John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 14 December 1868
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 14 December 1868
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 14 December 1868
Sender
John Blackwood
Recipient
George Eliot
Date(s)
- 1868-12-14
Place
Edinburgh
Letter Content
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 14 December 1868
Text: Copy in Blackwood Letter Book. Hitherto unpublished.
George Street | Edinburgh December 14/68.
My dear Madam,
I was shocked to hear of the secondary place in which you had found The Spanish Gypsy in lists of advertisements. I called up Mr. Simpson and you would have laughed and sympathised with the gleam of triumph in that able administrator's eye as he exclaimed "Why, I altered that in the copies of the list that I sent out" and rushing off brought me back the country paper I send to you where you will see the Gypsy heads the list. The thing had arisen from the list being one of Christmas presents when illustrated books are usually put at the head of the list. The enclosed are the ordinary forms of advertisements that we are sending out. I am happy to tell you that we have sold upwards of 700 of the new edition which is very satisfactory. It shows that there is a steady demand.
I am very glad that Lewes and you like Doubles and Quits and your applause has delighted the Author and his wife. He is a great ally and companion of mine and for several years I have been looking at things he did and urging him on, telling him I was sure he would succeed, so I have a sort of double pleasure in his success. He is of literary blood, being Captain Lockhart, Nephew of John Lockhart, 848 and lives at Ashiestiel, the lovely spot where Sir Walter Scott was so happy and wrote so much. He is full of fun and I shall bring him to you the first time we are in Town together. Are you writing anything?
With best regards to Lewes and hoping you are both well I am
always yours truly
John Blackwood.
Mrs. Lewes.
Text: Copy in Blackwood Letter Book. Hitherto unpublished.
George Street | Edinburgh December 14/68.
My dear Madam,
I was shocked to hear of the secondary place in which you had found The Spanish Gypsy in lists of advertisements. I called up Mr. Simpson and you would have laughed and sympathised with the gleam of triumph in that able administrator's eye as he exclaimed "Why, I altered that in the copies of the list that I sent out" and rushing off brought me back the country paper I send to you where you will see the Gypsy heads the list. The thing had arisen from the list being one of Christmas presents when illustrated books are usually put at the head of the list. The enclosed are the ordinary forms of advertisements that we are sending out. I am happy to tell you that we have sold upwards of 700 of the new edition which is very satisfactory. It shows that there is a steady demand.
I am very glad that Lewes and you like Doubles and Quits and your applause has delighted the Author and his wife. He is a great ally and companion of mine and for several years I have been looking at things he did and urging him on, telling him I was sure he would succeed, so I have a sort of double pleasure in his success. He is of literary blood, being Captain Lockhart, Nephew of John Lockhart, 848 and lives at Ashiestiel, the lovely spot where Sir Walter Scott was so happy and wrote so much. He is full of fun and I shall bring him to you the first time we are in Town together. Are you writing anything?
With best regards to Lewes and hoping you are both well I am
always yours truly
John Blackwood.
Mrs. Lewes.
Signature
John Blackwood.
Citation
John Blackwood, John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 14 December 1868, 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/95185