Text: John C. Miller, ed., “Entry 181: Sarah Helen Whitman to John H. Ingram, Mar. 9, 1877,” Poe's Helen Remembers (1979), p. 495 (This material is protected by copyright)

[page 495, continued:]

181. Sarah Helen Whitman to John H. Ingram. Item 333

Dear Mr. Ingram,

Do not think that I have failed to acknowledge your very interesting letter through indifference or neglect. I have much to say to you — much to ask of you.

I am preparing at intervals of leisure something to leave to those who love me after my “de-materialization,” as the seance circles of our friend Mrs. Nichols might say.(1)

All through the month of February I have been suffering from pneumonia) fever — my annual experience — I have not even written to dear Rose to thank her for the vivid & speaking photo which she sent me — nor to any foreign correspondent — so busy & so weary have I been with the cares & changes incident to leaving my home of the last ten years.

I enclose to you will write very soon if possible.

Your sorrow is a sorrow to me always. Benedicite.

P.S. Mrs. Clemm's letters came safely.

 

1. Mrs. Whitman spent her last days sorting her papers and preparing her poems for publication after her death. They were published in 1879 by Houghton, Osgood & Co., of Boston.