Some ten years after the death of Poe I received from Mrs. Clemm a letter giving a pathetic account of her homelessness and poverty. But, she added, she had been offered a home with her relatives at the South; and she appealed to me, as a friend of her "Eddie," to assist her in raising the money necessary to pay her expenses thither. A similar appeal she made to other of Poe's former friends; but we heard of her afterward as an inmate of the Church Home Infirmary in Baltimore, where she died in 1871, having outlived her son-in-law some twenty-two years. It is a curious coincidence that the building in which she died was the same in which, as the Washington Hospital, Poe had breathed his last.
Her grave is in Westminster cemetery, and in sight of Poe's monument.
In order thoroughly to understand Poe, it is necessary that one should recognize the dominant trait of his character—a trait which affected and in a measure overruled all the rest—in a word,weakness of will.
"Unstable as water," is written upon Poe's every visage in characters which all might read; in the weak falling away of the outline of the jaw, the narrow, receding chin, and the sensitive, irresolute mouth. Above the soul-lighted eyes and the magnificent temple of intellect overshadowing them, we look in vain for the rising dome ofFirmness, which, like the keystone of the arch, should strengthen and bind together the rest. Lacking this, the arch must be ever tottering to a fall.
To this weakness of will we may trace nearly every other defect in Poe's character, together with most of the disappointments and failures in whatsoever he undertook. Helacked the resolution and persistence necessary to battle against obstacles, to persevere to the end against opposition and discouragement, and to resist temptations and influences which he knew would lead him astray from the object which he had at heart. In this way he lost many a coveted prize when it seemed almost within his grasp.
The accepted opinion is that Poe's dissipation was his chief fault, as it was that to which was owing his ruin in the end. But even this was the effect chiefly of weakness of will. He was not by nature inclined to evil, but the contrary; and we have seen that, when left to himself and not exposed to temptation, he was, from all accounts, "sober, industrious and exemplary in his conduct." But he lacked firmness to resist the temptation which, more than in the case of most men, assailed him on every side.
Dr. William Gibbon Carter has told me how, when Poe was in Richmond on his last visit, and doing his best to remain sober, he would in his visits and strolls about the city be constantly greeted by friends and acquaintances with invitations to "take a julep." It was the custom of the time. Poe, said Dr. Carter, in one morning declined twenty-four such invitations, but finally yielded; and the consequence was the severe illness which threatened his life whilst in the city. The effect of one glass on him, said the Doctor, was that of several on any other man. Often he was tempted to drink from an amiable reluctance to decline the offered hospitality.
A marked peculiarity of Poe's character was the restless discontent which from his sixteenth year took possession of and clung to him through life, and was to him a source of much unhappiness. It was not the discontent of poverty or of ungratified worldly ambition, but the dissatisfaction of a genius which knows itself capable of higher things, from which it is debarred—the desire of the caged eagle for the wind-swept sky and the distant eyrie. He was not satisfied with being a mere writer of stories. He believed that, with a broader scope, he could wield a powerful influence over the literary world and make a record for strength, brilliancy and originality of thought which would render his name famous in other countries as in this. His desire was to set established rules and conventionalities at defiance, and to be fearless, independent, dominant in his assertion of himself and his ideas and convictions. As an editor writing for other editors, he found himself trammeled by what he called their narrowness and timidity. He must be his own master, his own editor; and hence his lifelong dream and desire took form in the conception of the Stylus—thatignis fatuuswhich he pursued to the last day of his life—uncertain, elusive, yet ever eagerly sought, and always ending in disappointment and bitterness of soul. Time and again it seemed within his grasp, and, as he exultantly proclaimed, "his prospects glorious," when, by his own weakness of will, it was lost to him.
Undoubtedly, one of the chief factors in the non-success of Poe's life and its consequent unhappiness was his marriage.
Setting aside the poetic imaginings which have been and doubtless will continue to be written concerning this marriage as one of idylic mutual love and "idolatry," the story, in the light of established facts, resolves itself into a very prosaic one.
