Journal, 1867.
Oct. 31.– I have now inserted all that I think of for the first part of the "Spanish Gypsy." On Monday I wrote three new Lyrics. I have also rewritten the first scenes in the gypsy camp, to the end of the dialogue between Juan and Fedalma. But I have determined to make the commencement of the second part continue the picture of what goes forward in Bedmar.
Nov. 1.– Began this morning Part II. "Silva was marching homeward," etc.
Letter to John Blackwood, 9th Nov. 1867.
About putting Fedalma in type. There would be advantages, but also disadvantages; and on these latter I wish to consult you. I have more than three thousand lines ready in the order I wish them to stand in, and it would be good to have them in print to read them critically. Defects reveal themselves more fully in type, and emendations might be more conveniently made on proofs, since I have given up the idea of copying the MS. as a whole. On the other hand, could the thing be kept private when it had once been in the printing-office? And I particularly wish not to have it set afloat, for various reasons. Among others, I want to keep myself free from all inducements to premature publication; I mean, publication before I have given my work as much revision as I can hope to give it while my mind is still nursing it. Beyond this, delay would be useless. The theory of laying by poems for nine years may be a fine one, but it could not answer for me to apply it. I could no more live through one of my books a second time than I can live through last year again. But I like to keep checks on myself, and not to create external temptations to do what I should think foolish in another. If you thought it possible to secure us against the oozing out of proofs and gossip, the other objections would be less important. One difficulty is, that in my MS. I have frequently two readings of the same passage, and, being uncertain which of them is preferable, I wish them both to stand for future decision. But perhaps this might be managed in proof. The length of the poem is at present uncertain, but I feel so strongly what Mr. Lewes insists on, namely, the evil of making it too long, that I shall set it before me as a duty not to make it more than nine thousand lines, and shall be glad if it turns out a little shorter.
Will you think over the whole question? I am sure your mind will supply any prudential considerations that I may have omitted.
I am vexed by the non-success of the serial edition of the works. It is not, Heaven knows, that I read my own books or am puffed up about them, but I have been of late quite astonished by the strengthening testimonies that have happened to come to me of people who care about every one of my books, and continue to read them – especially young men, who are just the class I care most to influence. But what sort of data can one safely go upon with regard to the success of editions?
"Felix Holt" is immensely tempted by your suggestion,2 but George Eliot is severely admonished by his domestic critic not to scatter his energies.
Mr. Lewes sends his best regards. He is in high spirits about the poem.
Journal, 1867.
Nov. 22.– Began an "Address to the Working Men, by Felix Holt," at Blackwood's repeated request.
Letter to Miss Sara Hennell, 22d Nov. 1867.
Yes, indeed – when I do not reciprocate "chaos is come again." I was quite sure your letter would come, and was grateful beforehand.
There is a scheme on foot for a Woman's College, or, rather, University, to be built between London and Cambridge, and to be in connection with the Cambridge University, sharing its professors, examinations, and degrees! Si muove.
Letter to Madame Bodichon, 1st Dec. (?) 1867.
I have written to Miss Davies to ask her to come to see me on Tuesday.
I am much occupied just now, but the better education of women is one of the objects about which I have no doubt, and shall rejoice if this idea of a college can be carried out.
I see Miss Julia Smith's beautiful handwriting, and am glad to think of her as your guardian angel.
The author of the glorious article on the Talmud is "that bright little man" Mr. Deutsch – a very dear, delightful creature.
Journal, 1867.
Dec. 4.– Sent off the MS. of the "Address" to Edinburgh.
Letter to John Blackwood, 7th Dec. 1867.
I agree with you about the phrase "Masters of the country."3 I wrote that part twice, and originally I distinctly said that the epithet was false. Afterwards I left that out, preferring to make a stronger argumentum ad hominem, in case any workman believed himself a future master.
I think it will be better for you to write a preliminary note, washing your hands of any over-trenchant statements on the part of the well-meaning Radical. I much prefer that you should do so.
Whatever you agree with will have the advantage of not coming from one who can be suspected of being a special pleader.
What you say about Fedalma is very cheering. But I am chiefly anxious about the road still untravelled – the road I have still zurück zu legen.
Mr. Lewes has to request several proofs of Fedalma, to facilitate revision. But I will leave him to say how many. We shall keep them strictly to ourselves, you may be sure, so that three or four will be enough – one for him, one for me, and one for the resolution of our differences.
Letter to John Blackwood 12th Dec. 1867.
I am very grateful to you for your generous words about my work. That you not only feel so much sympathy, but are moved to express it so fully, is a real help to me.
I am very glad to have had the revise of the "Address." I feel the danger of not being understood. Perhaps, by a good deal longer consideration and gradual shaping, I might have put the ideas into a more concrete, easy form.
Mr. Lewes read the proof of the poem all through to himself for the first time last night, and expressed great satisfaction in the impression it produced. Your suggestion of having it put into type is a benefit for which we have reason to be obliged to you.
I cannot help saying again that it is a strong cordial to me to have such letters as yours, and to know that I have such a first reader as you.
Journal, 1867.
Dec. 21.– Finished reading "Averroës and Averroisme" and "Les Médicins Juifs." Reading "First Principles."
Letter to Mrs. Congreve, 22d Dec. 1867.
Our Christmas will be very quiet. On the 27th Mr. Lewes means to start on a solitary journey to Bonn, and perhaps to Würzburg, for anatomical purposes. I don't mean that he is going to offer himself as an anatomical subject, but that he wants to get answers to some questions bearing on the functions of the nerves. It is a bad time for him to travel in, but he hopes to be at home again in ten days or a fortnight, and I hope the run will do him good rather than harm.
Journal, 1867.
Dec. 25.– George and I dined happily alone; he better for weeks than he has been all the summer before; I more ailing than usual, but with much mental consolation, part of it being the delight he expresses in my poem, of which the first part is now in print.
Letter to Miss Sara Hennell, 26th Dec. 1867.
Thanks for the pretty remembrance. You were not unthought of before it came. Now, however, I rouse all my courage under the thick fog to tell you my inward wish – which is that the new year, as it travels on towards its old age, may bring you many satisfactions undisturbed by bodily ailment.
Mr. Lewes is going to-morrow on an unprecedented expedition –