John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 29 January 1859
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 29 January 1859
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 29 January 1859
Sender
John Blackwood
Recipient
George Eliot
Date(s)
- 1859-01-29
Place
Edinburgh
Letter Content
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 29 January 1859
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Edinburgh | January 29/59.
My Dear Sir
I have the pleasure of inclosing a cheque 'a3400 being the first instalment for Adam Bede in terms of our agreement.
Copies will be with you in the early part of the week, and ask Lewes to let Mr. Langford know how many copies you wish. Do not stint yourself as to these. Send also a list of parties, private or connected with the Press, whom you would like to receive copies. The book is to be subscribed on Tuesday 4 and you shall have early intelligence as to its success.
Whatever the subscription may be I am confident of success, great success. The book is so novel and so true. The whole story remains in my mind like a succession of incidents in the lives of people whom I know. Adam Bede can certainly never come under the class of popular agreeable stories, but those who love power, real humour and true natural description will stand by the sturdy Carpenter and the living groups you have painted in and about Hayslope.
My brother joins me in congratulations and good wishes for a triumph in this case and many more which we think your pen will yet achieve.
always yours truly
John Blackwood.
George Eliot Esq.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Edinburgh | January 29/59.
My Dear Sir
I have the pleasure of inclosing a cheque 'a3400 being the first instalment for Adam Bede in terms of our agreement.
Copies will be with you in the early part of the week, and ask Lewes to let Mr. Langford know how many copies you wish. Do not stint yourself as to these. Send also a list of parties, private or connected with the Press, whom you would like to receive copies. The book is to be subscribed on Tuesday 4 and you shall have early intelligence as to its success.
Whatever the subscription may be I am confident of success, great success. The book is so novel and so true. The whole story remains in my mind like a succession of incidents in the lives of people whom I know. Adam Bede can certainly never come under the class of popular agreeable stories, but those who love power, real humour and true natural description will stand by the sturdy Carpenter and the living groups you have painted in and about Hayslope.
My brother joins me in congratulations and good wishes for a triumph in this case and many more which we think your pen will yet achieve.
always yours truly
John Blackwood.
George Eliot Esq.
Signature
John Blackwood.
Citation
John Blackwood, John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 29 January 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/95262