GE to John Blackwood, London, 28 February 1862
Title
GE to John Blackwood, London, 28 February 1862
Title
GE to John Blackwood, London, 28 February 1862
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1862-02-28
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to John Blackwood, London, 28 February 1862
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Blandford Square, | N.W.
February 28. 62.
My dear Sir
Mr. Simpson's list is a sufficient vindication of his advertising energy, and I am sorry to have worried him on the subject. Only I must say, in my excuse, that the erroneous inferences were not built on the remarks of personal friends, from whom I take care to hear nothing about my books. I quite agree with Mr. Langford's views as to the expediency of not bringing out the volumes too rapidly, and of course, that wise change of plan nullifies the foundation of my surprize at the non-advertising of "The Mill."
I have waited to say all this until I should have read the Collier's 36 poems, which came this morning. They have interested me strongly: perhaps, if I were forced to declare my favourite, I should put my finger on "Spae Craft," which, to my feeling, contains some really fine touches. But through all the poems there is a charming purity of sentiment, and a not less surprizing absence of affectation and maudlin effort after the pathetic. Perhaps those who know, as I do, the characteristics of a coal district, are the only readers who can quite appreciate the high superiority of nature indicated by such poems from the mind of a collier. I rather envy you your opportunity of helping such a man.
Mr. Lewes has got to the end of his "Aristotle" and now he is going to lay it by a little while, that he may return to it with a fresh self-critical mind, in order to a thorough re-writing. He has got through that anything-but-slight labour in five months, besides doing a good deal of other work, and getting through a large amount of headache and like evils of mortality.
We were pleased to have a letter from Mr. William Smith last night, telling us of his happiness in his new condition, 37 in answer to Mr. Lewes's inquiries. He spoke of his new book as if he were still uncertain about its publication, but the announcement in Maga puts a satisfactory end to that doubt.
Ever yours truly
M. E. Lewes.
John Blackwood Esq.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Blandford Square, | N.W.
February 28. 62.
My dear Sir
Mr. Simpson's list is a sufficient vindication of his advertising energy, and I am sorry to have worried him on the subject. Only I must say, in my excuse, that the erroneous inferences were not built on the remarks of personal friends, from whom I take care to hear nothing about my books. I quite agree with Mr. Langford's views as to the expediency of not bringing out the volumes too rapidly, and of course, that wise change of plan nullifies the foundation of my surprize at the non-advertising of "The Mill."
I have waited to say all this until I should have read the Collier's 36 poems, which came this morning. They have interested me strongly: perhaps, if I were forced to declare my favourite, I should put my finger on "Spae Craft," which, to my feeling, contains some really fine touches. But through all the poems there is a charming purity of sentiment, and a not less surprizing absence of affectation and maudlin effort after the pathetic. Perhaps those who know, as I do, the characteristics of a coal district, are the only readers who can quite appreciate the high superiority of nature indicated by such poems from the mind of a collier. I rather envy you your opportunity of helping such a man.
Mr. Lewes has got to the end of his "Aristotle" and now he is going to lay it by a little while, that he may return to it with a fresh self-critical mind, in order to a thorough re-writing. He has got through that anything-but-slight labour in five months, besides doing a good deal of other work, and getting through a large amount of headache and like evils of mortality.
We were pleased to have a letter from Mr. William Smith last night, telling us of his happiness in his new condition, 37 in answer to Mr. Lewes's inquiries. He spoke of his new book as if he were still uncertain about its publication, but the announcement in Maga puts a satisfactory end to that doubt.
Ever yours truly
M. E. Lewes.
John Blackwood Esq.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to John Blackwood, London, 28 February 1862, 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/92664