Mr. John Mackenzie, Poe's lifelong and only intimate and confidential friend, never hesitated to say that had Poe been left to himself the idea would never have occurred to him of marrying his little child-cousin. In no transaction of his life was his pitiableweakness more manifest than in this feeble yielding of himself to the dominant will of a mother-in-law.
Had Poe remained single or have married another than Virginia, his regard for her would have continued just what it had been in the beginning and what it remained to the end—the affection of a brother or cousin for a sweet and lovable child. But no one can believe that Poe's nature could have found its satisfying in such a marriage; and, in fact, whatsoever sentimental things he may have written concerning it, his whole conduct goes to prove its insincerity.
Poe was of all men one who most craved and needed the love and sympathy of a woman of a nature kindred to his own—a woman of talent and qualities of mind and heart to appreciate his genius and all that was best in him; one who would be to him not only a congenial companion, but a "helpmeet" as well. Had he married one of Mrs. Osgood's tender sensibilities and feminine charm, or Mrs. Whitman, with her talent and strong character, or even a woman of the practical good sense and judgment of Mrs. Shew, who knew so well how to care for him mentally and physically—Poe would have been a different man.
But his imprudent and, as it has been called, unnatural marriage, cut him off from what would probably have been the highest happiness of his life, with its accompanying worldly and social advantages, and bound him down to a life of unceasing toil, penury and helplessness. It deprived him of a social position and social enjoyment; for his poverty-stricken "home" was never one to which he could invite his friends; and he himself seems never to have found in it any real pleasure, but to have regarded it merely as a haven of refuge in seasons of distress. But as the years went by and, despite his incessant toil, his life and his home grew more cheerless and poverty-stricken, he became hopeless and in a measure reckless. It is to be noted that it was only after the death of his wife that he appeared to recover anything like hope or energy. Then his prospects suddenly brightened in the love of a good and talented woman who could have made his life happy and prosperous, when, owing to his miserable weakness of will in yielding to temptation, for which there was no excuse, it was all at once swept from his grasp.
Mr. John Mackenzie might well have said, as he did, that Poe's marriage was the greatestmisfortune of his life and as a millstone around his neck, holding him down against every effort to rise. But perhaps not even this close friend knew how keenly the poet must have felt the narrowness of his life, the sordidness of his home, and the humiliation of his poverty. Patiently and uncomplainingly he bore his unhappy lot; and it is to be noted to his credit that howsoever he might at times go astray, no word or act of unkindness toward the wife and mother who loved him was ever known to escape from him.
It will be seen from all that has here been written, in the light of prosaic truth, that Poe's real character was one very different from that which it has pleased the world in general to ascribe to him—judging him as it does by the character of his writings as a poet. The folly of such judgment, and the extent to which it was until recently carried, is simply surprising. It is true that he appeared to have but one ideal—the death of a woman young, lovely and beloved—and that ideal in the imagining of the world resolved itself into the personality of his wife. She, they concluded, was the original of all the Lenores, and Anabel Lees, and Ullalumes, which inspired his melancholy and despairing lyre; and in itsgloom and hopelessness they could see nothing but the expression of the poet's own nature. As well have accused Rembrandt of being gloomy and morose because he painted in dark colors. Like the artist, Poe loved obscure and sombre ideas and conceptions, and he delighted in embodying these in his poems as much as Rembrandt did in transferring his own to canvas.
Lest the reader should be under the impression that much of what I relate concerning Poe's childhood and certain circumstances connected with his early youth is taken from Gill'sLife of Poe, I will make an explanation.
At the time when the first edition of Gill's work was issued I was engaged in writing what I intended to be a little book concerning Poe, compiled from my own personal knowledge of him and what I had been told by others. In some way Gill heard of this, and wrote to me, coolly requesting to be allowed to see my manuscript, which I, of course, excused myself from doing. Again and again he wrote, saying that he "merely wished to see exactly what I had written." In self-defence, I finally sent him the first part or chapter of the manuscript, he promising to return it as soon as read. After some weeks it was returned to me, without a word accompanying; and atthe same time a second edition of Gill's "Life" was issued—the first having been suppressed—in which, to my surprise, I found copious extracts from my manuscript. All those little anecdotes of Poe's childhood were thus appropriated, with more important matter—such as Poe's dissipation when in Richmond and his enlisting in the army, both of which Gill had in his first edition positively denied; and this he made use of as though it had been his own original material. My book was, of course, ruined, and all that I could do was, some years after, to write "The Last Days of Poe," published inScribner's Magazine, though even from this Gill made "Notes" for the Appendix of his second or third edition.
