GE to William Blackwood, [Richmond,] 4 February 1857
Title
GE to William Blackwood, [Richmond,] 4 February 1857
Title
GE to William Blackwood, [Richmond,] 4 February 1857
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
William Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1857-02-04
Place
[Richmond]
Letter Content
GE to William Blackwood, [Richmond,] 4 February 1857
MS: National Library of Scotland. Extracts published: Cross, I, 429-430, as to John Blackwood.
February 4. 57.
My dear Sir
Thank you for your last kind letter, fulfilling your promise to let me know something of the criticisms passed on my story. I have a very moderate respect for "opinions of the press," but the private opinions of intelligent people may be valuable to me.
In reference to artistic presentation, much adverse opinion will of course arise from a dislike to the order of art rather than from a critical estimate of the execution. Any one who detests the Dutch school in general will hardly appreciate fairly the merits of a particular Dutch painting. 790 And against this sort of condemnation, one must steel oneself as one best can. But objections which point out to me any vice of manner or any failure in producing an intended effect will be really profitable. For example, I suppose my scientific illustrations must be a fault, since they seem to have obtruded themselves disagreeably on 'absome'bb one of my readers. But if it be a sin to be at once a man of science and a writer of fiction, I can declare my perfect innocence on that head, my scientific knowledge being as superficial as that of the most "practised writers."
I hope to send you a second story in a few days, but I am rather behind-hand this time, having been prevented from setting to work for some weeks by other business; and having, since then, been retarded by a bilious attack -- surely one of the worst among the [calamities of authors.]
I shall be glad to know if people think the better of [Amos] from reading it to the end -- and even if they think the worse, it will be better for me to know it.
Whatever may be the success of my stories, I shall be resolute in preserving my incognito, having observed that a nom de plume secures all the advantages without the disagreeables of reputation. Perhaps, therefore, it will be well to give you my prospective name, as a tub to throw to the whale in case of curious inquiries, and accordingly I subscribe myself, best and most sympathizing of editors,
Yours very truly,
George Eliot.
W. Blackwood Esq.
Lewes is very encouraging, and has heard good reports, but perhaps he will tell you of them, as he said he was going to write to you.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Extracts published: Cross, I, 429-430, as to John Blackwood.
February 4. 57.
My dear Sir
Thank you for your last kind letter, fulfilling your promise to let me know something of the criticisms passed on my story. I have a very moderate respect for "opinions of the press," but the private opinions of intelligent people may be valuable to me.
In reference to artistic presentation, much adverse opinion will of course arise from a dislike to the order of art rather than from a critical estimate of the execution. Any one who detests the Dutch school in general will hardly appreciate fairly the merits of a particular Dutch painting. 790 And against this sort of condemnation, one must steel oneself as one best can. But objections which point out to me any vice of manner or any failure in producing an intended effect will be really profitable. For example, I suppose my scientific illustrations must be a fault, since they seem to have obtruded themselves disagreeably on 'absome'bb one of my readers. But if it be a sin to be at once a man of science and a writer of fiction, I can declare my perfect innocence on that head, my scientific knowledge being as superficial as that of the most "practised writers."
I hope to send you a second story in a few days, but I am rather behind-hand this time, having been prevented from setting to work for some weeks by other business; and having, since then, been retarded by a bilious attack -- surely one of the worst among the [calamities of authors.]
I shall be glad to know if people think the better of [Amos] from reading it to the end -- and even if they think the worse, it will be better for me to know it.
Whatever may be the success of my stories, I shall be resolute in preserving my incognito, having observed that a nom de plume secures all the advantages without the disagreeables of reputation. Perhaps, therefore, it will be well to give you my prospective name, as a tub to throw to the whale in case of curious inquiries, and accordingly I subscribe myself, best and most sympathizing of editors,
Yours very truly,
George Eliot.
W. Blackwood Esq.
Lewes is very encouraging, and has heard good reports, but perhaps he will tell you of them, as he said he was going to write to you.
Signature
George Eliot.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to William Blackwood, [Richmond,] 4 February 1857, 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/94177