[page 303, column 3, continued:]

To the Editor of Appletons’ Journal.

MY attention has been directed to a communication, signed G. A. Berry, in the number of the JOURNAL dated February 24th, in which an attempt has been made to criticise the Latin inscription on the stone which was intended to be placed over the grave of Poe. This inscription was furnished by the gentleman who had the stone cut (he is a near relative of the poet), and was correctly quoted in my article on “The Grave of Poe” as follows: “HIC TANDEMI FELICIS CONDUNTUR RELIQUIAE EDGARI ALLAN POE.” For the benefit of Mr. Berry, and others not familiar with the construction of the Latin language, I publish the following correct translation of the epitaph: “Here are gathered the remains of Edgar Allan Poe, happy at last.”

Not “cutting irony” nor “bitter sarcasm,” as suggested by Mr. Berry, but beautiful and appropriate is this inscription. Poe’s life of “endless toil and endeavor,” want, disappointment, and suffering, made him “long for rest,” and this rest he found only in the grave. A few words from Poe’s exquisite poem to “Annie” would serve as a suitable epitaph for the world-weary poet:

I take advantage of this opportunity to say it was Mrs. (not Miss) Elmira Shelton to whom Poe was engaged at the time of his death.

EUGENE L. DIDIER.