Did I, when an infant, sollicit your charity and protection, or was it of your own free will, that you volunteered your services in my behalf? It is well known to respectable individuals in Baltimore, and elsewhere, that my Grandfather (my natural protector at the time you interposed) was wealthy, and that I was his favorite grandchild — But the promises of adoption, and liberal education which you held forth to him in a letter which is now in possession of my family, induced him to resign all care of me into your hands .... You would not let me return [to the University of Virginia] because bills were presented to you for payment which I never wished nor desired you to pay .... I will boldly say that it was wholly and entirely your own mistaken parsimony that caused all the difficulties in [page 112:] which I was involved while at Charlottesville .... Towards the close of the session you sent me $100 — but it was too late .... I applied to James Galt — but he, I believe, from the best of motives refused to lend me any — I then became desperate, and gambled .... But these circumstances were all unknown to my friends when I returned home — They knew that I had been extravagant — but that was all — I had no hope of returning to Charlottesville, and I waited in vain in expectation that you would, at least, obtain me some employment. I saw no prospect of this .... Every day threatened with a warrant &c. I left home — and after nearly 2 years conduct ... in the army, as a common soldier — I earned, myself, by the most humiliating privations — a Cadets’ warrant .... I came home, you will remember, the night after the burial [of Frances Allan on 2 March 1829] — If she had not have died while I was away there would have been nothing for me to regret — Your love I never valued — but she I believed loved me as her own child. You sent me to W. Point like a beggar. The same difficulties are threatening me as before at Charlottesville — and I must resign .... When I parted from you — at the steamboat, I knew that I should never see you again.

As regards Sergt. Graves — I did write him that letter .... within a half hour after you had embittered every feeling of my heart against you by your abuse of my family, and myself, under your own roof — and at a time when you knew that my heart was almost breaking .... it is my intention to resign. For this end it will be necessary that you (as my nominal guardian) enclose me your written permission .... your refusal would only deprive me of the little pay which is now due as mileage.

From the time of writing this I shall neglect my studies and duties at the institution — if I do not receive your answer in 10 days — I will leave the point without — for otherwise I should subject myself to dismission (L, 1:39-43; letter is postmarked 5 January).

Military Academy Order, No. 7.

At the General Court-Martial, of which Lieutenant Thomas J. Leslie, of the Corps of Engineers, is President, convened at West Point, New York, on the 5th ult., in virtue of Military Academy Order No. 46 dated the 31st December 1830, was arraigned and tried ....

3. The Court next proceeded to the trial of Cadet E. A. Poe of the U. S. Military Academy on the following Charges and Specifications.

Charge 1st .... Gross neglect of duty.

Specification 1st .... In this, that he the said Cadet Poe did absent himself from the following parades and roll calls between the 7th of January and 27th January 1831, Viz. absent himself from evening parade on the 8, 9, 15, 20, 24 & 25 January 1831; absent from reveille roll call on the 8, 16, 17, 19, 20, 24 & 25 Jan’y 1831, absent from Class parade on the 17, 18, 19, 20, 24 & 25 Jan’y, absent from guard mounting on the 16 Jan’y 1831, and absent from Church parade on the 23d. Jan’y 1831; all of which at West Point N. Y.

Specification 2d .... In this, that he the said Cadet E. A. Poe, did absent himself from all his Academical duties between the 15th & 27 Jan’y 1831, viz. absent from Mathematical recitation on the 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25 & 26th Jan’y 1831, all of which at West Point N. Y.

Charge 2d .... Disobedience of Orders.

Specification 1st .... In this, that he the said Cadet Poe after having been directed by the officer of the day to attend church on the 23d January 1831, did fail to obey such order, this at West Point.

Specification 2d ....  . In this, that he the said Cadet Poe did fail to attend the Academy on the 25 Jany. 1831, after having been directed to do so by the officer of the day: This at West Point N. Y.

To which charges and specifications the prisoner pleaded as follows, to the 1st [page 114:] specification of the first charge “Not Guilty;” to the 2nd specification of the 1st charge “Guilty;” and “Guilty” to the second charge and specification.

