The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-02-17

not rescued by its guardian, Pocahontas,
Walter Scott did not write the Waverly
novels, and Milton stole thunder from an
English predecessor named Peyton, TO
say nothing of the various attacks upon
the authenticity of Homer himself. We
have an addition TO the list or DOnneiiy.
Holmes, Clark, Peyton, Dean, Brown and
others of another doubling Thomas"
But the learned Doctor, or his reporter,
has made at least one mistake, for the
famous Philadelphia poet, who is destined
10 rob Poe Of his most verdant laurels,
was not Charles B., but Henry y. Hfrst
The works ascribed by the Doctor to
his protese conclusively prove this as
sertion, as will yet be shown.
l did not have any personal acquain-
lance with Mr.. Poe but / had some cor
respondence with him whilst / was edit
Ing The Southern Literary Messenger. "
In Richmond, Va. from August, 1873 to
October, 1871, Inclusive He was paid
contributor a part Of that time. but Of
only prose articles. I'm connection with
his quarrel with Or. Thomas Dunn Eng
lsh. ! have already had occasion to state
publicly that ] ignored Mr.. Poe because
he treated me 50 badly whilst | was sub
stantally befriendiug him. he was In
Richmond and | knew it, but after what
had occurred between HS l deemed u
his part to seek me. As he did not he
was allowed 10 pass unnotced. II will
thus be seen that | am not 10 be ranged
as one Of his special friends or apologists
Still l can do him justice, and the idea
that he did not produce the Raven APP
pears TO he PrePosteTous.
With Mr.. Henry Il. Hirst, of the City
OF BrOtheriy Love, | did have a very
pleasant acquaintance. He and his sis
Il gE 4
poetical contributors to the Messenger"
in the latter part of 1913. and continued
up TO the summer OF 1915. Why they
discontinued. if there was any special rea-
son Tor IL, is not remembered. We never
had any unpleasantness, and they were
Srftihed with the reception which was ac-
corded them by the Messenger
kind, perhaps, as DR.. Woods himself init
mates, than might have been extended 10
them by their own home magazines. /
suppose that Mr. Hrst stopped his Of
ferings TO the Messenger because about
that time he felt sufficiently established
10 come before the public with very
neat volume of his poems and to engage
In other forms of bOok-making.
During one OF my visits 10 Philadelphia
/ not only made his acquaintance, but
he took me TO his home and introduced
me TO his sister. and every courtesy was
received from both. AS DR.. Woods intend
ed 10 publish life OF Hirst and 10 edit
two volumes OF his poems. the published
interview and his assault upon Poe VIII
be splendid advertisement of his con-
templated work. In promoting its sue
cess | have no objection to aid him, but
he viii have 10 omit ''The Raven.
Now why has it been so confidently as
serted that the interviewer's Charles Il.
Is the Southern Liteuiry Messengers
Henry b. Hirst? The interview mentions
by name the productions OF the said
CHARLES b., among which are ''rhe Com
lng Of the Mammoth," THE Funeral OF
Time, "Endymion 1.-THE Sea OF the
Mind THE Death Song of the Nightin-
gale. The AmericaR Skylark," etc.
Wei. I'm the Messenger for November.
isi5' Is The death Song of the Nightin-
gale by Henry u. Hirst. In December.
1913, he has '"rhel American skylark,"
Alanda Alpestris( In January. 1874. he
has THE Coming Pr the Night" and also