Charles Dickens to GHL, London, 14 November 1859
Title
Charles Dickens to GHL, London, 14 November 1859
Title
Charles Dickens to GHL, London, 14 November 1859
Sender
Charles Dickens
Recipient
George Henry Lewes
Date(s)
- 1859-11-14
Place
London
Letter Content
Charles Dickens to GHL, London, 14 November 1859
MS: Berg Collection, New York Public Library. Hitherto unpublished.
Tavistock House, | Tavistock Square, London, W.C.
Monday Fourteenth November, 1859.
My Dear Lewes.
Against my first impulse and inclination, I think it is best that I should go further with you into the question of Mrs. Lewes's writing for All the Year Round. And I think I can make it plain to you in a very few words, why and how I come to this conclusion.
I finish next week, and Wilkie Collins begins. 387 His story will last about 8 months. In the number which contains the opening of his story, I place a few words of my own -- between the end of mine, and the beginning of his -- to the effect that I purpose always reserving that first place, for a continuous story of about the length of The Tale of Two Cities; and that I hope this series will take its place in English Literature. This obliges me at once to arrange for some story to follow Collins. Now, can I arrange for such a story, with Mrs. Lewes? You understand that it would not begin to appear in print, until about four months or so, after Easter.
The question is, whether it would be consistent with her perfect peace of mind and comfort (I assume her general inclination, from what we said together), to enter into terms for such a story. If yes -- in order that the money part of the matter may be (as it should be, of course, and must be) a matter of business and recompense, perfectly apart from me, either as an individual or a writer -- my sub Editor and business right hand, Wills, an excellent fellow, shall come to you at any time you may name, and close the matter on any terms perfectly satisfactory to Mrs. Lewes and you. Of course the copyright would remain her own, and the perfect liberty to select her own publisher for the completed story, and to publish it immediately on its completion, would remain her own likewise. An immense new public would probably be opened to her, and I am quite sure that our association would be full of interest and pleasure to me.
Of my personal feeling and wish in the matter, and of the extent to which I have it at heart as an artist, to have such an artist working with me, I have no right to say more in this connexion. I never can overcome the delicacy and difficulty that arise in me, the moment I have to make mention of writing, in any other character than as a writer. Only tell me, therefore, whether you will see Wills, and when?
Now, thank God! I subside into the personage who smoked his cigar in the chair before the fire, last Thursday, and can send my kindest regard and truest sympathy in all things, without a fettered mind.
Faithfully Yours always
Charles Dickens.
MS: Berg Collection, New York Public Library. Hitherto unpublished.
Tavistock House, | Tavistock Square, London, W.C.
Monday Fourteenth November, 1859.
My Dear Lewes.
Against my first impulse and inclination, I think it is best that I should go further with you into the question of Mrs. Lewes's writing for All the Year Round. And I think I can make it plain to you in a very few words, why and how I come to this conclusion.
I finish next week, and Wilkie Collins begins. 387 His story will last about 8 months. In the number which contains the opening of his story, I place a few words of my own -- between the end of mine, and the beginning of his -- to the effect that I purpose always reserving that first place, for a continuous story of about the length of The Tale of Two Cities; and that I hope this series will take its place in English Literature. This obliges me at once to arrange for some story to follow Collins. Now, can I arrange for such a story, with Mrs. Lewes? You understand that it would not begin to appear in print, until about four months or so, after Easter.
The question is, whether it would be consistent with her perfect peace of mind and comfort (I assume her general inclination, from what we said together), to enter into terms for such a story. If yes -- in order that the money part of the matter may be (as it should be, of course, and must be) a matter of business and recompense, perfectly apart from me, either as an individual or a writer -- my sub Editor and business right hand, Wills, an excellent fellow, shall come to you at any time you may name, and close the matter on any terms perfectly satisfactory to Mrs. Lewes and you. Of course the copyright would remain her own, and the perfect liberty to select her own publisher for the completed story, and to publish it immediately on its completion, would remain her own likewise. An immense new public would probably be opened to her, and I am quite sure that our association would be full of interest and pleasure to me.
Of my personal feeling and wish in the matter, and of the extent to which I have it at heart as an artist, to have such an artist working with me, I have no right to say more in this connexion. I never can overcome the delicacy and difficulty that arise in me, the moment I have to make mention of writing, in any other character than as a writer. Only tell me, therefore, whether you will see Wills, and when?
Now, thank God! I subside into the personage who smoked his cigar in the chair before the fire, last Thursday, and can send my kindest regard and truest sympathy in all things, without a fettered mind.
Faithfully Yours always
Charles Dickens.
Signature
Charles Dickens.
Citation
Charles Dickens, Charles Dickens to GHL, London, 14 November 1859, Complete George Eliot Letters(2026), George Eliot Archive, edited by Beverley Park Rilett. https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org, Accessed September 7, 2026. https://www.georgeeliotarchive.org/items/show/91744