National Republican., 1885-03-28
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
EDGAR ALLAN POE. A Defense OF Edgar
Allan Poe. BY JOHN J. MORAN, NJ ID. Wm.
Il. Boogher publisher, Washington.

EDGAR ALLAN POE. Defense OF Edgar
Allan Poe. BY JOHN J. MORAN, NJ. d. VIM.
II. Boogher, publisher, Washington.
A most remarkable, and timely mono-
graph of eighty-seven pages has appeared
with the above title, illustrated with an
admirable steel portrait Of Poe by John
Ssrtain, and by some new designs of the
Washington University Hospital at Balti.
more, where Poe died; the text being writ
ten by DR.. John j. Moran, the chief physi-
clan Of the hospital, and the personal
attendant on the poet from his admission
to his death. The design of the author,
and also of the publisher, is the vindica-
tion of Poe's memory, and the per-
formance of an act of historic JUS
tice to one of tho best men of
any age. DIR. Moran ia especially
worthy of the public thanks for the sim
gular earnestness and absolute complete-
ness Of his work. All his statements are
from personal and positive knowledge,
and they are written with so much force
and such eloquent tenderness Of apprecia-
tion that it is most touching and alb
sorbing story from beginning to end. An
author of so much mastery of language
and such genuineness of character might
have given us largo work. No one can
Ethu ~ WltuOub iocllhR Nh impulbo W
write personal letter Of thanks to DIR.
Moran and begging him to write every
word that he can recall or can procure
from living friends OF Poe, so that we
can see this remarkable man as he really
was during every year Of his brief life.
The facts in regard to Edgar Allan Poe
have been given painful coloring to the
public through the malice of his pre-
tended friends, but real enemies, aud also
through the neglect of his own responsi-
BILE relatives, as we suppose. But it may
after all be true, as DR.. Moran often as
serts, that his more immediate friends
repeatedly denied the chief falsehoods put
forth as to his alleged incorporate habits.
1t is not yet clear who, beyond Griswold
himself, engaged in habitual falsi6catiOn
of the life history of this remarkable
man. Public opinion condemns Girls.
wold, but it does not sufficiently
vindieate Poe, and it does not, as
il should do, consider Poe's wonderful
literary work as of right entitled to dis
tinct place. 1t is shameful truth that
literary gossip loves to mouth over SLAM
der aud detraction if it eau get any pre-
text for starting il, 1t was q supreme
calamity to bo drugged, robbed, and
thrown into hospital in dying condi-
tion-enough to strain the endurance Of
this ksenly sensitive man to the last de-
gree. Yet the physician who received
him, attended him, and generously bore
the expenses of his modest funeral, here
most solemnly and emphAtically denies
that Poe was intoxicated, or in any man
ner brought on the calamity by his per-
sonal act. Why an investigation was not
made and personal sympathy ELECTED
suitable to such a calamity is not yet ex-
planned. And why the flood of false asser-
tlonwas set going and kent before the pub
lie for so many years is also insutticiently
explained. We are quite willing to ad-
nit that men of genius may boat fault
sometimes AZ we'll as statesmen may; that
they may indulge in jealOusies and con-
troversies for place, aud that they may
become extremely depressed by un-
meTited misfortunes. But the impulses Of
all generous hearts are in favor of
liberal judgment and broad charity for
such men, If there are any Others Of this
rank las the writer of'Hhe Rdpen,' and of
so much that is tender and touching on
literature. But the public will read this
faithful statement Of facts with intense
eagerness. IL is of dramatic force, and
overwhelming authority as a vendication
OF Poe. Edgar Allan Poo did not die
under the eject of any intoSicant, nor
was tho smell of liquor ON his breath or
person. He was in my care and under
my charge for sixteen hours" DIR.
Moran has written the whole
story without reserve and with an
earnestness that is wonderful. And those
most deeply interested in Poe, his mother
in-law, Mrs, Clemm, and his attianeed, 70
whom he was IN q few dayst W be married,
Mrs. Shelton, then did their utmost IN