John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 4 February 1859
Title
John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 4 February 1859
Title
John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 4 February 1859
Sender
John Blackwood
Recipient
George Henry Lewes
Date(s)
- 1859-02-04
Place
Edinburgh
Letter Content
John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 4 February 1859
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Edinburgh | February 4/59.
My Dear Lewes
I have the pleasure of inclosing a cheque 'a314-14/- in acknowledgment of Falsely Accused. 11 It is interesting and curious, but by no means I think one of your first class papers.
You will probably have been to the Row to hear about Adam Bede. Mudie attempted to beat us down, taking only 50 at first, but finally succumbed, taking 500 at our terms 10 per cent off sales, to which I think he is entitled when he takes so large a number. The other subscription was not good, about 'ab250'bb 230 in all when Langford wrote yesterday. Tell G.E. that I am neither surprised nor disappointed by this. As I have often explained before, I felt distinctly that by Clerical Scenes a reputation with readers and men of letters was made, but not a public general reputation, so the orders for the book would not be in the hands of the Row houses, which is the only guide they have in subscribing. When the reviews begin to appear and people who have read the book begin to talk about it the movement will take place.
We are leaving nothing untried to get up the steam by sending copies to the Press in all directions. I have no doubt I shall soon have the pleasure of writing to tell G.E. of the favourable private opinions I hear of the Carpenter. He will be interested and amused by the following. Mr. Simpson had taken a set of the sheets home with him and his brother, a Cabinet Maker, 12 read them with great admiration. He maintains that the writer must have been bred to the business or at all events passed a great deal of time in the workshop listening to the men. This is a curious tribute to one phase of the life-like reality which pervades the whole book. We have not got copies here yet, but I suppose they will arrive tomorrow.
If you can think of anything of the light and lively order for the next number of the Magazine I shall be glad to hear. I quite approve of putting your name to the new edition of Johnston.
Let me know what you think of the article [on] Carlyle 13 in the present number of the Mag.
ever yours truly
John Blackwood.
G. H. Lewes Esq.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Edinburgh | February 4/59.
My Dear Lewes
I have the pleasure of inclosing a cheque 'a314-14/- in acknowledgment of Falsely Accused. 11 It is interesting and curious, but by no means I think one of your first class papers.
You will probably have been to the Row to hear about Adam Bede. Mudie attempted to beat us down, taking only 50 at first, but finally succumbed, taking 500 at our terms 10 per cent off sales, to which I think he is entitled when he takes so large a number. The other subscription was not good, about 'ab250'bb 230 in all when Langford wrote yesterday. Tell G.E. that I am neither surprised nor disappointed by this. As I have often explained before, I felt distinctly that by Clerical Scenes a reputation with readers and men of letters was made, but not a public general reputation, so the orders for the book would not be in the hands of the Row houses, which is the only guide they have in subscribing. When the reviews begin to appear and people who have read the book begin to talk about it the movement will take place.
We are leaving nothing untried to get up the steam by sending copies to the Press in all directions. I have no doubt I shall soon have the pleasure of writing to tell G.E. of the favourable private opinions I hear of the Carpenter. He will be interested and amused by the following. Mr. Simpson had taken a set of the sheets home with him and his brother, a Cabinet Maker, 12 read them with great admiration. He maintains that the writer must have been bred to the business or at all events passed a great deal of time in the workshop listening to the men. This is a curious tribute to one phase of the life-like reality which pervades the whole book. We have not got copies here yet, but I suppose they will arrive tomorrow.
If you can think of anything of the light and lively order for the next number of the Magazine I shall be glad to hear. I quite approve of putting your name to the new edition of Johnston.
Let me know what you think of the article [on] Carlyle 13 in the present number of the Mag.
ever yours truly
John Blackwood.
G. H. Lewes Esq.
Signature
John Blackwood.
Citation
John Blackwood, John Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 4 February 1859, 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/95419