The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe - Edgar Allan Poe [1329]
Concerning the letter found by the Transcendentalists floating in a bottle on the waters of the Mare tenebrarum of course the writer of it, and the lecturer don’t live more than a million miles apart, else the postage upon it would be too much to pay.
I suppose the object of it was to hint that a century hence the world’s philosophy would be greatly changed from the present, and from all the past philosophies — “What I have propounded, will (in good time) revolutionize the world of Physical and Metaphysical Science.” Well, I have thought much upon these things myself. I have considered for some time past that there would be, that there must be, erelong a spring started somewhere that should lead to the overturn of our present unsettled, misshapen system, especially of Metaphysics — and if there is a change in Metaphysical, there must be one also in physical, science; for the One governs, makes the other. I should be proud if you did indeed prove to be the starter of this spring — But won’t your quietness about your lecture serve rather to work against than in favor of this event? — Dame Public, you know needs to have her pantalettes tickled often, in order that she may be made to think and work. The steady dropping of the water, which you occasionally speak of, is necessary to make an impression. Wouldn’t you do well to give your lecture in other places, and to publish it one of these months? I should really like to see it.
In the prospectus accompanying your last letter there is nothing said about publishing in “The Stylus” your “Literary America.” — Have you abandoned the plan? Also noth(ing) said about engravings. Not long since in looking over a file of old newspapers at a neighbors, I fell upon a number of the Boston Notion of Apl. 29, 1843, containing a memoir of yourself (who wrote it?) abridged from the Phila. Saturday Museum.
I obtained the paper, and, though worn and torn, it is stored away as one of my “Household Gods.” In the prospectus spoken of in the memoir, you promise to give portraits with the “Critical and Biographical Sketches of American Writers.” I presume it is not your intention now, as you say nothing of it in your prospectus, to commence them with the commencement of the Stylus? Nevertheless, I hope to see them at some future time — I desire very much to have a full series of accurate likenesses of our American authors. I would like still more to have them accompany true criticisms of their writings such as I know you can give if any living critic can. O dear! didn’t expect to scribble so much. If you can find time to write while on your Southern tour, do to let me know what success you meet with.
Heaven speed your expedition!
Yours faithfully, G. W. Eveleth
George W. Eveleth to Edgar Allan Poe — July 9, 1848
Here are two of the “slips” requested. The other, that from the “Courier and Enquirer,” I have somehow mislaid, so that I cannot find it. You will call me careless, if you please — I acknowledge myself so; still I crave pardon, seeing that it is the first offense of the kind — Hope you will not be much incommoded in not receiving the slip.
What about your lecture? — when is it to appear? — I have seen a notice in the “Universe” that you had prepared it for publication. The “Universe” said thus, concerning it — “We think it will rank as his” (your) “noblest work.”
In a number of the “Universe” which appear’d during my illness, and before you had delivered your lecture, I find this — “Mr. Poe is not merely a man of science — not merely a poet — not merely a man of letters. He is all combined; and perhaps he is something