Books

Edinburgh: William Blackwood and Sons, 1858. First edition. Two octavo volumes (7 3/8 x 4 5/8 inches; 187 x 117 mm.). [4], 366; [2], 381, [1, blank] pp. Bound without the half-title in Volume I and without the half-title and fly-title in Volume II. Bound ca. 1858 in half dark green hard-grain morocco, ruled in blind, over marbled boards. Spines ruled and lettered in gilt in compartments. Marbled edges and endpapers. Scattered light foxing and soiling. Marginal paper-flaw to leaf H6 (pp. 123/124) of volume 1 (not affecting text). An excellent set of this rather scarce title. Scenes of Clerical Life brings together three short stories by George Eliot “The Sad Fortunes of the Reverend Amos Barton,” “Mr Gilfil’s Love-Story,” and “Janet’s Repentance.”  These were first published in Blackwood’s Magazine between January to October of 1857, before they were brought together in a two-volume book form in 1858. Each story is set in the fictional Midlands town of Milby and…

Scenes of Clerical Life is the title under which George Eliot's first published works of fiction appeared in 1858, consisting of three novellas based on the lives of different clergymen. Originally published anonymously, these stories mark Eliot's debut into the world of literature.

Consult a reference guide for William Blackwood and Sons first editions, check for print details signifying it is a first print. George Eliot's work would not have had a large first run, typically noted by higher quality paper and binding for the time.