Text: John C. Miller, ed., “Entry 070: Sarah Helen Whitman to John H. Ingram, Oct. 22, 1874,” Poe's Helen Remembers (1979), p. 220 (This material is protected by copyright)

[page 220, continued:]

70. Sarah Helen Whitman to John H. Ingram. Item 175

My dear Mr. Ingram,

Though still suffering from the painful symptoms of which I spoke in my last letter, I cannot defer telling you that I have had an interview with Mr. Harris, the first since his return to the city. He wrote to ask if I would receive him last Saturday evening, and mindful of your request about the early poems, I consented to do so. He expressed much interest about your forthcoming work and asked many questions in relation to it. In reply to what I told him about your desire to see the copy of the 1831 edition, belonging to him, he said that I might say to you, from him, that, some time this fall he was intending to send a package of books to his London bookbinder for binding and rebinding, etc. and that he would send with them the copy of poems, with directions that it should be forwarded to your address. He thinks this would be the safer plan. After you have inspected the work, he suggests that you return it to the bookbinder in time to have it sent back with the other books. He thought this would probably meet your wishes, since it must be now too late for you to make use of the copy for the present edition of your work.

I forgot to tell him all that you said about Pinckney's poems, etc. but have copied out that portion of your letter for him, & will let you know what he says about it soon.

I have had but one letter from Rose, the one of which I spoke in my last to you. Her father gave me pleasant news of her. I have much to say to her & to you, but I must wait for the health & strength that comes not yet.

I contradicted myself when I asked you in my last letter to write your story, & write it “soon” — then, in concluding my letter, asked you to write only when “quite convenient & pleasant to you.”

I shall not try to reconcile the discrepancy, which you can doubtless interpret.

I long to see your first volume, & am ever & ever your most faithful friend