New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-22

giving me any, but l am anxious for you \.
know what the dangers in the way Of long de,,,
might be. the result Of even few slight ana
possibly most useful suggestions VI.
Will perhaps (after what have said) think /.
best not to set my mind running in a nsv
path lest I should take to rewriting" CouA
there be a heater recipe than this for fend,.
off the intrusions ~ a publisher more preSunn-
tuoUs than discreet? In the case q George Ella,
whose sex, by the way Blackwood dId not
discover for some time after ne began publis,
Ing her work-the overzealous business man
was again warned orr in admirable fashion
George Henry Lewes wrote him a viyacious In.
ter. Entire NOUS let me hint hat unless yor
have any serious objection 20 make to Elior,
stories, don't make any He is so easily dN.
Outraged. 80 difident Of himself. that not being
prompted by necessity 70 write, he will clos.
the series in the belief that his writing is not
relished Don't allude to this hint NJ
mine. He wouldn't like my interfering" Wa
may be sure that Blackwood took the hint, and
himself refrained from interfering. Yet W.
would do him injustice II we suggested that hi,
tendency to offer ideas where they were na
needed ever strained the happy relations De-
tween him and the authors whose books he
published. on the contrary, there is nothing
in this record more charming than the ndlca.
ton Of "A perfect sympathy existing between the
man OF business and the man or woman Of
genius whom he was privileged 10 bring before
the world When Adam Bede" succeeded be-
yond all antcipations the publishers were quick
to send George Eliot an additional 100 and her
letter Of acknowledgement shows a most kindly
spirit OF appreciation. II says much for tho
genteness Of Blackwood's nature that he felt
tenderiy toward the weaknesses OF genius. He
wrote to Mrs. Oliphant concerning her sketch Of
Cowper that she gave much too harsh view
of the poet. You make no allowance for the
suffering nervous man." he said. Indeed It's
really painful to read what you say Of the Gen.
tie Poet He was not a wretch c0ncentred all
on SELF That shrinking from going
through the forms necessary to secure liyei
hood for himself is not an evidence OF selfish
laziness. but of an extreme nervousness often,
permanent always on the verge Of insanity and
entirely to be pited." With more than one r..
ritable writer the Scotch publisher got on sur.
prisingly we'll Witness Charles Reade whe'
actually toned down his Woman Halter TO
please Blackwood the latter being conservative
on the question Of women doctors, and anxious
concerning the novests' love Of plain speak
ing" There are some amusing bits Of CORE.
spondence between the two concerning ZOes
susceptibility to kisses. In answer 10 an IN.
easy little note from Blackwood Charles Reade
makes protesting answer, declaring that his
heroine has only had her hand respectfully ss-
Iuted and he appeals for countenance to An
thony Trollope and George Eliot. It touches the
readers sense Of humor that Mrs Porter should
artlessly remark: What suggested this COM
bination 1t is impossible TO say. except that he
did not know which name would have the most
reassuring effect on his correspondent" Here
is a quotation from Reades note: The other
matter is that the Ms. in hand seems to suggest
to you that Zoe gives way too readily to love
and kisses. Now, Zoe and her lover are caught
in a shower, and take refuge in the corner Oh
cowhouse at moment OF great tenderness
Neither Trollope George Eliot would have
let these two part without a kiss. But up to
this date nothing OF Zoe has been kissed but her
hand. and that without her consent and TO her
blushing confusion"
Mrs. Porter INDUCES in some little reminis
cences of her own which are not undertaking
She thinks that the ponderosty OF George
EIots conversation and the difficulty OF making
any way with her of which some visitors have
complained must have been caused by their Sc
Letting topics not really congenial 70 themselves
simply because they were talking TO George
Eliot-scaing heights that were beyond them
and as a result getting crushed by solid ava
lanche OF learning. If talked with ner
upon music. which she loved. pictures, the pay
flower show equally a horse show, she was
with you've were all talking upon what we
equally understood. Large numbers OF
people used to invade her Sunday receptions
who had often small claim upon her fOrbear
ance. We remember one ridiculous incident Of
two enterprising young men who sat down OPP
poeite her with the intention Of el.citing her
opinion on the Turko Russian war They were
nothing if not simple and direct, and without
any preamble whatever they fred of their hrs'
shot at their gentle hammered hoeLass. Startling