The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe - Edgar Allan Poe [1242]
With the most sincere gratitude and esteem,
Yr Ob. St
Edgar A. Poe.
To Charles A Bristed Esqr
Edgar Allan Poe to Charles Astor Bristed — June 7, 1848
Fordham — June 7 — 48.
Dr Sir.
I fear that, on reading this note, you will think me (what God knows I am not) most ungrateful for your former kindness — and that I presume upon it more than I should, in asking you to aid me again. My only excuse is, that I am desperately circumstanced — in very bitter distress of mind and body — and that I looked around me in vain to find any friend who both can and will aid me, unless it be yourself. My last hope of extricating myself from the difficulties which are pressing me to death, is in going personally to a distant connexion near Richmond, Va, and endeavoring to interest him in my behalf. With a very little help all would go well with me — but even that little I cannot obtain; the effort to overcome one trouble only serving to plunge me in another. Will you forgive me, then, if I ask you to loan me the means of getting to Richmond? My mother in law, Mrs Clemm, who will hand you this, will explain to you the particulars of my situation.
Truly & gratefully yours
Edgar A Poe
C. A. Bristed Esqre
Mr Putnam has my book in press, but he could make me no advance, beyond $14 — some weeks ago[.]
BRONSON, REV. COTESWORTH P.
Edgar Allan Poe to Cotesworth P. Bronson — about October - November 1847
Monday —
My dear Sir,
I am anxious to see you for many reasons — not the least of which is that I have not seen you for so long a time — but among other things, I wish to ascertain if the poem which, at your suggestion, I have written, is of the lenth (length), the character &c. you desire: — if not, I will write another and dispose of this one to Mrs Kirkland. Cannot Miss Bronson and yourself, (erasure), pay us a visit at Fordham — say this afternoon or tomorrow?
Truly your friend
Poe
BROOKS, NATHAN COVINGTON
Edgar Allan Poe to Nathan Covington Brooks — September 4, 1838
Philadelphia, September 4, 1838.
My Dear Sir:
I duly received your favor with the $10. Touching the review, I am forced to decline it just now. I should be most unwilling not to execute such a task well, and this I would not do at so short notice, at least now. I have two other engagements which it would be ruinous to defer. Besides this, I am just leaving Arch street for a small house, and, of course, somewhat in confusion.
My main reason, however, for declining is what I first alleged, viz.: I could not do the review well at short notice. The truth is, I can hardly say that I am conversant with Irving’s writings, having read nothing of his since I was a boy, save his “Granada.” It would be necessary to give his entire works a reperusal. You see, therefore, the difficulty at once. It is a theme upon which I would like very much to write, for there is a vast deal to be said upon it. Irving is much overrated, and a nice distinction might be drawn between his just and his surreptitious and adventitious reputation — between what is due to the pioneer solely, and what to the writer.
The merit, too, of his tame propriety and faultlessness of style should be candidly weighed. He should be compared with Addison, something being hinted about imitation, and Sir Roger de Coverly should be brought up in judgment. A bold and a prioriinvestigation of Irving’s claims would strike home, take my word for it. The American literary world never saw anything of the kind yet. Seeing, therefore, the opportunity of making a fine hit, I am unwilling to hazard your fame by a failure, and a failure would assuredly be the event were I to undertake the task at present.
The difficulty with you is nothing — for I fancy you are conversant with Irving’s works, old and new, and would not have to read for the task.