John Blackwood to GE, London, 15 June 1860
Title
John Blackwood to GE, London, 15 June 1860
Title
John Blackwood to GE, London, 15 June 1860
Sender
John Blackwood
Recipient
George Eliot
Date(s)
- 1860-06-15
Place
London
Letter Content
John Blackwood to GE, London, 15 June 1860
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
The Cavendish | June 15/60.
My Dear Madam
I fancy this will be about the right date to pitch upon you at Berne so I write although I have not much to say and am falling into that stupid useless do-nothing state which always comes upon me after some weeks of London racket.
My letter to Florence would I think catch you, and since then there are hardly any features in the way of sales to mention except that they are pretty steady although not rapid.
The most notable is that Longmans have had 50 of the Mill, which will help the last 500. There are other small dropping sales, and the sales I mentioned in Clerical Scenes and Adam Bede were in the new editions of both which is pleasant.
I should be puzzled to give you any idea of the opinion formed in London of the Mill, but in all directions I find evidence that the attempt has been made throughout the big city to form an opinion which is quite eulogium enough. There is a great deal of balancing as to the merits of the two books, and I think generally Adam is the most popular but there are quite enough of supporters of the Mill to make the verdict a close divided one, and I have heard nobody worth a farthing who did not think the last book fully worthy of the author of the other.
I have heard a good deal of sort of ex post facto wisdom proceeding from the knowledge of who the book is written by, especially among the small deer of criticism.
Delane spoke of the Mill and used very much my own sort of language saying "God it is a wonderful book. It is no use arguing about it." I have not had an opportunity of sending to Dallas what you said of his review but will do so.
I was very glad to see by your letter to the Major that something had occurred to you in the way of writing although your hint is so vague that I cannot guess the style.
Tell Lewes I have seen a few of the London men but not many. I met the "godlike Forster" 559 at M. Morris'. 560 With that noble franchise which distinguishes him he insisted upon stating to me at some length that he could not turn to the Mill again. He was very impressive and said he had wished to make this statement to me. I told him I could bear it and the fun is I cannot recollect that he gave a single reason for this incapacity to reread the Mill. He must have said something but there could have been no critical remark worth remembering. Understand that he did not mean to be unfriendly or offensive; indeed there was as little of the latter quality about him on the occasion as his singular natural gifts in that way could permit. Of the Physiology I do not think there is anything to report. Thackeray is blooming but I have seen less of him than usual.
I am wearying to get off to the North now but do not expect to do so until the 26th. Is there any chance of seeing Lewes and you by that time? I hope this will find you both in good case and enjoying the glorious scenery.
I should like much to have a photograph of you, and will treasure it very much if you will get one done for me. There are beautiful coloured ones done in Paris and you would be safe from the illustrated papers in a place where you were not known. I suppose you will come home via Paris. With best regards to Lewes Believe me
ever yours truly
John Blackwood.
Mrs. M. E. Lewes.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
The Cavendish | June 15/60.
My Dear Madam
I fancy this will be about the right date to pitch upon you at Berne so I write although I have not much to say and am falling into that stupid useless do-nothing state which always comes upon me after some weeks of London racket.
My letter to Florence would I think catch you, and since then there are hardly any features in the way of sales to mention except that they are pretty steady although not rapid.
The most notable is that Longmans have had 50 of the Mill, which will help the last 500. There are other small dropping sales, and the sales I mentioned in Clerical Scenes and Adam Bede were in the new editions of both which is pleasant.
I should be puzzled to give you any idea of the opinion formed in London of the Mill, but in all directions I find evidence that the attempt has been made throughout the big city to form an opinion which is quite eulogium enough. There is a great deal of balancing as to the merits of the two books, and I think generally Adam is the most popular but there are quite enough of supporters of the Mill to make the verdict a close divided one, and I have heard nobody worth a farthing who did not think the last book fully worthy of the author of the other.
I have heard a good deal of sort of ex post facto wisdom proceeding from the knowledge of who the book is written by, especially among the small deer of criticism.
Delane spoke of the Mill and used very much my own sort of language saying "God it is a wonderful book. It is no use arguing about it." I have not had an opportunity of sending to Dallas what you said of his review but will do so.
I was very glad to see by your letter to the Major that something had occurred to you in the way of writing although your hint is so vague that I cannot guess the style.
Tell Lewes I have seen a few of the London men but not many. I met the "godlike Forster" 559 at M. Morris'. 560 With that noble franchise which distinguishes him he insisted upon stating to me at some length that he could not turn to the Mill again. He was very impressive and said he had wished to make this statement to me. I told him I could bear it and the fun is I cannot recollect that he gave a single reason for this incapacity to reread the Mill. He must have said something but there could have been no critical remark worth remembering. Understand that he did not mean to be unfriendly or offensive; indeed there was as little of the latter quality about him on the occasion as his singular natural gifts in that way could permit. Of the Physiology I do not think there is anything to report. Thackeray is blooming but I have seen less of him than usual.
I am wearying to get off to the North now but do not expect to do so until the 26th. Is there any chance of seeing Lewes and you by that time? I hope this will find you both in good case and enjoying the glorious scenery.
I should like much to have a photograph of you, and will treasure it very much if you will get one done for me. There are beautiful coloured ones done in Paris and you would be safe from the illustrated papers in a place where you were not known. I suppose you will come home via Paris. With best regards to Lewes Believe me
ever yours truly
John Blackwood.
Mrs. M. E. Lewes.
Signature
John Blackwood.
Citation
John Blackwood, John Blackwood to GE, London, 15 June 1860, 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/95306