Text: John C. Miller, ed., “Entry 120: John H. Ingram to Sarah Helen Whitman, Nov. 10 and Nov. 13, 1875,” Poe's Helen Remembers (1979), pp. 356-357 (This material is protected by copyright)

[page 356, continued:]

120. John H. Ingram to Sarah Helen Whitman

My dear Friend,

Only just a few lines to notify safe arrival of yours dated 25th Ulto. [postmarked 29th], for I am besides myself with letters, &c. and cannot get to do my literary work. Would that more of my correspondents were like you! Had something to say & said it.

I see you have seen the Dublin Univ. Mag. so I need not send copy. Pray do not think me remiss in not having sent. I hope Williams sent the London as he promised — for fear he may not, I’ll send one. Browne will republish the paper this month with a few corrections, but without the facsimile page, in the Southern.

Three copies of the Herald to hand. One, I presume, but am not certain, from you. I have seen Dr. Moran's account published years ago, in a somewhat shorter & less circumstantial style. I fancy it is like so many others — very imaginative — a modicum of fact ‘mid a very large amount of fancy — the conversations are utterly impossible.

How interesting is your account of your meetings &c. with Poe — this letter fills up gaps I have wanted filled. Would that the whole story of your personal knowledge of him might & could be told!

I wish I could let you know all that I have gathered together, but it is not possible until the Life is ready, but a personal interview would eliminate [sic] much information.

I see Gill is foremost in the monument affair. I have a secret which is only for you at present. Widdleton has written to accept with thanks my offer of the present “Memoir” for his next forthcoming Memorial edition. I am only afraid that he will print before he can get my much revised & corrected proof. I hope not, as it will make all the difference between completely routing the foe, & leaving several weak points [page 357:] open to attack. Mind, therefore, that this is sub rosa. I hope to get my life out in Germany before long. The French “Memoir” will be founded upon it. Widdleton, New York, wrote to publishers of the Paris “Raven” about having Manet's illustrations, but fears, from the specimens sent, they will not suit his public — he is right — they will not. I shall leave off now until tomorrow — mail day.

Am writing at British Museum. Am going to take tea with Stella (Mrs. Lewis). Mrs. Houghton, in a letter of today, thinks of visiting Germany for her daughter's education. Browne has sent me Southern with Politian in it. It was as well not to refer Fairfield to me. It is better to have two armies in the field: the rebels won’t know which side will be attacked next.

Entre nous, Widdleton's publication, if it is not too late for the revised copy, will be carrying the war right into the enemy's camp, both Gill & Stoddard will be “smote on the hips,” Gill having been Widdleton's adviser hitherto, apparently! Re. Clarke & Gill: in a former letter you say G[ill] said that C[larke] informed him that Poe did visit Europe a 2nd time. He did (i.e., Poe did) but did C[larke] tell G[ill] is the question? I wish the Museums could be got! I can give order of publication of nearly every tale & poem. Can you see, or Mr. Harris, the first edition of Tales of the Grotesque & Arabesque? I want to know what “Siope” is. Poe wrote for The Gift for years. Mrs. Smith quotes an alleged letter of yours, I fancy, in Beadle's. Is Mrs. Richmond still alive? She may have letters. I must find her out. Mary Star is not yet found. John P. Poe says in his last letter that the family know nothing of such a lady. Didier was formerly Secretary to [Justice] Chase & knew Mrs. Clemm; he has written various little things about her — he offered me the poem (before Scribner) & other information of no seeming importance, for $100. I wrote him but got no reply.

In terrible haste, ever yours,