Text: John C. Miller, ed., “Entry 067: John H. Ingram to Sarah Helen Whitman, Sept. 4, 13 and 14, 1874,” Poe's Helen Remembers (1979), pp. 206-212 (This material is protected by copyright)

[page 206, continued:]

67. John H. Ingram to Sarah Helen Whitman

My dear Mrs. Whitman,

Although I may not be able to complete this letter today, I will try my best as I have so much to reply to, so much to say, and have remained so long silent — indeed, I believe that I have three letters to answer — yours of the 31st July, 7 Augt., [18]th of Augt. Perhaps I have answered the first, but my memory is so very treacherous at the present moment that I am not certain on the point. Before, however, taking up the thread of your story, let me tell what small amount of news I may have to retail.

In the first place, I have seen Miss Peckham and had a chat with her and find her a very nice girl so far as first impressions go, & expect to have the pleasure of escorting her and her companions to the Crystal Palace tomorrow. I await her reply. Unfortunately, all my family are away just now so that I cannot offer her an English welcome, but when she returns from Paris, I hope to be able to do so. In a few days I mean [page 207:] to leave town, and shall, perhaps, take Paris in my way so that I may hear how she is getting on there. I need scarcely remark how affectionately she spoke of you. She seems already rather homesick. She sketched off my profile for you, but I was not a very patient model, so don’t rely on its exactness.(1)

Two days ago the enclosed reached me from the Virginia University, with a letter from the Chairman or President. Mr. Wertenbaker is still living and labouring in the University as librarian! It is gratifying to know that Poe is so read and liked by the students. I should liked [sic] to have used more of the letter in “Memoir,” but think I have the substance of it — derived from the extract you sent me.(2)

Poor Miss Poe! How sad a life! But for my illness I might have done something for her. You cannot think how grieved I felt at having raised her expectations & then never have really done anything for her. And so many were willing to help. Her death came like a blow to me & made me feel so miserable — but I was powerless, through my illness, to carry out my scheme on her behalf. I put a short notice of her in the Mirror and it was copied into various papers.(3) Mr. Davidson, who is always kind, although I have seemed to neglect him as I have everybody lately, sent me a paragraph from an American paper stating that Miss Poe was eighty-eight & died at Baltimore, &c. So much for newspaper information! Many thanks for you sending me the cuttings. There did seem something strange about the poor lady. Mrs. Lewis told me some wonderful story about her not being Poe's sister, but I fancy ’twas only an idle rumour. Miss Poe's second & last letter to me was only a few lines asking me whether I was doing anything for her, and stated that she was unwell, but not in a way to make me think seriously of her illness.(4) I do so repent that I did not get someone to reply for me.

As to portrait of Poe belonging to Mrs. Lewis — she has promised me copies & says it was taken only three months before his death — and, I fancy, at New York. But I seem to think that I have already mentioned this — as also about Mrs. Ellet & Griswold. The latter married a Jewess with money and (so I hear) because she would not assign her property to him, would not take her as his wife — they lived apart, but this 2nd Mrs. G., being charitable, adopted G's daughters. G[riswold] hearing of a wealthy widow tried to get a divorce from his wife and upon a false affidavit (so I’m told) succeeded, in a Southern court. He at once got married to the widow lady & lived with her some long time. Now Mrs. E[llet] would seem to come to the fore. I fancy she had been very intimate with Poe & very jealous of Mrs. Osgood. She afterwards became very intimate with Griswold, and in his printed letter he unmistakably says — I must say so — improperly so. They quarrelled & Mrs. Ellet set herself to work to ruin Griswold. She investigated the [page 208:] divorce case — probably knew something of it — wrote anonymous letters — so G[riswold] says, to everyone about it — wrote to his second living wife & her relatives — & got them to take her & her children away. Stirred up the Jewess & her relatives to prosecute — proved the forged statement — got the divorce annulled &, I hear, even turned his own children against him. Ruined & disgraced, he died quite young. Mrs. E[llet], the demon that did him to death — his partner in crime — still survives — a very devil in strength to do & conceive villainy. You can believe poor Poe's remarks now — can you not? Griswold especially insists upon her writing anonymous letters — he doubtless knew her capabilities wel1.(5)

My very dear friend, I begin anew with no real prospect of finishing this tonight as I am very tired & out of sorts. First, however, my news. I had the pleasure of accompanying Miss Peckham & three acquaintances to the Crystal Palace, but through incorrect information got there too late for the fireworks or to see the grounds. Miss P[eckham] is very nice. I never met a girl I liked better & am grateful for your introduction — her opinion of me you will doubtless receive earlier than this. She very kindly sketched me a portrait of you, & although in “a dim religious light,” I feel is something like you. I am going to Paris in a few days & hope to see my American acquaintances there. I like to talk to Miss P[eckham] of you — you seem so old a friend of mine now that I scarcely can comprehend that there was a time when I knew you not.

