The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe - Edgar Allan Poe [1294]
In your “Fall of the House of Usher., unconnected with style, I think you very happy in that part where you prolong the scene with Roderick Usher after the death of his sister; and the glare of the moon thro’ the sundering house, and the electric gleam visible around it, I think admirably conceived.
Of “William Wilson” I am not sure that I perceive the true clew. From the “whispering voice” I would apprehend that you meant the second William Wilson as an embodying of the conscience of the first; but I am inclined to the notion that your intention was to convey the wilder idea that every mortal of us is attended with a shadow of himself — a duplicate of his own peculiar organization — differing from himself only in a certain angelic taint of the compound, derived from heaven, as our own wild humours are derived from Hell (figuratively); — I cannot make myself understood, as I am not used to the expression of a wild half thought — But, although I do not clearly comprehend, I certainly admire the story.
Of “Eiros & Charmion” I will only say that I consider the whole very singular and excellent, and the skill of one small part of it unapproachable.
“Was I much mourned, my Eiros” — is one of the finest touches in the world. I read, the other day, a small piece in an old messenger entitled “Shadow a Fable” which I take to be yours.3 Considered apart from some affectation it is very terrible. The Poetry headed “The haunted Palace” which I read in the Balt. Museum where it first appeared, and which I instantly understood as a picture of an intellect, I consider beautiful but grotesque.
By the way you have selected an excellent title for your volume of Tales. “Tales of the Grotesque and the Arabesque” expresses admirably the character of your wild stories — and as Tales of the grotesque & arabesque they were certainly never equalled.
I am writing a Book which I call “Maurice Weterbern “ — what it is you will some time or other see. I am bestowing great care, but little labour, upon it.
I send you two pieces of verse (Poetry I dare not call them) which I made a year ago; If you think them worth publishing publish them — if not I am too hacknied to consider your decision an affront.
There is not room for more — so farewell
Yrs sincerely
P P Cooke
E. A. Poe Esq.
P.S. Write to me.
Edgar Allan Poe to Philip P. Cooke — January 12, 1846
P. P. Cooke, Esqre
at The Vinyard
near Millwood
Clarke Co
Virginia
EAP
Edgar Allan Poe to Phillip P. Cooke — April 16, 1846
New-York — April 16 — 42. (1846)
My Dear Sir,
Your three last letters reached me day before yesterday, all at once. I have been living in the country for the last two months (having been quite sick) and all letters addressed to 85 Amity St. were very sillily retained there, until their accumulation induced the people to send them to the P. Office. When you write again address me, at large, N. Y. I fully agree with you (and a little to boot) about Minor. He is the King of Donkey-dom. Your “Power of the Bards” is glorious. I have sent it to Colton, who will be delighted with it — I mean Colton of the “American Review.” Not being yet able to leave my room I sent, also, your “Turkey-Hunter” to Porter, with a note, speaking of you as I have always spoken. I enclose you his reply. I retain the MSS. Tell me what I shall do with them. You ask for information about the usual pay of the Magazines. A definite answer is impossible. They graduate their pay by mere whim — apparent popularity — or their own opinion of merit. Real merit is rather no recommendation. For my last two contributions to “Graham” — 5 pp. of “Marginalia” and 4 pp “Philosophy of Composition” (have you seen this latter?) I received $50 — about 8 per page. I furnish Godey regular papers (one