A small slice of fiction based on the life of George Eliot
May 22, 1862
Dear John,
It is complete: I have signed on with Smith & Elder to publish Romola. Mr. Smith made an offer too extravagant for me to refuse. You said yourself that Romola would pose problems in the marketplace with its difficult premise and you were not prepared to take on the financial loss if it should not do as well as my three previous novels. I suspect you are right but no author wants to hear that. Mr. Smith has faith it its acceptance by the reading public just by brandishing the name George Eliot. I am a brand, it seems. These modern entrepreneurs are full of catchy expressions that give me pause. In any case, I put myself in the hands of this modernity though I am exceedingly old-fashioned. How this venture turns out remains to be seen.
All good things come to an end and the collaboration between myself and Blackwood’s has been very good indeed. Please know that I think of you with the fondest regard, we have made a little history of sorts; financially beneficial for both of us. Bear me no ill will, my friend. Business is business as they say. (Another modern expression, forgive me.)
Marian Evans Lewes
The Priory
London
June 1, 1862
Dear Marian,
Yes, I was unprepared to meet Smith & Elder’s offer of 10,000 pounds. You could hardly refuse such a sum and I do not blame you. As for Romola being “difficult,” that, as you say, remains to be seen.
And yes, we have had a wonderful collaboration and I will always look upon the George Eliot titles published at Blackwood’s as the firm’s pinnacle of achievement. I wish you nothing short of a triumph for Romola.
I remain your humble servant,
John Blackwood
Blackwood & Sons
London, England
September 19, 1863
Dear Mrs. Lewes,
With the publication of your latest novel, Romola, we must ask you for help with its sales. As you know, your three previous novels set in the Midlands practically fell off the shelves and Blackwood’s had trouble just keeping the presses running to meet demand. You were able to keep well out of the spotlight as per requested by Mr. Lewes.
Romola, a critical success to be sure, is unfortunately not a book the public will easily digest. Therefore, we at Smith & Elder request that you do a public reading and sign copies of the book. I might point out that all authors do this nowadays and some actively enjoy their brush with their readers. Both Dickens and Trollope are quite engaged in promoting their works as the public is always eager to know the person behind the stories.
Would you do us the honor of a public reading, Mrs. Lewes? We can start here in London and if it is a success, perhaps you and Mr. Lewes would wish to travel further afield to meet your audiences. It will all be most civilized and genteel, I can assure you. You have nothing to worry about on that front.
Please consider this proposition. It is in the best interest for the success of Romola.
Sincerely
George Smith
Smith, Elder & Co.
London, England
September 25, 1863
My dear Mr. Smith,
Surely you jest? You know perfectly well it’s not possible and furthermore, you know the reasons. I cannot risk the snubs I should receive. My sorry soul should not be able to withstand the pressure even with Mr. Lewes by my side. As it is, I’ve had a ferocious headache since Romola’s release. I did tell you, dear publisher, that Romola would in all likelihood not be a commercial success. It was very difficult to write and I suspect even more difficult to read especially for those whose reading matter consists of foderal, fantasy and fabrications of the most infantile variety, the so-called public you speak of. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
As to my sitting for a photographer for publicity material, I cannot tell you how odious I think this idea to be. With a face like mine, it would be ludicrous to plaster it everywhere. Everyone would say, "Imagine that horse-face wishing her picture to be all over town as if she were on the stage." That's what they would say; I know London society, Mr. Smith. I would not be able to face the ridicule and don't feel I should have to.
That said, I should much prefer to remain in the shadow - let the public dance around Mr. Dickens and Mr. Trollope - I am busy working on a new novel that I expect, or very much hope, will be my best yet. I should like to finish it before I am called to my grave which as you know, at 43, I am not getting any younger.
Hence, Mr. Smith, I must decline your proposal for a public reading. It is not in anyone’s best interest and I should not bear the strain. All this prurient curiosity about George Eliot is a distraction I cannot waste time with. Do your best for poor Romola and let us be grateful for the public’s embrace of Adam Bede and Mill, whose author must remain at her desk until further notice.