The court after mature deliberation on the testimony adduced find the prisoner “Guilty” of the 1st specification of 1st charge and confirm his plea to the remainder of the charges and specifications, and adjudge that he Cadet E. A. Poe be dismissed the service of the United States ....

7. ... The proceedings of the General Court Martial of which Lieut. Thomas J. Leslie of the Corps of Engineers is President in the cases of Cadets L. [Llewellyn] Jones, H. [Henry] Swartwout, Thomas W. Gibson, W. [William] A. Parker, and Henry Minor [Jr.] have been laid before the Secretary of War and approved  . ...

Cadet E. A. Poe will be dismissed the service of the United States and cease to be considered a member of the Military Academy after the 6th March 1831 (USMA Archives, Post Order Book No. 5, 1827-38; ViU-I; W, 17:374-76; Quinn, pp. 743-44).

On the morning of the 6th [19th] of March [February], when Poe was ready to leave West Point, we were in our room together, and he told me I was one of the few true friends he had ever known, and as we talked the tears rolled down his cheeks .... He told me much of his past life, one part of which he said he had confided to no other living soul. This was that while it was generally believed that he had gone to Greece in 1827 to offer his services to assist in putting down the Turkish oppressors, he had done no such thing, that about as near Europe as he ever got was Fort Independence, Boston Harbor, where he enlisted, and was assigned to Battery H, First Artillery, which was afterward transferred to Fortress Monroe, Va. Poe told me that for nearly two years he let his kindred and friends believe that he was fighting with the Greeks, but all the while he was wearing the [page 115:] uniform of Uncle Sam's soldiers, and leading a sober and moral life (New York Sun, 29 May 1904, copied from the Richmond Dispatch; Woodberry, 1:372).

As Poe was of the succeeding class to mine at West Point, I remember him very well as a cadet. He was a slovenly, heedless boy, very eccentric, inclined to dissipation, and, of course, preferred making verses to solving equations. While at the Academy he published a small volume of poems, dedicated to Bulwer in a long, rambling letter. These verses were the source of great merriment with us boys, who considered the author cracked, and the verses ridiculous doggerel (Stoddard [1872], p. 561 n.).

General Lucius Bellinger Northrop [South Carolina], the last survivor of the classmates of Poe at West Point, told me [his son-in-law] that Edgar Poe, at West Point, was the wrong man in the wrong place — although, from an intellectual point of view, he stood high there, as elsewhere: the records of the academy show that he was third in French, and seventeenth in mathematics in a class of eighty-seven. The severe studies and dull routine duties were extremely distasteful to the young poet, and, at the end of six months, he applied to his adopted father, Mr. Allan, for permission to leave the academy, which request was promptly refused .... He was shy, proud, sensitive, and unsociable with the other cadets. He spent more time in reading than in study .... During his short stay at West Point, Poe made a high reputation for poetical genius, and when it was announced that he intended to publish his poems, great expectations were formed of the book. Gen. Northrop informed me that the cadets eagerly subscribed for the volume (Didier [1909], pp. 224, 225, 253, 254).]

The cadets, especially from the South, generally subscribed at seventy-five cents [$1.25] a copy, which the superintendent allowed to be deducted from our pay. I think the publisher came up from New York and bargained with Poe for its publication. The sum thus raised enabled him, I suppose, to save a small margin for his travelling expenses and necessities beyond the cost of publication. The book was not supplied to the subscribers until some time after he left the Point. It was a miserable production mechanically, bound in green boards and printed on inferior paper, evidently gotten up on the cheapest scale. The subscription was not fully paid until the book was delivered, and I remember a general expression of indignation at the inferior quality and condition of the book .... He went to New York, and there obtained, as I heard afterward, some literary employment which afforded him scant support (Woodberry, 1:78).

