The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe - Edgar Allan Poe [1241]
For example, take the following:
The enemy has invested our works and is vigorously pushing the siege. We can hold out but three days longer when if not relieved we must surrender. The cryptograph will be: Here word, or 23, 15, 18, , 4 is the key. The movable to be applied to is d or 4 in the first division of 24 letters —
To Edgar A. Poe, Esq., editor Graham’s Gentleman’s Magazine, Philadelphia, Pa.
BOWEN, ELI
Edgar Allan Poe to Eli Bowen — June 4, 1844
My Dear Mr. Brown (Bowen):
I would take it as a very great favor if you could mail me an X by return of mail, if possible.
Yours truly,
P.
Edgar Allan Poe to Eli Bowen — October 18, 1848
New-York — Octo. 18 — 48
My Dear Sir,
About three weeks ago I wrote you quite a long letter, enclosing a MS copy of “The Raven” and making you a proposition in regard to the establishment of a Magazine — but have received no reply.
In addition to what I then said I have now to say that I am willing to accept your offer about the Correspondence, and will commence whenever you think proper — provided you decline the tour &c as I suggested. Please write & oblige
Yours truly
Edgar A Poe
Eli Bowen Esqr
BOYD, JOSEPH B.
Edgar Allan Poe to Joseph B. Boyd — December 25, 1839
Philadelphia,
Dec 25th 1839
Dr Sir,
I have only to urge a world of pressing engagements as an excuse for not sooner attending to your very flattering request of November the fifteenth. It will now give me great pleasure to copy, as you desire, one of my own poems — selecting a Sonnet for brevity’s sake.
Silence — A Sonnet.
There are some qualities — some incorporate things —
That have a double life — life aptly made
The type of that twin entity which springs
From matter and light — evinced in solid and shade.
There is a two-fold Silence — sea and shore —
Body and soul. One dwells in desert places
Newly with grass oergrown. Some solemn graces,
Some human memories (a tearful lore)
Render him terrorless — his name’s “No More”.
He is the corporate Silence — dread him not.
No power hath he of evil in himself.
But should some urgent fate (untimely lot!)
Bring thee to meet his shadow — (nameless elf,
Who haunteth the dim regions where hath trod
No foot of man) — commend thyself to God!
With every sentiment of respect,
I am
Yr Obt St
Edgar A Poe.
To
Joseph B. Boyd, Esquire
Cincinnati,
Ohio.
Edgar Allan Poe to Joseph B. Boyd — August 20, 1840
Philadelphia August 20. 1840.
Dear Sir,
On the other leaf of this sheet you will find a Prospectus of the Penn Magazine. In setting about the difficult and most arduous task which I have proposed, it is but natural that I should look with especial anxiety for the support of those whose friendship may do me honor, and whose influence may further the objects I have in view. I believe that the purposes set forth in this Prospectus are such as your candor will approve; I feel that I am actuated by no dishonest, and certainly by no common-place ambition; the disadvantages under which I labor are, in some respects, exceedingly great — and, for these reasons, I have no hesitation in earnestly soliciting your assistance, even at the risk of being considered importunate.
Placed as you are, it is in your power to aid me most essentially, and I have every hope that you will be inclined to do so. My success depends, mainly, upon the number of subscribers I may obtain before the first of December. If, through any influence you will be kind enough to exert in my behalf, you can procure me even one or two names, you will render me a service of vital importance, and one for which I shall be grateful indeed.
I trust you will pardon whatever of abruptness may appear in this letter, and attribute it to any cause rather than to a want of respect.
Yr ob st.
Edgar A Poe
Joseph B. Boyd Esqr
BRISTED, CHARLES ASTOR
Edgar Allan Poe to Charles Astor Bristed — January 17, 1847
Fordham — Jan. 17 — 47.
Dear Sir,
Permit