Text: Edgar Allan Poe (?), Literary, Broadway Journal (New York), March 1, 1845, vol. 1, no. 9, p. ???-???

[page 156, column 1, continued:]

The Saturday Emporium. March 1st, 1845. Ward & Co., Ann St., New-York.

This is an admirable paper, one better adapted to the uses of the poor we have never stumbled upon in the course of our Newspaper experience, since it can be put to more uses than one; after it has enlightened the intellect, refreshed the spirit and warmed the heart, it may be made to warm the body by using it as a counterpane for the bed. It is large enough, stout enough, and white enough. Neither does it contain any of those heavy articles which papers of this class often do that would be likely to bruise the limbs if used in the way which we have recommended, nor any of the poppyish ones that would be likely to cause too deep a slumber, nor any of those grotesque ones which would cause nightmares, nor yet any of those very light articles which would keep it from lying gently upon a sleeper. — However, it was not our intention to pronounce a panygeric, though we hardly know of a case in which we could do it with a clearer conscience, but to vindicate ourselves from a vile aspersion upon our critical honesty which the paper contained last Saturday, in a notice of our review of Bulwer's Minor Poems published by Farmer and Daggers, and edited by C. Donald Macleod. So far from having any’ private pique” to “gratify,” we have no private feelings of any kind, but pure good will, towards every person whose name is connected with the book, excepting Bulwer, for whom we entertain no very profound admiration. Mr. Macleod will acquit us of the smallest tinge of personal unkindness towards himself, for we only know him by his writings which have heretofore impressed us with a very high opinion of his abilities; and for the publisher of the “Minor Poems,” we certainly have none but the kindest feelings. Do not, we beseech of you, Messieurs of the Emporium, accuse us of making attacks upon people when we simply utter our opinions and fortify them with reasons.