GHL to John Blackwood, London, [1 December 1875]
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, London, [1 December 1875]
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, London, [1 December 1875]
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1875-12-01
Place
London
Letter Content
GHL to John Blackwood, London, [1 December 1875]
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
Wednesday.
My dear Blackwood
We both think the cover chosen quite perfect and the lettering exactly what Mrs. Lewes wished. Let the back correspond in style and plainness.
Your admiration is very cheering to her, and I must add that your taking so heartily to the Jewish scenes is particularly gratifying to me, for I have sometimes shared her doubts on whether people would sufficiently sympathize with that element in the story. Though I have reflected that [as] she formerly contrived to make one love Methodists, there was no reason why she should not conquer the prejudice against the Jews.
You are surprised at her knowledge of the Jews? But only learned Rabbis are so profoundly versed in Jewish history and literature as she is -- and this will not only make a Rembrandtish background to her dramatic presentation, but I suspect will rouse all the Jews of Europe to a fervor of admiration for the great artist who can -- without disguising the ludicrous and ugly aspects -- so marvellously present the ideal side of that strange life. Lydgate in Middlemarch conquered all the medical profession -- and Mordecai will in like manner conquer all the Jews. What a stupendous genius it is! I have heard of several of our great surgeons expressing their astonishment how any one not bred to the medical profession and practising in the country could have painted such a picture as Lydgate -- and yet her direct knowledge has been very slight.
I return proofs of the first volume for press. My fourth reading has intensified my admiration and I begin to think that the book will be a great success even for her.
Ever yours
G. H. L.
Have you seen Trollope's first part? 359 And do you think we ought to adopt as wide a margin to look handsome or keep to the old size for the sake of uniformity?
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
Wednesday.
My dear Blackwood
We both think the cover chosen quite perfect and the lettering exactly what Mrs. Lewes wished. Let the back correspond in style and plainness.
Your admiration is very cheering to her, and I must add that your taking so heartily to the Jewish scenes is particularly gratifying to me, for I have sometimes shared her doubts on whether people would sufficiently sympathize with that element in the story. Though I have reflected that [as] she formerly contrived to make one love Methodists, there was no reason why she should not conquer the prejudice against the Jews.
You are surprised at her knowledge of the Jews? But only learned Rabbis are so profoundly versed in Jewish history and literature as she is -- and this will not only make a Rembrandtish background to her dramatic presentation, but I suspect will rouse all the Jews of Europe to a fervor of admiration for the great artist who can -- without disguising the ludicrous and ugly aspects -- so marvellously present the ideal side of that strange life. Lydgate in Middlemarch conquered all the medical profession -- and Mordecai will in like manner conquer all the Jews. What a stupendous genius it is! I have heard of several of our great surgeons expressing their astonishment how any one not bred to the medical profession and practising in the country could have painted such a picture as Lydgate -- and yet her direct knowledge has been very slight.
I return proofs of the first volume for press. My fourth reading has intensified my admiration and I begin to think that the book will be a great success even for her.
Ever yours
G. H. L.
Have you seen Trollope's first part? 359 And do you think we ought to adopt as wide a margin to look handsome or keep to the old size for the sake of uniformity?
Signature
G. H. L.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to John Blackwood, London, [1 December 1875], 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/94609