GE Journal, Richmond, 28 February-5 March 1858
Title
GE Journal, Richmond, 28 February-5 March 1858
Title
GE Journal, Richmond, 28 February-5 March 1858
Sender
Ge Journal
Recipient
U
Date(s)
- 1858-02-28–<br /> 1858-03-05
Place
Richmond
Letter Content
GE Journal, Richmond, 28 February-5 March 1858
MS: Yale. Published: Cross, II, 14-15.
On Sunday the 28th Mr. John Blackwood called on us, having come to London for a few days only. He talked a good deal about the "Clerical Scenes" and George Eliot, and at last asked, "Well, am I to see George Eliot this time?" G. said, "Do you wish to see him?" "As he likes -- I wish it to be quite spontaneous." I left the room, and G. following me a moment, I told him he might reveal me. Blackwood was kind, came back when he found he was too late for the train, and said he would come to Richmond again. He came on the following Friday, and chatted very pleasantly -- told us that Thackeray spoke highly of the "Scenes" and said they were not written by a woman. Mrs. Blackwood is sure they are not written by a woman. Mrs. Oliphant, 1089 the novelist, too is confident on the same side. I gave Blackwood the M.S. of my new novel to the end of the second scene in the wood. He opened it, read the first page, and smiling said, "This will do." We walked with him to Kew, and had a good deal of talk. Found, among other things, that he had lived two years in Italy when he was a youth, and that he admires Miss Austen.
MS: Yale. Published: Cross, II, 14-15.
On Sunday the 28th Mr. John Blackwood called on us, having come to London for a few days only. He talked a good deal about the "Clerical Scenes" and George Eliot, and at last asked, "Well, am I to see George Eliot this time?" G. said, "Do you wish to see him?" "As he likes -- I wish it to be quite spontaneous." I left the room, and G. following me a moment, I told him he might reveal me. Blackwood was kind, came back when he found he was too late for the train, and said he would come to Richmond again. He came on the following Friday, and chatted very pleasantly -- told us that Thackeray spoke highly of the "Scenes" and said they were not written by a woman. Mrs. Blackwood is sure they are not written by a woman. Mrs. Oliphant, 1089 the novelist, too is confident on the same side. I gave Blackwood the M.S. of my new novel to the end of the second scene in the wood. He opened it, read the first page, and smiling said, "This will do." We walked with him to Kew, and had a good deal of talk. Found, among other things, that he had lived two years in Italy when he was a youth, and that he admires Miss Austen.
Citation
Ge Journal, GE Journal, Richmond, 28 February-5 March 1858, 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/91942