Some month or two after he had left, it was announced that a volume of his poems would be published by subscription, at the price of two dollars and fifty cents [$1.25] per copy. Permission was granted by Colonel Thayer to the corps to subscribe for the book, and as no cadet was ever known to neglect any opportunity [page 118:] of spending his pay, the subscription was pretty near universal. The book was received with a general expression of disgust. It was a puny volume, of about fifty pages, bound in boards and badly printed on coarse paper, and worse than all, it contained not one of the squibs and satires upon which his reputation at the Academy had been built up. Few of the poems contained in that collection now appear in any of the editions of his works, and such as have been preserved have been very much altered for the better.

For months afterward quotations from Poe formed the standing material for jests in the corps, and his reputation for genius went down at once to zero. I doubt if even the “Raven” of his after-years ever entirely effaced from the minds of his class the impression received from that volume (Gibson, p. 755).]

I am almost ashamed to ask any favour at your hands after my foolish conduct upon a former occasion ....

I am very anxious to remain and settle myself in Balto as Mr. Allan has married again and I no longer look upon Richmond as my place of residence ....

Perhaps (since I understand Neilson [Poe] has left you) you might be so kind as to employ me in your office in some capacity .... I would have waited upon you personally but am confined to my room with a severe sprain in my knee (L, 1:45).

THE poetry of this little volume has a plausible air of imagination, inconsistent with the general indefiniteness of the ideas. Every thing in the language betokens poetic inspiration, but it rather resembles the leaves of the sybil when scattered by the wind. The annexed lines, which close a short poem, entitled the “Doomed City,” are less incomprehensible than most in the book, although the meaning is by no means perfectly clear ....

It sometimes happens that poetry, at first sight unintelligible, is discovered, upon a repeated and more careful examination, to be fraught with the treasure of thought and fancy. The “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” belongs to this class, but we can not flatter Mr. Poe with any similar hope respecting his own composition, although it occasionally sparkles with a true poetic expression, and sometimes a conflict of beauty and nonsense takes place, in which the latter seems to have the best of it. It is indeed encumbered by numerous obscurities, which we should be pleased to see either very much brightened or entirely expunged. What is the meaning of this?

Or these lines, (with which we close the article,) from “Fairy Land?”

The publishers intend to devote annually a portion of the profits of their work, in the promotion of the Cause of LITERATURE. — As soon as proper arrangements can be effected, a premium of

ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS

will be awarded for the best AMERICAN TALE. The gentlemen who shall be selected to decide the award, shall be named at the time of offering the premium.

The publishers are aware of the difficulty of furnishing their paper in due season to subscribers residing at a distance — this obstacle will be remedied in the course of a few weeks, when such arrangements will be made as cannot fail to be perfectly satisfactory.

The Publishers request their country brethren to give the above notice a few insertions in their respective journals. The same favor will be reciprocated.

All orders for the SATURDAY COURIER, (containing the price of subscription,) must be addressed to

may 28 — tf

“Poems by Edgar A. Poe.” New-York. Elam Bliss (second edition,) page 124. — This is evidently a fellow of fine genius, but if one were disposed to believe to the contrary, and to sustain his belief, he need wish for nothing more than a passage or two, taken hap hazard from the book — as for example:

[“To Irene” is quoted.]

Sheer nonsense, undoubtedly, yet as undoubtedly the author has the gift, and betrays the presence, here and there, that cannot be mistaken — for example:

[“To Helen” (“Helen, thy beauty is to me”) is quoted.]

And again — read the following sonnet, and then marvel at the strangeness of the mixture. Pure poetry in one page — pure absurdity in another —

[“Sonnet — To Science” is quoted.]

But we are sick of poetry — so sick of it indeed, that we should not have meddled with this, but for a wish to prevent a young man — the author must be young, for there is the fever and the flush, and the strong delusion of youth about him, if not boyhood — from betraying himself unworthily. He has a fine genius, we repeat it, and may be distinguished, if he will not mistake oddity for excellence, or want of similitude to all others, for superiority over them. We have said as much to the confederacy of small poets around us, and they dont like our candour.

PREMIUM

The publishers of the Saturday Courier grateful for the liberal patronage they have received, and anxious to improve, as far as they possibly can, the character of American Literature, offer the following premium: —

ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS to the writer of the best ORIGINAL TALE, prepared for the Saturday Courier, and presented under the following restrictions and regulations.

