Letter I
Charleston, S.C. June 8. [1841]
[9]
My Dear Madame
Your last favor has been lying by me unanswered because of my
Sheer physical inability to bring myself to the labors of the desk. My little
family, myself not exempt, have all been suffering from Sickness, not the
less annoying because it was not actually dangerous. Even now I am
suffering from disordered digestion the certain consequence of our warm
climate & my Sedentary pursuits. I trust this statement of facts will do
away with any impression of neglect which may have been induced by my
delay to answer.
I gather from Something in the tone of your last letter that I must
have
said Something in one of mine which was obnoxious to misconstruction: Let
me in this place assure you of my innocence of intention if Such is the case.
I am a very unconventional Sort of person; very ardent in my temperament,
very earnest in my object; express myself usually in the first words that
come uppermost; write usually as I talk; and as the world goes, am
accounted a somewhat rude, blunt man. An unamiable character, enough,
but one which, perhaps, is not without its virtues, which, in my case, I
must leave to the charity of my friends to find out for themselves. Do me
the kindness, my dear Madame, to take for granted that I have Every
disposition to promote your wishes, and to do justice to your claims, as
well as Lady as Litterateur. Do not be angry at my inadvertencies; believe
only that an habitually earnest — perhaps, dictatorial habit of speech,
has
beguiled me into a too great plainness of utterance, in which I betray my
own bluntness of character, without meaning
to offend the sensibilities of yours. I trust I am forgiven for all my
unwitting offences.
In giving utterance to my opinions on Magazines & Southern
Literature, I was prompted by a desire to comply with your request. It is
not improbable that I exaggerate the difficulties in your way. I trust
Sincerely you will find it so. But in thinking as I do, I was bound to speak
Sincerely. The easiest task in the world is to answer as the world would
wish to be answered. My choice is not the Easiest, and my opinions,
therefore, are not likely to be often the most popular. If in the Case of
young beginners, however, they produce an extra degree of caution, and
lessen to a certain extent, that wild and sanguine confidence, which in our
country ruins so many thousand, my purpose will be answered, and I shall
be satisfied. I have no doubt that you know better than I do, the Sort of
material which will better please the great body of readers — Nay,
with
Some qualification, I am willing to agree with you; but it does not need that
we should attempt a discussion which involves
So many controversial points. Enough that I wish you god speed, and will
try to do what I can to promote your Successes. The notice of the
'Companion' which I sent you, contained in The Charleston Courier was
only in part written by myself.[10] The
portions so Eulogistic of the Novel, were interpolated by the Editor, who
is a very warm friend of Mine, and, I believe, conscientiously thinks of the
work all that he said. I need not again assure you, — in spite of your
very flattering
remarks in opposition — that, on this Subject, I cannot help differing
in toto from both of you. I wish it were what you believe it,
as
well for your Sakes as for mine. I regret the mistake about the Subject of
the plate, but it will not be injurious, and is not of vital moment.
[11] Am I to understand that the
Sketches are
from your pencil? Are you able to exclaim with the Italian — "Anch'
io
Son pittore!" If so, I should like you to send me some of the illustrative
sketches you have made, for though no
manipulator, I am
yet,
professedly, a wonderful dealer in grouping & landscape.
I enclose you a batch of Sonnets,[12] which I really think among the
best of
these things which I have Ever done. I am very much afraid that I shall be
able to do nothing in Season of the Sort you wish. My Engagements with
my publishers are very pressing. I am pledged for two large works to be
finished this Summer;[13] and to coerce
the imagination is to destroy it. The task of inventing against the desire is
unfavorable to the author and would be productive of discreditable
performances. If I feel the impulse I will obey it and you shall have the
fruits. But my daily tasks must now be resumed; and I have written So
many <small> stories that I should really be at a loss for a topic. If
the scheme, the groundwork, the agents were suggested to me, — if
I had
any clue to them, there would perhaps be little difficulty. Recollect, Even
Shakespeare, with all his invention, Stole all his plots — his stories
ready
made
to his hands. I fancied when I sent you Oakatibbe,[14] that I was actually send.g. you one
of my
best labors — not as a Story perhaps, but as comprising a very bold,
original philosophical argument, on a Subject, of all others, the most vital
to the interests and feelings of the South. The grand questions with regard
to the Indian & negro races, I sought to discuss in a Style equally
fanciful & philosophic, and I am pleased to think that there is a
gradual
& not slow rising of the
public Mind in our Country to the Comprehension of these Subjects.—
[15] You are right in the
determination to pursue your way as Editress, alone. I did not Suppose that
Neal was associated with you.
[16] I
only though that you might not know his proverbial indiscretion of
character. I am pleased to perceive the solemnity with which you address
yourself to your task. Without a stern resoluteness nothing of any value has
Ever yet been done. That you will do well, & prosper, I not only
Sincerely wish, but Sincerely believe — always with the one
reservation,
however, against any hopes of extravagant Success in the South, unless you
do what has never yet [been] done by Southern Editors — Secure a
large,
various host of able contributors, depend upon no amateur literature, let
your work contend on Equal grounds, So far as type, paper, press work
& illustrations are concerned, with Northern contemporaries, get good
agents,
and keep your collector (who shall be honest at the Same time) constantly
at his tasks. Do not fear, now that your hand is in. Remember what Spenser
writes over all the doors but one — "Be bold, be bold, be bold!"
Over
only one door he writes — "Be not too bold." Touching the articles
on
Southern Literature, I must say but one word at present.
[17] I must wait a little while before I
can
answer you. I will Send the volume of Poems to Mr. Hart.
[18] In conclusion, while I still say you
have
undertaken a very Serious labor, one that requires great faith, constancy and
diligence, I see nothing which Should make you faint or fear. There is
nothing in your tasks which a noble woman, energetic, believing, having
a deep strong heart, a fervent Soul and a good mind, may not compass.
You will, I think, if anybody. Respectfully and faithfully, Yr friend
W. G. Simms.