I have not been at my office for some days, having begun my annual vacation with a few days hard work at home — clearing up matters and arranging the fourth vol. of Poe's works for the printer. Vol. 1 I hope to see published next month & rely upon good critiques on the “Memoir” — but that “Memoir,” for the reasons already stated, is but tentative. I shall go on — if spared — in life & health — (mental & physical) with my collection of material for a larger & exhaustive “Life & Letters.”

Appleton's Journal came from Mr. Davidson. Did you notice that Fordham was therein represented as the house where Poe wrote “The Raven”? It was, of course, written and published before he went to Fordham. I do not think — referring to yours of 31st July, that Baudelaire translated Poe's poems save the sonnet to Mrs. Clemm — which I sent you — nor have I seen them in French.

I was surprised to hear that John Neal was still alive. I suppose he would not remember anything of Poe's early poems for which, says Lowell in his notice of Poe, prefixed to Griswold's 4-vol. collection, “John Neal drew a proud horoscope for their author.” Lowell refers to 1827. [page 209:]

Re. Edgar Poe & His Critics I must write again. Events have overstrained my memory, but I would advise no reliance upon J. M. Daniel in his “Eulogium” (in S. Lit. Messenger) vide pps. 16 & 17 beginning “one who knew him at this period of his life,” when Daniel did not meet [him] till 1848-9, & you refer to 1844, & not in N. York but Richmond, & again at p. 43 you refer to his characterization of Poe. Why his slanders against Poe are the foundation for Griswold's — re. second Mrs. Allan, &c. By the way, Griswold's “Memoir of E.P.” seems to have appeared in the International Magazine, New York, previous to its prefixing the collection.(6)

While I think of it, if you ever come across the data or any particulars of the “Conchology” story & its refutation in the Home Journal, I shall be thankful for it.

Reverting to E.P. & His Critics, I really do not know that I can suggest anything of note. The unfavourable reviews you therein name have passed into oblivion & are hardly worth recalling by name — they were mere ephemera. P. 35, the Edinburgh Review, in that most scandalous review speaking of “Ver-Vert” shows his own ignorance of that singular poem by calling it more than once “Vert-Vert.” There is only one t in it. In my library are most of the works Poe alludes to — many very curious — one quite rare & from which, entre nous, he drew many of his most repeated quotations, is very pretty. ’Tis the Grey Cap for a Green Head.(7) In your Preface you say an “English critic” has assumed “Poe had no friends.” I do not know the English critic, but of course Griswold said it in his obituary of Poe in the Tribune. In my “Memoir” I speak of Griswold's statement that Poe was ingenious only in appearance, as he invented the enigmas he unravelled (this has been copied by all biographers) and I have shewn its falsity — this you might also shew in reprinting — you might also strengthen my view by referring to Poe's skill in unravelling cryptographs sent him to decipher. These are all trifles but others may occur to you when you get my book. By the way, I disprove Griswold's charge of plagiarism — have you seen “Vivenzio,” vide Griswold p. xlviii? I could send it to you. You have, in a note in Providence Journal, deemed Poe liable to charge of plagiarism. I stick up for his originality in all. I republish nearly all Graham's letter — you might use some of that. But, perhaps, the book might be as it is — & not increased in bulk — only you should have a fair price for its publication.

Thanks! re. Carys — I cannot but love some of their poems — they were favourites with my darling sister. I have not read Mrs. Ames’ book about them, but read a review of it & some extracts, I fancy. Many thanks to Miss Powell [Power] for kindly thinking of me with respect to the condensed ballad! I was going to ask permission to reproduce it in the Mirror but, unfortunately, that paper will stop publication next [page 210:] week. This is a great loss to me. I have written much for them lately & their discontinuance will be a loss to me — for a while at least — of more than 500 dollars per annum — a good bit for me, who am not rich & have many chiefly relying upon me. But I dare say I shall ere long make it up elsewhere. But it upset me, last night, to hear the news from the editor, who is an old friend of mine, & did what he could for me — the proprietor is rich — but, I fancy, could not make the Mirror pay. They have several papers of mine written for them & they will have to come home like prodigal sons. Mais c’est assez! I wish, however, I had reviewed Miss Power's two long poems before the stoppage. I’ll try them elsewhere.

Of course, I like to hear from you — ’tis one of the pleasures of a much over-shadowed life — the story of which I may, some day, inflict upon you — and as for sermons, why I could gladly listen to them or anything else from you. How I long to see you in this life as well as in the misty one to come. And I fancy I shall yet. I live & hope.

Never mind questions Davidson has not looked up — he is very kind & I have plenty of people now to write to. I have had a long letter from a Mr. Wm. Hand Browne, which I send for your perusal, but which please return to me.(8) I have written him a very long letter. That & three or four to Miss Peckham filled up the time meant for you — but you’ll forgive me, won’t you? I hope to be a better correspondent hereafter. I’ll return Miss P[eckham]'s essay on Poe, which, of course, I did not mention.

Mr. Gill has written again, but nothing of note — says “no time to arrange material” which is chiefly “of a peculiarly personal nature in the form of notes taken down when conversing with Geo. R. Graham & others who knew Poe intimately,” &c., &c.

