The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1882-01-19
LETTER OF GEORGE ELIOT.
TO . Critic of Her .D..,.l D.ro.a.."

To . Critic of Her "Daniel Deronda."
From the Atheneum.I
We owe the opportunity of publishing
the following letter to the courtesy Of
Professor D. Kaufman, to whom it
was addressed. Professor Kaufman is
well known by his remarks on "Daniel
Deronda," and it will be seen that his
criticisms attracted the notice of the
novelist, and led her to writing to him
THE PR1oRY, q NORTH BANK,
May 81, 1877.
MY DEAN s1R-Hardly, since I became an
author, have I mad . deeper satisfaction, 1
may say . moreoheartfelt JOY, than you have
given me in your estimate OF daniel De-
ronda."
I must ten ayouI that it is my rule, very
strictly observed. not to read the criticisms on
my writings. For years l have foina ,1 TINS .s 40
encouragement .as. an artist which nl-1udged
praise, no less than in-judged blame, tends to
produce in me. For far worse than any verdict
as to the proportion of good and evil In our
work is the painful impression that we write
for q public which has no discernment OF good
and evil. r.f la.f --s
My husband reads any notices OF ne that
comes before him, and reports to me Cor else
refrains from reporting9 the general character
strikes him Is showing either an exceptional
insight or an obtuseness that is gross enough
to be amusing. Very rarely, when he has read
q critique Of me, he has handed it to me, say
ing, "You must read this" And your esti-
mate of "Daniel Deronda" made one OF these
rare instances.
Certainly, if I had been asked to choose what
should be written about my book and who
should write it, I should have sketched-weu,
not anything 80 good as what you nave VIII
ten, but an article which must be written py
Ta- -Ha oAo-o1 -ak paaralv crnnnafhv with the
best aspirations of his race. but q remarkable
insight into the nature of art and the processes
Of the artistic mind. Believe me l should NOT
have cared to devour even ardent praise II II
had not come from one who showed tne ois-
eliminating sensibility, the perfect response TO
the artists intention, which must make the
fullest, rarest Joy to one who works from m
ward conviction, and not in compliance with
current fashions. Such q response hoios LOT
an author not only what is best in tine NE
that now is" but the promise of that (which
is to come" I mean that the usual approx
native, narrow perception Of what one has been
intending and professedly feeling in ones
work, impresses one with the sense that II must
be poor, perishable stuff without roots, 10 take
any lasting hold in the minds of men whne
any instance Of complete comprehension en-
courages one to hope that the creative prompt
ing has foreshadowed, and will continue 10 sat
isfy, q need in other minds.
Excuse me that I write imperfectly, and per-
haps dimly, what I have felt in reading your
article. It has affected me deeply, and though
the prejudice and ignorant obtuseness which
has met my effort to contribute something to
the ennobling of Judaism in the conception OF
the Christian community and in the conscious
ness of the Jewish community, has never for a
moment made me repent my choice, but rather
has been added proof to me that the effort wai
| needed-yet I confess that I had an unsatisied
hunger for certain signs Of sympathetic dis
cernment, which you only have given. 1 maj
mention as one instance your clear perception
of the relation between the presentation Of tn,
Jewish element and those Of English, socia
| life.
I work under the pressure Of small hurries
for we are just moving into the country for tn
summer and all things are in q yagrant condi
ton around me. But I wish not to defer an
swering your letter to an uncertain opportu
NV husband has said more than once that b
feels grateful to you. For he is more sensitiy
on nv behalf than on his OWN.
Hence he unites with me in the assurance o
the high regard with which 1 remain Away
yours faithfully. NJ. E. LEwEs.