New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-03

ADVICE TO a POET.
Albany, Jan. 26. l3


b. F. Ransom. Esq.
My Friend: Your favor OF Thursday reached me
this morning. for which many thanks. have lit
tie tell. but only answer letters at all by
replying on demand. and certainly shall not make
yours exception.
As to THE New Yorker and such matters.
close my engagement here on Wednesday, February
Z and make tracks forthwith for New-York.
do not intend to back out of THE New-iorker
this year. though may. There Is some prospect
that 1t will begin to support itself (al but the ed
ting, which must be done for love- and II II Will
ever do this l am content to do my share toward
editing 1t for nothing and pick up living by odd
jobs OF editing. letter writing. etc l expect to
take charge of THE Daily Whig' whereby to earn
my johnnycake after | get down to New-York.
must do something to live by. for THE Jefer-
sonan" has supported and something more
this year. and that resource Will now cease.
The Wings here would like to nave THE Jefer-
sonan' continued but really am weary OF this
ty of places as well as duties write for several
papers besides my own two and l have to write for
the paper az we'll as myself Moreover. my wife
is in bad health. and is left utterly alone in New
cumstance which pleases neither OF us. got sick
OF the sight of steamboat this last season.
mean to take my journey in the summer, and hope
to take Poultney in my way, though ! am not
sanguine that can go even think shall enjoy
the pleasures of anticipation at least, though all
else should be denied me.
When you write for The New-Yorher;" write
to have sent you two or three transcripts of your
Old Year verses but suppose have forgotten II.
They were fair, but not vigorous finished
as 'Rizpah" | think r. by far the best universal
year Benjamin's excepted: and he writes terribly.
His St Paul Sonne;s were execrable. | think you
may write volume OF creditable verse in few
years If you persevere. Were you | would write
with great circumspect!on and care Quantity Is
rather hndrance to reputation and eminence;
and as there is hardly a possibility OF pecuniary
advantage. 1t is far best to bring effort to
the highest attainable perfection. | think you may
win distinction II you have perseverance and pa
tience. | wish you would look with critics and
printing in THE New Yorker" IL Is selected after
my heart, and think 1t rather extra. To the
mob 1t will seem too metaphysical but relish IL
vastly. and think you will. The author has
Germanized mind, but full one and he writes
with purpose.
Why don't you send me some Pouliney news;
Deaths, marriages. courtships. even scanda
would be better than nothing. 1t can't be tne e
you merely vegetate like oysters Gas Murphy "ouiu
say up there. DO stir up something. ,.
series OF the British poets published IN i've oy
volumes by Griggs Philadelphia think
Wordsworth, Coleridge and Southey peThaps IL
Coeridge. Southey and Lamb. one IN one 'o,uine
No. it liz Coleridge Shelley and Keats which II pet
ter than Moore, Campbell and Rogers III p am9tner
volume. and These ought TO be IN courtney
Library. II that venerable institution nau no. gone
neat volume dss5 or g. and so are Halecks' only
the best OF HIS are left out VIII soiie t DIT
send you Halleck's Fanny, II l can ger u. rer .
civals Is a volume do not remember 70 nase me;
with. IL you would like any books sehd '"e "o'u
The American Anthology died before It was born.
Had It lived to see the light wouia , me ali ~
enough TO physic q horse Tn's e"psA"'""s ~ ~