Edgar Allan Poe to Frederick William Thomas — 1841-10-27

Edgar Allan Poe to Frederick William Thomas — 1841-10-27 Local historical letter reading from the Poe Society’s manuscript-text page, with modern correction glosses and website material excluded. The scholarly checklist documents an early printed witness in American Literature, March 1934, volume 6, pages 66–68, from a copy of the letter. This record preserves the electronic letter text, not a scan of that printed witness or the autograph. Poe discusses Thomas’s writing, phrenology, Graham’s Magazine circulation and his hopes for the Penn Magazine. This preserves the electronic letter reading; the autograph is unlocated, and the 1934 printing has not yet been acquired as a scan. Typography is simplified. The transcription has not been independently proofread word by word. Philadelphia — Oct. 27 — 41. My Dear Thomas, I received your last some days ago, and have delayed answering it, in hope that I might say your song was out, and that I might give you my opinion and Virginia's about its merits. As soon as I received the MS. I took it forthwith to Willig, who promised me that it should be ready in a week. I called three or four times, and still the answer was —”in a day or two”. Yesterday I called again; when he positively assured me that it would be out on Monday. As soon as it is done, he will forward some copies (he did not say how many) to your address at Washington. Virginia is very anxious to see it, as your “‘Tis said that absence” &c is a great favorite with her. I have not your last letter at hand, and cannot therefore reply to it point by point. You said something about Judge Upshur's book — or rather about “The Partisan Leader”; for he did not write it — neither Judge Tucker, I think. It seems to me that it was written by someone in Petersburg — but I am not sure. I am not personally acquainted with Judge Upshur; but I have a profound respect for his talents. He is not only the most graceful speaker I ever heard, but one of the most graceful & luminous writers. His head is a model for statuary — Speaking of heads — my own has been examined by several phrenologists — all of whom spoke of me in a species of extravaganza which I should be ashamed to repeat. In our autograph article for November your name was crowded out on account of the length of the comment upon it. It heads the list in the December no; which is already finished. Griswold's book will be issued in January. I am glad to hear of Dows’ success. I wonder he never sends me an “Index”. Our Mag: is progressing at the most astounding rate. When Burton was bought out — you know when that was — the joint list of both Mags. was 5000. In January we print 25000 Such a thing was never heard of before. Ah, if we could only get up the “Penn”! I have made a definite engagement with Graham for 1842 — but nothing to interfere with my own scheme, should I be able by any good luck, to go into it. Graham holds out a hope of his joining me in July. Is there no one among your friends at Washington — no one having both brains & funds who would engage in such an enterprise? Perhaps not. I comfort myself, however, with the assurance that the [time] must come when I shall have a journal under my own control. Till then — patience. Do write me soon, and say something of your own hopes and views. What are you about in the scribbling way? Sincerely your friend Edgar A. Poe Have you read Simm's new book?