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Edgar A. Poe

LOWELL, JAMES RUSSELL

Edgar Allan Poe to James Russell Lowell — November 16, 1842

Dr Sir,

Learning your design of commencing a Magazine, in Boston, upon the first of January next, I take the liberty of asking whether some arrangement might not be made, by which I should become a regular contributor.

I should be glad to furnish a short article each month — of such character as might be suggested by yourself — and upon such terms as you could afford “in the beginning”.

That your success will be marked and permanent I will not doubt. At all events, I most sincerely wish you well; for no man in America has excited in me so much of admiration — and, therefore, none so much of respect and esteem — as the author of “Rosaline”.

May I hope to hear from you at your leisure? In the meantime, believe me,

Most Cordially yours

Edgar Allan Poe

James Russell Lowell Esqre

Philadelphia Novem: 16. 1842.

James R. Lowell to Edgar Allan Poe — November 19, 1842

Boston, Nov. 19, 1842. No. 4 Court St.

My Dear Friend, — Your letter has given me great pleasure in two ways; — first, as it assures me of the friendship and approbation of almost the only fearless American critic, and second (to be Irish) since it contains your acquiescence to a request which I had already many times mentally preferred to you. Had you not written you would soon have heard from me. I give you carte blanche for prose or verse as may best please you — with one exception — namely I do not wish an article like that of yours on Dawes, who, although I think with you that he is a bad poet, has yet I doubt not tender feelings as a man which I should be chary of wounding. I think that I shall be hardest pushed for good stories (imaginative ones) & if you are inspired to anything of the kind I should be glad to get it.

I thank you for your kind consideration as to terms of payment, seeing that herein my ability does not come near my exuberant will. But I can offer you $10 for every article at first with the understanding that, as soon as I am able I shall pay you more according to my opinion of your deserts. If the magazine fail, I shall consider myself personally responsible to all my contributors. Let me hear from you at your earliest convenience & believe me always your friend

J. R. Lowell.

E. A. Poe, Esq.

I am already (I mean my magazine) in the press — but anything sent “right away” will be in season for the first number, in which I should like to have you appear.

James R. Lowell to Edgar Allan Poe — December 17, 1842

Boston, Decr 17, 1842. No. 4 Court St.

My Dear Friend, — I ought to have written to you before, but I have had so much to distract me, & so much to make me sick of pen & ink I could not. Your story of “The Tell-Tale Heart” will appear in my first number. Mr. Tuckerman (perhaps your chapter on Autographs is to blame) would not print it in the Miscellany, & I was very glad to get it for myself. It may argue presumptuousness in me to dissent from his verdict. I should be glad to hear from you soon. You must send me another article, as my second number will soon go to press.

Wishing you all happiness I remain your true friend — torn to pieces with little businesses — “

(Signature cut out.)

Edgar Allan Poe to James Rusell Lowell — December 25, 1842

My Dear Friend

I send you a brief poem for No 2, with my very best wishes.

I duly received yours of the 19th and thank you for reversing the judgment of Mr Tuckerman — the author of the “Spirit of Poesy” — which, by the way, is somewhat of a misnomer — since no spirit appears.

Touching the “Miscellany” — had I known of Mr T’s accession, I should not have ventured to send an article. Should he, at any time, accept an effusion of mine, I should ask myself what twattle I had been perpetrating, so flat as to come within the scope of his approbation. He writes, through his publishers, —”if Mr Poe would condescend to furnish more quiet articles he would be a most desirable correspondent.