All Tales intended to compete for this premium, must be addressed to Woodward and Spragg, Philadelphia, free of postage, on or before the first day of December, 1831.

Accompanying each Tale the writer must furnish his or her name, and address, in a separate sealed envelope, which will not be opened except in the case of the successful competitor.

Early in December the Tales presented will be submitted to a committee consisting of the following gentlemen, viz: — David Paul Brown, William M. Meredith, John Musgrave, Richard Penn Smith, Morton McMichael, and Charles Alexander, Esq’rs. who will award prior to the 1st of January, 1832.

As soon as the award shall be determined, public information of the same will be given, and immediately thereafter the successful candidate may draw upon the publishers for the amount of the premium.

The publication of the Tales will be commenced in January, 1832, and continued at the discretion of the publishers. [page 122:]

Competitors for the premium are requested to use care in the preparation of their manuscripts, as it is very desirable that illegibility may be avoided.

Editors of papers which exchange with the Saturday Courier, by giving the above a few insertions will confer a favor upon the publishers, and probably advance the cause of Literature.

The Saturday Courier is published by Woodward and Spragg, No. 112 Chestnut street, Philadelphia, at $2 per annum, half yearly in advance.

july 9 — tf

It is a long time since I have written to you unless with an application for money or assistance .... I write merely because I am by myself and have been thinking over old times, and my only friends, until my heart is full — At such a time the conversation of new acquaintance is like ice, and I prefer writing to you altho’ I know that you care nothing about me, and perhaps will not even read my letter. I have nothing more to say — and this time, no favour to ask — Altho I am wretchedly poor, I have managed to get clear of the difficulty I spoke of in my last, and am out of debt, at any rate .... Will you not write one word to me? (L, 1:46-47). [page 123:]

I was arrested eleven days ago for a debt which I never expected to have to pay, and which was incurred as much on Hy's [Henry's] account as on my own about two years ago. I would rather have done any thing on earth than apply to you again after your late kindness ... I am in bad health ... If you will only send me this one time $80, by Wednesday next, I will never forget your kindness & generosity (L, 1:47-48).

As I am extremely distressed at Edgar's situation I take the liberty of writing to you once more in his behalf — We have made every exertion for his relief — but our circumstances are too poor to afford him any — I have with great difficulty procured $20 which I will reserve for him, with all my heart — but it is insufficient to extricate him — I beg that you will assist him out of this difficulty and I am sure that it will be a warning for him as long as he lives — to involve himself no further in debt — I am satisfied that except in this instance he does not owe one cent in the world, and would do well if you would relieve him — he is extremely distressed at your refusal to assist him — and has no other resource whatever — as not being a resident of this city he cannot take the benefit of the insolvent laws — I feel deeply interested in him, for he has been extremely kind to me as far as his opportunities would permit — I should consider it as one of the greatest obligations to myself and family if you will be so generous as to assist him for this time only (Stanard, pp. 295-97).

The Committee [David Paul Brown, Richard Penn Smith, William M. Meredith, Morton McMichael, John Musgrave, and Charles Alexander] to whom was referred the selection of a Tale from among those presented for the premium of One Hundred Dollars, offered by us, have awarded in favour of LOVE's MARTYR, by Miss Delia S. Bacon, of the State of New York, author of “Tales of the Puritans,” &c.

While we congratulate the fair author upon her success, we can at the same time promise our readers much gratification from the perusal of Love's Martyr, which is strongly characterized by taste, genius and feeling.

Many of the other Tales offered for the Premium, are distinguished by great merit, and we are assured by the Committee that they derived much pleasure from reading them.

The writer of the successful Tale, will be good enough to draw upon us at her earliest convenience, for the amount of the Premium.

