John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 29 December 1856
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 29 December 1856
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 29 December 1856
Sender
John Blackwood
Recipient
George Eliot
Date(s)
- 1856-12-29
Place
Edinburgh
Letter Content
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 29 December 1856
MS: National Library of Scotland. Mostly published: Cross, 1, 425-427.
Edinburgh | December 29/56.
My Dear Sir
Along with this I send a copy of the January number of the Magazine in which you will find the first part of Amos Barton. It gives me very great pleasure to begin the number with Amos and I put him in that position because his merits will entitle him to it and also because it is a vital point to attract public attention to the first part of a Series, to which end being the first article of the first number of the year may contribute.
I have already expressed to our friend Mr. Lewes the very high opinion I entertain of Amos and the expectations I have formed of the Series should his successors prove equal to him, which I fully anticipate.
It is a long time since I have read anything so fresh so humorous and so touching. The style is capital, conveying so much in so few words.
Those who have seen the Tale here are chiefly members of my own family and they are all enthusiastic in praise.
You may recollect that I expressed a fear that in the affecting and highly wrought scene of poor Milly's death the attempt to individualise the children by reiterating their names weakened the effect, as the reader had not been prepared to care for them individually but simply as a group -- the children of Milly and the sorrow stricken Curate. My brother 773 says no -- "Do not advise the author to touch anything so exquisite" -- Of course you are the best judge.
I now send proof of the conclusion of Amos in acknowledgment of which and of the first part I have the pleasure of making a cheque £52-10/ -- Fifty Guineas.
If the Series goes on as I anticipate there is every prospect that a republication as a separate book at some time or other will be advisable. We would look upon such republication as a joint property and would either give you a sum for your interest in it or publish on the Terms of one half of the clear profits to be divided between author and publisher, as might be most agreeable to you.
I shall be very glad to hear from you either direct or through Mr.
Lewes, and any intelligence that the successors of Amos are taking form and substance will be very acceptable.
I shall let you know what the other contributors and the public think of Amos as far as I can gather a verdict, but in the meantime I may congratulate you on having achieved a preliminary success at all events. very truly yours
John Blackwood.
To the Author of Amos Barton
I have made the cheque payable to Lewes so that it will require his endorsement.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Mostly published: Cross, 1, 425-427.
Edinburgh | December 29/56.
My Dear Sir
Along with this I send a copy of the January number of the Magazine in which you will find the first part of Amos Barton. It gives me very great pleasure to begin the number with Amos and I put him in that position because his merits will entitle him to it and also because it is a vital point to attract public attention to the first part of a Series, to which end being the first article of the first number of the year may contribute.
I have already expressed to our friend Mr. Lewes the very high opinion I entertain of Amos and the expectations I have formed of the Series should his successors prove equal to him, which I fully anticipate.
It is a long time since I have read anything so fresh so humorous and so touching. The style is capital, conveying so much in so few words.
Those who have seen the Tale here are chiefly members of my own family and they are all enthusiastic in praise.
You may recollect that I expressed a fear that in the affecting and highly wrought scene of poor Milly's death the attempt to individualise the children by reiterating their names weakened the effect, as the reader had not been prepared to care for them individually but simply as a group -- the children of Milly and the sorrow stricken Curate. My brother 773 says no -- "Do not advise the author to touch anything so exquisite" -- Of course you are the best judge.
I now send proof of the conclusion of Amos in acknowledgment of which and of the first part I have the pleasure of making a cheque £52-10/ -- Fifty Guineas.
If the Series goes on as I anticipate there is every prospect that a republication as a separate book at some time or other will be advisable. We would look upon such republication as a joint property and would either give you a sum for your interest in it or publish on the Terms of one half of the clear profits to be divided between author and publisher, as might be most agreeable to you.
I shall be very glad to hear from you either direct or through Mr.
Lewes, and any intelligence that the successors of Amos are taking form and substance will be very acceptable.
I shall let you know what the other contributors and the public think of Amos as far as I can gather a verdict, but in the meantime I may congratulate you on having achieved a preliminary success at all events. very truly yours
John Blackwood.
To the Author of Amos Barton
I have made the cheque payable to Lewes so that it will require his endorsement.
Signature
John Blackwood.
Citation
John Blackwood, John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 29 December 1856, 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/95258