John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 1 November 1860
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 1 November 1860
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 1 November 1860
Sender
John Blackwood
Recipient
George Eliot
Date(s)
- 1860-11-01
Place
Edinburgh
Letter Content
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 1 November 1860
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Edinburgh | November 1/60.
My Dear Madam
I inclose proof of the title page New Edition of the Mill. What shall we put upon it New Edition? or 4th Edition? It is the 4th edition as we printed first 4000 then 2000 and then 550. I incline for simply new edition in the first instance and then we might advertise the numbers afterwards, although that is not a favourite plan of mine nor do I think it does any good.
We propose to bring out the new edition in the course of the month and to advertise at once. There has not of course been much demand of late for the Mill. I have not yet seen return of the sales for October but in the previous months Adam was most satisfactory, and there was also a modest sale of the Scenes.
I long very much to hear how your two new schemes are taking shape in your head. As to both these Novels I feel as sanguine as possible. Whatever the most carping or malevolent critic might say of the Mill, no one in his senses could venture to deny the power and the extraordinary fertility of the author's resources. I only hope you will not overwork or bother yourself with doubts as to future triumphs, of which no author has so goodly a store in prospect.
Tell Lewes I have his note and am clear for the paper on Uncivilised Man and Animals. 654 I am sure he will make a capital thing of such a theme and I hope he will set about it. when here he suggested the idea of a Theatrical Article from you at Christmas and I hope you will enter into the idea as you might do a first-rate thing about London theatres and audiences and the process of acquiring the requisite experience would be a diversion. I shall write Lewes soon with proof of his transmitted paper. 655 He seems to be getting on famously with the Physiology for schools.
I am sorry he does not report your health as being quite perfect but
I hope this will find you quite restored. The Major you will be glad to hear goes on steadily improving. He joins me in best regards, and believe me
always yours truly
John Blackwood
Mrs. M. E. Lewes
I came back to Edinburgh for the winter two days ago and was not sorry to do so as the weather is very bad.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Edinburgh | November 1/60.
My Dear Madam
I inclose proof of the title page New Edition of the Mill. What shall we put upon it New Edition? or 4th Edition? It is the 4th edition as we printed first 4000 then 2000 and then 550. I incline for simply new edition in the first instance and then we might advertise the numbers afterwards, although that is not a favourite plan of mine nor do I think it does any good.
We propose to bring out the new edition in the course of the month and to advertise at once. There has not of course been much demand of late for the Mill. I have not yet seen return of the sales for October but in the previous months Adam was most satisfactory, and there was also a modest sale of the Scenes.
I long very much to hear how your two new schemes are taking shape in your head. As to both these Novels I feel as sanguine as possible. Whatever the most carping or malevolent critic might say of the Mill, no one in his senses could venture to deny the power and the extraordinary fertility of the author's resources. I only hope you will not overwork or bother yourself with doubts as to future triumphs, of which no author has so goodly a store in prospect.
Tell Lewes I have his note and am clear for the paper on Uncivilised Man and Animals. 654 I am sure he will make a capital thing of such a theme and I hope he will set about it. when here he suggested the idea of a Theatrical Article from you at Christmas and I hope you will enter into the idea as you might do a first-rate thing about London theatres and audiences and the process of acquiring the requisite experience would be a diversion. I shall write Lewes soon with proof of his transmitted paper. 655 He seems to be getting on famously with the Physiology for schools.
I am sorry he does not report your health as being quite perfect but
I hope this will find you quite restored. The Major you will be glad to hear goes on steadily improving. He joins me in best regards, and believe me
always yours truly
John Blackwood
Mrs. M. E. Lewes
I came back to Edinburgh for the winter two days ago and was not sorry to do so as the weather is very bad.
Signature
John Blackwood
Citation
John Blackwood, John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 1 November 1860, 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/95171