Sincerely,
G. Eliot
May 13, 1864
Dear Mr. Smith,
Regarding the less than expected sales of Romola: I’m sorry for your disappointment, believe me, I share in your bereavement. I think it best that we part company, me to my former publisher and you to nourish other talents that have the possibility of gain. I did warn you Romola would not be commercial and you chose to believe the name George Eliot would, by its own stature, assure you of reward. I’m sorry to say you were wrong. If you did not earn as much as anticipated, at least George Eliot’s name spared you great loss.
Henceforth, Mr. John Blackwood will resume publishing my future titles including Felix Holt, the Radical that you refused. I wish you success in all your future publishing ventures.
Sincerely,
George Eliot
June 10, 1864
Dear Mrs. Lewes,
I’m sorry you were not happy with our short collaboration. Be sure I will always regard you with nothing less than benevolence. In my defense, I did warn you that in today’s world, marketing is key. It is not enough to write a book, Mrs. Lewes, you must now engage the public in celebrating its arrival, much like a child.
Since you refused to do a reading or sign copies or even allow your photograph in the papers or subject yourself to an interview, it was left for my advertising staff to sell a book that was not only difficult but so very different from those under previous authorship of George Eliot. A little help from you, with your lovely voice, your poise and supreme command, could have made all the difference.
You say you are "too ugly" to be a public figure, you say you are “not quite a lady.” But simple effort on your part, offered with sincerity would have worked wonders. Queen Victoria herself regards you in the highest esteem and has read your books. Surely that should give you enough confidence to come out of the shadows?
I do not wish to chastise you dear lady. It was an honor to publish Romola and we will bear the financial loss. I look forward to reading future titles.
With fondest regards,
George Smith
Smith, Elder & Company
London, England
September 3, 1964
Dear Mr. Smith,
Enclosed you will find a short story called Brother Jacob. We had discussed its publication in your magazine for a certain sum. Forget this sum, I give you this story as a gift to do with as you please. I'd like to make up for some of your loss on Romola and to show there are not bad feelings between us. London's gossip mill will spew forth any doggerel.
I wish you all the best.
George Eliot
London
October 25, 1865
Dear John,
Yes, it’s indeed true: we will once again work in partnership bringing out my next work of fiction. I hope you are as happy as myself and Mr. Lewes at this prospect. You have been the world to me, I hope you feel that to be so.
As you know, Romola did not have the return of my previous novels. You were right about it all along, I dare say. That said, I have finished a shorter work called Felix Holt, the Radical and since Smith & Elder have declined to purchase it, I offer it to you for five thousand pounds and Mr. Lewes is prepared to begin the negotiations.
I am preparing to begin my next novel to be called Middlemarch. It will be comprised of many characters and touch on subjects dear to me, such as the Reform Bill of 1832, advances in medicine and what are referred to as women’s rights but only incidentally. Don’t worry, I intend for it to be commercially viable; I do write for money after all.
Meanwhile, I am fraught with headaches, bad teeth and various pains that have no exact label or place of origin. I’ve been in bed for a fortnight. My dearest Mr. Lewes is also suffering these days from stomach ailments, lumbago and some sort of nervous strain. We are two very dilapidated mortals I must say. We will travel once again to Germany, home of many of our fondest hours in hopes of shaking off what ails us.
Middlemarch will require a Herculean effort on my part and I am not at all sure it’s worth it. I so worry about bringing another novel into a world that overflows with pointless books. The idea of writing an unnecessary novel seems like a kind of sin. I wish authors would stop writing when they have nothing more to say but the need for money and of course egotism will keep publishers busy for all eternity. I only hope I can do something with Middlemarch and not feel it a waste for myself, the paper it’s printed on or the reading public. I persevere, dear friend, and pray for inspiration and intellectual acumen.
Your loving friend Marian
The Priory
London
EPILOGUE
Marian Evans Lewes completed 'Middlemarch’ in 1871. It is considered by many be the greatest novel ever written in the English language. She was made fantastically rich by its publication.