I am not myself personally known to you, but you were well acquainted with my late husband Mr. Wm. Clemm and also I believe, with many of my connexions. For their sakes as well as for my own I venture to solicit a little assistance at your hands. For a long time I have been prevented by continual ill health from making the exertions necessary for the support of myself and children, and we are now consequently enduring every privation. Under these circumstances I feel a hope that you will be inclined to give me some little aid. I do not ask for any material assistance, but the merest trifle to relieve my most immediate distress (Anon., “Letters and Documents;” Maryland Historical Magazine, 6 [March 1911]: 44; Jackson [1979], p. 20).

He lived in a retired way with his aunt, Mrs. Clemm .... during an intimate acquaintance with him, which lasted for more than twelve years, I never saw him intoxicated in a single instance .... Poe's personal appearance was delicate and effeminate, but never sickly or ghastly, and I never saw him in any dress which was not fashionably neat with some approximation to elegance .... Almost every day we took long walks in the rural districts near Baltimore, and had long conversations on a great variety of subjects .... On one occasion, when I visited him at his lodgings, he produced a decanter of Jamaica spirits, in conformity with a practice which was very common in those days .... Poe made a moderate use of the liquor; and this is the only time that ever I saw him drink ardent spirits. On another occasion I was present when his aunt, Mrs. Clemm, scolded him with some severity for coming home intoxicated on the preceding evening. He excused himself by saying that he had met with some friends, who had persuaded him to take dinner with them at a tavern, where the whole party had become inebriated .... In conversation Poe was fluent, but not eloquent .... I never knew him to speak in warm terms of admiration of any poetical writer, except Alfred Tennyson. Among prose authors, Ben. Disraeli was his model. Poe was an amiable colloquist .... He was singularly effeminate in mind and person .... One day, Poe, his cousin Virginia .... and I were walking in the neighborhood of Baltimore when we happened to approach a graveyard, where a funeral was then in progress .... Virginia became affected and shed more tears than the chief mourner. Her emotion [page 126:] communicated itself to Poe (“Recollections of Edgar A. Poe,’ Baltimore Daily Commercial, 23 May 1866, reprinted in Wilmer [1941], pp. 29-32. See also M.E. Wilmer, pp. 385-86).]

Item 2nd. I devise unto Miss Ann Moore Valentine, three hundred dollars annually and her board washing and lodging to be paid and found her by my executors out of my estate during her natural life, but this provision is to be in lieu and in discharge of the sum of two thousand dollars which I have in my possession belonging to her, and of which she is to discharge and acquit my estate in case she accepts of this bequest ....

Item 5th. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Louisa Gabriella Allan, one third of the nett annual income of my whole estate during her natural life or until our eldest child becomes of age, to be paid her annually by my executors ....

Lastly I constitute and appoint my beloved wife Louisa Gabriella Allan and James Galt and Corbin Warwick executrix and executors of this my last will and testament ... (extracts from MS, Will Book 2, p. 457, in the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond, Va., Division 1).

This memo, in my own handwriting is to be taken as a codicil and can be easily proven by any of my friends.

The notes preceding [codicil of 31 December 1832] are in the hand writing of my friend Jno. G. Williams.

The twins were born sometime about the 1st of July 1830. I was married the 5th. October 1830 in New York, my fault therefore happened before I ever saw my present wife and I did not hide it from her. In case therefore these twins should reach the age of 21 years & from reasons they cannot get their share of the fifth reserved for them, they are to have $4000 each out of my whole estate to enable them to prosecute some honest pursuit, profession or calling. March 15th. 1833 I understand one of Mrs. Wills’ twin sons died some weeks ago there is therefore only one to provide for. My wife is to have all my furniture, books, bedding, linin, plate, Wines, Spirits &c &c, Glass & China ware (MS, Will Book 2, p. 457, in the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond, Va., Division 1).

PREMIUMS

The proprietors of the Baltimore Saturday Visiter feeling desirous of encouraging literature, and at the same time serving their readers with the best that lies within their reach, offer a premium of 50 dollars for the best Tale and 25 dollars for the best Poem, not exceeding one hundred lines, that shall be offered them between the present period and the first of October next.

