Text: John C. Miller, ed., “Entry 041: John H. Ingram to Sarah Helen Whitman, Apr. 14, 1874,” Poe's Helen Remembers (1979), pp. 119-120 (This material is protected by copyright)

[page 119:]

41. John H. Ingram to Sarah Helen Whitman

My dear Mrs. Whitman,

Even whilst I was writing my last of the 7th to you, I was very unwell. I came home ill & went to bed where I have been nearly ever since. My medical adviser forbids pen & ink for some days, but I must just send you a few lines to acknowledge your letters dated 27th March & 30th, together with the enclosures, in one of autograph letter of Poe's (to Mr. Pabodie) & copy of Mr. Wertenbaker & Dr. Maupin's testimonial; & in other, 3 of Mrs. Clemm's letters. All of these enclosures are valuable & shall be quickly returned.

The University account will be most valuable for my complete “Memoir,” which is roughly drafted to 1847 only. Any authentic record of Poe's earlier days is so valuable, but so scarce. Mr. Willis's letter will be useful if you can get copy from Mr. Gill. Mr. G. was advertised last autumn in New York to deliver lecture on “The Romance of E.P.'s Life,” but I suppose it never came off. The Home Journal said he was well thought of at Boston & that he had some original information about Poe (? yours or Mr. Clarke's?). I fancy an amusing anecdote, I tell another time, of Mr. G. of Boston refers to his father, a reporter. Oh, if Mr. Robert Stanard were alive! I fancy he was Poe's prime “chum” & doubtless classmate at Charlottesville — see note, p. 26 of the

“Memoir,” about swimming feat — but this may have been earlier than the University. Did Mrs. Stanard come, think you, from New York? In the “Marginalia,” Poe mentions a few good conversationalists — one a Mrs. S———d, formerly of New York.

I have only received three poems yet: “The Pansy,” “The Portrait,” & “The Raven” — the two latter I have had printed in Mirror & will forward you them, if you like. “The Portrait” was printed before your emendations came to hand. “Recollections of Landor” came & is herewith returned, as is also 2 notices of your dear little book, as I am glad to be able to return something — the autograph letters will be registered when I return them. The only notices of your poems that reached me were Putnam's & Providence Journal (Mr. Anthony's). The sonnets “all coloured with the fame of one” have also arrived.

The autograph is beautiful. The Broadway Journal is safe at the office — locked up till I return. It will be useful in many ways — of which hereafter — be duly cared & returned carefully. Don’t fear about the South Carolina Rose.” I shall allude to the story in the most general & slightest way.

Mrs. St. Leon Loud. I meant to ask if there were any story? There must be something sub rosa, from the slighting allusion in the “Eulogium” & Allibone's remark. I have seen a very pretty poem by this lady. [page 120:]

The Sixpenny Maga. “Reminiscences” are not in Duyckinck. What could I have said to make you think so? ’Tis long out of print, so cannot get copy & I want to use several pps. for the “Memoir.” ’Tis visits & talks at Fordham with Poe. I don’t quite believe all of it. I wrote editor of [Sixpenny Magazine] twice, whilst it existed, & sent stamps, but he never replied to my questions as to author, &c. Shall send it to you when I’ve used the parts I want.

Only 3 Mirrors sent. I’ve muddled somehow about Mrs. Osgood. I’ll try & get that altered in Temple Bar, p. 11, if possible, but I’m not certain ’tis not too late. Slighting the stage was not intended — context explains why “Rosalie” was styled a girl — Edgar, “the boy.” Extract from Lowell notice I have acknowledged. The poems not mentioned not to hand. Mrs. Clemm's letters shall be strictly private. Shall send a perfect photo of self soon.

Am amused that you find something in my verses to admire. I thought that I was the only one who could care for them now. I’ve turned to “The Garden Gate,” & find last line to penultimate verse corrected to “Returned unto our Garden Gate.” “Bended” is a great improvement, & now, if you can get anyone to republish do so with this or any of mine. If I did not think you saw thro’ friendship's couleur de rose specs, I should feel encouraged in my rash intention of some day collecting & publishing a little volume of boyish pieces, including a few of those in this vol. of “Dalton Stone.” ’Tis full of errors — some most stupid — “The Unknown Captive,” p. 3, “dear” for “drear” twice, &c. You have hit off some of my weaknesses to a “t.”

I fear that I am much to blame in having so continually trespassed on your good nature — how I grieve for having injured — most unintentionally though it was — your sight. Do take rest. I’ve done nothing for a week — dare not — have worked too hard & must rest, perforce — & then Excelsior!

Mr. Davidson has sent me Mrs. Lewis's address in London. I wrote & she answered most cordially & I am to see her when she has recovered from an attack of influenza!(1) She says she can help me — but I shall be very careful with her. What do you advise?

Oh, my poor head. Must say goodbye. Yours, ever faithfully,

 

1. Mrs. Sarah Anna Robinson Lewis (1824-1880), minor poet and wife of Sylvanus D. Lewis, a Brooklyn lawyer, had trouble deciding at various stages of her literary “fame” which name best suited, Estelle Anna or Stella Anna, but finally settled on Stella, during which process her husband paid Griswold to make changes in his Female Poets of America, and later her changes in her name were to cause bibliographical perplexities, especially between Caleb Fiske Harris and John Ingram. Poe did not like her, but she did furnish money and hospitality to both Poe and Mrs. Clemm, obviously in a bid for Poe's favorable reviews of her verse, which she got. Mrs. Clemm was a “guest” for long periods in the Lewis household in the 1850s, but when Mr. and Mrs. Lewis were divorced in 1858, and Mrs. Clemm had made herself uncomfortable and her presence unwanted by taking Mr. Lewis’ side in an argument with his wife, which he lost, it was necessary for Mrs. Clemm to find other quarters.