The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe - Edgar Allan Poe [1364]
Miss Barrett has read the “Raven” and says she thinks there is a fine lyrical melody in it. When I tell you that this lady “says” you will be so good as understand that I mean “writes “ — for although I have corresponded with Miss Barrett these 5 or 6 years, I have never seen her to this day. Nor have I been nearer to doing so, than talking with her father and sisters.
I am of the same opinion as Miss Barrett about the “Raven;” and it also seems to me that the poet intends to represent a very painful condition of mind, as of an imagination that was liable to topple over into some delirium or an abyss of melancholy, from the continuity of one unvaried emotion.
Tennyson I have not seen, nor heard from yet, since my return. It is curious that you should ask me for opinions of the only two poets with whom I am especially intimate. Most of the others I am acquainted with, but am not upon such terms of intellectual sympathy and friendship as with Miss Barrett and Tennyson. But I do not at this moment know where Tennyson is.
You mention that an American publisher would probably like to reprint “Orion,” and I therefore send a copy for that purpose, or probability. I also send a copy, in which I have written your name, together with a copy of “Gregory VII.” and two copies of “Introductory Comments “ (to the 2nd Edn of the NW SPY of the Age) of which I beg your acceptance. Of “Chaucer Modernized” I do not possess any other copy than the one in my own library, and believe it is out of print; but if you would like to have a copy of Schlegel’s “Lectures on Dramatic Literature “ (to wh I wrote an Introduction to the 2nd Edn) I shall be happy to forward you the vols, and any others of my own you wd like to have — that is, if I have copies of them. “Cosmo de Medici,” for instance, I could send you.
I have made no revision of “Orion” for the proposed new Edition. The fact is, I have not time, and moreover am hardly disposed to do much to it, after so many editions. I had rather write (almost) another long poem.
I shall be happy to send you a short poem or two for your Magazine directly it is established, or for the 1st No., if there be time for you to let me know.
I am, dear Sir,
Yours truly,
R. H. Horne.
HOUGHTON, ROLAND STEBBINS
Edgar Allan Poe to Roland S. Houghton — April 27, 1840
Philadelphia April 27. 1840.
Dr Sir,
Your very clever article, “John a’ Combe”, was duly received, but your request, that we should notice its reception in the Magazine, was overlooked. By reference to the last number (for April) you will perceive that the Premium scheme has proved a total failure, and that the M.S.S. sent await the commands of their authors. We should be glad, of course, to publish the piece, but are grieved to say that the absurd condition of our present copy-right laws will not permit us to other any compensation. We shall be pleased to hear from you in reply.
Yours &c
Edgar A Poe
R. S. Houghton Esqr University of Vermont
HUNT, JEDEDIAH, JR.
Edgar Allan Poe to Jedediah Hunt, Jr. — March 17, 1845
New-York March 17- 45
Dear Sir,
There is something in the tone of your article on “The Broadway Journal” (contained in the “Archives” of the 13th.) which induces me to trouble you with this letter.
I recognize in you an educated, an honest, a chivalrous, but, I fear, a somewhat over-hasty man. I feel that you can appreciate what I do — and that you will not fail to give me credit for what I do well: — at the same time I am not quite sure that, through sheer hurry, you might not do me an injustice which you yourself would regret even more sincerely than I. I am anxious to secure you as a friend if you can be so with