GHL to Alexander Main, London, [19 February 1874]
Title
GHL to Alexander Main, London, [19 February 1874]
Title
GHL to Alexander Main, London, [19 February 1874]
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
Alexander Main
Date(s)
- 1874-02-19
Place
London
Letter Content
GHL to Alexander Main, London, [19 February 1874]
Text: Main's copy owned by Mr. John R. Sprunt. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
Thursday.
My dear Main
At last I can give you my opinion of the Johnson, which is very much the opinion of Mrs. Lewes, my son, and a few candid friends who have spoken to me about it. I haven't seen a single newspaper notice, so I can only tell what is thought in our private circle. First then we all agree that the story is very well told and the condensation very well made. But there is a chorus of objection against the excessive showmanship of the commentary -- the framing and glazing of the pictures, with the obtrusion of superfluous indication as to their merits. One reader said he was in a perpetual state of irritation at your not allowing him to enjoy a good thing but insulting him by pointing out that it was good. Again I think the excessive use of quotation (against which I warned you) gives a patchy and made up look to the book especially as so many of the quotations are threadbare from frequent use. Further your delight in italics and small caps is objectionable -- it is like a man raising his voice and thumping on the table to enforce opinions which ought to carry their own force. As a rule italics always give a small appearance unless very specially or carefully employed and small caps is mere loudness not force.
These are defects which you will not fall into in future work and I therefore rely on the sterling qualities of the book as evidence that you may do a good book not open to the criticisms which diminish the effect of this one.
Mrs. Lewes has had a bad attack (it is feared of stone) since I last wrote; between five and six hours of agony. But she has had no pain now for a fortnight, and seems on the way of getting into condition. I am unusually well and very hard at work. I don't know whether you can see the "Academy" in your town -- if so look at Prof. Clifford's review of the "Problems" 36 in the number for February 7th and you will see a review which has gratified me more than anything else written about my book before. Pages of laudation would be trivial compared with such appreciation.
Ever yours
G. H. L.
Text: Main's copy owned by Mr. John R. Sprunt. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
Thursday.
My dear Main
At last I can give you my opinion of the Johnson, which is very much the opinion of Mrs. Lewes, my son, and a few candid friends who have spoken to me about it. I haven't seen a single newspaper notice, so I can only tell what is thought in our private circle. First then we all agree that the story is very well told and the condensation very well made. But there is a chorus of objection against the excessive showmanship of the commentary -- the framing and glazing of the pictures, with the obtrusion of superfluous indication as to their merits. One reader said he was in a perpetual state of irritation at your not allowing him to enjoy a good thing but insulting him by pointing out that it was good. Again I think the excessive use of quotation (against which I warned you) gives a patchy and made up look to the book especially as so many of the quotations are threadbare from frequent use. Further your delight in italics and small caps is objectionable -- it is like a man raising his voice and thumping on the table to enforce opinions which ought to carry their own force. As a rule italics always give a small appearance unless very specially or carefully employed and small caps is mere loudness not force.
These are defects which you will not fall into in future work and I therefore rely on the sterling qualities of the book as evidence that you may do a good book not open to the criticisms which diminish the effect of this one.
Mrs. Lewes has had a bad attack (it is feared of stone) since I last wrote; between five and six hours of agony. But she has had no pain now for a fortnight, and seems on the way of getting into condition. I am unusually well and very hard at work. I don't know whether you can see the "Academy" in your town -- if so look at Prof. Clifford's review of the "Problems" 36 in the number for February 7th and you will see a review which has gratified me more than anything else written about my book before. Pages of laudation would be trivial compared with such appreciation.
Ever yours
G. H. L.
Signature
G. H. L.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to Alexander Main, London, [19 February 1874], 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/94388