John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 18 May 1859
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 18 May 1859
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 18 May 1859
Sender
John Blackwood
Recipient
George Eliot
Date(s)
- 1859-05-18
Place
Edinburgh
Letter Content
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 18 May 1859
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Edinburgh | May 18/59.
My Dear George Eliot
I feel quite ashamed of my long silence and Lewes' reminder this morning added to my remorse by telling me that I had caused you to postpone an excursion. 131 I have been "awfully" busy and occupied about many things but I was determined to write today although I had not heard of you.
I inclose proof of the Lifted Veil. It is a very striking story, full of thought and most beautifully written. I wish the theme had been a happier one, and I think you must have been worrying and disturbing yourself about something when you wrote. Still, others are not so fond of sweets as I am, and no judge can read the Lifted Veil without deep admiration and the feeling that it is the work of a great writer.
I very much dislike the revivifying experiment at the end and would strongly advise its deletion. 132 I cannot help thinking that some of our excellent scientific friend's experiments on some confounded animal-cule must have suggested it.
The Magazine is still in such a dreadful state of size that it will suit me better to postpone the Veil for a month 133 so we will have plenty of time to talk it over.
I leave this tomorrow and intend to be in London on Wednesday the 25th and will find my way to Wandsworth on as early a day as you may be able to see me. I do long to have a talk with you and personally to congratulate you on your triumph.
I have no very recent information from London, but there is no doubt that the third edition (520 copies) will all be disposed of, and there is an excellent prospect for the 12/ edition of which I inclose a specimen sheet.
It is a great triumph and apart from all commercial considerations my brother and I take the keenest personal pleasure in the success. You know enough of us to feel that we will not forget to whom that success is owing, and on the principles we have acted upon in similar cases we will not rest satisfied without making you some acknowledgment beyond the letter of our agreement, although we do leave Mr. Liggins in penury. We propose therefore to give you an additional sum of ('a3400) Four Hundred Pounds towards the end of the year when the returns from the book will be coming in to us.
As I am leaving tomorrow, you may guess that my desk is a painful memento of work not sooner attended to, so Lewes will excuse my [not] writing for a day or two. If you write within the next few days address care of Revd. J. Blandford, Sponden near Derby, where we are going to leave the children with their adoring Aunts.
ever yours truly
John Blackwood.
George Eliot Esq.
Although I have not been writing to you lately I have been writing about you, or rather Liggins. I will bring up the correspondence which will, I think, make you laugh. 134 Keep your secret.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Edinburgh | May 18/59.
My Dear George Eliot
I feel quite ashamed of my long silence and Lewes' reminder this morning added to my remorse by telling me that I had caused you to postpone an excursion. 131 I have been "awfully" busy and occupied about many things but I was determined to write today although I had not heard of you.
I inclose proof of the Lifted Veil. It is a very striking story, full of thought and most beautifully written. I wish the theme had been a happier one, and I think you must have been worrying and disturbing yourself about something when you wrote. Still, others are not so fond of sweets as I am, and no judge can read the Lifted Veil without deep admiration and the feeling that it is the work of a great writer.
I very much dislike the revivifying experiment at the end and would strongly advise its deletion. 132 I cannot help thinking that some of our excellent scientific friend's experiments on some confounded animal-cule must have suggested it.
The Magazine is still in such a dreadful state of size that it will suit me better to postpone the Veil for a month 133 so we will have plenty of time to talk it over.
I leave this tomorrow and intend to be in London on Wednesday the 25th and will find my way to Wandsworth on as early a day as you may be able to see me. I do long to have a talk with you and personally to congratulate you on your triumph.
I have no very recent information from London, but there is no doubt that the third edition (520 copies) will all be disposed of, and there is an excellent prospect for the 12/ edition of which I inclose a specimen sheet.
It is a great triumph and apart from all commercial considerations my brother and I take the keenest personal pleasure in the success. You know enough of us to feel that we will not forget to whom that success is owing, and on the principles we have acted upon in similar cases we will not rest satisfied without making you some acknowledgment beyond the letter of our agreement, although we do leave Mr. Liggins in penury. We propose therefore to give you an additional sum of ('a3400) Four Hundred Pounds towards the end of the year when the returns from the book will be coming in to us.
As I am leaving tomorrow, you may guess that my desk is a painful memento of work not sooner attended to, so Lewes will excuse my [not] writing for a day or two. If you write within the next few days address care of Revd. J. Blandford, Sponden near Derby, where we are going to leave the children with their adoring Aunts.
ever yours truly
John Blackwood.
George Eliot Esq.
Although I have not been writing to you lately I have been writing about you, or rather Liggins. I will bring up the correspondence which will, I think, make you laugh. 134 Keep your secret.
Signature
John Blackwood.
Citation
John Blackwood, John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 18 May 1859, 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/95207