The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1861-10-09
EDGAR A. POE

stands prominent among the poets. OF our
country. The Raven" "The Bells"
and several other masterly productions,
show his musical gifts, and give him a
permanent name in the annals of Ameri-
can literature. But in our literary histo-
ry no record is sadder than that of his
life, aud the end of the career of mono
more admonitory and melancholy.
Morally, Poe vas as weak as he was
intellectually brilliant. He became va
tary to the WiHe-cup, tavern bel esprit,
gay and jolly baechanal. His influence
vas demoraIized, his character ruined.
He debased his literary gifts by produc-
tions silly, puerile, and disgusting. Dis
siDation at last made him an abiect slave
to bis passions, and ended ultimately his
days.
DR.. Snodgrass, a clergyman who at
tended Poe during his last sickness, cpul-
municated some years since TO temper
ance Journal an affecting account Of the
close Of his life:
''On a chilly and wet November even.
ing | received note stating that a man
answering to the name of Edgar Allan
Pee, who claimed to know me, was at
drinking saloon in Lombard street, in
Baltimore, in a state of deep intoxicatiou
and great destitution. repaired inme.
diately to the spot. 1t was an election
day. When | catered the bar-room of
the house, instantly recognized the face
Of one whom [ lad often seen and knew
well, although 1t wore an aspect of vacant
stupidity that made NE shudder. The
intellectual fash of his eye had vanished,
or rather had been quenched in the bowl,
but the brad capacious forehead of tie
author Of The Raven, as you have ap.
proprlately designated him, was still
there; with width iu the region of ideal
/ lty, such as few men ever possessed. <
He was 90 utterly .tupefed with liquor
I that | thought it best not to seek recog.
milton or conversation, especially as lie
was surrounded By crowd Of gentlemen
actuated by idle curiosity rather than SYM
pathy. | Immediately ordered room
for him where he could be comfortable
until I got word 70 his relatives-fcr
there were several in Baltimore. Just at
that moment one or two of the persons
referred to, getting information, arrived
at the spot. They declined to take pri-
Eate care Of him, for the reason that ba
had been very abusive aud ungrateful on
all occasions when drunk, and advised
that be be sent to an hospital. He was
( accordingly placed in coach and convey
ed to the Washington College Hospital,
and put under the care of competent
and attentive resident physician Of that
institution. So insensible was be, that
We had to carry him to carriage as if
corpse. The muscles Of articulation
seemed paralyzsd to speechlessness, and
mere iucohereut uutterings were all thas
were heard
"He died in the hospital after some
three or four days, during which time be
enjoyed only occasional and ftful seasons
of consciousness. His disease, as will
have been anticipated, was ia rofu;
q disease whose finale Is always fearful in
lis uaBiaeal manifestations. IL one Of
his more lucid moments, when asked by
the physician whether be would Ike to
see his friends, he exclaimed Friends "
My beat friend Eould be he Who would
take pistol and blow nv brains ont. and
thus relieve NE Of ny agony These
we're among bis last words"
Ii Is sad to observe hoH frequently
men Of great abilities are among the loT-
srs OF the intoxicating b0El, aud how in
>aiizte aud fatal the desire for it becomes.
The thirst once acquired : almost irrem-
ejisble- Il Is stronger than self respect,
stronger than ambition, stronger cTer
thzn the lore of life. Il sllnrez. fascin-
ste<, eDthrzil>, aud at las. holds suelI-
bound the seal Its victims are
Like birds TIE charming serpent draws,
T. SILK lead fo-eu9=t Il his jaa-.~
Death L 70: more surely tie result of
slow poison than Of habiiual iut01iearIya.
But eveu the intellectually great, the
candidate for present and immortal fame,
indalges In il, yields to It's thrzlldOas.
aud allows i to work has ruin The.
words rhe, Dante in=cribes over the gate
Of he!l might almost truthfaily BE- writ
ten over the entrance or the Eay Of in
ebriety:
-Th-3ugh re re pass Izto the eitF Of Eor,
.T--ozga M yo1 pass iuio sse-asl pain.
IaroEgh Ee zEsag people los1 fyr are
81 hs.Fs abandon ye Eho enter here-r
u