BLACKWOODS AND " ROMOLA."
[To ras Emma or rim "Srsoraroa."] SDI,—Your reviewer, in his excellent and interesting article in last week's Spectator on Mr. R. E. Francillon's
Yid- Victorian Memories, states! that "John Blackwood was accus-
tomed to judge every work submitted to him solely upon its merits—he rejected Itomola." It is true that Mr. John
Blackwood judged every MS. submitted to him on its merits, but be did not reject &mole. On May 19th, 1862, George Eliot wrote to Mr. John Blackwood as follows :—
" Some time ago I received an offer for my next novel which I suppose was handsomer than almost any terms ever offered to a writer of fiction. As long as I hesitated on the subject I con- templated writing to you to ascertain your views as to the arrangement you would be inclined to make for the publication of the same work, since I was not willing to exchange my relations with you for any new ones without overpowering reasons. Ulti- mately I declined the offer (on various grounds) and there was, therefore, no need to write. But another offer, removing former objections, has been made, and after further reflection, I felt that, as I was not at liberty to mention the terms to you, and as they were hopelessly beyond your usual estimate of the value of my books to you, there would be an indelicacy in my making an appeal to you before decision. I have consequently accepted the offer, retaining, however, a power over my copyright at the end of six years, so that my new work may then be included in any general edition. I know quite well, from the feeling you have invariably shown, that if the matter were of more importance to you than it is likely to be, you would enter fully into the view of the case as it concerned my interests as well as your own."
I need not quote Mr. Blackwood's reply. On May 23rd George Eliot entered in her journal:— "Since I wrote last, very important decisions have been made. I am to publish my novel of Bemis in the Conthill Meowing for
117,000, paid in twelve monthly payments. There has been the regret of leaving Blackwood, who has written me a letter in the most perfect spirit of gentlemanliness and good-feeling."
Bomola was afterwards included in the complete editions of George Eliot's novels published by Messrs. Blackwood, and was the only one not originally published by them.—I am,
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