John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 24 March 1879
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 24 March 1879
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 24 March 1879
Sender
John Blackwood
Recipient
George Eliot
Date(s)
- 1879-03-24
Place
Edinburgh
Letter Content
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 24 March 1879
Text: Copy in Blackwood Letter Book. Hitherto unpublished.
George Street Edinburgh | March 24/79.
My dear Mrs. Lewes
I inclose proof of Theophrastus Title page and I quite agree about the single title "Impressions" and saying simply by George Eliot. The motto is rather too long for a title page and perhaps it had better be printed on the opposite leaf but we can try it on the title page.
When you made the arrangement with Harpers for Daniel Deronda did you send them any idea of the nature of the book, and did you correspond with any individual in the house or simply address the Messrs. Harper? I think I should explain to them that this is not a novel, and perhaps send them the contents, which are very attractive.
Our Australian friends will be disposed to do what they can for Theophrastus, although as you say the book does not seem greatly adapted for the bush, but there must be many a solitary fellow there who will be glad to ponder over the words you so gracefully lay before your reader. I can quite imagine translators mauling your language, and when in Theophrastus they are not guided by any story they are more likely to miss your fine points than in a novel.
I was struck by seeing the death of Strodtmann whom you mention in to-day's paper. I have an intimate friend at Berlin, Paul Lindau 204 who is a high official there, Legationsrath whatever that may be. I know him very well and as you do not in any way wish to be mixed up in the matter I think of handing it over to him and telling him to make the best he can of it, but give me some idea of what you have previously received. Lindau's brother is at the head of the German Press and between them their interest seems very powerful. In writing to America I should tell them when we intend to publish and I hope you are reconciling yourself to the appearance of the book in the end of May or beginning of June.
I trust that you have thrown off your headaches and [are] not suffering from such bitterly cold weather as still blows a half snow upon us here.
Always yours truly
John Blackwood.
Text: Copy in Blackwood Letter Book. Hitherto unpublished.
George Street Edinburgh | March 24/79.
My dear Mrs. Lewes
I inclose proof of Theophrastus Title page and I quite agree about the single title "Impressions" and saying simply by George Eliot. The motto is rather too long for a title page and perhaps it had better be printed on the opposite leaf but we can try it on the title page.
When you made the arrangement with Harpers for Daniel Deronda did you send them any idea of the nature of the book, and did you correspond with any individual in the house or simply address the Messrs. Harper? I think I should explain to them that this is not a novel, and perhaps send them the contents, which are very attractive.
Our Australian friends will be disposed to do what they can for Theophrastus, although as you say the book does not seem greatly adapted for the bush, but there must be many a solitary fellow there who will be glad to ponder over the words you so gracefully lay before your reader. I can quite imagine translators mauling your language, and when in Theophrastus they are not guided by any story they are more likely to miss your fine points than in a novel.
I was struck by seeing the death of Strodtmann whom you mention in to-day's paper. I have an intimate friend at Berlin, Paul Lindau 204 who is a high official there, Legationsrath whatever that may be. I know him very well and as you do not in any way wish to be mixed up in the matter I think of handing it over to him and telling him to make the best he can of it, but give me some idea of what you have previously received. Lindau's brother is at the head of the German Press and between them their interest seems very powerful. In writing to America I should tell them when we intend to publish and I hope you are reconciling yourself to the appearance of the book in the end of May or beginning of June.
I trust that you have thrown off your headaches and [are] not suffering from such bitterly cold weather as still blows a half snow upon us here.
Always yours truly
John Blackwood.
Signature
John Blackwood.
Citation
John Blackwood, John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 24 March 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/95235