The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1882-02-09
LETTER OF GEORGE ELIOT.
To IA Critic OF urer "Danlol DeroAaa.,'

10 u Critic OF Her HDnmHel DeEoRaa."b
jar h.'" ..tFrotn the AthsnesuEll 8lslntYi9af
We owe the opportunity of publishing
the following letter to the courtesy OF
Professor d. Kaufman, to whom it
was addressed. Professor Kaufman ID
we'll known by his remarks ON 90 Daniel
Deronda," and il will be seen that his
criticisms attracted the notice Of the
novelist, and led her to writing to him
The PnIoRY, q NORTH BANK, Is,
Ny DEAR sm-Hardly, gince 4 became en-
author, have I had o deeper satiBeaction,
given me in your estimate OF Daniel De-
ronda." 'rg'1Aa #5i RFE 3 SslE
I must tell you that it Is my rule, very
strictly observed, not to read the criticlsms on
my writings. For years have found this abb
stinence necessary to preserve me from thas
encouragement as an artist which Il-1udged
praise, no less than ili-judged blame, tends TO
produce in me. For fax worae than any verdict
as to the proportion OF good and evil IN our Il
work is the painful impression that we write
for n public which has no 6iscernment or Eood
and evil. .a.s.a 81
My husband reads any notices Of me that
comes before him, and reports to me (or elBe
of the notice, or somot6ing in particular which
strikes him as showing either an excephonab
insight or an obtuseness that 10 grosa enough
to be amusing. Very rarely, when he has read
4 critique of me, he has handed II to me, say
ing, "You must read this.n And your eeti@
mate Of "Daniel Deronda" made one OF thsso
rare instances.
Certainly, if had been asked to choose what
should be- written about my book ana who
should write it, should have sketched wells
not anything so good as what you have witt
ten, but on article which must be written by o
Jew who showed not merely sympathy with the
best aspirations Of his race. but = aremarkablo
insight into the nature of art and the processes
Of the artistic mind. Believe me I should not
havo cared to devour even ardent praise if u
had not come from one who showed tho DIG
eliminating senBibility, the perfect response TO
the artists intention, which must make the
fullest, rarest Joy TO one who works frona iIi-
ward conviction, and not ia compliance with
current fashions. Such o. response holds 4oE
an author not only what ~ best In the life
that now ID, !" but the promise Of that which
is to come" mean that the usual approxi-
native, narrow perception Of what one has been
intending and professedly feeling In ones
work, impresses one with the sense that it must
be poor, porishable stuff without rOOte, ~ sake
any lasting hold In the minds Of men while
any instance Of complete comprehension en-
cotirageg ono to hope that the creative prompt
| ing has foreshadoWed, and viii continue TO sat
| isfy, q need in other minds.
| Excuse me that write imperfeotly, and per-
hsps dimiy, what have felt IN reading sour.
| article. Ithas affected me deeply, and though
the prejudice and ignorant obtuReness which
has met my effort to contribute sor1ethinS %
the ennobling OF Judaism in the conce2tson OF
the Christian community and In tho oonFe.ons
mesa Of the jewish community, aas neger l0r a. q 4
moment made me repent my choice, bng Satns- -.
has been added proof to me that the enoIs w. ~,
needed--yet confess that hsd an nnsetlsssu
hunger for certain signs Of sympAthetlS uls-
cernment, which yoI only have gwen. Hah3
mention az one instance your clear geacepFieon
op tbe relation between tho presentation OF thes
jewish element and those OF Enghsa social
life. III So = ~, s
for we are iust moving into the country for the
anroToer and all things are IN q vagrant consii-
tion around me. But I wish not to defer An-
swerine your lette9 to Rn uncertain opperta-
! nifty.
! NV husband has said moro than once that ne
| feels grateful TO you, For he Is more aensitive
! on my behalf than on bis own.
Hence no unites with nee in the assurances OF
the high regard with which remain always
you're faithfully. NJ. q. LEwRs,
You can't make good out of eviI any
more than you cam slfina the azsan oig
the Top Of a pan of milk and thcn turn s4
over and skim it or tho bottom,