Text: Anonymous, “[Review of Poe's Tales],” Biblical Repository (New York, NY), series 3, no. 4, whole no 60, October 1845, pp. 775-776

[page 776:]

19. — WILEY & PUTNAM'S Library of American Books.

This is a series by American Authors , in the same style with the [page 776:] other Library. Three volumes have been issued, viz: Journal of an African Cruiser , by Nathaniel Hawthorne — Edgar Poe's Tales — Headley's Letters from Italy. Mr. Hawthorne edits the work for the author, who in this volume has given us some pleasant observations on the Canaries, Cape de Verds, and the Western Coast of Africa. Poe's Tales are much praised by some, as indicating superior genius; for ourselves, while a portion of them are well-wrought and fascinating, others of them are extravagant, and one, at least, of hurtful tendency. Headley's Letters are written in an off-hand , easy style, and are meritorious, as they unfold to us much of the everyday life of the Italians. A little girl, speaking of them, said to me, “I think Mr. H. must have gone to the theatre.” That impression is made, and would certainly not be very acceptable to some of his good old Puritan friends.