Edgar Allan Poe to M. Clemm — 1849-09-18

Edgar Allan Poe to M. Clemm — 1849-09-18 Historical printed text from James A. Harrison, The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe, volume XVII (1902). Catalog identity: RCL-826. The heading uses the checklist date; the transcription retains the historical edition’s dateline and wording. The edition may contain older readings, omissions or date assignments. This is a printed transcription, not a manuscript facsimile. Modern website corrections in double brackets and navigation are omitted. Independent word-by-word proofreading has not been completed. POE TO MRS. CLEMM. [From MS. in possessions of Miss A. F. Poe.] RICHMOND, VA., Tuesday — Sep. 18 — 49. MY OWN DARLING MUDDY, — On arriving here last night from Norfolk I received both your letters, including Mrs. Lewis's. I cannot tell you the joy they gave me — to learn at least that you are well & hopeful. May God forever bless you, my dear, dear Muddy. —— Elmira(1) has just got home from the country. I spent last evening with her. I think she loves me more devotedly than any one I ever knew & I cannot help loving her in return. Nothing is as yet definitely settled — and it will not do to hurry matters. I lectured at Norfolk on Monday & cleared enough to settle my bill here at the Madison House with $2, over. I had a highly fashionable audience, but Norfolk is a small place & there were 2 exhibitions the same night. Next Monday I lecture again here & expect to have a large audience. On Tuesday I start for Phila to attend to Mrs. Loud's poems — & possibly on Thursday I may start for N. York. If I do I will go straight over to Mrs. Lewis's & send for you. It will be better for me not to go to Fordham. — don’t you think so? Write immediately in reply & direct to Phila For fear I should not get the letter sign no name & address it to E. S. T. Grey, Esqre. If possible I will get married before I start — but there is no telling. Give my dearest love to Mrs. L. My poor, poor Muddy I am still unable to send you even one dollar — but keep up heart — I hope that our troubles are nearly over. I saw John Beatty in Norfolk. God bless & protect you, my own darling Muddy. I showed your letter to Elmira and she says “it is such a darling precious letter that she loves you for it already.” Your own EDDY. Don’t forget to write immediately to Phila so that your letter will be there when I arrive. The papers here are praising me to death — and I have been received every where with enthusiasm. Be sure & preserve all the printed scraps I have sent you & beep up my file of the Lit. World.