POE TO "ANNIE." [Ingram.] [Undated.] nearly, if not ANNIE, You will see by this note that I am quite, well — so be no longer uneasy on my account. I was not so ill as my mother supposed, and she is so anxious about me that she takes alarm often without cause. It is not so much ill that I have been as depressed in spirits — I cannot express to you how terribly I have been suffering from gloom. You know how cheerfully I wrote to you not long ago about my prospects hopes how I anticipated. being soon out of difficulty. Well! all seems to be frustrated at least for the present. As usual, misfortunes never come single, and I have met one disappointment after another. The Columbian Magazine, in the first place, failed - then Post's Union (taking with it my principal dependence); then the Whig Review was forced to stop paying for contributions — then the Democratic - then (on account of his oppression and insolence) I was obliged to quarrel, finally, with - ; and then, to crown all, the " (from which I anticipated so much and with which I had made a regular engagement for $10 a week throughout the year) has written a circular to correspondents, pleading poverty and declining to receive any more articles. More than this, the S. L. Messenger, which owes me a good deal, cannot pay just yet, and, altogether, I am reduced to Sartain and Grahamboth very precarious. No doubt, Annie, you attribute my "gloom" to these events but would be you wrong. It is not in the power of any mere worldly considerations, such as these, to depress me. No, Nothing - the my sadness is unaccountable, and this makes me the more sad. I am full of dark forebodings. cheers or comforts me. My life seems wasted future looks a dreary blank : but I will struggle on and hope against hope." . . . What do you think? I have received a letter from Mrs. L- —, and such a letter! She says she is about to publish a detailed account of all that occurred between us, under guise of romance, with fictitious names, &c., that she will make me appear noble, generous, &c. &c. - nothing bad — that she will do justice to my motives," &c. &c. She writes to know if "I have any suggestions to make." If I do not answer it in a fortnight, the book will go to press as it is and, more than all this she is coming on immediately to see me at Fordham. I have not replied shall I ? and what? The "friend" who sent the lines to the H. J." was the friend who loves you best was myself. The Flag so misprinted them that I was resolved to have a true copy. The Flag has two of my articles yet "A Sonnet to my Mother," and "Landor's Cottage. I have written a ballad called "Annabel Lee," which I will send you soon. Why do you not send the tale of which you spoke ? lines For Annie " and " Annabel Lee, in hopes that you may make room for them in your new edition. As regards "Lenore," (which you were kind enough to say you would insert,) I would prefer the concluding stanza to run as here written. It is a point of no great importance, but in one of your editions you have given my sister's age instead of mine. I was born in Dec. 1813; my sister, Jan. 1811.1 Willis, whose good opinion I value highly, and of whose good word I have a right to be proud, has done me the honor to speak very pointedly in praise of The Raven." I inclose what he said, and if you could contrive to introduce it, you would render me an essential favor, and greatly further my literary interests, at a point where I am most anxious they should be advanced. Truly yours, E. A. POE. P. S. Considering my indebtedness to you, can you not sell to Graham or to Godey (with whom, you know, I cannot with the least self-respect again have anything to do directly) — can you not sell to one of these men, " Annabel Lee," say for $50, and credit me that sum ? Either of them could print it before you will need it for your book. Mem. The Eveleth 2 you ask about is a Yankee impertinent, who, knowing my extreme poverty, has for years pestered me with unpaid letters; but I believe almost every literary man of any note has suffered in the same way. I am surprised that you have escaped. 1 The date of his birth to which he refers was printed from his statement in the memoranda referred to in the first of the letters [March 29, 1841] here printed. - GRISWOLD'S NOTE. 2 See "Addenda to Eureka." CHAPTER XIII. APRIL, 1849-September, 1849. THE PATTERSON LETTERS; "STELLA; DEAR SIR, POE TO PATTERSON. [Hutchinson Collection]. NEW-YORK: April 1849. No doubt you will be surprised to learn that your letter dated Dec. 18 has only this moment reached me. I live at the village of Fordham; about 14 miles from New-York on the Harlem Rail-Road - but as there is no Post-Office at the place, I date always from New-York and get all my letters from the city Post-Office. When, by accident or misapprehension, letters are especially directed to me at Fordham, the clerks some of them who do not know my arrangements. - forward them to WestFarms, the nearest Post-Office town, and one which I rarely visit. Thus it happened with your letter on account of the request which you made Mr. Putnam, presume to forward it to my residence." I have thought it proper to make you this explanation, lest you may have been all this time fancying me discourteous in not replying to your very flattering proposition. I I deeply regret that I did not sooner receive it; and had it reached me in due season, I would have agreed to it unhesitatingly. In assuming "originality as the " keystone of success in such enterprises, you are right; and not only right, but, in yourself, almost 66 original " - for there are none of our publishers who have the wit to perceive this vital truth. What the public seek in a Magazine is what they cannot elsewhere procure. a Should you not have changed your mind on the subject, I should be pleased to hear from you again. I do not think (in fact I am perfectly sure of the contrary) — that à Magazine could succeed, to any great extent, under the precise form, title, and general plan which (no doubt hurriedly) you have suggested; but your idea of the duplicate publication, East & West, strikes me forcibly. Experience, not less than the most mature reflection on the topic, assures me that no cheap Magazine can ever again prosper in America. We must aim high address the intellect - the higher classes of the country (with reference, also, to a certain amount of foreign circulation) and put the work at $5:- giving about 112 pp. (or perhaps 128) with occasional woodengravings in the first style of art, but only in obvious illustration of the text. Such a Mag. would begin to pay after 1000 subscribers; and with 5000 would be a fortune worth talking about: - but there is no earthly reason why, under proper management, and with energy and talent, the work might not be made to circulate, at the end of a few years — (say 5) 20,000 copies - in which case it would give a clear income of 70 or 80,000 dollars even if conducted in the most expensive manner, paying the highest |