John Blackwood to GHL, London, 10 June 1876
Title
John Blackwood to GHL, London, 10 June 1876
Title
John Blackwood to GHL, London, 10 June 1876
Sender
John Blackwood
Recipient
George Henry Lewes
Date(s)
- 1876-06-10
Place
London
Letter Content
John Blackwood to GHL, London, 10 June 1876
MS: National Library of Scotland. Extract published: John Blackwood, p. 395.
Arlington St. | Piccadilly June 10/76.
My Dear Lewes
I got "The End" today. Grand, glorious, and touching are too mild words for this last book. In fact criticism and eulogism are out of place. I feel more than ever what I have often said to critics: "Bow and accept with gratitude whatever George Eliot writes." 496
The situation of Gwendolen and Deronda is so new too and oh so delicately handled. I felt inclined to burst into the room and prevent Lapidoth from stealing the ring, 497 but the great author knew better and shut the door on the beast for ever.
Give her my best love, respect, and congratulations. It troubled me to see her sitting pale and tired in her carriage at the door yesterday. 498 and I fear I did not say half what I wished to say, but Mrs. Lewes sees every thing and would I trust see what I felt. No wonder she felt tired and unwilling for company, but I earnestly hope that the change across the Channel is already beginning to tell for good.
I intended to have gone to Scotland on Monday, but Delane who has been very ill presses me so earnestly to come to see him at Ascot for a couple of days that I cannot leave without seeing my old friend and companion. So if you write to me address here.
ever yours truly
John Blackwood.
My guardian angel "Henry" had brought me some note paper which is so much thinner than my own that I find I have written on two sheets of it.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Extract published: John Blackwood, p. 395.
Arlington St. | Piccadilly June 10/76.
My Dear Lewes
I got "The End" today. Grand, glorious, and touching are too mild words for this last book. In fact criticism and eulogism are out of place. I feel more than ever what I have often said to critics: "Bow and accept with gratitude whatever George Eliot writes." 496
The situation of Gwendolen and Deronda is so new too and oh so delicately handled. I felt inclined to burst into the room and prevent Lapidoth from stealing the ring, 497 but the great author knew better and shut the door on the beast for ever.
Give her my best love, respect, and congratulations. It troubled me to see her sitting pale and tired in her carriage at the door yesterday. 498 and I fear I did not say half what I wished to say, but Mrs. Lewes sees every thing and would I trust see what I felt. No wonder she felt tired and unwilling for company, but I earnestly hope that the change across the Channel is already beginning to tell for good.
I intended to have gone to Scotland on Monday, but Delane who has been very ill presses me so earnestly to come to see him at Ascot for a couple of days that I cannot leave without seeing my old friend and companion. So if you write to me address here.
ever yours truly
John Blackwood.
My guardian angel "Henry" had brought me some note paper which is so much thinner than my own that I find I have written on two sheets of it.
Signature
John Blackwood.
Citation
John Blackwood, John Blackwood to GHL, London, 10 June 1876, 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/95430