Some of the material thus appropriated by Gill I have reclaimed and inserted in this work. A comparison between the first and second edition of Gill's "Life of Poe" affords a curious study, since in the second he has carefully corrected the misstatements of the former from my manuscript.
My friend, Gen. Roger A. Pryor, late Judge of the Supreme Court of New York, brought suit against Gill in this matter, but met with so much trouble and annoyance by reason of the latter's persistence in evading it, that itwas finally, at my own earnest request, abandoned.
Mr. Gill, I am informed, is still living.
A strange fate was that of the poet's family, all of whom were indebted to charity for a last resting place.
His father, David Poe, died in Norfolk in the summer of 1811. His grave is unknown.
His mother was buried by charity in Richmond, December 9, 1811.
His wife was indebted for a grave near Fordham, in New York, to charitable contributions of friends.
His sister, Rosalie Mackenzie Poe, died July 14, 1874, and was given a pauper's grave in the cemetery of the Epiphany Church Home, in Washington.
Mrs. Clemm, his mother-in-law, died an inmate of the Church Home Infirmary, Baltimore, and was buried by the charity of friends in Westminster churchyard of that city in 1871.
Poe himself, whose last days were passed in a charitable institute, was indebted to relatives for a grave.
Truly a record unparalleled in the annals of Literary History.
1In this historical church it was that Patrick Henry thrilled the hearts of his hearers with the memorable words, "Give me liberty or give me death!" and sent them forever "ringing down the grooves of time."
1In this historical church it was that Patrick Henry thrilled the hearts of his hearers with the memorable words, "Give me liberty or give me death!" and sent them forever "ringing down the grooves of time."
2The official date of Rosalie Poe's death, on June 14, 1874, represents her as 64 years of age. This would make her a year and a half old when adopted by the Mackenzies, in December, 1811.
2The official date of Rosalie Poe's death, on June 14, 1874, represents her as 64 years of age. This would make her a year and a half old when adopted by the Mackenzies, in December, 1811.
3Lest my mention of these little anecdotes and certain other matters should lead the reader to conclude that I am quoting from Gill, I would refer them to Appendix No. 1 of this volume.
3Lest my mention of these little anecdotes and certain other matters should lead the reader to conclude that I am quoting from Gill, I would refer them to Appendix No. 1 of this volume.
4This account, clipped from a Baltimore paper, was given by Professor Clarke's son to a Richmond reporter in 1894.
4This account, clipped from a Baltimore paper, was given by Professor Clarke's son to a Richmond reporter in 1894.
5A letter to Mrs. Holmes Cumming, from a son of the Rev. Amasa Converse, 1905.
5A letter to Mrs. Holmes Cumming, from a son of the Rev. Amasa Converse, 1905.
6A pencil sketch of Mrs. Stanard by Poe himself.
6A pencil sketch of Mrs. Stanard by Poe himself.
7Ingraham.
7Ingraham.
8Ingram.
8Ingram.
9As by also:"And its eyes have all the seemingOf a demon that is dreaming."
9As by also:
"And its eyes have all the seemingOf a demon that is dreaming."
"And its eyes have all the seemingOf a demon that is dreaming."
