Edgar Allan Poe to Joseph Evans Snodgrass — 1840-01-20

Edgar Allan Poe to Joseph Evans Snodgrass — 1840-01-20 Historical letter reading from George E. Woodberry, The Life of Edgar Allan Poe: Personal and Literary, volume I (1909). Catalogue identity RCL-229. The historical edition incorrectly prints January 21. The record uses January 20, the date established by the scholarly checklist; the source wording is retained unchanged. This is a later printed transcription, not a manuscript facsimile or a modern critical text. Historical wording and source errors are retained; modern editorial apparatus is omitted. The reading has not been independently proofread word by word. PHILADELPHIA, January 21, 1840. MY DEAR SIR, — I seize the opportunity afforded me by a temporary lull in a storm of business to write you a few hurried words. Your last letter is not before me — but I refer to it in memory. I received the poem through Godey, and retain it as you desire. The “Scenes of Child hood” is in type for the Feb. no: Mr. Carey's book has not yet reached me. My own was for warded by L. & Blanchard to Joseph Robinson — so they assure me. I presume you have it before this. I am obliged to decline saying anything of the “Museum” in the “Gent's Mag:” however much I feel anxious to oblige yourself, and to express my own views. You will understand me when I say that I have no proprietary interest in the Mag: and that Mr. Burton is a warm friend of Brooks — verb. sap. sat. I have heard, indirectly, that an attempt is to be made by some one of capital in Baltimore to get up a Magazine. Have you heard anything of it? If you have, will you be kind enough to let me know all about it by return of mail — if you can spend the time to oblige me. I am particularly desirous of understanding — how the matter stands who are the parties, &c. Excuse the abruptness of this letter, & believe me very truly yours, EDGAR A. POE.