May 22, 1862
Dear John,
It is complete: I have signed on with Smith & Elder to publish Romola. Mr. Smith made an offer too extravagant for me to refuse. You said yourself that Romola would pose problems in the marketplace with its difficult premise and you were not prepared to take on the financial loss if it should not do as well as my three previous novels. I suspect you are right but no author wants to hear that. Mr. Smith has faith it its acceptance by the reading public just by brandishing the name George Eliot. I am a brand, it seems. These modern entrepreneurs are full of catchy expressions that give me pause. In any case, I put myself in the hands of this modernity though I am exceedingly old-fashioned. How this venture turns out remains to be seen.
All good things come to an end and the collaboration between myself and Blackwood’s has been very good indeed. Please know that I think of you with the fondest regard, we have made a little history of sorts; financially beneficial for both of us. Bear me no ill will, my friend. Business is business as they say. (Another modern expression, forgive me.)
Marian Evans Lewes
The Priory
London
June 1, 1862
Dear Marian,
Yes, I was unprepared to meet Smith & Elder’s offer of 10,000 pounds. You could hardly refuse such a sum and I do not blame you. As for Romola being “difficult,” that, as you say, remains to be seen.
And yes, we have had a wonderful collaboration and I will always look upon the George Eliot titles published at Blackwood’s as the firm’s pinnacle of achievement. I wish you nothing short of a triumph for Romola.
I remain your humble servant,
John Blackwood
Blackwood & Sons
London, England
September 19, 1863
Dear Mrs. Lewes,
With the publication of your latest novel, Romola, we must ask you for help with its sales. As you know, your three previous novels set in the Midlands practically fell off the shelves and Blackwood’s had trouble just keeping the presses running to meet demand. You were able to keep well out of the spotlight as per requested by Mr. Lewes.
Romola, a critical success to be sure, is unfortunately not a book the public will easily digest. Therefore, we at Smith & Elder request that you do a public reading and sign copies of the book. I might point out that all authors do this nowadays and some actively enjoy their brush with their readers. Both Dickens and Trollope are quite engaged in promoting their works as the public is always eager to know the person behind the stories.
Would you do us the honor of a public reading, Mrs. Lewes? We can start here in London and if it is a success, perhaps you and Mr. Lewes would wish to travel further afield to meet your audiences. It will all be most civilized and genteel, I can assure you. You have nothing to worry about on that front.
Please consider this proposition. It is in the best interest for the success of Romola.
Sincerely
George Smith
Smith, Elder & Co.
London, England
September 25, 1863
My dear Mr. Smith,
Surely you jest? You know perfectly well it’s not possible and furthermore, you know the reasons. I cannot risk the snubs I should receive. My sorry soul should not be able to withstand the pressure even with Mr. Lewes by my side. As it is, I’ve had a ferocious headache since Romola’s release. I did tell you, dear publisher, that Romola would in all likelihood not be a commercial success. It was very difficult to write and I suspect even more difficult to read especially for those whose reading matter consists of foderal, fantasy and fabrications of the most infantile variety, the so-called public you speak of. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
As to my sitting for a photographer for publicity material, I cannot tell you how odious I think this idea to be. With a face like mine, it would be ludicrous to plaster it everywhere. Everyone would say, "Imagine that horse-face wishing her picture to be all over town as if she were on the stage." That's what they would say; I know London society, Mr. Smith. I would not be able to face the ridicule and don't feel I should have to.
That said, I should much prefer to remain in the shadow - let the public dance around Mr. Dickens and Mr. Trollope - I am busy working on a new novel that I expect, or very much hope, will be my best yet. I should like to finish it before I am called to my grave which as you know, at 43, I am not getting any younger.
Hence, Mr. Smith, I must decline your proposal for a public reading. It is not in anyone’s best interest and I should not bear the strain. All this prurient curiosity about George Eliot is a distraction I cannot waste time with. Do your best for poor Romola and let us be grateful for the public’s embrace of Adam Bede and Mill, whose author must remain at her desk until further notice.
