“I have not forgotten how a ‘good word in season’ from you made ‘ The Raven ,’ and made ‘ Ulalume ’ (which by-the-way, people have done me the honor of attributing to you), therefore, I would ask you (if I dared) to say something of these lines if they please you.
In double proof of his earnest disposition to do the best for himself, and of the trustful and grateful nature which has been denied him, we give another of the only three of his notes which we chance to retain:
“ My dear Mr. Willis —I am about to make an effort at reestablishing myself in the literary world, and feel that I may depend upon your aid.
“My general aim is to start a Magazine, to be called The Stylus , but it would be useless to me, even when established, if not entirely out of the control of a publisher. I mean, therefore, to get up a journal which shall be my own at all points. With this end in view, I must get a list of, at least, five hundred subscribers to begin with; nearly two hundred I have already. I propose, however, to go South and West, among my personal and literary friends—old college and West Point acquaintances—and see what I can do. In order to get the means of taking the first step, I propose to lecture at the Society Library, on Thursday, the 3rd of February, and, that there may be no cause of squabbling , my subject shall not be literary at all. I have chosen a broad text: ‘The Universe.’
“Having thus given you the facts of the case, I leave all the rest to the suggestions of your own tact and generosity. Gratefully, most gratefully ,