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[page 110, column 2, continued:]
POE'S DEFINITION OF POETRY.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NATION:
SIR: J. M. Robertson, in his “New Essays Toward a Critical Method” (p. 84, note), Says:
It is remarkable that no one has ever pointed out that Poe's excellent definition of poetry, “the rhythmical creation of beauty,” is a condensation of a sentence by (of all men) Griswold.
The authority for this statement is not clear, the facts being apparently as follows: Griswold, in the preface to his “Poets and Poetry of America” (1842), has the following: “The creation of beauty, the manifestation of the real by the ideal, ‘in words that move in metrical array,’ is poetry.” This preface is dated “Philadelphia, March, 1842.”“ In the same month, if not earlier, Poe was writing the review of Longfellow's “Ballads” in which his famous definition first occurs — since this review appeared in Graham's Magazine for April, 1842. Griswold, then, may have slight priority; but considering the dates is it safe to assert that Poe was indebted to Griswold?
There is, however, further evidence bearing on the point. Poe wrote at least three reviews of Griswold's “Poets,” besides lecturing in Philadelphia on the same subject. In the second of these, which appeared in the Boston Miscellany, November, 1842, he quotes the sentence from Griswold's preface given above, “because,” he says, “it embodies the sole true definition of what has been a thousand times erroneously defined.” This perhaps looks as if Poe were giving [column 3:] Griswold credit for the definition. In a third review, however, published anonymously in the Philadelphia Saturday Museum, 1843, he says, after quoting the same sentence:
Now what is this but a direct amplification by our poet [Griswold] of the definition of poetry — ”the rhythmical creation of beauty” — which appeared in Mr. Poe's critique of Professor Longfellow's ballads, from which we know and he knows he stole it?
Would Poe make this charge so explicitly and directly without warrant? Is it possible that Griswold stole from Poe, instead of vice versa? Is it possible, for example, that Griswold, who succeeded Poe as editor of Graham's (in April, 1842, as the date is usually given), had access to the manuscript of Poe's review of Longfellow as early as March, 1842, when he was writing his own preface? Or is there any other explanation of the similar.
Some of your readers may be able to clarify this matter.
F. C. PRESCOTT.
Ithaca, N. Y., January 28.
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Notes:
None.
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[S:0 - TNNY, 1909] - Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore - A Poe Bookshelf - Poe's Definition of Poetry (Frederick C. Prescott, 1909)