Sincerely,
G. Eliot
May 13, 1864
Dear Mr. Smith,
Regarding the less than expected sales of Romola: I’m sorry for your disappointment, believe me, I share in your bereavement. I think it best that we part company, me to my former publisher and you to nourish other talents that have the possibility of gain. I did warn you Romola would not be commercial and you chose to believe the name George Eliot would, by its own stature, assure you of reward. I’m sorry to say you were wrong. If you did not earn as much as anticipated, at least George Eliot’s name spared you great loss.
Henceforth, Mr. John Blackwood will resume publishing my future titles including Felix Holt, the Radical that you refused. I wish you success in all your future publishing ventures.
Sincerely,
George Eliot
June 10, 1864
Dear Mrs. Lewes,
I’m sorry you were not happy with our short collaboration. Be sure I will always regard you with nothing less than benevolence. In my defense, I did warn you that in today’s world, marketing is key. It is not enough to write a book, Mrs. Lewes, you must now engage the public in celebrating its arrival, much like a child.
Since you refused to do a reading or sign copies or even allow your photograph in the papers or subject yourself to an interview, it was left for my advertising staff to sell a book that was not only difficult but so very different from those under previous authorship of George Eliot. A little help from you, with your lovely voice, your poise and supreme command, could have made all the difference.
You say you are "too ugly" to be a public figure, you say you are “not quite a lady.” But simple effort on your part, offered with sincerity would have worked wonders. Queen Victoria herself regards you in the highest esteem and has read your books. Surely that should give you enough confidence to come out of the shadows?
I do not wish to chastise you dear lady. It was an honor to publish Romola and we will bear the financial loss. I look forward to reading future titles.
With fondest regards,
George Smith
Smith, Elder & Company
London, England
September 3, 1964
Dear Mr. Smith,
Enclosed you will find a short story called Brother Jacob. We had discussed its publication in your magazine for a certain sum. Forget this sum, I give you this story as a gift to do with as you please. I'd like to make up for some of your loss on Romola and to show there are not bad feelings between us. London's gossip mill will spew forth any doggerel.
I wish you all the best.
George Eliot
London
October 25, 1865
Dear John,
Yes, it’s indeed true: we will once again work in partnership bringing out my next work of fiction. I hope you are as happy as myself and Mr. Lewes at this prospect. You have been the world to me, I hope you feel that to be so.
As you know, Romola did not have the return of my previous novels. You were right about it all along, I dare say. That said, I have finished a shorter work called Felix Holt, the Radical and since Smith & Elder have declined to purchase it, I offer it to you for five thousand pounds and Mr. Lewes is prepared to begin the negotiations.
I am preparing to begin my next novel to be called Middlemarch. It will be comprised of many characters and touch on subjects dear to me, such as the Reform Bill of 1832, advances in medicine and what are referred to as women’s rights but only incidentally. Don’t worry, I intend for it to be commercially viable; I do write for money after all.
Meanwhile, I am fraught with headaches, bad teeth and various pains that have no exact label or place of origin. I’ve been in bed for a fortnight. My dearest Mr. Lewes is also suffering these days from stomach ailments, lumbago and some sort of nervous strain. We are two very dilapidated mortals I must say. We will travel once again to Germany, home of many of our fondest hours in hopes of shaking off what ails us.
Middlemarch will require a Herculean effort on my part and I am not at all sure it’s worth it. I so worry about bringing another novel into a world that overflows with pointless books. The idea of writing an unnecessary novel seems like a kind of sin. I wish authors would stop writing when they have nothing more to say but the need for money and of course egotism will keep publishers busy for all eternity. I only hope I can do something with Middlemarch and not feel it a waste for myself, the paper it’s printed on or the reading public. I persevere, dear friend, and pray for inspiration and intellectual acumen.
Your loving friend Marian
The Priory
London
EPILOGUE
Marian Evans Lewes completed 'Middlemarch’ in 1871. It is considered by many be the greatest novel ever written in the English language. She was made fantastically rich by its publication.
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