John Blackwood to GHL, London, 24 May 1873(2)
Title
John Blackwood to GHL, London, 24 May 1873(2)
Title
John Blackwood to GHL, London, 24 May 1873(2)
Sender
John Blackwood
Recipient
George Henry Lewes
Date(s)
- 1873-05-24
Place
London
Letter Content
John Blackwood to Ghl, London, 24 May 1873
Text: Copy by J. M. Langford, National Library of Scotland. Endorsed: Copy, To be copied into private letter book all three letters. W.B. Been copied. W.B. Hitherto unpublished.
The Burlington, Cork St. | May 24/73.
My dear Lewes
I am sorry to say your book 791 grates upon me more than I expected and I have been hesitating for some time whether to say anything to you on the subject but the more I think of it the less I am reconciled to it. I knew quite well that I should not agree with you but I did not expect that the difference between us would have been very wide.
The tone at the commencement assumes too much on your side and apart from the question of your being right or wrong I really think is a mistake. For instance the assumption on page 2 that those are the most weighty thinkers who believe that the world would be better without religion to me is an impossibility and the skit in foot-note early in sheet two about God as an author 792 is neither good for argument or taste.
I am quite aware that most publishers would not object or give weight to their own feelings in this case and God forbid that I should be responsible for all that I do publish, but I do take a very keen interest in all the books we send forth especially when they are the work of a friend and I had rather not publish when I could not heartily enter into the matter and wish you success. Would it put you much out to have another publisher now? Our relations are always so pleasant that I most reluctantly propose this and I have put off and put off writing from day to day.
Commercially of course I would hold myself responsible for our agreement -- should there be any difficulty, which I do not think there would as I believe many would be happy to publish.
I do not myself think that the book will do any harm even in my sense of what would be harm. To me it has rather done good in making me feel how innate is the belief in God and I hope with others. It is as I read that I do not agree with you. Perhaps I mistake what you are driving at. -- To me you seem to give no weight to mind and feeling in the matter. Why do you believe in or love anybody? You can give no scientific reason for so doing.
I am very vexed to write making any difficulty about the book but at all events it is best to be frank with you. 793
Always yours truly
J. B.
Text: Copy by J. M. Langford, National Library of Scotland. Endorsed: Copy, To be copied into private letter book all three letters. W.B. Been copied. W.B. Hitherto unpublished.
The Burlington, Cork St. | May 24/73.
My dear Lewes
I am sorry to say your book 791 grates upon me more than I expected and I have been hesitating for some time whether to say anything to you on the subject but the more I think of it the less I am reconciled to it. I knew quite well that I should not agree with you but I did not expect that the difference between us would have been very wide.
The tone at the commencement assumes too much on your side and apart from the question of your being right or wrong I really think is a mistake. For instance the assumption on page 2 that those are the most weighty thinkers who believe that the world would be better without religion to me is an impossibility and the skit in foot-note early in sheet two about God as an author 792 is neither good for argument or taste.
I am quite aware that most publishers would not object or give weight to their own feelings in this case and God forbid that I should be responsible for all that I do publish, but I do take a very keen interest in all the books we send forth especially when they are the work of a friend and I had rather not publish when I could not heartily enter into the matter and wish you success. Would it put you much out to have another publisher now? Our relations are always so pleasant that I most reluctantly propose this and I have put off and put off writing from day to day.
Commercially of course I would hold myself responsible for our agreement -- should there be any difficulty, which I do not think there would as I believe many would be happy to publish.
I do not myself think that the book will do any harm even in my sense of what would be harm. To me it has rather done good in making me feel how innate is the belief in God and I hope with others. It is as I read that I do not agree with you. Perhaps I mistake what you are driving at. -- To me you seem to give no weight to mind and feeling in the matter. Why do you believe in or love anybody? You can give no scientific reason for so doing.
I am very vexed to write making any difficulty about the book but at all events it is best to be frank with you. 793
Always yours truly
J. B.
Signature
J. B.
Citation
John Blackwood, John Blackwood to GHL, London, 24 May 1873(2), 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/95433