John Blackwood to GE, London, 14 December 1859(1)
Title
John Blackwood to GE, London, 14 December 1859(1)
Title
John Blackwood to GE, London, 14 December 1859(1)
Sender
John Blackwood
Recipient
George Eliot
Date(s)
- 1859-12-14
Place
London
Letter Content
John Blackwood to GE, London, 14 December 1859(1)
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
The Cavendish | December 14/59.
My Dear Madam
I got back from the Isle of Wight last night. While there I was chiefly and most pleasurably occupied in reading the M.S. you gave me of Sister Maggie. It is a most wonderful portrait gallery and the humour and exquisite touches of nature make one pause upon every page.
At first I was rather afraid that you hung too long over the childhood of your hero and heroine and that there was a want of narrative interest, but the striking merits overpower any feeling of this kind.
I incline to think you are right in your own instinct that the book should be published in a mass. Inclosed I send offer which is based on the principle that we take our chance of selling 4000 in the first instance and that you retain your permanent interest in the success of the book along with us.
I shall bring the M.S. with me tomorrow, and as I expect to see you so soon I write no more at present.
always yours truly
John Blackwood.
Mrs. Lewes.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
The Cavendish | December 14/59.
My Dear Madam
I got back from the Isle of Wight last night. While there I was chiefly and most pleasurably occupied in reading the M.S. you gave me of Sister Maggie. It is a most wonderful portrait gallery and the humour and exquisite touches of nature make one pause upon every page.
At first I was rather afraid that you hung too long over the childhood of your hero and heroine and that there was a want of narrative interest, but the striking merits overpower any feeling of this kind.
I incline to think you are right in your own instinct that the book should be published in a mass. Inclosed I send offer which is based on the principle that we take our chance of selling 4000 in the first instance and that you retain your permanent interest in the success of the book along with us.
I shall bring the M.S. with me tomorrow, and as I expect to see you so soon I write no more at present.
always yours truly
John Blackwood.
Mrs. Lewes.
Signature
John Blackwood.
Citation
John Blackwood, John Blackwood to GE, London, 14 December 1859(1), 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/95303