John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 23 February 1857
Title
John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 23 February 1857
Title
John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 23 February 1857
Sender
John Blackwood
Recipient
George Henry Lewes
Date(s)
- 1857-02-23
Place
Edinburgh
Letter Content
John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 23 February 1857
MS: National Library of Scotland. Extracts published: John Blackwood, p. 38.
Edinburgh | February 23/57.
My Dear Lewes
When you go to the Scilly Islands I shall hope to hear tidings of you in the shape of M.S. You have much reason to be proud of your Literary Godchild George Eliot. My impression is that Gilfil will be even more generally popular than Amos. There are differences of opinion about Amos and probably there always may be, but there is no mistake about the general verdict being as favourable as we expected.
In his last G. Eliot expressed anxiety to hear Thackeray's opinion. From what Albert Smith said I gather that Thackeray is a warm admirer, but I expect the wandering "puller down of Kings" here erelong 801 when doubtless I shall hear his opinion at full length. By the way there are occasional touches in Amos akin to Thackeray's style of humour and feeling.
The inclosed comment is from an intimate friend of mine, a remarkably clever fellow the Revd G. C. Swayne. 802 You may recollect a paper of his on respectability in the November or December number which I daresay would hit your fancy.
always yours truly
John Blackwood.
G. H. Lewes Esq.
"I forgot to speak of Amos Barton in my last to you, what a charming tale it is! -- and yet without any straining for effect or incident; it reminds me in its tender simplicity of the Vicar of Wakefield more than anything I have read [in] a long time." 803
MS: National Library of Scotland. Extracts published: John Blackwood, p. 38.
Edinburgh | February 23/57.
My Dear Lewes
When you go to the Scilly Islands I shall hope to hear tidings of you in the shape of M.S. You have much reason to be proud of your Literary Godchild George Eliot. My impression is that Gilfil will be even more generally popular than Amos. There are differences of opinion about Amos and probably there always may be, but there is no mistake about the general verdict being as favourable as we expected.
In his last G. Eliot expressed anxiety to hear Thackeray's opinion. From what Albert Smith said I gather that Thackeray is a warm admirer, but I expect the wandering "puller down of Kings" here erelong 801 when doubtless I shall hear his opinion at full length. By the way there are occasional touches in Amos akin to Thackeray's style of humour and feeling.
The inclosed comment is from an intimate friend of mine, a remarkably clever fellow the Revd G. C. Swayne. 802 You may recollect a paper of his on respectability in the November or December number which I daresay would hit your fancy.
always yours truly
John Blackwood.
G. H. Lewes Esq.
"I forgot to speak of Amos Barton in my last to you, what a charming tale it is! -- and yet without any straining for effect or incident; it reminds me in its tender simplicity of the Vicar of Wakefield more than anything I have read [in] a long time." 803
Signature
John Blackwood.
Citation
John Blackwood, John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 23 February 1857, 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/95394