John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 8 July 1859
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 8 July 1859
Title
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 8 July 1859
Sender
John Blackwood
Recipient
George Eliot
Date(s)
- 1859-07-08
Place
Edinburgh
Letter Content
John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 8 July 1859
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Edinburgh | July 8/59.
My Dear George Eliot
I have the pleasure of inclosing a cheque 'a387-10/ being 'a350 received from Tauchnitz for Adam Bede and 'a337-10 in acknowledgment of "The Lifted Veil." The Veil is making very much the impression I expected. All admire the excellence and power of the writing, lovers of the painful are thrilled and delighted, others like me are thrilled but wish the author in a happier frame of mind and not thinking of unsympathising untrustworthy keepers of secrets. 204
Bulwer's copy of the Magazine had by mistake not been sent down to Knebworth. The tale is one of which I should have liked very much to hear what he said. We found the baronet in great force, better I think than I have seen him for some years and full of fun. He told some capital stories. He was great in praise of his Doctor Mr. Todd 205 and when
Lewes gets out of sorts as I know he does occasionally I think he should consult him. Delane too told me that this Todd was the best man in London with no quackery or humbug about him.
The Scenes are nearly ready and I shall soon have the pleasure of remitting to you for the second edition as also for Adam. The Bedesman never tires and we are reprinting as fast as possible.
Among the few here who have observed the paragraph in the Athenaeum contempt is stronger than indignation. It was lucky the low dog showed himself as foolish as he is malignant. The secret does not seem to be out here and all you or we have to do is to keep quiet.
I hope you are going to start on some expedition and I expect to hear from you in great spirits undisturbed by Liggins or any of the other ills that flesh is heir to. I often think of the new Tale and the name of the heroine comes more readily to my lips than St. Oggs on the Floss.
The Major sends his best regards. We frequently talk of our very interesting visit to you. 206
ever yours truly
John Blackwood.
G. Eliot Esq.
P.S. While writing I thought the second instalment for Adam Bede was due at six months from publication instead of nine as I see it is. As I mentioned before however if any furnishings or movings should make an earlier payment desirable it will afford us pleasure to meet your wishes.
I have intrusted the getting of a pug to my cousin Col. Steuart, 207 an excellent fellow, knowing in horses and dogs and a devoted friend of mine. When he said good bye to us at the station he started in a Hansom for Blackman St. in the Borough where there is a dive kept in his early days by Dick Curtis the pet of the Fancy. If such a thing is to be got I doubt not the Colonel will manage it for me.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Edinburgh | July 8/59.
My Dear George Eliot
I have the pleasure of inclosing a cheque 'a387-10/ being 'a350 received from Tauchnitz for Adam Bede and 'a337-10 in acknowledgment of "The Lifted Veil." The Veil is making very much the impression I expected. All admire the excellence and power of the writing, lovers of the painful are thrilled and delighted, others like me are thrilled but wish the author in a happier frame of mind and not thinking of unsympathising untrustworthy keepers of secrets. 204
Bulwer's copy of the Magazine had by mistake not been sent down to Knebworth. The tale is one of which I should have liked very much to hear what he said. We found the baronet in great force, better I think than I have seen him for some years and full of fun. He told some capital stories. He was great in praise of his Doctor Mr. Todd 205 and when
Lewes gets out of sorts as I know he does occasionally I think he should consult him. Delane too told me that this Todd was the best man in London with no quackery or humbug about him.
The Scenes are nearly ready and I shall soon have the pleasure of remitting to you for the second edition as also for Adam. The Bedesman never tires and we are reprinting as fast as possible.
Among the few here who have observed the paragraph in the Athenaeum contempt is stronger than indignation. It was lucky the low dog showed himself as foolish as he is malignant. The secret does not seem to be out here and all you or we have to do is to keep quiet.
I hope you are going to start on some expedition and I expect to hear from you in great spirits undisturbed by Liggins or any of the other ills that flesh is heir to. I often think of the new Tale and the name of the heroine comes more readily to my lips than St. Oggs on the Floss.
The Major sends his best regards. We frequently talk of our very interesting visit to you. 206
ever yours truly
John Blackwood.
G. Eliot Esq.
P.S. While writing I thought the second instalment for Adam Bede was due at six months from publication instead of nine as I see it is. As I mentioned before however if any furnishings or movings should make an earlier payment desirable it will afford us pleasure to meet your wishes.
I have intrusted the getting of a pug to my cousin Col. Steuart, 207 an excellent fellow, knowing in horses and dogs and a devoted friend of mine. When he said good bye to us at the station he started in a Hansom for Blackman St. in the Borough where there is a dive kept in his early days by Dick Curtis the pet of the Fancy. If such a thing is to be got I doubt not the Colonel will manage it for me.
Signature
John Blackwood.
Citation
John Blackwood, John Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 8 July 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/95296