William Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 9 March 1859
Title
William Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 9 March 1859
Title
William Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 9 March 1859
Sender
William Blackwood
Recipient
George Henry Lewes
Date(s)
- 1859-03-09
Place
Edinburgh
Letter Content
William Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 9 March 1859
Text: Copy in Blackwood Letter Book. Hitherto unpublished.
George St. Edinburgh 9. March 1859.
My dear Lewes . . .
Pray tell George Eliot when you see him that Adam Bede is selling in a most satisfactory way. Orders continue to come in both here and in London for it every day. Two days ago Mudie had another 100 making his total 700. In the circulating libraries the subscribers are all yelling for it and the librarians are not sufficiently philanthropic to take the proper means for adequately meeting the public appetite. Professor Simpson, whom of course you know by reputation if not personally, speaks as enthusiastically of Adam Bede as did Dr. John Brown, and I think the author must be gratified to learn the high opinion entertained of his work by such a man as Simpson.
I had so high opinion myself of Clerical Scenes that I thought the movement in the sale of Adam Bede would have begun earlier than it did in London, from the Author's reputation from the former work, but though it has been a little longer in commencing than I anticipated yet I feel very confident now that it will equal our most sanguine expectations. As you know how high these were both on my brother's part and my own from the hold the book had taken upon us I need say no more. Desiring to be kindly regarded by George Eliot Believe me
Yours Truly
W. Blackwood.
G. H. Lewes, Esqr.
Text: Copy in Blackwood Letter Book. Hitherto unpublished.
George St. Edinburgh 9. March 1859.
My dear Lewes . . .
Pray tell George Eliot when you see him that Adam Bede is selling in a most satisfactory way. Orders continue to come in both here and in London for it every day. Two days ago Mudie had another 100 making his total 700. In the circulating libraries the subscribers are all yelling for it and the librarians are not sufficiently philanthropic to take the proper means for adequately meeting the public appetite. Professor Simpson, whom of course you know by reputation if not personally, speaks as enthusiastically of Adam Bede as did Dr. John Brown, and I think the author must be gratified to learn the high opinion entertained of his work by such a man as Simpson.
I had so high opinion myself of Clerical Scenes that I thought the movement in the sale of Adam Bede would have begun earlier than it did in London, from the Author's reputation from the former work, but though it has been a little longer in commencing than I anticipated yet I feel very confident now that it will equal our most sanguine expectations. As you know how high these were both on my brother's part and my own from the hold the book had taken upon us I need say no more. Desiring to be kindly regarded by George Eliot Believe me
Yours Truly
W. Blackwood.
G. H. Lewes, Esqr.
Signature
W. Blackwood.
Citation
William Blackwood, William Blackwood to GHL, Edinburgh, 9 March 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/95667