The following gentlemen have been chosen to decide on the merits of the productions:

Those writers throughout the country who are desirous of entering the lists, will please forward their productions to [Charles Ferree] Cloud and [William P.] Pouder, Baltimore, before the first of October (postpaid) enclosed in an envelope bearing the name of the writer. If secrecy is preferred, the name may be enclosed in a separate envelope, which will not be opened, except in the case of the successful author. We wish those who may write for either of the premiums to understand that all manuscripts submitted will become the property of the Publishers.

Silver medals to the amount of the above rewards will be given in lieu of cash, if required (French, pp. 259-60).

The manuscripts, as received from the Editor, were laid in a pile on the table. Each one was opened as it came to hand. Sometimes, the first few sentences would condemn it as unworthy. Sometimes several pages were borne with. In some cases, the whole production was read. Two only of the prose pieces were laid aside for re-examination. I recollect them well. One was clever, but watery, evidently a woman's work. The other was terse, and the denouement terribly original. The poems were treated in the same way. But two of these were put by for review — one the Coliseum, by Poe, and the other, to which the prize was awarded, by J. H. Meritt [Hewitt], though the authorship was not known until afterwards. The loose MSS. having been gone through with, I turned to the Book, which contained many tales, and read it from beginning to end. It was so far, so very far, superior to anything before us, that we had no difficulty in awarding the first prize to the author. Our only difficulty was in selecting from the rich contents of the volume. We took the “Ms. Found in a Bottle” ....

To the committee, they [Poe's tales] were novelties for which they were wholly unprepared. Hence the admiration which, I well remember, the reading of them produced.

In this statement I hardly think I can be mistaken, so far as the action of the committee can be looked upon as a recognition of Mr. Poe's merits. Mr. Kennedy sent for him at once, and became his most useful friend. At my instance he called on me several times, and entered at length into the discussion of subjects on which he proposed to employ his pen. When he warmed up, he was most eloquent. He spoke, at that time, with eager action; and although, to judge from his outward man, the world was then going hard with him, and his look was blaze [blaze?], yet his appearance was forgotten, as he seemed to forget the world around him, as wild fancy, logical truth, mathematical analysis, and wonderful combinations of fact flowed, in strange commingling, from his lips, in words choice and appropriate as though the result of the closest study. I remember being particularly struck with the power that he seemed to possess of identifying himself with whatever he was describing. He related to me all the facts of a voyage to the moon, I think, which he proposed to put upon paper, with an accuracy of minute detail and a truthfulness as regarded philosophical phenomena, which impressed you with the idea, almost, that he had himself just returned from the journey which existed only in his imagination (Hubbell [1954], pp. 837-39).]

THE PREMIUMS

It will be seen by the following letter that the Committee have decided on the merits of the various productions sent for the premiums offered by us. The “Manuscript found in a bottle” is the production of Edgar A. Poe, of Baltimore.

The poem entitled “The Song of the Winds” by Henry Wilton, of Baltimore.

The prize pieces shall be published next week.

Messers. Cloud and Pouder —

Gentlemen: — We have received two pacquets containing the Poems and Tales submitted as competitors for the prizes offered by you in July last, and in accordance with your request have carefully perused them with a view to the award of the premiums. [page 133:]

Amongst the poems we have selected a short one, entitled “Song of the Winds,” as the most finished production offered. There were several others of such a degree of merit as greatly to perplex our choice and cause some hesitation in the award we have made.

Of the tales submitted there were many of various and distinguished excellence; but the singular force and beauty of those offered by “The Tales of the Folio Club;” it may be said without disparagement to the high merit of others presented in the competition, left us no ground for doubt in making choice of one from that collection. We have accordingly, awarded the prize in this department to the tale bearing the title of “A MS Found in a Bottle.” It would scarcely be doing justice to the author of this collection to say the tale we have chosen is the best of the six offered by him. We have read them all with unusual interest, and can not refrain from the expression of the opinion that the writer owes it to his own reputation, as well as to the gratification of the community to publish the whole volume. These tales are eminently distinguished by a wild, vigorous and poetical imagination, a rich style, a fertile invention, and varied and curious learning. Our selection of “A MS Found in a bottle” was rather dictated by the originality of its conception and its length, than by any superior merit in its execution over the others by the same author.

