Text: John C. Miller, ed., “Entry 112: John H. Ingram to Sarah Helen Whitman, Oct. 11, 1875,” Poe's Helen Remembers (1979), pp. 335-337 (This material is protected by copyright)

[page 335, continued:]

112. John H. Ingram to Sarah Helen Whitman

My dear Friend,

Your ever welcome letter [Sept. 28] came to hand this morning together with one from Mrs. Houghton, who has had much domestic affliction. In a small space of time I must hurry through all I can.

I do not know whether the photo you enclose is “from Harrison's” because I have not yet seen that. May I retain this? Mr. Dodge is coming to take tea with me this week, and I expect to get a copy of his for you. When I have my set of Poe's portraits complete, & have published such as I need, I think of presenting them to our National Portrait Gallery.

London Magazine will not appear till end of the month. St. James's I bought a copy to send you, but editor said he had sent, so I did not, but will now — ’tis not of much account, however. I have not found out name of the British Quarterly reviewer. I wrote editor but got no reply. He may have forwarded my name to the writer — we shall hear some day. Sept. no. of the Dublin University Maga. contains a review, dealing chiefly with the poems. It is the best & most valuable critique on them I have seen, but does not do full justice to the prose.(1) I must get the number & send you. The writer often coincides with my views: he says,

He quotes some words of Swinburne's about Poe from Under the Microscope. I have read this said pamphlet of S[winburne]'s. There is only a short note regarding Poe therein saying that he is the only original singer America has yet produced. J. Purves is the name of the writer in D[ublin] U[niversity] Mag., a name I have seen occasionally [page 336:] appended to magazine papers, but I know him not. The paragraph about Le Corbeau is running all over the world.

About the facsimile poem: I wrote to Scribner's about it, pointing out at same time the absurd mistakes in the note. If they don’t publish my letter, I’ll take up the matter in our Athenaeum or Academy. Didier was, he wrote me, secretary to [Justice] Chase — he has written two or three short paper about matters connected with Poe, but all are worthless — unreliable. He offered me the poem & his memoranda for $100, but never answered my letter offering to purchase the poem alone if it proved genuine. A Baltimore correspondent sent me the copy as facsimiled in Scribner's, but when I privately pointed out that it much more resembled Didier's than Poe's [hand]writing, never replied. Didier said his family adopted W. H. L. Poe.

Don’t be afraid that I shall accept any forged verse as Poe's. I have had bushels of rubbish sent me but I know at a glance what they are. But this “Alone” I am puzzled about. I do think it is genuine. I’ll consult Swinburne.

I’ve not seen Oct. Scribner yet. I’m glad to be en garde re. Fairfield, as he may try me in some way.

I’m afraid that Gill has stopped Widdleton from accepting my offer to give him (gratis) a corrected copy of my “Memoir” of Poe for publication in America. I have seen Lotos Leaves — beyond the few facts derived from you, your letters, & my paper in the Mirror, I do not see anything Gill can substantiate therein. His assertions are most reckless & easily capable of disproof.

As regards [the] lines “To M. Louise,” I can quite comprehend the reason of the alterations. Appleton's Journal's London correspondent is the editor of the London Maga. & they will do anything for him and, entre nous, he for me. Also, entre nous, I have given Browne a copy of my Politian for his maga. & asked him to send you a copy. I judge Politian to have been written between 1831 & ’33. When my Life appears you’ll see some accepted dates upset. Entre nous, strictly, I am expecting to publish a separate collection of Poe's poems. If I could only have got at Clarke! I much doubt whether Gill ever bought Clarke's collection, or even saw him. What do you think? I am making every exertion to obtain his publications of 1843 — the Stylus & the Museum. I feel sure Clarke was a friend. His letters &c. would have been so useful. Oh, that we could have found him out in time! I long to reach the States to pursue my inquiries — had I been as well in August as I am now I should have made the trip this year, but I must now restrain my impatience. I am a new being now, and you — you are better, are you not? Do write as usual. I’ll keep you informed of all matters of interest. Do not mind any of the Stoddard tribe. They will [page 337:] disappear and “leave not a wrack behind” whilst the name & fame of Poe will grow in brilliancy yearly.

By the way, in Beadle's Monthly for Feby. 1867 is a shameful paper on Poe by Mrs. E. O. Smith in which she quotes, or pretends to quote from you, these words: Poe “was, it is true, vindictive, revengeful, unscrupulous in the use of expedients to attain his ends.”(2) Now do tell me that you did not say this.

Can you see any of the following books anywhere? Tales of the Grotesque & Arabesque. There is an unknown tale in this book, or with an unknown title, “Siope.” Perhaps Mr. Harris may have it. If so, could a MS. copy be made for me? I’ll remit cost. Also, can you see any vols. of The Gift (Philadelphia: Carey & Hart) from 1830 to 1841, 1844, 1846 to 1850. They contain tales, &c. by Poe. I want a list of the years & papers of each year — [18]42, ’43, & ’45, I’ve seen. Burton's Gentleman's Mag. I still want, & Graham's Mag., Vols. 18-21, &c. to 1849 inclusive.

You have not yet told me about Poe's introduction to Mrs. Richmond by Mrs. Locke. Do! Cannot I expect any aid in that quarter?

Au revoir, my dear, dear friend. Keep well & rely upon me to carry to a triumphant issue our glorious work. American shall & will accept my “Memoir” of Poe eventually. Yours ever,

 

1. James Purves, “Edgar Allan Poe,” Dublin University Magazine, 85 (Mar. 1875), 336-51.

2. Mrs. Smith did publish these words as having been written to her by Mrs. Whitman. See Beadle's Monthly, a Magazine of Today, 3 (Feb. 1867), 148.