GHL to John Blackwood, Richmond, [8 October 1858]
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, Richmond, [8 October 1858]
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, Richmond, [8 October 1858]
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1858-10-08
Place
Richmond
Letter Content
GHL to John Blackwood, Richmond, [8 October 1858]
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Park Shot | Richmond | Friday.
My dear Blackwood
The checque for Animal Heat 1199 (for which thanks) and the Prospectus (enclosed) arrived this morning.
I am glad you are hopeful about the book. I put my whole soul into it and expect it will be a property to us, for it has no real rival. I am ready to go to press whenever you please; indeed almost all the new chapters -- about one half of the whole work -- are done; and those already printed are revised, expanded, and improved. There is nothing but illustrations to wait for, and tell Mr. Simpson, for his especial gratification that I have contrived to get two into the first chapter -- which is all the better as none can possibly come in in the second and third. I don't think I shall want more than 15 altogether; but acting on his advice I will squeeze in as many as possible, while keeping clear of the "unpleasant."
If the book should be a hit, I have another scheme -- "The Zoology of Common Life" -- the fish we eat, the animals we domesticate, the animals we eat and which eat us, the insects which annoy and the insects which enrich us. A glorious field and inexhaustible! What do you think of it? However that is all looming in the distance.
My paper was read by the great Owen himself at the British Association 1200 -- and he replied to some objections. It was pronounced "most valuable" by the chairman, and will doubtless do good although the
Times did spoil my advertizement by calling me G. A. Lewes. That puts me in mind of poor R. H. Horne 1201 who went nearly distracted because when he played Shylock one night at Sadlers' Wells (because I had done it) found to his horror that the walls were placarded with the announcement of Shylock by Mr. R. J. Horne. This comes of having initials!
That is a delicious touch in your note 1202 about the largehearted critics -- an awful race. E. was extremely gratified by the praise and the kind of praise in your letter. When you see the third volume -- the bulk of which will be dispatched he says in a few days -- bringing the tragedy to a close, I shall be much surprised if you do not rush even into large-hearted emphasis, only that it will be sincere emphasis and not mere typography. -- I know nothing like it.
I advise him to send you the m.s. which concludes the tragedy, because on the effect of that will depend the kind of success with the public. But he is disposed to wait till the whole is completed before sending you any. What do you think? If you agree with me write him word. After the winding up of Hetty's story nothing but peaceful sunshine and happiness will come -- like the fifth act of the Merchant of Venice when R. H. Horne has left the stage.
Your dithyramb on golfing stirs my desires. "Thou almost persuadest me to be a golfer." Who knows but some day I may develope in that department too -- and write you a book the "Golfing of Common Life"?
Ever faithfully yours
G. H. Lewes.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Park Shot | Richmond | Friday.
My dear Blackwood
The checque for Animal Heat 1199 (for which thanks) and the Prospectus (enclosed) arrived this morning.
I am glad you are hopeful about the book. I put my whole soul into it and expect it will be a property to us, for it has no real rival. I am ready to go to press whenever you please; indeed almost all the new chapters -- about one half of the whole work -- are done; and those already printed are revised, expanded, and improved. There is nothing but illustrations to wait for, and tell Mr. Simpson, for his especial gratification that I have contrived to get two into the first chapter -- which is all the better as none can possibly come in in the second and third. I don't think I shall want more than 15 altogether; but acting on his advice I will squeeze in as many as possible, while keeping clear of the "unpleasant."
If the book should be a hit, I have another scheme -- "The Zoology of Common Life" -- the fish we eat, the animals we domesticate, the animals we eat and which eat us, the insects which annoy and the insects which enrich us. A glorious field and inexhaustible! What do you think of it? However that is all looming in the distance.
My paper was read by the great Owen himself at the British Association 1200 -- and he replied to some objections. It was pronounced "most valuable" by the chairman, and will doubtless do good although the
Times did spoil my advertizement by calling me G. A. Lewes. That puts me in mind of poor R. H. Horne 1201 who went nearly distracted because when he played Shylock one night at Sadlers' Wells (because I had done it) found to his horror that the walls were placarded with the announcement of Shylock by Mr. R. J. Horne. This comes of having initials!
That is a delicious touch in your note 1202 about the largehearted critics -- an awful race. E. was extremely gratified by the praise and the kind of praise in your letter. When you see the third volume -- the bulk of which will be dispatched he says in a few days -- bringing the tragedy to a close, I shall be much surprised if you do not rush even into large-hearted emphasis, only that it will be sincere emphasis and not mere typography. -- I know nothing like it.
I advise him to send you the m.s. which concludes the tragedy, because on the effect of that will depend the kind of success with the public. But he is disposed to wait till the whole is completed before sending you any. What do you think? If you agree with me write him word. After the winding up of Hetty's story nothing but peaceful sunshine and happiness will come -- like the fifth act of the Merchant of Venice when R. H. Horne has left the stage.
Your dithyramb on golfing stirs my desires. "Thou almost persuadest me to be a golfer." Who knows but some day I may develope in that department too -- and write you a book the "Golfing of Common Life"?
Ever faithfully yours
G. H. Lewes.
Signature
G. H. Lewes.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to John Blackwood, Richmond, [8 October 1858], 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/94742