GHL Journal, London, 27 February 1862
Title
GHL Journal, London, 27 February 1862
Title
GHL Journal, London, 27 February 1862
Sender
Ghl Journal
Recipient
U
Date(s)
- 1862-02-27
Place
London
Letter Content
GHL Journal, London, 27 February 1862
MS: Yale. Mostly published: Kitchel, pp. 213-214.
Thursday 27 February.
Finished the rough draft of my Aristotle.
George Smith called bringing with him the whole of the proofs of Animal Studies. In the course of our chat he made a proposal to purchase Polly's new work for £10,000. This of course includes the entire copyright. It is the most magnificent offer ever yet made for a novel; and Polly, as usual was disinclined to accept it, on the ground that her work would not be worth the sum! Moreover she felt it impossible to begin publication in April or May -- the period when Smith wishes it to begin to appear in the [Cornhill Mag.] Unless she sees her book nearly completed and such as she considers worthy of publication she objects to begin printing it. I went down to Smith to tell him of her difficulties. He was much put out, April or May being the months when the Magazine will stand in need of some reinforcement as Thackeray's story is quite insufficient to keep up the sale. Smith then proposed to print her story of Brother Jacob, written in 1860, if it can be split up into three numbers, and thus tide over the three months; and then to commence in August or September with the new work. She has consented to let him see the story to see if this arrangement will do. If not some other proposal will be made by him.
Met Dickens in Regent St. He turned back to walk some way with me, and I turned back again with him. Pleasant talk. Bought Villani Historie Fiorentine for Polly. In the evening Beethoven, singing; and read my proofs. We had sent both our servants to the theatre, Amelia never having been to one, and sat up for them. Their expressions of delight on returning home were very amusing. It is a real pleasure to give pleasure to such excellent people.
MS: Yale. Mostly published: Kitchel, pp. 213-214.
Thursday 27 February.
Finished the rough draft of my Aristotle.
George Smith called bringing with him the whole of the proofs of Animal Studies. In the course of our chat he made a proposal to purchase Polly's new work for £10,000. This of course includes the entire copyright. It is the most magnificent offer ever yet made for a novel; and Polly, as usual was disinclined to accept it, on the ground that her work would not be worth the sum! Moreover she felt it impossible to begin publication in April or May -- the period when Smith wishes it to begin to appear in the [Cornhill Mag.] Unless she sees her book nearly completed and such as she considers worthy of publication she objects to begin printing it. I went down to Smith to tell him of her difficulties. He was much put out, April or May being the months when the Magazine will stand in need of some reinforcement as Thackeray's story is quite insufficient to keep up the sale. Smith then proposed to print her story of Brother Jacob, written in 1860, if it can be split up into three numbers, and thus tide over the three months; and then to commence in August or September with the new work. She has consented to let him see the story to see if this arrangement will do. If not some other proposal will be made by him.
Met Dickens in Regent St. He turned back to walk some way with me, and I turned back again with him. Pleasant talk. Bought Villani Historie Fiorentine for Polly. In the evening Beethoven, singing; and read my proofs. We had sent both our servants to the theatre, Amelia never having been to one, and sat up for them. Their expressions of delight on returning home were very amusing. It is a real pleasure to give pleasure to such excellent people.
Citation
Ghl Journal, GHL Journal, London, 27 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/94322