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[page 146, column 1, continued:]
THE LIFE OF EDGAR ALLEN POE: By William F. Gill. Illustrated. New-York: C. T. Dillingham, 1877.
This is the first work on the subject that has been so well directed towards vindicating the character of Edgar Allen [[Allan]] Poe. Mr. Gill seems a little too fervent in his praise, but nevertheless sincere. W e have been led to believe, by Dr. Griswold, Poe's first and self constituted biographer, the contrary from what Mr. Gill has endeavored to support concerning Poe's moral character. Griswold, smarting under Poe's severe criticisms of his “Poets and Poetry of America,” together with, in all probability no great friendship for his critic, since he expresses himself to Mrs. Whitman that; “ J was not his friend, nor was he mine,” seized every pretext to avenge himself for the rough though just handling he bad had at the poets hands. Mr. Gill cites several instances of Griswold's unmanliness and want of character, not very complimentary to the late biographer. How easily a man's morale can be destroyed [column 2:] or elevated in the mind of the public, by a biographer, is well known to the literary world; this delicate point has been fully understood by Mr. Gill, and had his work appeared sooner it would have had a greater tendency towards establishing one of the finest minds of America in its true position.
The numerous authorities that have been called on and the conciseness of their statements are certainly sufficient proof that Mr. Gill's ground is well taken. Poe's home life as quoted from Mrs. Osgood, is in singular contrast to the man as represented by Griswold.
The fond attachment of Mrs. Clemm for her nephew arid son-in-law was never lessened or marred during his life, and this grand old lady who seemed to grow nobler in adversity, when on her death bed requested that her remains be buried by the side of those of her “Darling Eddie,” shows how deeply rooted was her affection for him.
Mr. Gill's work is worthy of study not only by the admirers of “The Raven,” “The Bells,” “The Gold Bug,” and “The Murder in the Rue Morgue,” but, by all who hold an interest in the life and true character of our men of genius. It is too late a day to question Poe's abilities as a poet and writer, for his verse and prose has long been looked upon as classical productions in the English language.
For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee,
And the stars never rise, but I feel the bright eyes
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And so all the night-time, I lie down by the side
Of my darling — my darling — my life and my bride,
In the sepulchre there by the sea,
In her tomb by the sounding sea.
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Notes:
None.
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[S:0 - BPM, 1877] - Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore - A Poe Bookshelf - Review of Gill's Life of Poe (Anonymous, 1877)