A Guide to the Papers of Charles Henry Webb, 1867-1903
A Collection in the
Clifton Waller Barrett Library
The Special Collections Department
Accession Number 8550
Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections LibraryUniversity of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
USA
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© 2002 By the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia. All rights reserved.
Funding: Web version of the finding aid funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Processed by: Special Collections Department
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions.
Use Restrictions
See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.
Preferred Citation
Papers of Charles Henry Webb, 1967-1903, Accession #8550, Special Collections Dept., University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.
Acquisition Information
This collection was given to the Library on March 10, 1967.
Scope and Content Information
Webb discusses the publication, circulation and printing of a friend's book of poetry; recommends certain magazines and newspapers for its submission; comments on the proper payment due for a poem; recognizes public disinterest in poetry; sends apologies for a broken engagement; seeks to purchase a present; sends an autograph; assures an acquaintance of review of his poems; meditates on what is literature; and makes general comments about writing poetry and being a poet.
The correspondents include Theo[dore] Barber, Lizzie Dickinson, John Williamson Palmer, Henry Paret, Willy Waiter and Charles W. Stoddard.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Contents List
Acknowledges news of Stoddard's book publication and requests a copy; says "must publish or die"; publishes a volume of Mark Twain's humors; calls Galaxy idiots for accepting Ina Coolbrith's poetry while rejecting theirs; suggests the Atlantic . Mentions [R. H.] Stoddard.
Explains delay in answering letter; inquires about forthcoming book and offers to circulate it; inquires of Bret Harte.
Receives book and promises circulation to such papers as the Citizen ; suggests sending copies to daily papers including the Roundtable , Nation , and Atlantic ; comments on book's inconsistent printing; comments on poor printing in Bret Harte's new book. Mentions The Jumping Frog [ of Calaveras County ].
Advises sending poems to Harper's Weekly or Bazaar and to Putnam's Monthly ; should demand from the Galaxy a $30 honorarium for "The Bedouin"; notes success of Ina Coolbrith, slow sales of Stoddard's book due to public's reluctance to buy poetry; describes the difficult life of a poet.
Writes an apology for a "promised pleasure"; he was obliged to attend opera with Jersey friends due to standing invitation.
Requests information about purchasing a pin or bracelet for a nice little girl, 18 or 20 years old; will remit price if he finds it acceptable.
Does not recall the appearance of "Revenge" in book, but has had enough to assure that when "the blow and shaft has left your hand . . . you may find it sheathed in your own [heart]."
Promises a volume of lyrics and ballads of Dr. John Williamson Palmer; praises Palmer's charm and subtlety of touch in his translation of Jules Michelet's French to English.
Unsure if enclosed verse was also sent to magazine; says the more he works on something, the less he like it; reproduces three lines of a poem; expresses thanks for praise of John Paul's Book .
Sends autograph; jokes about another Charles H. Webb, now on trial for forgery
States that he did review new book of Palmer's poems, but editor may have forgotten it, recalls another review of book, not as appreciative; sends a copy of his new book "With Lead and Line."
Remarks on coincidence of receipt of letter and lunch conversation; says W. D. Howell maintains Helmet of Navarre is not literature; mediates on what is literature. Mentions Union Club and Bertha Runkle.
Magazine photo of C. H. W. standing
Photocopy of page from Harper's Baazar with poem "To Lillie."