John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 28 November 1857
Title
John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 28 November 1857
Title
John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 28 November 1857
Sender
John Blackwood
Recipient
George Henry Lewes
Date(s)
- 1857-11-28
Place
Edinburgh
Letter Content
John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 28 November 1857
Text: Copy in Blackwood Letter Book, National Library of Scotland.
Edinburgh | November 28/57.
My dear Lewes
That you may fully understand the position of "Sea-Side Studies" I inclose our estimate. The only uncertain points are the advertising and engravings. The paper and boarding are what we pay and the printing is what we would charge to the book were it entirely our own property. The Corrections and extras being estimated from the expense incurred in the sheets already sent to press. The 10 per cent Commission is fully required to cover the discounts from Saleprice allowed to the wholesalers the loss of interest etc. on the length of time that must elapse before we are paid for the Edition even supposing the sale to be very rapid. I grudge the £50 in advertising but I do not think we can spend less. You are I see sparing no labour or trouble on the Volume and my brother and I wish to give you so much as we possibly can consistently with having ourselves any fair chance of remuneration on the undertaking.
We now beg to offer you £75 for the Edition or if you prefer to wait and take your chance of the result we will pay you two thirds of the clear profits when these arrive.
I am glad you think you can edit and bring down to the present state of Scientific Knowledge the Chemistry of Common Life and I have desired an interleaved copy to be sent you. If on looking over the Book you think you can do what is required I should like you to set about it as soon you find leisure. I imagine that very considerable additions will be desirable but you will be best able to judge. I cannot of course form any accurate idea of the amount of labour you will require to bestow in re-editing the book but at all events I propose to give you one hundred guineas (£105.) if that sum meets with your ideas.
I would have written to you sooner about this had I not hesitated a little as to whether an Editor with a Scientific reputation was not absolutely necessary but having the work really well done is much more essential than the bubble reputation and I have seen so much of your businesslike conscientious mode of writing that I feel quite confident anything you undertake will be well done.
Enclosed I have the pleasure of sending a cheque £10.10. in acknowledgement of your little paper on Phrenology in France. My brother goes up to London next week and hopes to have an opportunity of making your acquaintance.
With regards to G. Eliot
I am ever yours truly
John Blackwood.
G. H. Lewes Esq.
Text: Copy in Blackwood Letter Book, National Library of Scotland.
Edinburgh | November 28/57.
My dear Lewes
That you may fully understand the position of "Sea-Side Studies" I inclose our estimate. The only uncertain points are the advertising and engravings. The paper and boarding are what we pay and the printing is what we would charge to the book were it entirely our own property. The Corrections and extras being estimated from the expense incurred in the sheets already sent to press. The 10 per cent Commission is fully required to cover the discounts from Saleprice allowed to the wholesalers the loss of interest etc. on the length of time that must elapse before we are paid for the Edition even supposing the sale to be very rapid. I grudge the £50 in advertising but I do not think we can spend less. You are I see sparing no labour or trouble on the Volume and my brother and I wish to give you so much as we possibly can consistently with having ourselves any fair chance of remuneration on the undertaking.
We now beg to offer you £75 for the Edition or if you prefer to wait and take your chance of the result we will pay you two thirds of the clear profits when these arrive.
I am glad you think you can edit and bring down to the present state of Scientific Knowledge the Chemistry of Common Life and I have desired an interleaved copy to be sent you. If on looking over the Book you think you can do what is required I should like you to set about it as soon you find leisure. I imagine that very considerable additions will be desirable but you will be best able to judge. I cannot of course form any accurate idea of the amount of labour you will require to bestow in re-editing the book but at all events I propose to give you one hundred guineas (£105.) if that sum meets with your ideas.
I would have written to you sooner about this had I not hesitated a little as to whether an Editor with a Scientific reputation was not absolutely necessary but having the work really well done is much more essential than the bubble reputation and I have seen so much of your businesslike conscientious mode of writing that I feel quite confident anything you undertake will be well done.
Enclosed I have the pleasure of sending a cheque £10.10. in acknowledgement of your little paper on Phrenology in France. My brother goes up to London next week and hopes to have an opportunity of making your acquaintance.
With regards to G. Eliot
I am ever yours truly
John Blackwood.
G. H. Lewes Esq.
Signature
John Blackwood.
Citation
John Blackwood, John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 28 November 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/95407