GE to John Blackwood, London, 12 November 1873
Title
GE to John Blackwood, London, 12 November 1873
Title
GE to John Blackwood, London, 12 November 1873
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1873-11-12
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to John Blackwood, London, 12 November 1873
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
November 12. 73.
Private
Dear Mr. Blackwood
Thanks for this morning's letter from you, with the cheerful account of sales.
With regard to the Preface to the [Sayings,] of which I had seen nothing till you sent it, I more than agree with what you say: I totally object to the 1st clause which you have marked with a note of interrogation and to the "if at all" of the 2d. Mr. Main himself, I have no doubt, is free from the misunderstanding which the clauses are likely to convey to others.
If it were true, I should be quite stultified as an artist. Unless my readers are more moved towards the ends I seek by my works as wholes than by an assemblage of extracts, my writings are a mistake. I have always exercised a severe watch against anything that could be called preaching, and if I have ever allowed myself in dissertation or in dialogue [anything] which is not part of the structure of my books, I have there sinned against my own laws.
I am particularly susceptible on this point, because it touches deeply my conviction of what art should be, and because a great deal of foolish stuff has been written in this relation.
Unless I am condemned by my own principles, my books are not properly separable into [direct] and [indirect] teaching. My chief doubt as to the desirability of the [Sayings] has always turned on the possibility that the volume might encourage such a view of my writings.
I feel convinced that our quick-minded friend Mr. Main would seize all the purport of my objection, if it were stated to him. I wish, too, you would suggest to him to avoid italics. And "valuing at a high figure" is a vulgarism which he would at once recognize as such.
I conclude that this Preface is to supersede that to the first edition. I am a great enemy to expansion in prefaces on the quality of the book which is introduced. An introductory critical dissertation is justifiably long, but the grace of prefaces seems to me to lie in reticence of all but useful indications or explanations.
Mr. Main has shown, I think, a very fine instinct in his extracts and mode of arrangement, and I would not for the world undervalue his affectionate labours. But I hope that I have made clear to you why I should wish, along with yourself, for some modification in the two queried clauses.
Mr. William's accident makes one shudder to think of the something worse which might have happened with frightful ease. Please give him my kind regards and sympathy in this sad beginning of what makes the most longed-for relaxation of the year to him.
Yours always truly
M. E. Lewes.
John Blackwood Esq.
Has any of your excellent contributors a fancy for such historical studies as that of Prof. Stahr's Tiberius? 881 -- a vindication against the blackenings of Tacitus.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
November 12. 73.
Private
Dear Mr. Blackwood
Thanks for this morning's letter from you, with the cheerful account of sales.
With regard to the Preface to the [Sayings,] of which I had seen nothing till you sent it, I more than agree with what you say: I totally object to the 1st clause which you have marked with a note of interrogation and to the "if at all" of the 2d. Mr. Main himself, I have no doubt, is free from the misunderstanding which the clauses are likely to convey to others.
If it were true, I should be quite stultified as an artist. Unless my readers are more moved towards the ends I seek by my works as wholes than by an assemblage of extracts, my writings are a mistake. I have always exercised a severe watch against anything that could be called preaching, and if I have ever allowed myself in dissertation or in dialogue [anything] which is not part of the structure of my books, I have there sinned against my own laws.
I am particularly susceptible on this point, because it touches deeply my conviction of what art should be, and because a great deal of foolish stuff has been written in this relation.
Unless I am condemned by my own principles, my books are not properly separable into [direct] and [indirect] teaching. My chief doubt as to the desirability of the [Sayings] has always turned on the possibility that the volume might encourage such a view of my writings.
I feel convinced that our quick-minded friend Mr. Main would seize all the purport of my objection, if it were stated to him. I wish, too, you would suggest to him to avoid italics. And "valuing at a high figure" is a vulgarism which he would at once recognize as such.
I conclude that this Preface is to supersede that to the first edition. I am a great enemy to expansion in prefaces on the quality of the book which is introduced. An introductory critical dissertation is justifiably long, but the grace of prefaces seems to me to lie in reticence of all but useful indications or explanations.
Mr. Main has shown, I think, a very fine instinct in his extracts and mode of arrangement, and I would not for the world undervalue his affectionate labours. But I hope that I have made clear to you why I should wish, along with yourself, for some modification in the two queried clauses.
Mr. William's accident makes one shudder to think of the something worse which might have happened with frightful ease. Please give him my kind regards and sympathy in this sad beginning of what makes the most longed-for relaxation of the year to him.
Yours always truly
M. E. Lewes.
John Blackwood Esq.
Has any of your excellent contributors a fancy for such historical studies as that of Prof. Stahr's Tiberius? 881 -- a vindication against the blackenings of Tacitus.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to John Blackwood, London, 12 November 1873, 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/92607