your Obedient Servant
John Gwyther.
Signature
John Gwyther.
Citation
John Gwyther, John Gwyther to the Editor of Blackwood's, Fewston, 13 June 1859, 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/95502