John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 1 April 1879
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 1 April 1879
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 1 April 1879
Sender
John Blackwood
Recipient
George Eliot
Date(s)
- 1879-04-01
Place
Edinburgh
Letter Content
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 1 April 1879
Text: Copy in Blackwood Letter Book. Hitherto unpublished.
George Str. Edinr. | April 1/79.
My Dear Mrs. Lewes
I got your touching note and it is impossible not to sympathise with your feelings and hesitations in sending a new work into the world for the first time after the loss of your dear husband and right trusty adviser.
The little incident you mention 210 of finding the crumpled leaf reminds me of various conversations with him by which I knew his anxiety that you should not read stupid or vulgar criticism.
Theophrastus most certainly had his full sanction and apart from that I can vouch from his own fervent expressions how thoroughly he who knew you best felt that your works were above criticism and incapable of being made better by the assistance of any human being.
I would have written to you last week but the return of the bitter weather had rather caught me up and I was not feeling fit. On Saturday however I had a consultation with two wise doctors and I am sure it will give you pleasure to know that the verdict upon me was the most satisfactory I have had for many a long day. The weather is now much milder at last and has I hope enabled [you] to get about a little and take some joy in the first taste of the coming spring.
always yours truly
(signed) John Blackwood.
Text: Copy in Blackwood Letter Book. Hitherto unpublished.
George Str. Edinr. | April 1/79.
My Dear Mrs. Lewes
I got your touching note and it is impossible not to sympathise with your feelings and hesitations in sending a new work into the world for the first time after the loss of your dear husband and right trusty adviser.
The little incident you mention 210 of finding the crumpled leaf reminds me of various conversations with him by which I knew his anxiety that you should not read stupid or vulgar criticism.
Theophrastus most certainly had his full sanction and apart from that I can vouch from his own fervent expressions how thoroughly he who knew you best felt that your works were above criticism and incapable of being made better by the assistance of any human being.
I would have written to you last week but the return of the bitter weather had rather caught me up and I was not feeling fit. On Saturday however I had a consultation with two wise doctors and I am sure it will give you pleasure to know that the verdict upon me was the most satisfactory I have had for many a long day. The weather is now much milder at last and has I hope enabled [you] to get about a little and take some joy in the first taste of the coming spring.
always yours truly
(signed) John Blackwood.
Signature
(signed) John Blackwood.
Citation
John Blackwood, John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 1 April 1879, 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/95169