BOOKS YOU MUST READSOONER OR LATERReuben: His BookBy Morton H. Pemberton.Cloth, Gilt lettering, 12mo. Postpaid, $1.00.Portrait in Colors.One of the funniest, cleverest, uniquest volumes of the day, it has won spontaneous and unanimous approval from reviewers the country over.Just hear what a few of them say:Champ Clark.—"I haven't laughed so much since I first read Mark Twain's 'Roughing It.'"Globe-Democrat.—"This little book has the merit of brevity, variety and humor. It is safe to say that the book will have many readers and that it will afford much amusement."St. Louis Republic.—"The book is already heading the list of 'best sellers,' and deserves to go. It is GOOD. It is the sort of thing which might move the provincial journalist to say, 'Reub, here's our hand.'"A Scarlet RepentanceBy Archie Bell.Cloth, 12mo. Price, $1.00.One Review: "The history of one night and one day's flaming passion between a beautiful Italian woman and a handsome youth—strangers—who meet upon a Pullman car. There comes into the story all the elementary passions, hatred, jealousy, desire and—sorrow."It is a story that will appeal to those who prefer novels in which red blood is throbbing madly. It is not for prudes, nor for parsons, nor poseurs. It's a book for men and women who have lived."—The Club-Fellow.Broadway Publishing Company,835 Broadway, New York.
One of the funniest, cleverest, uniquest volumes of the day, it has won spontaneous and unanimous approval from reviewers the country over.
Just hear what a few of them say:
Champ Clark.—"I haven't laughed so much since I first read Mark Twain's 'Roughing It.'"
Globe-Democrat.—"This little book has the merit of brevity, variety and humor. It is safe to say that the book will have many readers and that it will afford much amusement."
St. Louis Republic.—"The book is already heading the list of 'best sellers,' and deserves to go. It is GOOD. It is the sort of thing which might move the provincial journalist to say, 'Reub, here's our hand.'"
One Review: "The history of one night and one day's flaming passion between a beautiful Italian woman and a handsome youth—strangers—who meet upon a Pullman car. There comes into the story all the elementary passions, hatred, jealousy, desire and—sorrow.
"It is a story that will appeal to those who prefer novels in which red blood is throbbing madly. It is not for prudes, nor for parsons, nor poseurs. It's a book for men and women who have lived."—The Club-Fellow.
Sam S. & Lee Shubertdirect the following theatres and theatrical attractions in America:Hippodrome, Lyric, Casino, Dalys, Lew Fields, Herald Square and Princess Theatres, New York.Garrick Theatre, Chicago.Lyric Theatre, Philadelphia.Shubert Theatre, Brooklyn.Belasco Theatre, Washington.Belasco Theatre, Pittsburg.Shubert Theatre, Newark.Shubert Theatre, Utica.Grand Opera House, Syracuse.Baker Theatre, Rochester.Opera House, Providence.Worcester Theatre, Worcester.Hyperion Theatre, New Haven.Lyceum Theatre, Buffalo.Colonial Theatre, Cleveland.Rand's Opera House, Troy.Garrick Theatre, St. Louis.Sam S. Shubert Theatre, Norfolk, Va.Shubert Theatre, Columbus.Lyric, Cincinnati.Mary Anderson Theatre, Louisville.New Theatre, Richmond, Va.New Theatre, Lexington, Ky.New Theatre, Mobile.New Theatre, Atlanta.Shubert Theatre, Milwaukee.Lyric Theatre, New Orleans.New Marlowe Theatre, Chattanooga.New Theatre, Detroit.Grand Opera House, Davenport, Iowa.New Theatre, Toronto.New Sothern Theatre, Denver.Sam S. Shubert Theatre, Kansas City.Majestic Theatre, Los Angeles.Belasco Theatre, Portland.Shubert Theatre, Seattle.Majestic Theatre, San Francisco.E. H. Sothern & Julia Marlowe in repertoire.Margaret Anglin and Henry Miller.Virginia Harned.Mary Mannering in "Glorious Betsy."Mme. Alla Nazimova.Thos. W. Ross in "The Other Girl."Cecelia Loftus.Clara Bloodgood.Blanche Ring.Alexander Carr.Digby Bell."The Girl Behind the Counter.""The Light Eternal.""The Snow Man."Blanche Bates in "The Girl from the Golden West."David Warfield in "The Music Master.""The Rose of the Rancho," with Rose Starr.Harrison Gray Fiske's Attractions.Mrs. Fiske in "The New York Idea.""Shore Acres."Louis Mann in "The White Hen.""The Road to Yesterday."Henry Woodruff in "Brown of Harvard.""The Secret Orchard," by Channing Pollock.De Wolf Hopper in "Happyland."Eddie Foy in "The Orchid."Marguerite Clark, in a new opera."The Social Whirl," with Chas. J. Ross.James T. Powers in "The Blue Moon."Bertha Kalich. "Leah Kleschna.""The Man on the Box."Cyril Scott in "The Prince Chap.""Mrs. Temple's Telegram.""The Three of Us."You cannot go wrong in selecting one of these play-houses for an evening's entertainment in whatever city you may happen to be.
