Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-05-02
NOT A FICTION.
SKETCH OF EDGAR A POE.


repented and was forgiven; how he passed
from the editorship Of one magazine to an
other; how he went from city to city, anc
State to State-an energetic, aspiring, san
guine, brilliant man-bearing the curse o.
irresolution-never constant but to the Sc
ductve and dangerous besetments of dissi
patton and profigacy; how friends advised
him and publishers demonstrated; how, al
one time, he had conquered his propensity
so as to call himself in a letter to friend
model Of temperance and virtue; and how
at another he forfeited the high occupation
(editor) which was the sole dependence oI
bis family, by frequent relapses into his for.
mer dissolute habits; how he committed
under the excitement of intoxication, faults
and excesses that were objectionable, how
he forfeited the esteem of the public, even
whilst his talents commanded admiration
how he succeeded in bringing many literary
speculations into life, which his vicious hab-
its and inattention to business murdered in
their youth; how he became confirmed
inebriate, with only now and then litful
hour or 80 with which to throw off on pa
per the vagaries of mind rich with learn
ing and imaginative fancies: how his young
and beautiful wife died, broken hearted, and
how he became so reduced in appearance
as no longer to be able to make his appear
ance among his friends; how his wife's
mother, constant to his fallen fortunes, and
anxious to conceal his vices, went with his
manuscript from Office to Office, and from
publisher to publisher, in search of means
to support him; how, for a little while he
shook off the lethargy of intoxication, and
appeared in the gay, aristocratic and veal
thy circles of New York city; how he was
caressed, and admired, feted and congratu-
lated by the beauty, fashion, and elite; how
the efforts Of his magic pen and towering
genius were sought by rival publishers; how
he was engaged to be married the second
time to an accomplished, wealthy and beau
tiful young lady; and how the engagement
was finally broken off through his return to
his pernicious habits. 1t was weary, mel
ancholy tale indeed.
The versatile, unhappy scenes of Edgar
A. Poe's life were soon 10 close snapped
rudely asunder by his own hand! He had
partly recovered from his dangerous curses,
and was engaged in delivering lectures in
ddiiae54asd; diassaasda and it Vas with something like
renewed confidence that the ardent friends
of the distinguished lecturer watched his
conduct, which was now distinguished by
extreme sobriety. Ho even appeared to
have renewed his vigor and youth, and it was
with pleasure and delight that his friends and
acquaintancss received him in to their socle-
ty and homes again. At the brilliant par
ties given at the houses of generous acqualn-
tances-at which he was the lion of the
evening-Mr. Poe met with refined and
lovely woman, whom he had formerly known.
Their friendship was renewed, an attachment
was reciprocal, and they were engaged to
be married. Everything seemed to promise
we'll; the dawn of the better day appeared,
and the wishful reformation so long coming,
seemed to come at last On sunny after.
noon in October, ls49, he started to fulfil
literary engagement, and prepare for his
marriage. He arrived in Baltimore, where
he gave his luggage to a porter, with III
structions to carry it to the railroad depot.
In an hour he would set out for Philadelphia.
But he would just take glass before he
started-for refreshment sake-thats ALL
Oh, fatal hour! In the gorgeous drinking
saloon he met some of his old acquaintance
and associates who invited him to join them
in social glass. In moment all his good
resolutions-home, duty, honor, and intend,
ed bride were forgotten: ere the night had
mantled the earth with its dark canopy, he
was in a state of beastly intoxication. In.
sanity ensued; he was taken to the hospital
and the next morning he died miserable,
raving maniac. Poor unfortunate, misguld.
ed creature! lie was thirty.6ve years old
when this last scene of his life's tragedy was
enacted.
Kind reader, this is no fancy sketch of
drapery or fiction. No single circumstance
here related nor solitary event here recorded,
but happened to Edgar Allen Poe, the Edi-
tor, Critic and Poet, one of the most popular
and brilliant writers in Observation-Disclosures
Organ.