William Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 10 February 1860
Title
William Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 10 February 1860
Title
William Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 10 February 1860
Sender
William Blackwood
Recipient
George Eliot
Date(s)
- 1860-02-10
Place
Edinburgh
Letter Content
William Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 10 February 1860
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
George St. Edinburgh | 10 February 1860.
My dear Madam
The M.S. of the 2d volume of the Mill on the Floss came safe to hand this morning. I take this opportunity afforded in acknowledging its arrival to express to you the pleasure with which I have read that portion of the book which is already in proof. I have been delighted with it. The Dodson family are all very good. I was going to say I am divided betwixt Mrs. Pullet [and] Mrs. Glegg; when I think however of Mrs. Tulliver in her quiet helplessness I begin to doubt whether she is not as good as either. Mrs. Pullet, Mrs. Tulliver, and the bonnet afford I think as fine a comic scene 477 as I ever saw. I don't think I am mistaking the word saw, for the description is so good and easy and natural that I really think I did see Mrs. Pullet turning slowly round like the lay figure and Mrs. Tulliver's awe-struck admiration. Maggy is very good and I expect a great deal from her yet, in which I feel pretty confident I shall not be disappointed. Tulliver and his sister too the scene between, both affecting and humorous. 478 Altogether from what I have read I can with truth assure you that I think the Mill on the Floss will not disappoint the most enthusiastic reader of Adam Bede. I beg to be kindly remembered to Lewes and believe me My dear Madam
Yours ever truly
W. Blackwood.
Mrs. M. E. Lewes.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
George St. Edinburgh | 10 February 1860.
My dear Madam
The M.S. of the 2d volume of the Mill on the Floss came safe to hand this morning. I take this opportunity afforded in acknowledging its arrival to express to you the pleasure with which I have read that portion of the book which is already in proof. I have been delighted with it. The Dodson family are all very good. I was going to say I am divided betwixt Mrs. Pullet [and] Mrs. Glegg; when I think however of Mrs. Tulliver in her quiet helplessness I begin to doubt whether she is not as good as either. Mrs. Pullet, Mrs. Tulliver, and the bonnet afford I think as fine a comic scene 477 as I ever saw. I don't think I am mistaking the word saw, for the description is so good and easy and natural that I really think I did see Mrs. Pullet turning slowly round like the lay figure and Mrs. Tulliver's awe-struck admiration. Maggy is very good and I expect a great deal from her yet, in which I feel pretty confident I shall not be disappointed. Tulliver and his sister too the scene between, both affecting and humorous. 478 Altogether from what I have read I can with truth assure you that I think the Mill on the Floss will not disappoint the most enthusiastic reader of Adam Bede. I beg to be kindly remembered to Lewes and believe me My dear Madam
Yours ever truly
W. Blackwood.
Mrs. M. E. Lewes.
Signature
W. Blackwood.
Citation
William Blackwood, William Blackwood to GE, Edinburgh, 10 February 1860, 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/95638