William Blackwood to John Blackwood, London, 21 April 1875
Title
William Blackwood to John Blackwood, London, 21 April 1875
Title
William Blackwood to John Blackwood, London, 21 April 1875
Sender
William Blackwood
Recipient
John Blackwood
Date(s)
- 1875-04-21
Place
London
Letter Content
William Blackwood to John Blackwood, London, 21 April 1875
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Albemarle Street | London W | April 21/75.
My dear Uncle
I am very annoyed to find that my letter of Monday did not reach you yesterday morning as I sent it off from here in ample time for the extra stamp post. . . . I lunched with the Lewes' and found them both rather seedy I am sorry to say. George Eliot looked especially so and Lewes afterwards told me that she had been very unwell and I was quite shocked and distressed to see her looking so aged and haggard but she cheered up and both were very pleased to see me.
I thought the sales of Middlemarch were good enough to take her a note of them and she was extremely happy at seeing them so good still. We have sold over 1200 since January 1st and the number for April is already greater than that of March. She thanked me most cordially for bringing such bright news, and I replied that I hoped she had equally good to give me about the new novel. She at once hung her head low and said "Oh no, it is detestable I think, but Mr. Lewes will tell you all about it when you smoke your cigar in the garden" -- which he did.
Of course his opinion was quite the reverse and he said it was perfectly charming and all about English Ladies and Gentlemen and scene laid in Wiltshire. I got the title of it from him in great confidence and as a secret to be told to no one but you, not even Mr. Langford. It is Daniel DeRonda, and as Lewes rolled it out in a deep bass sounding voice he said "Does it not sound very grand?" I then learned that whole of Volume I was in a complete state and part one of the next volume. I suggested could I not take it down for you to read quietly before coming up, as you would then be well able to talk it over with Mrs. Lewes and give her encouragement to go on, and Lewes thought it a capital idea. As for trusting it to the Post that was not for a moment to be thought of. "What would we do if it were lost and it could never be rewritten?"
When she joined us Lewes proposed it as my suggestion very nicely; if you had seen her face of horror and fright and meek expression you would have been startled. It was one of the most striking scenes I have ever seen and for a minute or two she would not speak. She seemed just to tremble at the idea of the M.S. being taken from her as if it were her baby; and by degrees she assented, and I am to go on Sunday or day before I start North for it. . . .
Lewes was also very strong upon the Inkerman Volume and described it as quite the most wonderful literary performance of its class he had ever read. They walked half way back with me and we had altogether a most pleasant chat. . . .
Best love to all.
Ever your affectionate nephew
William Blackwood.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Hitherto unpublished.
Albemarle Street | London W | April 21/75.
My dear Uncle
I am very annoyed to find that my letter of Monday did not reach you yesterday morning as I sent it off from here in ample time for the extra stamp post. . . . I lunched with the Lewes' and found them both rather seedy I am sorry to say. George Eliot looked especially so and Lewes afterwards told me that she had been very unwell and I was quite shocked and distressed to see her looking so aged and haggard but she cheered up and both were very pleased to see me.
I thought the sales of Middlemarch were good enough to take her a note of them and she was extremely happy at seeing them so good still. We have sold over 1200 since January 1st and the number for April is already greater than that of March. She thanked me most cordially for bringing such bright news, and I replied that I hoped she had equally good to give me about the new novel. She at once hung her head low and said "Oh no, it is detestable I think, but Mr. Lewes will tell you all about it when you smoke your cigar in the garden" -- which he did.
Of course his opinion was quite the reverse and he said it was perfectly charming and all about English Ladies and Gentlemen and scene laid in Wiltshire. I got the title of it from him in great confidence and as a secret to be told to no one but you, not even Mr. Langford. It is Daniel DeRonda, and as Lewes rolled it out in a deep bass sounding voice he said "Does it not sound very grand?" I then learned that whole of Volume I was in a complete state and part one of the next volume. I suggested could I not take it down for you to read quietly before coming up, as you would then be well able to talk it over with Mrs. Lewes and give her encouragement to go on, and Lewes thought it a capital idea. As for trusting it to the Post that was not for a moment to be thought of. "What would we do if it were lost and it could never be rewritten?"
When she joined us Lewes proposed it as my suggestion very nicely; if you had seen her face of horror and fright and meek expression you would have been startled. It was one of the most striking scenes I have ever seen and for a minute or two she would not speak. She seemed just to tremble at the idea of the M.S. being taken from her as if it were her baby; and by degrees she assented, and I am to go on Sunday or day before I start North for it. . . .
Lewes was also very strong upon the Inkerman Volume and described it as quite the most wonderful literary performance of its class he had ever read. They walked half way back with me and we had altogether a most pleasant chat. . . .
Best love to all.
Ever your affectionate nephew
William Blackwood.
Signature
William Blackwood.
Citation
William Blackwood, William Blackwood to John Blackwood, London, 21 April 1875, 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/95675