George Eliot's Life, as Related in Her Letters and Journals. Vol. 2 (of 3). George Eliot

      June 5.– Blackwood came, and we concocted two letters to send to the Times, in order to put a stop to the Liggins affair.

      The "Liggins business" does annoy me, because it subjects you and Mr. John Blackwood to the reception of insulting letters, and the trouble of writing contradictions. Otherwise, the whole affair is really a subject for a Molière comedy – "The Wise Men of Warwickshire," who might supersede "The Wise Men of Gotham."

      The letter you sent me was a very pleasant one from Mrs. Gaskell, saying that since she came up to town she has had the compliment paid her of being suspected to have written "Adam Bede." "I have hitherto denied it; but really, I think, that as you want to keep your real name a secret, it would be very pleasant for me to blush acquiescence. Will you give me leave?"