John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 11 October 1871
Title
John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 11 October 1871
Title
John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 11 October 1871
Sender
John Blackwood
Recipient
George Henry Lewes
Date(s)
- 1871-10-11
Place
Edinburgh
Letter Content
John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 11 October 1871
Text: Copy in Blackwood Letter Book. Hitherto unpublished.
George St. | Edinburgh | October 11/71.
My Dear Lewes
I return Mr. Main's very striking letters. They are a very curious illustration of how the words of a great author tell in the most over-powering manner in every quarter. The cliffs under which he describes himself reading are very much those up which Edie Ochiltree piloted Sir Henry and his daughter. 379 It is a mercy he was not drowned. Absorbed as he was he would never have observed the water covering the "Ratton's Skerry."
I have had some talk with Willie and Mr. Simpson about Mr. Main's scheme for a selection of Thoughts, Wise and Witty (or some such title) from the works of George Eliot and we are very much disposed to enter into it. We do not happen to have any Arbroath correspondent so that I do not know anything of Mr. Main beyond these letters, but I daresay I shall hear something. The letters and specimen look as if he might thoroughly be trusted with the task.
The plan will be I think to retain a complete [right] over what he extracts and you should see everything either in M.S. or proof. You had better as you propose tell him to communicate with us.
I hope Mrs. Lewes continues to improve.
Ever yours truly
(signed) John Blackwood.
G. H. Lewes Esq.
Text: Copy in Blackwood Letter Book. Hitherto unpublished.
George St. | Edinburgh | October 11/71.
My Dear Lewes
I return Mr. Main's very striking letters. They are a very curious illustration of how the words of a great author tell in the most over-powering manner in every quarter. The cliffs under which he describes himself reading are very much those up which Edie Ochiltree piloted Sir Henry and his daughter. 379 It is a mercy he was not drowned. Absorbed as he was he would never have observed the water covering the "Ratton's Skerry."
I have had some talk with Willie and Mr. Simpson about Mr. Main's scheme for a selection of Thoughts, Wise and Witty (or some such title) from the works of George Eliot and we are very much disposed to enter into it. We do not happen to have any Arbroath correspondent so that I do not know anything of Mr. Main beyond these letters, but I daresay I shall hear something. The letters and specimen look as if he might thoroughly be trusted with the task.
The plan will be I think to retain a complete [right] over what he extracts and you should see everything either in M.S. or proof. You had better as you propose tell him to communicate with us.
I hope Mrs. Lewes continues to improve.
Ever yours truly
(signed) John Blackwood.
G. H. Lewes Esq.
Signature
(signed) John Blackwood.
Citation
John Blackwood, John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 11 October 1871, 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/95358