GHL to John Blackwood, Richmond, [11 February 1857]
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, Richmond, [11 February 1857]
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, Richmond, [11 February 1857]
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1857-02-11
Place
Richmond
Letter Content
GHL to John Blackwood, Richmond, [11 February 1857]
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Park Shot | Richmond | Wednesday.
My dear Sir
By this post you will receive an instalment 793 of Eliot's new story, which I think even better than the first part of [Amos Barton]; though in a different way. I don't know whether you will have confidence enough to begin printing before seeing the conclusion, but I advised the first instalment being sent to you in order that no break should occur in the publication of the series, if you wished it.
I intended writing to you some days ago to report what I had heard of [Amos Barton] -- it is not much but it is unanimous, and from typical readers, namely foolometers and men of intellectual eminence. I read the first part aloud one evening at Vernon Hill. The women were charmed. Helps said it was "pestilently clever," and John Major, 794 a clergyman, was very much pleased with it. Owen "does not remember when he has read a better story" and Mrs. Owen thinks it "very clever."
By the way turning to my own paper, 795 Owen, in spite of being controverted in it, thinks it masterly and convincing, as he told both Mrs. Owen and myself. The other evening at Carlyle's, Dr. Carlyle was speaking of Goodsir 796 as the most eminent man in Edinburgh now, in science, and added "He has been writing a very striking series of papers in Blackwood lately." I pricked up my ears; and on inquiry found he meant my papers. We laughed at this; but I thanked him for the very great compliment.
I am panting for the Scilly Isles, and every gleam of sunshine makes my uneasiness greater; but printers -- rightly named diabolic -- keep me proofbound inland, and I shall not be free till the end of the month; but early in March I take wing. After Scilly, I think of Guernsey and Brittany -- in the two latter places I have great hopes of having the company of Eliot. And if these three places do not furnish interesting papers, so as to permit a future Book, I shall be disappointed.
Ever yours faithfully
G. H. Lewes.
I have not thanked you for Maga -- a very interesting number. Before this was sent off to the post your letter to Eliot came in. I have dispatched it, knowing the extreme pleasure it will give that sensitive doubting fellow. You would never believe the work I have had to make him credit his own genius. He (very judiciously!) looks up to my critical opinion as oracular; but in spite of confidence in me he is so diffident of himself, that I had to bully him into acquiescence with the fact that I had discovered a genius. I cackle over my hatched chick; and so may you.
You will see that the main part of your letter is already anticipated. I think he ought, and will, break through the anonymous with you; mais patience! cela viendra! I have suggested it more than once and when I am no longer here to act as go-between he must, I think, become his own literary Agent.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Park Shot | Richmond | Wednesday.
My dear Sir
By this post you will receive an instalment 793 of Eliot's new story, which I think even better than the first part of [Amos Barton]; though in a different way. I don't know whether you will have confidence enough to begin printing before seeing the conclusion, but I advised the first instalment being sent to you in order that no break should occur in the publication of the series, if you wished it.
I intended writing to you some days ago to report what I had heard of [Amos Barton] -- it is not much but it is unanimous, and from typical readers, namely foolometers and men of intellectual eminence. I read the first part aloud one evening at Vernon Hill. The women were charmed. Helps said it was "pestilently clever," and John Major, 794 a clergyman, was very much pleased with it. Owen "does not remember when he has read a better story" and Mrs. Owen thinks it "very clever."
By the way turning to my own paper, 795 Owen, in spite of being controverted in it, thinks it masterly and convincing, as he told both Mrs. Owen and myself. The other evening at Carlyle's, Dr. Carlyle was speaking of Goodsir 796 as the most eminent man in Edinburgh now, in science, and added "He has been writing a very striking series of papers in Blackwood lately." I pricked up my ears; and on inquiry found he meant my papers. We laughed at this; but I thanked him for the very great compliment.
I am panting for the Scilly Isles, and every gleam of sunshine makes my uneasiness greater; but printers -- rightly named diabolic -- keep me proofbound inland, and I shall not be free till the end of the month; but early in March I take wing. After Scilly, I think of Guernsey and Brittany -- in the two latter places I have great hopes of having the company of Eliot. And if these three places do not furnish interesting papers, so as to permit a future Book, I shall be disappointed.
Ever yours faithfully
G. H. Lewes.
I have not thanked you for Maga -- a very interesting number. Before this was sent off to the post your letter to Eliot came in. I have dispatched it, knowing the extreme pleasure it will give that sensitive doubting fellow. You would never believe the work I have had to make him credit his own genius. He (very judiciously!) looks up to my critical opinion as oracular; but in spite of confidence in me he is so diffident of himself, that I had to bully him into acquiescence with the fact that I had discovered a genius. I cackle over my hatched chick; and so may you.
You will see that the main part of your letter is already anticipated. I think he ought, and will, break through the anonymous with you; mais patience! cela viendra! I have suggested it more than once and when I am no longer here to act as go-between he must, I think, become his own literary Agent.
Signature
G. H. Lewes.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to John Blackwood, Richmond, [11 February 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/94715