GHL to John Blackwood, Wandsworth, 17 August [1859]
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, Wandsworth, 17 August [1859]
Title
GHL to John Blackwood, Wandsworth, 17 August [1859]
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1859-08-17
Place
Wandsworth
Letter Content
GHL to John Blackwood, Wandsworth, 17 August [1859]
MS: Berg Collection, New York Public Library. Extract published: John Blackwood, p. 56.
Holly Lodge | Southfields, Wandsworth | August 17th.
My dear Blackwood
The proof I return to Edinburgh, as the shortest route.
Owen 466 I will ponder on; and Nature's Seaweeds -- with the materials from Bradbury 467 -- may turn out a practicable article. It is true I know as little as possible about seaweeds, for one who has had so much to do with them. But what then? Is a reviewer called upon to know anything? doesn't he know everything in virtue of his egotism? If facts fail him, is there not the moral consciousness out of the depths of which he can construct immense wisdom? "Base is the slave who knows"! 468
Your picture of your daily life is suggestive of pleasant hours; but I see you don't turn the dogs to account. Four dogs! my dear fellow, how can four dogs be without attraction? I would rather hear Mrs. Blackwood's opinion on that point, not believing in your ability to edit a dog. Perhaps the dull dogs have wearied you with too many contributions to make you appreciate justly the genus dog. When you have seen Pug your mind will be more expanded, your sensibilities heightened. Till then believe me
Ever your canine
G. H. Lewes
MS: Berg Collection, New York Public Library. Extract published: John Blackwood, p. 56.
Holly Lodge | Southfields, Wandsworth | August 17th.
My dear Blackwood
The proof I return to Edinburgh, as the shortest route.
Owen 466 I will ponder on; and Nature's Seaweeds -- with the materials from Bradbury 467 -- may turn out a practicable article. It is true I know as little as possible about seaweeds, for one who has had so much to do with them. But what then? Is a reviewer called upon to know anything? doesn't he know everything in virtue of his egotism? If facts fail him, is there not the moral consciousness out of the depths of which he can construct immense wisdom? "Base is the slave who knows"! 468
Your picture of your daily life is suggestive of pleasant hours; but I see you don't turn the dogs to account. Four dogs! my dear fellow, how can four dogs be without attraction? I would rather hear Mrs. Blackwood's opinion on that point, not believing in your ability to edit a dog. Perhaps the dull dogs have wearied you with too many contributions to make you appreciate justly the genus dog. When you have seen Pug your mind will be more expanded, your sensibilities heightened. Till then believe me
Ever your canine
G. H. Lewes
Signature
G. H. Lewes
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to John Blackwood, Wandsworth, 17 August [1859], 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/94809