GHL to John Blackwood, London, 27 December 1875
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, London, 27 December 1875
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, London, 27 December 1875
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1875-12-27
Place
London
Letter Content
GHL to John Blackwood, London, 27 December 1875
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
December 75.
My dear Blackwood
I hope it isn't a mocking sound in your ears to be saluted with "a merry Christmas." It is in ours; unless we are understood in Froissart's phrase as taking our pleasure "moult tristement." Mrs. Lewes has been much out of sorts and overpowered with gloom and apprehension which no [reasoning] has power to dispel. But she is getting better again. I have had a diffused sense of the universe being a vague headache. Fortunately we have accepted no invitations, so that we need not be troubled by [festivities.] [Deronda,] advances very slowly -- but superbly. By the way we have not seen a proof of title page and motto 367 -- will you order it to be sent? It should appear with part I.
I suppose you will now begin to advertize energetically; and if the Times could be persuaded to notice the 1st part that would be worth 50 £ of advertizing. [Middlemarch] they did not notice until their notice came too late for any good effect. They used always to notice Thackeray and Dickens's first numbers.
Your advertizing agent might soon begin to canvass for Part I. A good show would help to make the part look more important. 368
The life of Heine you were kind enough to send me I couldn't read. I looked into it here and there, but read blockhead and blunderer in very [round text,] and so closed the volumes with a sigh. It was a task to have tested high abilities. Why do the dull dogs always lay hold of subjects specially demanding wit and lightness of touch?
Mrs. Lewes begs me to remember and add her kindest regards to Mrs. Blackwood, Miss Blackwood and Willie as well as to her [old friend J. B.] Nor should good Mr. Simpson be omitted.
Ever yours truly
G. H. L.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
December 75.
My dear Blackwood
I hope it isn't a mocking sound in your ears to be saluted with "a merry Christmas." It is in ours; unless we are understood in Froissart's phrase as taking our pleasure "moult tristement." Mrs. Lewes has been much out of sorts and overpowered with gloom and apprehension which no [reasoning] has power to dispel. But she is getting better again. I have had a diffused sense of the universe being a vague headache. Fortunately we have accepted no invitations, so that we need not be troubled by [festivities.] [Deronda,] advances very slowly -- but superbly. By the way we have not seen a proof of title page and motto 367 -- will you order it to be sent? It should appear with part I.
I suppose you will now begin to advertize energetically; and if the Times could be persuaded to notice the 1st part that would be worth 50 £ of advertizing. [Middlemarch] they did not notice until their notice came too late for any good effect. They used always to notice Thackeray and Dickens's first numbers.
Your advertizing agent might soon begin to canvass for Part I. A good show would help to make the part look more important. 368
The life of Heine you were kind enough to send me I couldn't read. I looked into it here and there, but read blockhead and blunderer in very [round text,] and so closed the volumes with a sigh. It was a task to have tested high abilities. Why do the dull dogs always lay hold of subjects specially demanding wit and lightness of touch?
Mrs. Lewes begs me to remember and add her kindest regards to Mrs. Blackwood, Miss Blackwood and Willie as well as to her [old friend J. B.] Nor should good Mr. Simpson be omitted.
Ever yours truly
G. H. L.
Signature
G. H. L.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to John Blackwood, London, 27 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/94693