GHL to John Blackwood, Richmond, [22 November 1856]
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, Richmond, [22 November 1856]
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, Richmond, [22 November 1856]
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1856-11-22
Place
Richmond
Letter Content
GHL to John Blackwood, Richmond, [22 November 1856]
MS: National Library of Scotland. Published: Cross, 1, 423-424.
Park Shot | Saturday.
My dear Sir
Your letter has greatly restored the shaken confidence of my friend, who is unusually sensitive, and unlike most writers is more anxious about excellence than about appearing in print -- as his waiting so long before taking the venture proves. He is consequently afraid of failure though not afraid of obscurity; and by failure he would understand that which I suspect most writers would be apt to consider as success -- so high is his ambition.
I tell you this that you may understand the sort of shy, shrinking, ambitious nature you have to deal with. I tried to persuade him that you really did appreciate his story, but were only hesitating about committing yourself to a series and your last letter has proved me to have been right. Although, as he never contemplated binding you to the publication of any portion of the series to which you might object, he could not at first see your position in its true light. All is, however, clear now. He will be gratified if you publish Amos Barton in January, as it will give him ample time to get the second story ready, so as to appear when Barton is finished, should you wish it. He is anxious, however, that you should publish the general title of "Scenes of Clerical Life" -- and I think you may do this with perfect safety, since it is quite clear that the writer of Amos Barton is capable of writing at least one more story suitable to Maga, and two would suffice to justify the general title.
Let me not forget to add that when I referred to "my clerical friend" I meant to designate the writer of the clerical stories, not that he was a clericus. I am not at liberty to remove the veil of anonymity -- even as regards social position. Be pleased therefore to keep the whole secret -- and not even mention my negotiation or in any way lead guessers -- (should any one trouble himself with such a guess -- not very likely) to jump from me to my friend.
I heard yesterday from an American publisher that there was some thought of reprinting "Sea-Side Studies"; but I believe I have put a spoke in that wheel by holding out the prospect of an enlarged and improved series. Kingsley's little book 765 seems to have had such success, that we may fairly hope, I think, to find a good public if we give them a good thing. What an amount of virtue in that if! Believe me
Ever faithfully yours
G. E. Lewes.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Published: Cross, 1, 423-424.
Park Shot | Saturday.
My dear Sir
Your letter has greatly restored the shaken confidence of my friend, who is unusually sensitive, and unlike most writers is more anxious about excellence than about appearing in print -- as his waiting so long before taking the venture proves. He is consequently afraid of failure though not afraid of obscurity; and by failure he would understand that which I suspect most writers would be apt to consider as success -- so high is his ambition.
I tell you this that you may understand the sort of shy, shrinking, ambitious nature you have to deal with. I tried to persuade him that you really did appreciate his story, but were only hesitating about committing yourself to a series and your last letter has proved me to have been right. Although, as he never contemplated binding you to the publication of any portion of the series to which you might object, he could not at first see your position in its true light. All is, however, clear now. He will be gratified if you publish Amos Barton in January, as it will give him ample time to get the second story ready, so as to appear when Barton is finished, should you wish it. He is anxious, however, that you should publish the general title of "Scenes of Clerical Life" -- and I think you may do this with perfect safety, since it is quite clear that the writer of Amos Barton is capable of writing at least one more story suitable to Maga, and two would suffice to justify the general title.
Let me not forget to add that when I referred to "my clerical friend" I meant to designate the writer of the clerical stories, not that he was a clericus. I am not at liberty to remove the veil of anonymity -- even as regards social position. Be pleased therefore to keep the whole secret -- and not even mention my negotiation or in any way lead guessers -- (should any one trouble himself with such a guess -- not very likely) to jump from me to my friend.
I heard yesterday from an American publisher that there was some thought of reprinting "Sea-Side Studies"; but I believe I have put a spoke in that wheel by holding out the prospect of an enlarged and improved series. Kingsley's little book 765 seems to have had such success, that we may fairly hope, I think, to find a good public if we give them a good thing. What an amount of virtue in that if! Believe me
Ever faithfully yours
G. E. Lewes.
Signature
G. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to John Blackwood, Richmond, [22 November 1856], 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/94728