[67]
the others in a day or two.
Those who have already promised to write are Mr. Carter (formerly of the Commonwealth), who will furnish a political article for each number, Mr. Hildreth (very much interested in the undertaking), Thos. W. Parsons, author of an excellent translation of Dante, Parke Godwin of the New York Evening Post, Mr. Ripley of the Tribune, Dr. Elder of Phila, H. D. Thoreau of Concord, Theodore Parker (my most valued friend), Edmund Quincy, James R. Lowell (from whom I have a most exquisite gem).
Many to whom I have written have not replied as yet.
I shall have the general supervision of the Magazine,intending to get the best aid from professed litterateurs in the several departments.
We do expect to pay as much as Putnam — that is at the rate of three dollars for such pages as Putnam's, though it is probable that we shall use a trifle larger type than our New York contemporary.
Poetry, of course, we pay for according to value.
There are not above six men in America (known to me) to whom I would pay anything for poetry.
There is no medium; it is good or it is good-for-nothing.
Lowell I esteem most; after him Whittier (the last I confidently expect to secure).
The first no. will probably be late — as late as Jan. 5, or even Ioth.
It is unavoidable.
But in Feb. we shall get before the wind.
Mr. Jewett will be liberal as to heresy.
Indeed he is almost a heretic himself.
For myself I am a member of Mr. Parker's society; but as we must get support moral and pecuniary from the whole community, we shall strive to offend neither side.
In haste,
Most gratefully yours, Francis H. Underwood.
