GHL to John William Parker, Jr., Richmond, 12 January 1856
Title
GHL to John William Parker, Jr., Richmond, 12 January 1856
Title
GHL to John William Parker, Jr., Richmond, 12 January 1856
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
John William Parker, Jr.
Date(s)
- 1856-01-12
Place
Richmond
Letter Content
GHL to John William Parker, Jr., Richmond, 12 January 1856
MS: Mrs. Donald F. Hyde.
Park Shot | Richmond | 12 January 1856.
My dear Parker
For some years I have been frequently urged to produce a library edition of the "Biographical History of Philosophy," 274 and I am now seriously bent on doing so if I can come to an arrangement with your father and yourself. Indeed I am already in negotiation with Clowes about the copyright which I wish to purchase back again, if I can see my way clear.
I should make it essentially a new book, and render it more worthy of acceptance in colleges and schools not only by rewriting some sections but by supplying others omitted originally from want of space. Thus the Middle Ages and Modern Philosophy are at present dismissed in a few paragraphs. I propose to treat them as fully, in proportion, as the other sections. 275 Besides the absolutely new material, the whole wants revision, to render it what I should like it to be.
Nevertheless the main features concinnity and cheapness must still be the first aim, and I do not think of the work extending beyond one good 8vo at 10/6. The four volumes, with the new matter, can I think be got into one volume; and it is eminently desirable to keep the price down because the original was so cheap. 276
The book still continues to sell, and would I believe have a steady sale if rendered more worthy of public acceptance. I never thought of its being adopted at Oxford and Cambridge when I first wrote it.
Will you at once consult your father on the subject because my negotiation with Clowes would be very much determined by your answer. Believe me, My dear Parker
Ever faithfully yours
G. H. Lewes.
J. W. Parker Esq. Junr.
MS: Mrs. Donald F. Hyde.
Park Shot | Richmond | 12 January 1856.
My dear Parker
For some years I have been frequently urged to produce a library edition of the "Biographical History of Philosophy," 274 and I am now seriously bent on doing so if I can come to an arrangement with your father and yourself. Indeed I am already in negotiation with Clowes about the copyright which I wish to purchase back again, if I can see my way clear.
I should make it essentially a new book, and render it more worthy of acceptance in colleges and schools not only by rewriting some sections but by supplying others omitted originally from want of space. Thus the Middle Ages and Modern Philosophy are at present dismissed in a few paragraphs. I propose to treat them as fully, in proportion, as the other sections. 275 Besides the absolutely new material, the whole wants revision, to render it what I should like it to be.
Nevertheless the main features concinnity and cheapness must still be the first aim, and I do not think of the work extending beyond one good 8vo at 10/6. The four volumes, with the new matter, can I think be got into one volume; and it is eminently desirable to keep the price down because the original was so cheap. 276
The book still continues to sell, and would I believe have a steady sale if rendered more worthy of public acceptance. I never thought of its being adopted at Oxford and Cambridge when I first wrote it.
Will you at once consult your father on the subject because my negotiation with Clowes would be very much determined by your answer. Believe me, My dear Parker
Ever faithfully yours
G. H. Lewes.
J. W. Parker Esq. Junr.
Signature
G. H. Lewes.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to John William Parker, Jr., Richmond, 12 January 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/94850