By the way, Daniel, I should have said, contradicts himself in the “Eulogium” & I fancy knew nothing of Poe really.

Yours of the 7th August & poems enclosed — many thanks for latter for which more some day. Enclosed from a Scotch paper re. Miss Poe condensed from my notice in the Mirror. Yours of the 19th (with Mr. Gill's handsome portrait) for tomorrow. Is he so good looking?

I must abridge my chatter, as I do not wish to keep you without a letter. Never mind the Galaxy number, but I am sorry that your annotated Appleton miscarried. I do hope your friend will let me have a copy of Poe's early poems in MS. The prose introduction also. My paper in the Gentleman's was made up from fragments. The rest of the poetic “introduction,” the cancelled portions of Tamerlane, Al Aaraaf, &c., I have never seen. As regards the paper mentioned by Mr. W. H. Browne, it has not arrived. [page 211:]

With you, I believe that “the occult sciences covered great truths,” but, as a rule, I fancy, quite unknown & even unguessed at by their professors. By the “influence of the stars on the mind” I meant only through the imagination. But I do not think we can go into that matter on paper just now.

As regards anagrams, I look upon them only as play of fancy — amusing but of no value beyond the usual value of mere amusement. Looking at the anagram you form from “S. H. Poer” — “Ah, Seraph Lenore” — I must confess that I do not see anything peculiar in it. Forgive me for so saying, but I must tell the truth — look at the probabilities. What could not be found in “S. H. Poer Power Whitman”? As regards my name now — one of the oldest unchanged names of Europe. You can, perhaps see a curious coincidence in that when I point out that without any anagram being needed, “Ingram” means (‘tis Teutonic) “akin to, or, the son of, the Raven”! “Ing” has the force of “Mac” or “O” in the Gaelic, & “Ram” is the Raven. Ingram — of the Raven. My second Christian name, by the way, is “Henry,” but I generally call myself in accordance with family matters, John Hyden-Ingram.

I have retailed the Griswold scandal as above. I don’t think he was ever tried for bigamy, but so closely did it resemble bigamy that the 2nd living wife went home & would not meet him again.

The two French commentators mentioned in Southern Maga. may be Baudelaire & Gautier, but ’tis uncertain. Poe is now a popular French author. A new translation with very original illustrations is appearing (of the tales) in the Musée Universal.

Thos. Dunn English is dead. Mother Ellet & Briggs are, it is presumed, still alive.(9) Mr. Gill might give a copy of letter from Mr. J. Willis, but, entre nous, he does not seem careful. Don’t forget Mr. C. F. Harris & the copy. As regards illustrations to Poe — I don’t mean that some are not good pictures but that, as they naturally fall far below what they are intended to illustrate, they only detract instead of add to the beauty. As I could not hear Poe's voice, I live in hopes of hearing yours, which is, I’m told, music itself — & I believe it.

I hope your forebodings as to winter's tortures may prove unfounded. But “tide, tide, whate’er betide” ever & ever, in whatever state of sentient being I may be, believe that I shall regard you as the dearest & most endeared of friends & that, while Reason holds her own, your friendship will glitter like a pure gleaming star in the dark sky unto your most devoted

 

1. This sketch of Ingram was reproduced in Caroline Ticknor's “Ingram — Discourager of Poe Biographies,” New York Bookman, 44 (Sept. 1916), 13, and in my article [page 212:] “Father John Banister Tabb's Defense of Edgar Allan Poe,” Virginia Cavalcade, Spring 1975, pp. 156-63.

2. This was a copy of a note by Dr. Socrates Maupin, presiding officer of the University of Virginia, of May 22, 1860, appended to William Wertenbaker's letter of May 12, 1860, attesting to Poe's commendable scholarship and behavior at the university.

3. This obituary, “Miss Rosalie Poe,” was published after July 25, 1874, in the London Mirror, but no copy has survived.

4. For a discussion of Rosalie Poe's paternity, see my article “Poe's Sister Rosalie,” Tennessee Studies in Literature, 8 (1963), 107-17.

5. Again, this controversy is more capably handled by Joy Bayless. See p. 206, n. 3.

6. This “Memoir” did appear in the International, edited by Griswold, on Oct. 1, 1850.

7. James Puckle (1667?-1724) wrote The Club, or a Grey-Cap for a Green-Head (London, 1723; rpt. Philadelphia: Samuel Longcope, 1796), a dialogue between father and son.

8. William Hand Browne (1828-1912), author, editor, professor in The Johns Hopkins University, became an eager and resourceful helper of Ingram's in building true Poe biography. With his learning, mild good humor, and his broad knowledge of both literature and Baltimore, his contributions to our knowledge of Poe deserve more attention and gratitude than they have heretofore received; Ingram, at least, never attempted to criticize or cross him.

9. Thomas Dunn English lived until 1902. Mrs. Ellet and Briggs were to die in 1877.