The general excellence of the whole of the compositions offered for the prizes is very creditable to the rising literature of our country.

Baltimore, October 7, 1833 (French, pp. 260-61).

His figure was remarkably good, and he carried himself erect and well, as one who had been trained to it. He was dressed in black, and his frock-coat was buttoned to the throat, where it met the black stock, then almost universally worn. Not a particle of white was visible. Coat, hat, boots and gloves had very evidently seen their best days, but so far as mending and brushing go, everything had been done apparently, to make them presentable. On most men his clothes would have looked shabby and seedy, but there was something about this man that prevented [page 134:] one from criticizing his garments, and the details I have mentioned were only recalled afterwards. The impression made, however, was that the award in Mr. Poe's favor was not inopportune (Rice, pp. 60-61).]

A few days after the publication of these prize pieces, as I [Hewitt] was about entering the office of the Visiter, on the S. E. corner of Baltimore and Gay Streets, I encountered Mr. Poe. He approached me with an ominous scowl on his features.

“You have used underhanded means, sir, to obtain that prize over me,” said he, sternly.

“I deny it, sir,” was my reply.

“Then why did you keep back your real name?”

“I had my reasons, and you have no right to question me.”

“But you tampered with the committee, sir.”

“The committee are gentlemen above being tampered with, sir; and if you say that you insult them,” I replied, looking him full in the face.

“I agree that the committee are gentlemen,” replied he, his dark eyes flashing with anger, “but I cannot place you in that category.”

My blood mounted up to fever heat in a moment, and with my usual impulsiveness, I dealt him a blow which staggered him, for I was physically his superior.

There was every prospect of a very pretty fight, for Poe was full of pluck, but several gentlemen, friends to both parties, interfered, and the affair was “nipped in the bud.” There was no duel — much to the disappointment of our friends and well-wishers (Hewitt [1949], p. 19).

THE FOLIO CLUB

This is the title of a volume of tales from the pen of Edgar A. Poe, the gentleman to whom the committee appointed by the proprietors of this paper awarded the premium of $50. The work is about being put to press, and is to be published by subscription. We have a list at our office, and any person wishing to subscribe will please call. The volume will cost but $1.

The prize tale is not the best of Mr. Poe's productions; among the tales of the Folio Club there are many possessing uncommon merit. They are all characterized by a raciness, originality of thought and brilliancy of conception which are rarely to be met with in the writings of our most favored American authors. In assisting Mr. Poe in the publication of the Folio Club, the friends of native literature will encourage a young author whose energies have been partially damped by the opposition of the press, and, we may say, by the lukewarmness of the public in appreciating American productions. He has studied and written much — his reward rested on public approbation — let us give him something more substantial [page 135:] than bare praise. We ask our friends to come forward and subscribe to the work — there are many anxious to see it before the public (French, pp. 262-63).

A short time previous to Mr. Allan's death, on the 27th of March, 1834, he was greatly distressed by dropsy, was unable to lie down, & sat in an arm-chair night & day; several times a day, by the advice of his physician, he walked across the room for exercise, leaning on his cane, and assisted by his wife & a manservant. During this illness of her husband, Mrs. Allan was on an occasion, passing through the hall of this house, when hearing the front doorbell ring, she opened the door herself. A man of remarkable appearance stood there, & without giving his name asked if he could see Mr. Allan. She replied that Mr. Allan's condition was such that his physicians had prohibited any person from seeing him except his nurses. The man was Edgar A. Poe, who was, of course, perfectly familiar with the house. Thrusting her aside & without noticing her reply, he passed rapidly upstairs to Mr. Allan's chamber, followed by Mrs. Allan. As soon as he entered the chamber, Mr. Allan raised his cane, & threatening to strike him if he came within his reach, ordered him out; upon which Poe withdrew, & that was the last time they ever met (Thomas H. Ellis, Richmond Standard, 7 May 1881).

