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indications of the idiosyncrasies of what was most remarkable and
peculiar in the author's intellectual nature。 But we see here only
the better phases of his nature； only the symbols of his juster
action； for his harsh experience had deprived him of all faith in man
or woman。 He had made up his mind upon the numberless complexities of
the social world； and the whole system with him was an imposture。
This conviction gave a direction to his shrewd and naturally
unamiable character。 Still； though he regarded society as composed
altogether of villains； the sharpness of his intellect was not of
that kind which enabled him to cope with villany； while it
continually caused him by overshots to fail of the success of
honesty。 He was in many respects like Francis Vivian in Bulwer's
novel of 'The Caxtons。' Passion； in him； comprehended …many of the
worst emotions which militate against human happiness。 You could not
contradict him； but you raised quick choler； you could not speak of
wealth； but his cheek paled with gnawing envy。 The astonishing
natural advantages of this poor boyhis beauty； his readiness； the
daring spirit that breathed around him like a fiery atmospherehad
raised his constitutional self…confidence into an arrogance that
turned his very claims to admiration into prejudices against him。
Irascible； enviousbad enough； but not the worst； for these salient
angles were all varnished over with a cold； repellant cynicism； his
passions vented themselves in sneers。 There seemed to him no moral
susceptibility； and； what was more remarkable in a proud nature；
little or nothing of the true point of honor。 He had； to a morbid
excess； that； desire to rise which is vulgarly called ambition； but
no wish for the esteem or the love of his species； only the hard wish
to succeed…not shine； not serve …succeed； that he might have the
right to despise a world which galled his self…conceit。
〃We have suggested the influence of his aims and vicissitudes upon
his literature。 It was more conspicuous in his later than in his
earlier writings。 Nearly all that he wrote in the last two or three
years…including much of his best poetry…was in some sense
biographical； in draperies of his imagination； those who had taken
the trouble to trace his steps； could perceive； but slightly
concealed； the figure of himself。〃
Apropos of the disparaging portion of the above well…written sketch；
let us truthfully say：
Some four or five years since； when editing a daily paper in this
city； Mr。 Poe was employed by us； for several months； as critic and
sub…editor。 This was our first personal acquaintance with him。 He
resided with his wife and mother at Fordham； a few miles out of town；
but was at his desk in the office； from nine in the morning till the
evening paper went to press。 With the highest admiration for his
genius； and a willingness to let it atone for more than ordinary
irregularity； we were led by common report to expect a very
capricious attention to his duties； and occasionally a scene of
violence and difficulty。 Time went on； however； and he was invariably
punctual and industrious。 With his pale； beautiful； and intellectual
face； as a reminder of what genius was in him； it was impossible； of
course； not to treat him always with deferential courtesy； and； to
our occasional request that he would not probe too deep in a
criticism； or that he would erase a passage colored too highly with
his resentments against society and mankind； he readily and
courteously assented…far more yielding than most men； we thought； on
points so excusably sensitive。 With a prospect of taking the lead in
another periodical； he； at last； voluntarily gave up his employment
with us； and； through all this considerable period； we had seen but
one presentment of the man…a quiet； patient； industrious； and most
gentlemanly person； commanding the utmost respect and good feeling by
his unvarying deportment and ability。
Residing as he did in the country； we never met Mr。 Poe in hours of
leisure； but he frequently called on us afterward at our place of
business； and we met him often in the street…invariably the same sad
mannered； winning and refined gentleman ； such as we had always known
him。 It was by rumor only； tip to the day of his death； that we knew
of any other development of manner or character。 We heard； from one
who knew him well （what should be stated in all mention of his
lamentable irregularities）； that； with a single glass of wine； his
whole nature was reversed； the demon became uppermost； and； though
none of the usual signs of intoxication were visible； his will was
palpably insane。 Possessing his reasoning faculties in excited
activity； at such times； and seeking his acquaintances with his
wonted look and memory； he easily seemed personating only another
phase of his natural character； and was accused； accordingly； of
insulting arrogance and bad…heartedness。 In this reversed character；
we repeat； it was never our chance to see him。 We know it from
hearsay； and we mention it in connection with this sad infirmity of
physical constitution； which puts it upon very nearly the ground of a
temporary and almost irresponsible insanity。
The arrogance； vanity； and depravity of heart； of which Mr。 Poe was
generally accused； seem to us referable altogether to this reversed
phase of his character。 Under that degree of intoxication which only
acted upon him by demonizing his sense of truth and right； he
doubtless said and did much that was wholly irreconcilable with his
better nature； but； when himself； and as we knew him only； his
modesty and unaffected humility； as to his own deservings； were a
constant charm to his character。 His letters； of which the constant
application for autographs has taken from us； we are sorry to
confess； the greater portion； exhibited this quality very strongly。
In one of the carelessly written notes of which we chance still to
retain possession； for instance； he speaks of 〃The Raven〃that
extraordinary poem which electrified the world of imaginative
readers； and has become the type of a school of poetry of its
own…and； in evident earnest； attributes its success to the few words
of commendation with which we had prefaced it in this paper。 …It will
throw light on his sane character to give a literal copy of the note：
〃FORDHAM； April 20； 1849
〃My DEAR WILLISThe poem which I inclose； and which I am so vain as
to hope you will like； in some respects； has been just published in a
paper for which sheer necessity compels me to write； now and then。 It
pays well as times go…but unquestionably it ought to pay ten prices；
for whatever I send it I feel I am consigning to the tomb of the
Capulets。 The verses accompanying this； may I beg you to take out of
the tomb； and bring them to light in the 'Home journal？' If you can
oblige me so far as to copy them； I do not think it will be necessary
to say 'From the ； that would be too bad； and； perhaps； 'From a
late paper；' would do。
〃I have not forgotten how a 'good word in season' from you made 'The
Raven；' and made 'Ulalume' （which by…the…way； people have done me the
honor of attributing to you）； therefore； I would ask you （if I dared）
to say something of these lines if they please you。
〃Truly yours ever；
〃EDGAR A。 POE。〃
In double proof of his earnest disposition to do the best for
himself； and of the trustful and grateful nature which has been
denied him； we give another of the only three of his notes which we
chance to retain ：
〃FORDHAM； January 22； 1848。
〃My DEAR MR。 WILLiS…I am about to make an effort at re…establishing
myself in the literary world； and _feel _that I may depend upon your
aid。
〃My general aim is to start a Magazine； to be called 'The Stylus；'
but it would be useless to me； even when established； if not entirely
out of the control of a publisher。 I mean； therefore； to get up a
journal which shall be _my own_ at all points。 With this end in view；
I must get a list of at least five hundred subscribers to begin with；
nearly two hundred I have already。 I propose； however； to go South
and West； among my personal and literary friendsold college and
West Point acquaintances …and see what I can do。 In order to get the
means of taking the first step； I propose to lecture at the Society
Library； on Thursday； the 3d of February； and； that there may be no
cause of _squabbling_； my subject shall _not be literary _at all。 I
have chosen a broad text： 'The Universe。'
〃Having thus given you _the facts _of the case； I leave all the rest
to the suggestions of your own tact and generosity。 Gratefully； _most
gratefully；
_〃Your friend always；
〃EDGAR A。 POE。''
Brief and chance…taken as these letters are； we think they
sufficiently prove the existence of the very qualities denied to Mr。
Poe…humility； willingness to persevere； belief in another's
friendship； and capability