GE to John Chapman, Richmond, 12 January 1858
Title
GE to John Chapman, Richmond, 12 January 1858
Title
GE to John Chapman, Richmond, 12 January 1858
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
John Chapman
Date(s)
- 1858-01-12
Place
Richmond
Letter Content
GE to John Chapman, Richmond, 12 January 1858
MS: Miss Virginia Moore. Endorsed: M. Evans. Extracts published: B. C. Williams, George Eliot, New York, 1936, pp. 143-144.
Park Shot | January 12. 58.
Dear Friend
I can't help grieving over Wilson's 1054 letter, for he will be a great loss to you, especially if he drags Patterson 1055 after him, of which I fear there is some danger. I think ability and conscientiousness in the execution of work undertaken, so much more important elements in a contributor than an unrestrained [outspokenness,] that I shall not cease to regret Wilson's alienation until I hear that you have replaced him by some one who, being more undaunted, is equally well-informed and judicious. I am sorry to say we cannot do anything towards filling up the gap, for we are going to Germany shortly -- the precise time is not yet fixed -- and intend to remain there as many months as business will allow, so that we can undertake no work which cannot be done equally well abroad. Would or could not Dr. Donaldson 1056 do the theological part, some one else doing the philosophy?
Alas! I have not done a stroke towards the article on Newman, and before your letter came I was intending to send you the books and letters with a confession of my hopelessness; for since I cannot do the article, it would perhaps be well for some one else to write one on the appearance of Newman's new book. 1057 I have been quite unhappy about this article, and disgusted with myself that I undertook it even in a problematic way, for I can't bear to be shilly-shally about things.
It is almost needless to say that I don't neglect the opportunity of working for the W[estminster] R[eview] in order to do work for any other review, and that I have no ground for my negations but inability.
I wish you could get the [Literature] Belles Lettres better done, though it is troublesome to say so to you just now. This number seems to me worse done than the previous ones -- the tone is so flippant and journalistic. 1058 I only mention it in this letter that, if you have any intention to make a change in that department, I may contribute towards confirming that intention.
I am not using mere phrases when I say that I would much rather reply to you in affirmatives than in negatives, but even sincere words are a poor substitute for deeds, so I will not pour out that ineffectual sort of friendliness. Do come and see us, when you can. Mr. Lewes concurs with me in that wish and in kind regards, after the melancholy fashion of a philosopher with a swelled face, and I am always
Yours very truly
Marian Lewes.
I was in deep amazement at the article on the Religious Weakness etc. 1059 -- thinking you had told me it was Wilson's!
MS: Miss Virginia Moore. Endorsed: M. Evans. Extracts published: B. C. Williams, George Eliot, New York, 1936, pp. 143-144.
Park Shot | January 12. 58.
Dear Friend
I can't help grieving over Wilson's 1054 letter, for he will be a great loss to you, especially if he drags Patterson 1055 after him, of which I fear there is some danger. I think ability and conscientiousness in the execution of work undertaken, so much more important elements in a contributor than an unrestrained [outspokenness,] that I shall not cease to regret Wilson's alienation until I hear that you have replaced him by some one who, being more undaunted, is equally well-informed and judicious. I am sorry to say we cannot do anything towards filling up the gap, for we are going to Germany shortly -- the precise time is not yet fixed -- and intend to remain there as many months as business will allow, so that we can undertake no work which cannot be done equally well abroad. Would or could not Dr. Donaldson 1056 do the theological part, some one else doing the philosophy?
Alas! I have not done a stroke towards the article on Newman, and before your letter came I was intending to send you the books and letters with a confession of my hopelessness; for since I cannot do the article, it would perhaps be well for some one else to write one on the appearance of Newman's new book. 1057 I have been quite unhappy about this article, and disgusted with myself that I undertook it even in a problematic way, for I can't bear to be shilly-shally about things.
It is almost needless to say that I don't neglect the opportunity of working for the W[estminster] R[eview] in order to do work for any other review, and that I have no ground for my negations but inability.
I wish you could get the [Literature] Belles Lettres better done, though it is troublesome to say so to you just now. This number seems to me worse done than the previous ones -- the tone is so flippant and journalistic. 1058 I only mention it in this letter that, if you have any intention to make a change in that department, I may contribute towards confirming that intention.
I am not using mere phrases when I say that I would much rather reply to you in affirmatives than in negatives, but even sincere words are a poor substitute for deeds, so I will not pour out that ineffectual sort of friendliness. Do come and see us, when you can. Mr. Lewes concurs with me in that wish and in kind regards, after the melancholy fashion of a philosopher with a swelled face, and I am always
Yours very truly
Marian Lewes.
I was in deep amazement at the article on the Religious Weakness etc. 1059 -- thinking you had told me it was Wilson's!
Signature
Marian Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to John Chapman, Richmond, 12 January 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/92795