John Blackwood to Joseph Munt Langford, Edinburgh, 26 April 1866
Title
John Blackwood to Joseph Munt Langford, Edinburgh, 26 April 1866
Title
John Blackwood to Joseph Munt Langford, Edinburgh, 26 April 1866
Sender
John Blackwood
Recipient
Joseph Munt Langford
Date(s)
- 1866-04-26
Place
Edinburgh
Letter Content
John Blackwood to Joseph Munt Langford, Edinburgh, 26 April 1866
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Edinburgh | April 26/66.
My Dear Mr. Langford
On Friday last I received a note from Lewes saying that George Eliot had nearly finished the novel on which she had been so long engaged and would make no arrangement without hearing whether I was willing to make an offer and that it was so nearly finished and they were so anxious to get out quickly that there was no time to submit M.S. to any one.
I replied that perfectly confident as I was that such a novel as he described by her would be first-rate it would be against the principles upon which I entered into and took a real pleasure in my own business to purchase without seeing M.S. Two volumes arrived by return of post.
I read them and offered five thousand pounds for the copyright and today I have their acceptance of the offer.
The book is a perfect marvel. The time is 1832 just after the passing of the Reform Bill and surely such a picture or rather series of pictures of English Life, manners, and conversation never was drawn. You seem to hear and see the people speaking. Every individual character stands out a distinct figure.
It has been a quick transaction but I have thought well about it and I do not see how I can be mistaken about the merits.
Her politics are excellent and will attract all parties. Her sayings would be invaluable in the present debate. I have written a line to Delane telling him to make a literary intelligence paragraph of the advertisement. 444
It is a great publishing triumph her returning to us, and she expresses the warmest feeling of gratification in resuming her old relations with me. Lewes too says it has quite cheered her up. Keep the sum paid strictly a secret.
With this in my hands and the Magazine you may be sure that my mind has been pretty actively employed during the last few days and next week at Strathtyrum will be a most welcome rest. I am counting days until we go, almost as keenly as little Jack, who announces every morning how many days have got to elapse. . . .
always yours truly
John Blackwood.
J. M. Langford Esq.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Edinburgh | April 26/66.
My Dear Mr. Langford
On Friday last I received a note from Lewes saying that George Eliot had nearly finished the novel on which she had been so long engaged and would make no arrangement without hearing whether I was willing to make an offer and that it was so nearly finished and they were so anxious to get out quickly that there was no time to submit M.S. to any one.
I replied that perfectly confident as I was that such a novel as he described by her would be first-rate it would be against the principles upon which I entered into and took a real pleasure in my own business to purchase without seeing M.S. Two volumes arrived by return of post.
I read them and offered five thousand pounds for the copyright and today I have their acceptance of the offer.
The book is a perfect marvel. The time is 1832 just after the passing of the Reform Bill and surely such a picture or rather series of pictures of English Life, manners, and conversation never was drawn. You seem to hear and see the people speaking. Every individual character stands out a distinct figure.
It has been a quick transaction but I have thought well about it and I do not see how I can be mistaken about the merits.
Her politics are excellent and will attract all parties. Her sayings would be invaluable in the present debate. I have written a line to Delane telling him to make a literary intelligence paragraph of the advertisement. 444
It is a great publishing triumph her returning to us, and she expresses the warmest feeling of gratification in resuming her old relations with me. Lewes too says it has quite cheered her up. Keep the sum paid strictly a secret.
With this in my hands and the Magazine you may be sure that my mind has been pretty actively employed during the last few days and next week at Strathtyrum will be a most welcome rest. I am counting days until we go, almost as keenly as little Jack, who announces every morning how many days have got to elapse. . . .
always yours truly
John Blackwood.
J. M. Langford Esq.
Signature
John Blackwood.
Citation
John Blackwood, John Blackwood to Joseph Munt Langford, Edinburgh, 26 April 1866, 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/95456