Edgar Allan Poe to Joseph Evans Snodgrass — 1841-09-19

Edgar Allan Poe to Joseph Evans Snodgrass — 1841-09-19 Historical letter reading from George E. Woodberry, The Life of Edgar Allan Poe: Personal and Literary, volume I (1909). Catalogue identity RCL-330. The record heading uses the scholarly checklist date; the historical text retains the edition’s dateline and wording. This is a later printed transcription, not a manuscript facsimile or a modern critical text. Historical postscript and address material are retained where printed; source footnote callouts and modern website apparatus are omitted. The text has not been independently proofread word by word. PHILADELPHIA, September 19, 1841. MY DEAR SNODGRASS, — I seize the first moment of leisure to say a few words in reply to yours of Sep. 6. Touching the “Reproof of a Bird,” I hope you will give yourself no uneasiness about it. We don t mind the contre-temps; and as for Godey, it serves him right, as you say. The moment I saw the article in the “Lady's Book,” I saw at once how it all happened. You are mistaken about “The Dial.” I have no quarrel in the world with that illustrious journal, nor it with me. I am not aware that it ever mentioned my name, or alluded to me either directly or indirectly. My slaps at it were only in “a general way.” The tale in question is a mere extravaganza levelled at no one in particular, but hitting right and left at things in general. The “Knickerbocker” has been purchased by Otis Broadus & Co. of Boston. I believe it is still edited by Clark, the brother of W. Gaylord. Thank you for attending to the Kennedy mat ter. We have no news here just yet — something may turn up by & bye. It is not impossible that Graham will join me in the “Penn.” He has money. By the way, is it impossible to start a first-class Mag: in Baltimore? Is there no publisher or gentleman of moderate capital who would join me in the scheme? — publishing the work in the City of Monuments? Do write me soon & tell me the news. Yours most cordially, EDGAR A. POE.