The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1882-02-08
LETTER OF GEORGE ELIOT.


From the Ahenrrm.l
We owe the opportunity OF publishing
the following letter to the courtesy cl
Professor d. Kaufman, to whom II
was addressed. Professor Kaufman IL
we'll known by his remarks on " Danici
Deronda," and it will be seen that ms
criticisms attracted the notice OF the
novelist, and led her to writing to him:
TpE PnIoRY, q NoRTn BANK
May 81, 1877.
Nv Dr.a Hardly. since became an
,r,rn, Lsyo I had A deeper satisfaction, l
may say ore heartfelt JOY, lhan you ha'o
given mo in your estimate ol p"''0'
rOnda." IL. ,,.,,,
must tell you that it in my RUE, very
strictly observed, not TO read tue erlt,cisnis 1h
NV writings. For years / have fouhu lh'S ao
siuenco necessary to preserve me from .ua,
| announcement as an artist which hi-JuuSe"
praise, 10 less than il-jndged blame, tehus a, W
| produce in me- For far worse thah any so'uo. NV
as to the proportion of good ana eVh III oui
work il the painful impression that we VIM VIM
for n pnblic which has no discernment OF goou
and evil. ,b.,
NV husband reads any notices oil me tIat
com1s before him, and reports to mo (or elSe
refrains from reporting) the general cnaIac,ti ;t,
of the notice, or something in particular whiei,
strikes him rs showing either al ehceP.ionaai
insight or an obtnseness that is gross enough
to be amusing. Very rarely, when he mas loau
a critinne NJ me. he has handed it to me, say
inc !You must read this" Aud your estl-
| mate Of "Daniul DerOuda" made one Oh 'noac
! rare instances. .,.,
Certainly, II had been asked to ehoos Q what
| should be written about my book anu VIZ WI"
should wrilcu. should have sketchea
not auvlh,ng so good AZ what you nave WIN
ton, but an article which must be Wtltteh oN
Jew who showed not merely sympathy WIN ,uo ia
best aspirations OF his race, bul r.l'l"' . na'''.
insight INTO the nature ui art anu tho ptutIS'e
of the artistic mind. Believe me shonlu no
have cared TO deyour even ardent praise II u
bad not come from one who showed lhe uh
rrinnnatng sonsbility, the perfect response y
thc artists intcntion. which must Mahe w
fullest. rarest 10Y TO one who WOrks from in m
ward conviction, and not IN compiiaiiye WV
| current fashions. Such response noiuS ~,
an author not only what IL best in "the III
, that now is," but the promise OF that Mn'e
Is to come" l mean that the usnsi app,oA
, native, narrow perception OF what one nus ueo
, intending and profcssedly ieehuR III onv
work. impresses one with the sense tnal !. niu' .
+ be moor. perishabe stuff without roots, 10 taS
$ any lasting hold in the minds OF men VIM
a apy instance of complete comprehension ei
r coilrages one to hope that the creative promP
J, ing has foreshadowod, and will continue W d"
. isfy. u need in other minds.
u Excuse me that write imperiectiy, anu Pc
o baps dimly, what have felt in reading yo'
article. ii has affected me deeply, ana thoue
" tho prejudice and ignorant obtusehess whi'
has met my effort to contribute something
the ennobng of Judaism in the conoeptoh
the Christian community aud IN the oonsciou
ness OF the Jewish community, has never for
moment made me repent my choice, but rath
has been added proof to me that the enort "
o. needed-yet confess that had an nnsatsii
Va hunger for certain signs Of sympathetic d
10 cernment, which you only have given. N
at mention as one instance your clear pereepti
M of the relation between the presentation OF
~, Nv Jewish element and those OF English SOC
- life.
IL l work under the pressure OF small hurri
lis for we are Just moving into the country for
ga summer and all things are IN vagrant cor
a ton around me. But l wish not to defer
=" swering your letter to an uncertain oppor
w nifty.
he NV husband has said more than once that
OF feels grateful to you. For he 10 more senn
in on nv behalf than on his own.
nj Hence he unites with me ip the assurance
oa the high regard with which remain slv
20 =. yours faithfully. NJ. y. LIVE