GE to Eliza Eborall, Wandsworth, 21 October 1859
Title
GE to Eliza Eborall, Wandsworth, 21 October 1859
Title
GE to Eliza Eborall, Wandsworth, 21 October 1859
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Eliza Eborall
Date(s)
- 1859-10-21
Place
Wandsworth
Letter Content
GE to Eliza Eborall, Wandsworth, 21 October 1859
MS: Princeton.
Holly Lodge | October 21. 59.
My dear Miss Eborall 483
The only plan I can recommend to your friend Mrs. Boyd is to forward her translations to the editor of "Blackwood," taking care to retain a copy, as the editor's box for rejected contributions is an abyss from which no manuscript returns.
The editor, who is no other than Mr. John Blackwood himself, is sure not to leave an offered contribution without such an examination as will satisfy him whether it will suit his purpose or not, but I must warn your friend that she must not be surprized if, supposing the conclusion a negative one, she should receive no communication informing her of the fact. The editor is in the habit of letting silence do the work of refusal.
If the tales are such as will suit his purpose, they will be inserted just as readily coming from an unknown person, as if their contributor were introduced by a friend. Some of the most successful things in "Blackwood" have been presented in this way; and on the other hand, no introduction will be influential in the absence of essential suitability to the Magazine.
I have long made up my mind not to introduce any contributor again, finding that intrinsic qualities in the offered contribution are the only requisite and decisive advantages.
Pray don't apologize for asking me anything. I am very glad to answer any questions, though today, I answer them under some pressure of haste, since your friend's time is limited. Ever, dear Miss Eborall,
Yours very sincerely
Marian Evans Lewes.
MS: Princeton.
Holly Lodge | October 21. 59.
My dear Miss Eborall 483
The only plan I can recommend to your friend Mrs. Boyd is to forward her translations to the editor of "Blackwood," taking care to retain a copy, as the editor's box for rejected contributions is an abyss from which no manuscript returns.
The editor, who is no other than Mr. John Blackwood himself, is sure not to leave an offered contribution without such an examination as will satisfy him whether it will suit his purpose or not, but I must warn your friend that she must not be surprized if, supposing the conclusion a negative one, she should receive no communication informing her of the fact. The editor is in the habit of letting silence do the work of refusal.
If the tales are such as will suit his purpose, they will be inserted just as readily coming from an unknown person, as if their contributor were introduced by a friend. Some of the most successful things in "Blackwood" have been presented in this way; and on the other hand, no introduction will be influential in the absence of essential suitability to the Magazine.
I have long made up my mind not to introduce any contributor again, finding that intrinsic qualities in the offered contribution are the only requisite and decisive advantages.
Pray don't apologize for asking me anything. I am very glad to answer any questions, though today, I answer them under some pressure of haste, since your friend's time is limited. Ever, dear Miss Eborall,
Yours very sincerely
Marian Evans Lewes.
Signature
Marian Evans Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Eliza Eborall, Wandsworth, 21 October 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/92291