GE to John Blackwood, [Wandsworth], 31 March [1859]
Title
GE to John Blackwood, [Wandsworth], 31 March [1859]
Title
GE to John Blackwood, [Wandsworth], 31 March [1859]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1859-03-31
Place
[Wandsworth]
Letter Content
GE to John Blackwood, [Wandsworth], 31 March [1859]
MS: National Library of Scotland. Endorsed: 1860. Extract published: Cross, II, 96-97.
Thursday Night | March 31.
My dear Sir
I should like you to convey my gratitude to your reviewer. I see well he is a man whose experience and study enable him to relish parts of my book which I should despair of seeing recognized by critics in London back drawing rooms. He has gratified me keenly by laying his finger on passages which I wrote either with strong feeling or from intimate knowledge, but which I had prepared myself to find entirely passed over by reviewers. Surely I am not wrong in supposing him to be a clergyman?
The review in the "Universal" 82 is better written than usual, and contains some good critical remarks. It will help the sale of the second edition, if the magazines and quarterlies will take up the book, and I shall be anxious to know that the new five hundred 83 move off the shelves.
There was one exemplary lady Mr. Langford spoke of, who after reading "Adam" came the next day and bought a copy both of that and the Clerical Scenes. I wish there may be three hundred matrons as good as she. It is a disappointment to me to find that "Adam" has given no impulse to the Scenes, for I had sordid desires for money from a second edition, and had dreamed of it coming speedily.
About my new story, which will be a novel as long as Adam Bede, and a sort of companion picture of provincial life, we must talk when I have the pleasure of seeing you -- a pleasure which Major Blackwood has promised on your behalf at the end of April. It will be a work which will require time and labour.
But I have a slight story of an outr'e9 kind 84 -- not a jeu d'esprit, but a jeu de melancolie, which I could send you in a few days for your acceptance or rejection as a brief magazine story -- of one number only. I think nothing of it, but my private critic says it is very striking and original, and on the strength of that opinion, I mention it.
Do write me good news as often as you can.
Ever yours hungrily
George Eliot.
I owe thanks to Major Blackwood for a very cheering letter. 85
John Blackwood Esq.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Endorsed: 1860. Extract published: Cross, II, 96-97.
Thursday Night | March 31.
My dear Sir
I should like you to convey my gratitude to your reviewer. I see well he is a man whose experience and study enable him to relish parts of my book which I should despair of seeing recognized by critics in London back drawing rooms. He has gratified me keenly by laying his finger on passages which I wrote either with strong feeling or from intimate knowledge, but which I had prepared myself to find entirely passed over by reviewers. Surely I am not wrong in supposing him to be a clergyman?
The review in the "Universal" 82 is better written than usual, and contains some good critical remarks. It will help the sale of the second edition, if the magazines and quarterlies will take up the book, and I shall be anxious to know that the new five hundred 83 move off the shelves.
There was one exemplary lady Mr. Langford spoke of, who after reading "Adam" came the next day and bought a copy both of that and the Clerical Scenes. I wish there may be three hundred matrons as good as she. It is a disappointment to me to find that "Adam" has given no impulse to the Scenes, for I had sordid desires for money from a second edition, and had dreamed of it coming speedily.
About my new story, which will be a novel as long as Adam Bede, and a sort of companion picture of provincial life, we must talk when I have the pleasure of seeing you -- a pleasure which Major Blackwood has promised on your behalf at the end of April. It will be a work which will require time and labour.
But I have a slight story of an outr'e9 kind 84 -- not a jeu d'esprit, but a jeu de melancolie, which I could send you in a few days for your acceptance or rejection as a brief magazine story -- of one number only. I think nothing of it, but my private critic says it is very striking and original, and on the strength of that opinion, I mention it.
Do write me good news as often as you can.
Ever yours hungrily
George Eliot.
I owe thanks to Major Blackwood for a very cheering letter. 85
John Blackwood Esq.
Signature
George Eliot.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to John Blackwood, [Wandsworth], 31 March [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/92573