GHL to William Blackwood, London, [12 January 1876](1)
Title
GHL to William Blackwood, London, [12 January 1876](1)
Title
GHL to William Blackwood, London, [12 January 1876](1)
Sender
George Henry Lewes
Recipient
William Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1876-01-12
Place
London
Letter Content
GHL to William Blackwood, London, [12 January 1876]
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
Wednesday.
My dear Willie
Last night we were not a little disturbed by a telegram from New York saying that Deronda had not reached and wanting to know by telegraph at what date it had been dispatched. I anticipated it would have been in their hands ten days ago and I particularly explained to Mr. Simpson the reasons for sending it earlier than he suggested. Harpers may not unreasonably say we have not fulfilled our part of the contract, and as the sum they pay is exceptionally large this may lead to difficulties which can only be obviated by our postponing publication till March. In this sense I telegraphed to you this morning, requesting you to let them know by telegram at what date the proofs were dispatched and whether they wished the publication postponed until March. This would be a great bore -- but one must not give them an opening for not carrying out the contract. There is still time to make the change.
We were very sorry to hear of your uncle's being laid up -- cel'e0 lui ressemble si peu!
Was not he and were not you surprised at the news of the Viceroyalty?
In some respects the appointment is a good one. But I can't picture Robert as Governor General. When one has patted and petted a boy it is so hard to think of him as a Viceroy!
Yours truly
G. H. L.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
Wednesday.
My dear Willie
Last night we were not a little disturbed by a telegram from New York saying that Deronda had not reached and wanting to know by telegraph at what date it had been dispatched. I anticipated it would have been in their hands ten days ago and I particularly explained to Mr. Simpson the reasons for sending it earlier than he suggested. Harpers may not unreasonably say we have not fulfilled our part of the contract, and as the sum they pay is exceptionally large this may lead to difficulties which can only be obviated by our postponing publication till March. In this sense I telegraphed to you this morning, requesting you to let them know by telegram at what date the proofs were dispatched and whether they wished the publication postponed until March. This would be a great bore -- but one must not give them an opening for not carrying out the contract. There is still time to make the change.
We were very sorry to hear of your uncle's being laid up -- cel'e0 lui ressemble si peu!
Was not he and were not you surprised at the news of the Viceroyalty?
In some respects the appointment is a good one. But I can't picture Robert as Governor General. When one has patted and petted a boy it is so hard to think of him as a Viceroy!
Yours truly
G. H. L.
Signature
G. H. L.
Citation
George Henry Lewes, GHL to William Blackwood, London, [12 January 1876](1), 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/95075