GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, Blackbrook, 10 October 1873
Title
GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, Blackbrook, 10 October 1873
Title
GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, Blackbrook, 10 October 1873
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray
Date(s)
- 1873-10-10
Place
Blackbrook
Letter Content
GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, Blackbrook, 10 October 1873
MS: Yale. Endorsed: 1873. Hitherto unpublished.
Blackbrook | Bickley | Kent | October 10. 73.
My dear Cara
I have just received the enclosed note from Macmillan. 848 I had hardly expected that he could publish "Paul Bradly" himself, but in any case I thought that we should get some suggestion from him; and both Mr. Lewes and I think that his notion of applying to the Sec[retary] of the C. K. S. 849 is a good one. This Society brings out some excellent books, and has not the stamp of slimy evangelicalism which belongs to the Religious Tract Society.
You see, Macmillan, after reading the story, takes for granted that there would be no religious objection to it -- and he is himself of a semi-or-quarter-Christian-Theistic colour. If one can get good doctrine about treating animals blown by a strong angel-trumpet, no matter from which of the four winds it is blown. The C. K. S.'s books are admirably got up. I confess I should never have thought of offering it to the Society if Macmillan had not suggested it -- but since he thinks the plan feasible, it smiles upon us as an advantageous one. But you may have some objection which I am unable to foresee.
I am asking M. to send the manuscript to you, that if you approve you may forward it to the Secretary. My interposition would do no good there. And after Macmillan, we have no relations with any publisher who undertakes other books for children than regular schoolbooks.
Your story is so good that it is sure of acceptance somewhere. I wanted to get you a fair share of money for it, as you would have done if it had been of a kind for Macmillan to publish. I hardly think it will do for the little Neapolitans or Florentines, but we shall see. When it is in print I shall give it to Mrs. Schwabe that she may judge. A lady who has visited the schools at Florence, says the little creatures there are as sharp as needles, and far beyond English pupils of the same age. If so, the English life would be no obstacle to their comprehending the story well enough for edification.
About your British Empire -- I fear that the misfortune of its having been sold off by Longmans as an encumbrance will hinder Chapman and Hall from entertaining its publication, notwithstanding your selfrenouncing willingness to revise it for nothing. I am very, very sorry.
We shall probably be in town again in the beginning of November. How are you all? We are much as usual -- rickety old things.
Always lovingly yours
Marian.
MS: Yale. Endorsed: 1873. Hitherto unpublished.
Blackbrook | Bickley | Kent | October 10. 73.
My dear Cara
I have just received the enclosed note from Macmillan. 848 I had hardly expected that he could publish "Paul Bradly" himself, but in any case I thought that we should get some suggestion from him; and both Mr. Lewes and I think that his notion of applying to the Sec[retary] of the C. K. S. 849 is a good one. This Society brings out some excellent books, and has not the stamp of slimy evangelicalism which belongs to the Religious Tract Society.
You see, Macmillan, after reading the story, takes for granted that there would be no religious objection to it -- and he is himself of a semi-or-quarter-Christian-Theistic colour. If one can get good doctrine about treating animals blown by a strong angel-trumpet, no matter from which of the four winds it is blown. The C. K. S.'s books are admirably got up. I confess I should never have thought of offering it to the Society if Macmillan had not suggested it -- but since he thinks the plan feasible, it smiles upon us as an advantageous one. But you may have some objection which I am unable to foresee.
I am asking M. to send the manuscript to you, that if you approve you may forward it to the Secretary. My interposition would do no good there. And after Macmillan, we have no relations with any publisher who undertakes other books for children than regular schoolbooks.
Your story is so good that it is sure of acceptance somewhere. I wanted to get you a fair share of money for it, as you would have done if it had been of a kind for Macmillan to publish. I hardly think it will do for the little Neapolitans or Florentines, but we shall see. When it is in print I shall give it to Mrs. Schwabe that she may judge. A lady who has visited the schools at Florence, says the little creatures there are as sharp as needles, and far beyond English pupils of the same age. If so, the English life would be no obstacle to their comprehending the story well enough for edification.
About your British Empire -- I fear that the misfortune of its having been sold off by Longmans as an encumbrance will hinder Chapman and Hall from entertaining its publication, notwithstanding your selfrenouncing willingness to revise it for nothing. I am very, very sorry.
We shall probably be in town again in the beginning of November. How are you all? We are much as usual -- rickety old things.
Always lovingly yours
Marian.
Signature
Marian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, Blackbrook, 10 October 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/93231