John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 14 January 1879
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 14 January 1879
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 14 January 1879
Sender
John Blackwood
Recipient
George Eliot
Date(s)
- 1879-01-14
Place
Edinburgh
Letter Content
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 14 January 1879
MS: National Library of Scotland. Extract published: John Blackwood, p. 399.
George Street, | Edinburgh.
January 14/79.
My Dear Mrs. Lewes
It comes home to my heart to see your hand again, and your considerate note in the midst of your heart-breaking trouble is so like you.
Do not allow the proofs of "Theophrastus Such" to concern you in the least, the type can wait your perfect convenience. I had it set up that the proofs might be ready to your hand when you were able to turn your thoughts that way. It is all in type now and I shall complete your set of proofs tomorrow.
I have been reading it all with great interest, and it does make one think. In the circumstances perhaps it does make me think more gravely than I otherwise would have done. There are so many things too that make one feel where one's own shoe pinches, especially in the weaker points of character. It brings us all in a kind of a way to the Confessional.
I could not at first make out what H.E.P. 165 meant until Mr. Allardyce 166 suggested that it must be the old gathering cry of Peter the Hermit. He guessed this too before he had read that Essay. He has read them all now and I am glad to observe that he feels no want of individual interest and that Theophrastus is to him a real entity throughout.
Willie's leg is nearly mended now and he moves about the room with sticks, although he cannot venture into the streets yet. My wife and daughter are well and often speak of you. I am really very well and mean to take my first day's Golf tomorrow if the weather is at all fit. I tremble to think of your health in the midst of your suffering.
It has given me great pleasure to observe the tone of good feeling and sense in Charles Lewes' letters.
At this season the position of your Works has of course been looked into and the returns of sales in the opening year come from London. My first sensation was what a pleasant table they would have made to send to him so I need not tell you they are looking well. God bless and comfort you.
always yours truly
John Blackwood.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Extract published: John Blackwood, p. 399.
George Street, | Edinburgh.
January 14/79.
My Dear Mrs. Lewes
It comes home to my heart to see your hand again, and your considerate note in the midst of your heart-breaking trouble is so like you.
Do not allow the proofs of "Theophrastus Such" to concern you in the least, the type can wait your perfect convenience. I had it set up that the proofs might be ready to your hand when you were able to turn your thoughts that way. It is all in type now and I shall complete your set of proofs tomorrow.
I have been reading it all with great interest, and it does make one think. In the circumstances perhaps it does make me think more gravely than I otherwise would have done. There are so many things too that make one feel where one's own shoe pinches, especially in the weaker points of character. It brings us all in a kind of a way to the Confessional.
I could not at first make out what H.E.P. 165 meant until Mr. Allardyce 166 suggested that it must be the old gathering cry of Peter the Hermit. He guessed this too before he had read that Essay. He has read them all now and I am glad to observe that he feels no want of individual interest and that Theophrastus is to him a real entity throughout.
Willie's leg is nearly mended now and he moves about the room with sticks, although he cannot venture into the streets yet. My wife and daughter are well and often speak of you. I am really very well and mean to take my first day's Golf tomorrow if the weather is at all fit. I tremble to think of your health in the midst of your suffering.
It has given me great pleasure to observe the tone of good feeling and sense in Charles Lewes' letters.
At this season the position of your Works has of course been looked into and the returns of sales in the opening year come from London. My first sensation was what a pleasant table they would have made to send to him so I need not tell you they are looking well. God bless and comfort you.
always yours truly
John Blackwood.
Signature
John Blackwood.
Citation
John Blackwood, John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 14 January 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/95187