SD1207.1. Richard Hengist Horne to Edgar Allan Poe
Addendum to The Brownings’ Correspondence, vol. 8.
5 Fortress Terrace
Kentish Town
London
April 27 /44
My dear Sir
When I replied to your letter (which I did by the next post of the day on which I received it) I had not seen the No of “Graham” for March, containing the review of “Orion.” Mr C. Mathews, of New York, had been so good as to inform me there would be a review, and he, at the same time, mentioned that he had sent me a copy of the magazine in question. My friend Miss E. B. Barrett also sent me a note to the same effect. But owing no doubt to some forgetfulness on the part of the booksellers who were to forward it, the magazine never reached me, nor was it at Wiley and Putnam’s when I called the other day.
Your m.s. of the “Spectacles” is safely lodged in my iron chest with my own m.s.s. till I find a favorable opportunity for its use.
I have carefully read and considered the review of “Orion” in the magazine. It would be uncandid in me to appear to agree to all the objections; and, amidst such high praise, so independantly [sic] and courageously awarded, it would be ungrateful in me to offer any self-justificatory remark on any such objections[.] I shall, therefore, only observe that there are some objections from which I can derive advantage in the way of revision—which is more than I can say of any of the critiques written on this side of the waters. One passage, in particular, I will mention. It is this which occurs at p 103. “Star-rays that first &c.” Needlessly obscure—as you truly say. For, in fact, I did allude to Sleep, as the antecedent—and it should have been printed with a capital letter. What I meant by the passage, if rendered in prose, would be something like this.—“The God Sleep, lying in his cave by the old divine sea, feeleth the star-rays upon his eye-lids, at times; and then his sleep is not perfect, and he dreams, or for a brief interval awakes. Without which awaking he would never have known surprise, nor hope, nor useful action. Because (your poet herein bewitched by a theory he fancies original) we are never surprised at anything, however wonderful, in a dream; neither do we hope; nor do we perform any action with an ideal of its being at all useful.” A pretty condition, you see, my imagination had set into while writing this passage. The explanation, if it does not make you angry, will I think greatly amuse you.
Are there any of my works which you do not possess, and would like to have? I shall be very happy to request your acceptance of any, if you will let me know how to send them. It strikes me (from some remarks of yours on versification and rhythm) that you do not know my Introduction to “Chaucer Modernized.” Do you? Would any American booksellers like to reprint “Orion” do you think? If so, I will willingly superintend the sheets, for a slight revision in some half dozen places, and would write a brief Introduction or Preface addressed to the American Public; and certainly I should at the same time be too happy to express my obligation to the boldness and handsomeness of American criticism.
I am, dear Sir, Yours obliged
R. H. Horne
E. A. Poe Esqr
P.S. In the remark I have made at the close of my letter, as to a re-print of “Orion” by an American bookseller I forgot to say that I was not particular as to terms; and if they would give me nothing, I was still ready to give them the thing I proposed.
Address, on integral page: Edgar Allan Poe Esqre / Philadelphia / U. S. / N. York.
Publication: Edgar Allan Poe, The Complete Works, ed. James A. Harrison (New York, 1902), 17, 167–169.
Manuscript: Boston Public Library.
___________________
