Journal, 1867.
Dec. 4.—Sent off the MS. of the "Address" to Edinburgh.
Letter to John Blackwood, 7th Dec. 1867.
I agree with you about the phrase "Masters of the country."[3] I wrote that part twice, and originally I distinctly said that the epithet was false. Afterwards I left that out, preferring to make a stronger argumentum ad hominem, in case any workman believed himself a future master.
I think it will be better for you to write a preliminary note, washing your hands of any over-trenchant statements on the part of the well-meaning Radical. I much prefer that you should do so.
Whatever you agree with will have the advantage of not coming from one who can be suspected of being a special pleader.
What you say about Fedalma is very cheering. But I am chiefly anxious about the road still untravelled—the road I have still zurück zu legen.
Mr. Lewes has to request several proofs of Fedalma, to facilitate revision. But I will leave him to say how many. We shall keep them strictly to ourselves, you may be sure, so that three or four will be enough—one for him, one for me, and one for the resolution of our differences.
Letter to John Blackwood 12th Dec. 1867.