• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

By Root 16813 0

to cherish vindictiveness, is quite another affair, & I assure you, forms no part of my creed. There is surely, enough of controversy abroad in our land, without its few literati lifting up the tomahawk, and scalping-knife against each other. Even if I had cherished some lingerings of resentment, which I by no means acknowledge, you would have entirely removed every such sombre shadow, by your favorable review of Mellen’s poems. — He is a man of genius, who I think, has not been fully appreciated in New-England, and I give you thanks, for rendering him, what I consider, a just reward.

— I send at your request, what I happen to have by me, — and as you will have it to be a peace offering, you can thus view it, though there is in reality, no truce to be made between us. Do not, however, assume a more lenient style with regard to me, in consequence of any little aid I may have afforded the “Messenger,” since no traffick in civilities is as valuable in my opinion as sincerity.

Yours, with respect, and in perfect good temper,

L. H. Sigourney.

If it would not be too much trouble, might I ask you to inquire of the bookseller, to whom Mr. White consigned my “Letters to Young Ladies,” if he meets with any difficulty in disposing of them? If so, we would be glad to have them returned, — as the Edition is expended, and there are demands for them here & in New-York, which we have not the means of satisfying, until another edition is issued. I would not burden you with this commission, if I knew the bookseller’s name.

L. H. Sigourney.

Edgar Allan Poe to Lydia H. Sigourney — November 10, 1841

Philadelphia. Nov. 10, 1841.

Dear Madam,

Since my connexion, as editor, with “Graham’s Magazine”, of this city, I have been sadly disappointed to find that you deem us unworthy your correspondence. Month after month elapses, and, although our list numbers “good names,” we still miss that of Mrs Sigourney. Is there no mode of tempting you to send us an occasional contribution? Mr Graham desires me to say that he would be very especially obliged if you could furnish, “him with a poem, however brief, for the January number. His compensation — for the days of gratuitous contributions are luckily gone by — will be at least as liberal as that of any publisher in America. May I hope to hear from you in reply? Excuse, dear Madam, this villanous steel pen, and believe me with high respect

Yr Mo ob St

Edgar A Poe

Mrs L. H. Sigourney

Edgar Allan Poe to Lydia H. Sigourney — November 16, 1841

Philadelphia Nov. 16. 1842 (1841)

Dear Madam,

I hasten to reply to yours of the 13th, and to thank you for your consent in the matter of contribution to our January number. We are forced to go to press at a very early period — for our edition is, in reality, twenty-five thousand — so that it would be desirable we should have your article in hand by the 18th December. We shall look for it with much anxiety, as we are using every exertion to prepare a number of more than ordinary attraction. So far, we have been quite successful. We shall have papers from Longfellow, Benjamin, Willis, Fay, Herbert, Mrs Stephens, Mrs Embury, Dr Reynell Coates, and (what will surprise you) from Sergeant Talfourd, author of “Ion” — besides others of nearly equal celebrity.

Is it not possible that we can make an arrangement with yourself for an article each month? It would give us the greatest pleasure to do so; and the terms of Mr Graham will be at least as liberal as those of any publisher. Shall we hear from you upon this point?

I regret that I am unable to answer your query touching the “Messenger”: — nor do I believe it answerable[.] Since my secession, I think that M’ White has had no regular editor. He depends pretty much upon chance, for assistance in the conduct of the Magazine — sometimes procuring aid from M’ James E. Heath, of Richmond — sometimes (but not of late days) from Judge Beverly Tucker, author of “George Balcombe”. Mr. Benjamin has occasionally furnished him with editorial or, rather, critical matters, and M’ R. W. Griswold has lately written