GHL to John Blackwood, Gorey, [14 June 1857]
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, Gorey, [14 June 1857]
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, Gorey, [14 June 1857]
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1857-06-14
Place
Gorey
Letter Content
GHL to John Blackwood, Gorey, [14 June 1857]
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Rosa Cottage | Gorey, Jersey | Sunday.
My dear Blackwood
The proof 902 goes with this. It is highly gratifying to me to find you pleased with these papers; because if an intelligent reader, not specially interested in Zoology can find pleasure in them, 'e0 fortiori may we expect the numerous amateurs of zoology -- and I will add the serious students -- to be interested. I have great hopes of a successful republication, and rejoice that we did not reprint the first series which was too slight except for temporary amusement.
I was in raptures with "Janet's Repentance" when Eliot first read it to me and declared it would be the finest thing he had written. Your letter therefore considerably staggered me, as I have much confidence in your judgement; accordingly I reread the part with a critical eye to detect the objections you spoke of. In vain! Two readings have left me in the dark. Either you or I must be under a profound misconception of the effect likely to be produced. I agree with you in thinking the description of the town and its inhabitants the least successful part of what is printed -- but I agree with Eliot that it was necessary to paint the locale for the truth of the story. Only in such an atmosphere could such a story move freely and naturally. Dempster seems to me a marvellous creation -- Dr. Johnson turned rascal, or rather dissolute. 903 Janet is a striking figure, too. And when I think of my ignorance of clerical life and squabbles, yet find myself so interested in this story, I feel that all persons better informed must be greatly moved.
Much do I regret your leaving town before our return. I had set my heart on breaking through the incognito, and bringing you and Eliot together, feeling sure that if you once saw and conversed with him and found the sensitive, shrinking, refined creature he is, you would have your opinion of your new contributor considerably modified. Is there any chance of your being in town in the Autumn?
You must like my Algerine friend on reperusal. The wretched scrawl in which he writes 904 may have prejudiced you; but the style and matter are surely fresh and picturesque. You see I stand up for my friends! But then I don't thrust my friends upon you, unless they first convince me it is for "your good." I used to be caned for "my good" when a boy -- and didn't like it. Perhaps you are equally recalcitrant? My Algerine friend is a lady -- whose name is already known to you, for Maga has been respectful to her. 905
Ever faithfully yours
G. H. Lewes.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Rosa Cottage | Gorey, Jersey | Sunday.
My dear Blackwood
The proof 902 goes with this. It is highly gratifying to me to find you pleased with these papers; because if an intelligent reader, not specially interested in Zoology can find pleasure in them, 'e0 fortiori may we expect the numerous amateurs of zoology -- and I will add the serious students -- to be interested. I have great hopes of a successful republication, and rejoice that we did not reprint the first series which was too slight except for temporary amusement.
I was in raptures with "Janet's Repentance" when Eliot first read it to me and declared it would be the finest thing he had written. Your letter therefore considerably staggered me, as I have much confidence in your judgement; accordingly I reread the part with a critical eye to detect the objections you spoke of. In vain! Two readings have left me in the dark. Either you or I must be under a profound misconception of the effect likely to be produced. I agree with you in thinking the description of the town and its inhabitants the least successful part of what is printed -- but I agree with Eliot that it was necessary to paint the locale for the truth of the story. Only in such an atmosphere could such a story move freely and naturally. Dempster seems to me a marvellous creation -- Dr. Johnson turned rascal, or rather dissolute. 903 Janet is a striking figure, too. And when I think of my ignorance of clerical life and squabbles, yet find myself so interested in this story, I feel that all persons better informed must be greatly moved.
Much do I regret your leaving town before our return. I had set my heart on breaking through the incognito, and bringing you and Eliot together, feeling sure that if you once saw and conversed with him and found the sensitive, shrinking, refined creature he is, you would have your opinion of your new contributor considerably modified. Is there any chance of your being in town in the Autumn?
You must like my Algerine friend on reperusal. The wretched scrawl in which he writes 904 may have prejudiced you; but the style and matter are surely fresh and picturesque. You see I stand up for my friends! But then I don't thrust my friends upon you, unless they first convince me it is for "your good." I used to be caned for "my good" when a boy -- and didn't like it. Perhaps you are equally recalcitrant? My Algerine friend is a lady -- whose name is already known to you, for Maga has been respectful to her. 905
Ever faithfully yours
G. H. Lewes.
Signature
G. H. Lewes.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to John Blackwood, Gorey, [14 June 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/94600