GHL to Theodore Martin, Richmond, [2 November 1855]
Title
GHL to Theodore Martin, Richmond, [2 November 1855]
Title
GHL to Theodore Martin, Richmond, [2 November 1855]
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
Theodore Martin
Date(s)
- 1855-11-02
Place
Richmond
Letter Content
GHL to Theodore Martin, Richmond, [2 November 1855]
MS: University of Kansas.
Park Shot | Richmond | Saturday.
Dear Martin
Thanks for your delightfully flattering letter. 262 So to have pleased you is success. If you have any faults to find and suggestions to make for my second edition they will be gratefully accepted.
I am going to give you an example by finding serious fault with your very original and striking play. 263 The first act ought to be abolished altogether. The excellence of the writing carries it through, in reading, but on the stage it would be intolerable -- long talk and no dramatic life. How different the second and third acts, with their deep passionate undercurrent and true dramatic oistros! 264 My advice would be this: Begin with your second act, and expand it into two -- each scene being an act. The explanation of the family feud, Guido's love, the mysterious passion of Nello, and the fascination exercised over Pia may very well come after curiosity has been excited in the persons. See how Shakspeare manages this matter. Othello does not tell the story of his love until we are dying to know all about it. But what robust gentleman in the pit will care for Giacomo and his youthful valour -- or for Nello -- or for Guido -- before you have excited curiosity?
As to want of incident it will never be felt when so strong and passionate a story engrosses attention. Besides the very originality of the work will greatly affect an audience. Only you must not in three acts have one weak -- like your first. Make the first as good as the others toute proportion gard'e9e and never hesitate as to success.
But then -- and here the dramatist's difficulty is over, but the manager's begins -- who is to play Nello? Unless finely played it will go for nothing. Charles Kean 265 -- bad as he is -- is the only one "fatal" enough -- et encore!
I write crudely and hastily but you will gather my meaning.
Ever faithfully yours
G. H. Lewes.
MS: University of Kansas.
Park Shot | Richmond | Saturday.
Dear Martin
Thanks for your delightfully flattering letter. 262 So to have pleased you is success. If you have any faults to find and suggestions to make for my second edition they will be gratefully accepted.
I am going to give you an example by finding serious fault with your very original and striking play. 263 The first act ought to be abolished altogether. The excellence of the writing carries it through, in reading, but on the stage it would be intolerable -- long talk and no dramatic life. How different the second and third acts, with their deep passionate undercurrent and true dramatic oistros! 264 My advice would be this: Begin with your second act, and expand it into two -- each scene being an act. The explanation of the family feud, Guido's love, the mysterious passion of Nello, and the fascination exercised over Pia may very well come after curiosity has been excited in the persons. See how Shakspeare manages this matter. Othello does not tell the story of his love until we are dying to know all about it. But what robust gentleman in the pit will care for Giacomo and his youthful valour -- or for Nello -- or for Guido -- before you have excited curiosity?
As to want of incident it will never be felt when so strong and passionate a story engrosses attention. Besides the very originality of the work will greatly affect an audience. Only you must not in three acts have one weak -- like your first. Make the first as good as the others toute proportion gard'e9e and never hesitate as to success.
But then -- and here the dramatist's difficulty is over, but the manager's begins -- who is to play Nello? Unless finely played it will go for nothing. Charles Kean 265 -- bad as he is -- is the only one "fatal" enough -- et encore!
I write crudely and hastily but you will gather my meaning.
Ever faithfully yours
G. H. Lewes.
Signature
G. H. Lewes.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to Theodore Martin, Richmond, [2 November 1855], 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/95031