John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 24 April 1860
Title
John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 24 April 1860
Title
John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 24 April 1860
Sender
John Blackwood
Recipient
George Henry Lewes
Date(s)
- 1860-04-24
Place
Edinburgh
Letter Content
John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 24 April 1860
MS: National Library of Scotland. Extract published: John Blackwood, p. 52.
Edinburgh | April 24/60.
My Dear Lewes
The magnanimous Mudie is nibbling at a third thousand of The Mill and I have little doubt tomorrow or next day will bring intelligence that he has taken them. The doubt is something about when we are to publish a cheaper edition as to which he is striving to obtain a pledge from Langford which he will not get. Mudie taking this third thousand will reduce the remainder of the 6000 printed to a manageable shape. It is very satisfactory. The worst feature in the sale is that Simpkins has still 300 (a few days ago) of the 500 they took. Hamiltons again however are quite satisfied with the sale of their copies. There are dropping sales to libraries but not such as to be features worth mentioning. The reviews generally have been very favourable and there has been nothing offensive that I have seen.
I have a long critical letter from Bulwer. He objects to many things, but his admiration for Mrs. Lewes' genius is as clear and genuine as could be wished and he places The Mill above Adam. As you do not wish any criticisms while abroad I do not send you the letter; besides it is very bulky, being written on very thick paper and in his widest hand. There has been no review in the Times yet.
Rather better than a thousand have been subscribed of the second volume of The Physiology.
I hope this will find you both well and continuing to enjoy Rome. You will I suppose be thinking of moving soon, and you should go to Naples. The expeditions about there are so perfectly delightful. I have not much news from London, the fight for the Championship 533 monopolising everyone's attention. It is quite comical and I cannot help feeling as keen as possible about gallant little Tom Sayers with his one arm maintaining such a fight. I am satisfied that if he had not lost the use of his right arm he would have polished off the giant. I never saw a prize fight, and I daresay five minutes conversation with the worthy Tom would effectually cool my enthusiasm.
Langford does not say much of the opinions of The Garrick about The Mill but I rather gather that the verdict there is not so universally favourable as about Adam. The knowledge of the secret would make them more critical I daresay. The greatest enthusiast is your friend and index maker Mr. Brown. 534 He did not see any of the book as it went through the press and after he got a copy he came to me next morning wild with delight. He gnashes his teeth if he hears of any one who does not think the book perfect. He is a character who would make you laugh, and his remarks are well worth hearing.
I hope to hear from one or other of you in a few days and with best regards in which the Major joins I am
ever yours truly
John Blackwood.
G. H. Lewes Esq.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Extract published: John Blackwood, p. 52.
Edinburgh | April 24/60.
My Dear Lewes
The magnanimous Mudie is nibbling at a third thousand of The Mill and I have little doubt tomorrow or next day will bring intelligence that he has taken them. The doubt is something about when we are to publish a cheaper edition as to which he is striving to obtain a pledge from Langford which he will not get. Mudie taking this third thousand will reduce the remainder of the 6000 printed to a manageable shape. It is very satisfactory. The worst feature in the sale is that Simpkins has still 300 (a few days ago) of the 500 they took. Hamiltons again however are quite satisfied with the sale of their copies. There are dropping sales to libraries but not such as to be features worth mentioning. The reviews generally have been very favourable and there has been nothing offensive that I have seen.
I have a long critical letter from Bulwer. He objects to many things, but his admiration for Mrs. Lewes' genius is as clear and genuine as could be wished and he places The Mill above Adam. As you do not wish any criticisms while abroad I do not send you the letter; besides it is very bulky, being written on very thick paper and in his widest hand. There has been no review in the Times yet.
Rather better than a thousand have been subscribed of the second volume of The Physiology.
I hope this will find you both well and continuing to enjoy Rome. You will I suppose be thinking of moving soon, and you should go to Naples. The expeditions about there are so perfectly delightful. I have not much news from London, the fight for the Championship 533 monopolising everyone's attention. It is quite comical and I cannot help feeling as keen as possible about gallant little Tom Sayers with his one arm maintaining such a fight. I am satisfied that if he had not lost the use of his right arm he would have polished off the giant. I never saw a prize fight, and I daresay five minutes conversation with the worthy Tom would effectually cool my enthusiasm.
Langford does not say much of the opinions of The Garrick about The Mill but I rather gather that the verdict there is not so universally favourable as about Adam. The knowledge of the secret would make them more critical I daresay. The greatest enthusiast is your friend and index maker Mr. Brown. 534 He did not see any of the book as it went through the press and after he got a copy he came to me next morning wild with delight. He gnashes his teeth if he hears of any one who does not think the book perfect. He is a character who would make you laugh, and his remarks are well worth hearing.
I hope to hear from one or other of you in a few days and with best regards in which the Major joins I am
ever yours truly
John Blackwood.
G. H. Lewes Esq.
Signature
John Blackwood.
Citation
John Blackwood, John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 24 April 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/95396