Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-08-04
STORE MARKETS
SOME NEW POE LETTERS.
The Cited Author Makes Pitifui pisoo
Because % Poverty.

One Of the most important literary
"hnds' OF recent ysars was large col.
lection OF personal letters OF Poe and Of
letters written 20 him by the leading lite,
rary men In his time. The correspond.
ence was found among the papers OF DIR.
Rufus w. Griswold. and are to be given
10 the world by his son. William ",
Grswod. for the purpose OF clearing The
memory OF his father from the aspersions
cast upon him ever since the publication
Of his memoir OF Poe. DR.. Griswold haA
been relentiessly criticised for this work.
but Il liz claimed that these new letters
will be perfect justification OF his state
ments. A selection from this correspond
encc has been edited by Professor George
r.. Woodbury., and will appear In thre2
parts In the Century. The first selection.
dealing with Pces life IN Baltimore. APP
pears in the August number of the naga-
zine. The following letter Was written to-
John y. Kennedy, who had become inter-
ested In Poe when the latter won the first
prize offered by the Baltimore Saturday
Visitor for an original tale.
BALTIMORE. November. iNi
Dear Sir: | have favor 20 beg OF YOU
which thought II best 20 ask In writing.
because. sincerely, I had not courage to
ask IL In person. / am indeed tco well
aware that ! have no claim whatever to
your attention. and that even the man
ner OF my Introduction to your notice
was ut the best equiyocal. Since tNy DAY
you first saw me, my situation IN NE has
altered materially ~ that time looked
forward 10 the Inheritance OF a large for
tune. and. i'm the mean time. was IN ~
ceipt of an annuity for my support. This
was allowed me by a gentleman OF Nir-
gnia tMr. John Allan. who adopted mo
at the age OF : years Doth my parents
being dead). and who. until lately at
ways treated me with the affection u
| father, But second marriage on hls
part. and | dare say many fOllies on my
own. at length ended In a quarrel between
us. lie Is now dead. and has lett ne
nothing. | am thrown entirely up'u my
own resources, with no profession anu
very few friends. Worse than all this
I am at length penniless. Indeed, no
circumstances less urgent would have
induced me to risk YOUR friendship by
troubling you with my distress tut l
| could not help thinking that II my situa-
ton was stated-as YOU could state IT.
| 10 Cary & Lea. they might be led % a,d
me with a small gum In consideration %
my MS. now In their hands This would
relieve my immediate wants. and couli
| then look forward more confidently 10
better days. At all events. receive tho
assurance Of my gratitude for what you
| have already done
Most respectfully. your obedlent rsr-
want EDGAR ALLAN POE.
In another letter Poe has 10 decline an
| invitation 10 dinner with Mr. Kennedy.
| because he had no III clothing To wear;
| The following gives a pathetic Idea u
| Poes poverty, the letter also being al"
| dressed 10 Mr.. Kennedy:
SUNDAY. March u, isD
Dear Sir: In the paper which Will be
| handed YOU with this note Is an advertis y.
ment to which | most anAiously submit
your attention. IL relates 10 the appoint :
ment OF a teacher m A public school.
and I have marked IL with cross, 50
that you may readily perceive IL. IN my
| present circumstances such a situation
] would be most desirable. and N your
| interest could obtain II for me. would
| always remember your kindness with the
| deepest gratitude Have | any hopey
| Your reply to this would greatly otlige.
| The lsth il fixed on for the decision ~
the commissioners. and the advertisement
has only this moment caught my eye.
| This will excuse my obtrudug the mat
ter on your attention to-day.
| Very respectfully, j.. \. POE.