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By Root 16931 0

your weekly sheet — for I know well that editors are often put to extra labor to accomplish that object. If you like I will follow the Series (in the sea wind remember) by certain specimens from the German Korner. If you publish the Italian sonnets I should wish the originals to accompany them; and I would prefer (as in all cases of translation) to superintend the proofs. If you decline them, they can be sent me, with the odd sheets of the Comedy by the Despatch. Attracted by the name of Prof. Wilson in one of the numbers of the Journal you lent me and recalling our conversation with regard to that Scottish Aristarchus, I read an article which I cannot err in assigning to your pen. How completely our tastes harmonize in matters of criticism! Singularly, because who is there else in this hemisphere at least who thinks of certain poets as you do, (as in fact would due to express his thoughts) but myself. Here now you said of Burns, exactly what I thought and been expressing in my narrow and obscure sphere, whenever the subject of his merits have been discussed for years. To see you thus triumphant in your general attack of all pseudo-critics and wretched bards is to see my own tastes astonished (if you will permit me to say so,) as well as the foundation (aid for true excellence in the literature of our native land;) and if you knew me as well as I could wish you did, you would believe in the sincerity of the desire I express to see you soon set on foot your greater magazine which I think will restore to their natural nothingness such reviews as —— but I may give offense perhaps to some of your partialities for I know that you commend the Helicon in Hot Weather of the American, in which one instance we do not harmonize, I assure you at all.

Faithfully, your very Obedient servant

Laughton Osborn

Edgar A. Poe, Esq.

Wednesday morning, Oct. 1, 45

O, for heaven’s sake don’t be-doctor me in future. I am no more entitled to the style than you are; then, if I were, I hold it in mortal detestation; and lastly, perhaps not least, it belongs to my youngest brother, — mistaking whom for me, by the bye, caused me to lose the enjoyment of your visit, and receive a barren card instead, when too I was never more in a mood to appreciate a visit from a man like yourself.

Laughton Osborn to Edgar Allan Poe — November 12, 1845

Dr Sir,

The copy of translated sonnets from certain old and little known Ital. Poets which I did myself the honor to send you some time since, in accordance with my promise were intended by their publication in yr “Journal,” not to benefit myself, (quite the contrary) but to be of service to you in the irksome part of yr. Labors as an editor. As several weeks have elapsed without my rec(ieving) any intimation of their being in type, I am forced to conclude that they are not so important as my vanity had led me to believe, & I must there be permitted to solicit their return,

Remaining, dr. Sir,

Yr. Very obed’t ser’t —

Laughton Osborn

Edgar A. Poe Esq

Wedny eveg (evening), 12th Nov. ‘45.

OSBORNE, MRS. MARY

Edgar Allan Poe to Mary Osborne — July 15, 1848

Fordham — July 15 — 48.

I return, dear Madam, with many thanks, the volumes you were so kind as to lend me, and which have increased even the respect and admiration I have been so long entertaining for the unknown author of “Praise and Principle”. “Charms and Countercharms” —”as it is last so is it best”. May I beg of you to make my acknowledgments as warmly as possible — or as admissible — to Miss McIntosh, for the favor she has done me in sending me the book — rendered doubly valuable by her autograph? Will you request for me, also, her acceptance of a late work of my own —”Eureka” — which accompanies this note? I have ventured to send with it, too, a duplicate copy, in the hope that Mrs Osborne will honor me by receiving it as an expression of my very sincere esteem and friendship.

Most truly and respectfully

Edgar A. Poe.

Mrs Mary Osborne.

OSGOOD, MRS. FRANCES SARGENT

Edgar Allan Poe to Frances Sargent Osgood — early October