I have received, with feelings of the utmost sensibility and gratitude, two beautiful Silver Tankards, presented by you, on behalf of the late students of the Richmond Seminary. ... One exhortation, My Dr. Pupils, before you disperse — Cultivate a generous ambition — honour your parents — respect your Teachers — be industrious, docile and modest — love order and decency — frown down vicious companions — abhor meanness, and never forget that a virtuous and well spent youth affords the best prospect of a respectable and happy old age (NcD-ME).

Balloon Ascension

Mr. JAMES MILLS has the pleasure to inform the citizens of Baltimore that he will make his Second Grand Ascension on THURSDAY, 1st May, at Fair Mount Garden, East Baltimore st —

Mr. HERRING has at considerable expense, erected an Amphitheatre sufficient to contain from seven to eight thousand persons, where they can be comfortably seated and witness the whole of this interesting process.

... after Mr. Allan's death ... she was sitting at one of the front windows of her chamber & seeing him [Poe] enter the gate & walk towards the door, she sent her chamber-maid down to say that she begged to be excused from receiving him (Thomas H. Ellis, Richmond Standard, 7 May 1881).

Since the day you first saw me my situation in life has altered materially. At that time I looked forward to the inheritance of a large fortune, and, in the meantime, was in receipt of an annuity sufficient for my support. This was allowed me by a gentleman of Virginia (Mr Jno Allan) who adopted me at the age of two years, (both my parents being dead) and who, until lately, always treated me with the [page 142:] affection of a father. But a second marriage on his part, and I dare say many follies on my own at length ended in a quarrel between us. He is now dead, and has left me nothing. ... I could not help thinking that if my situation was stated — as you could state it — to Carey & Lea, they might be led to aid me with a small sum in consideration of my M.S. now in their hands. This would relieve my immediate wants (L, 1:54-55).

I should have written you sooner in relation to your friend, but that I have expected for several days to hear from you. The book shall go to press at once, but I have much doubt of his making anything by it. Such little things [?] rarely succeed, and if they do, their produce is small. I do not expect to make anything, but am perfectly willing to take the chance of it. As he, however, appears to want something immediately, I had thought of handing the volume to Miss [Eliza] Leslie to see if she could select something for her Souvenir [the Gift], for which he could be paid promptly. If he could dispose of them in that way, they would, I think, be more productive than in the form of a volume. Doubting, as I do, any extent of sale that will enable us to make anything by it, I am not very willing to increase the risque by paying the author in advance.

Say what I shall do, and it shall be done. It shall be printed as it stands — or I will hand it to Miss Leslie and print after she shall have selected one — or, in short, what you please shall be done. I should be exceedingly glad to promote your friend's objects if I knew how, but writing is a very poor business unless a man can find the way of taking the public attention, and that is not often done by short stories. People want something larger and longer. If, by the publication of these tales in the Souvenir — or the newspapers — he could obtain anything like a name, his book would afterwards — composed of the same tales — be worth more than it now is, unknown as he is. Direct me (Campell [1917a], pp. 197-98).

I have received your note, and should sooner have apprized you of what I had [page 143:] done, but that Carey's letter only reached me a few days ago as I was stepping into a carriage to go to Annapolis, whence I returned only a day or two since.

I requested Carey immediately upon the receipt of your first letter to do something for you as speedily as he might find an opportunity, and to make some advance on your book. His answer let me know that he would go on to publish, but the expectation of any profit from the undertaking he considered doubtful — not from want of merit in the production, but because small books of detached tales, however well written, seldom yield a sum sufficient to enable the bookseller to purchase a copyright. He recommended, however, that I should allow him to sell some of the tales to the publishers of the annuals. My reply was that I thought you would not object to this if the right to publish the same tale was reserved for the volume. He has accordingly sold one of the tales to Miss Leslie for the “Souvenir” [the Gift], at a dollar a page, I think with the reservation above mentioned — and has remitted me a draft for fifteen dollars which I will hand over to you as soon as you call upon me, which I hope you will do as soon as you can make it convenient. If the other tales can be sold in the same way, you will get more for the work than by an exclusive publication (W, 17:3; Woodberry, 1:105-06).