Text: Anonymous, “[Review of The Works of the Late Edgar Allan Poe],” Farmer and Mechanic (New York, NY), vol. 4, no. 3, January 17, 1850, p. 331

[page 331:]

Literary Notices.

THE WORKS OF THE LATE EDGAR ALLAN POE; With notices of his Life and Genius. By N. P. Willis, J. R. Lowell, and R. W. Griswold. In two volumes. New York: I [[J]]. S. Redfield, Clinton Hall. 1850.

Who of our readers, have not, with half-breathed feelings of painful solicitude, lingered over some deeply exciting description, or soul absorbing poetic effusion of Edgar A. Poe, whose gifted pen, erratic genius, and recent melancholy death, have been all fraught with deep and exciting interest. His was a morbid propensity, at times even a passion for the dark, the wild, and the fearful. With an impulsive and ardent temperament he seemed to live in the ideal, rather than the real world. With a heart and manner not naturally morose, his feelings often prompted him, under imaginary insult, to employ the most bitter and scathing language of contempt or scorn. Many of his letters, however, evince an almost child-like modesty, and unaffected humility which do honor to his better nature, and his affection manifested to wards a widowed mother, presents a bright contrast with the darker shades of his excentric [[eccentric]] character. Mr. Poe's style is truly classical. Highly finished and graceful, but few authors have displayed such varied powers In depicting images of darkness and horror, we know not his equal, and his skill in employing his strange and fascinating power in scenes of mysterious terror, was remarkable. In the language of an eminent writer, we may add. “It may be considered certain that Mr. Poe has attained an individual emimence [[eminence]] in our literature that he will keep. He has given proof of power and originality and we doubt not the present volumes comprising all his most popular works, will meet with a ready and extensive sale. They are published in a neat and attractive style, with a striking portrait of the author, at a moderate price.