direct the following theatres and theatrical attractions in America:
Hippodrome, Lyric, Casino, Dalys, Lew Fields, Herald Square and Princess Theatres, New York.
Garrick Theatre, Chicago.
Lyric Theatre, Philadelphia.
Shubert Theatre, Brooklyn.
Belasco Theatre, Washington.
Belasco Theatre, Pittsburg.
Shubert Theatre, Newark.
Shubert Theatre, Utica.
Grand Opera House, Syracuse.
Baker Theatre, Rochester.
Opera House, Providence.
Worcester Theatre, Worcester.
Hyperion Theatre, New Haven.
Lyceum Theatre, Buffalo.
Colonial Theatre, Cleveland.
Rand's Opera House, Troy.
Garrick Theatre, St. Louis.
Sam S. Shubert Theatre, Norfolk, Va.
Shubert Theatre, Columbus.
Lyric, Cincinnati.
Mary Anderson Theatre, Louisville.
New Theatre, Richmond, Va.
New Theatre, Lexington, Ky.
New Theatre, Mobile.
New Theatre, Atlanta.
Shubert Theatre, Milwaukee.
Lyric Theatre, New Orleans.
New Marlowe Theatre, Chattanooga.
New Theatre, Detroit.
Grand Opera House, Davenport, Iowa.
New Theatre, Toronto.
New Sothern Theatre, Denver.
Sam S. Shubert Theatre, Kansas City.
Majestic Theatre, Los Angeles.
Belasco Theatre, Portland.
Shubert Theatre, Seattle.
Majestic Theatre, San Francisco.
E. H. Sothern & Julia Marlowe in repertoire.
Margaret Anglin and Henry Miller.
Virginia Harned.
Mary Mannering in "Glorious Betsy."
Mme. Alla Nazimova.
Thos. W. Ross in "The Other Girl."
Cecelia Loftus.
Clara Bloodgood.
Blanche Ring.
Alexander Carr.
Digby Bell.
"The Girl Behind the Counter."
"The Light Eternal."
"The Snow Man."
Blanche Bates in "The Girl from the Golden West."
David Warfield in "The Music Master."
"The Rose of the Rancho," with Rose Starr.
Harrison Gray Fiske's Attractions.
Mrs. Fiske in "The New York Idea."
"Shore Acres."
Louis Mann in "The White Hen."
"The Road to Yesterday."
Henry Woodruff in "Brown of Harvard."
"The Secret Orchard," by Channing Pollock.
De Wolf Hopper in "Happyland."
Eddie Foy in "The Orchid."
Marguerite Clark, in a new opera.
"The Social Whirl," with Chas. J. Ross.
James T. Powers in "The Blue Moon."
Bertha Kalich. "Leah Kleschna."
"The Man on the Box."
Cyril Scott in "The Prince Chap."
"Mrs. Temple's Telegram."
"The Three of Us."
You cannot go wrong in selecting one of these play-houses for an evening's entertainment in whatever city you may happen to be.
Books From Our List of Religious Character
THE SINNER'S FRIENDBy Col. C. G. SamuelNew (4th) Edition with alterations andadditions in text and illustrationsPostpaid $1.00ST. JOHN IN PATMOSBy (late) Rev. Peyton Gallagher$1.00 PostpaidA BROTHER OF CHRISTBy Ingram Crockett$1.50 PostpaidThese and other Religious Works fullydescribed in circulars, gladly mailed
BROADWAY PUB., CO. 835 B'way, N.Y.