The San Francisco call., 1896-03-08
THE INSPIRATION OF POE'S ORA
VEN"

Edgar Allan Poe had much trouble with
the critics during his strange, eventful
career in the flesh. Of recent years critics,
as a rule. have paid homage to Poe's
genius and his works complete are now
being published in gorgeous style, possi-
bly, as a speculative outcome of this latter
day interest and devotion. But Poe 8
weaknesses are not to be permitted to find
oblivion, and his fame is not to be trum-
peted unchallenged down the corridors of
time. The latest attack on Poe and his
writings appears in the New York Journal
over the initials, "a. H. L." The latter
quotes DR.. Thomas Dunn English, who
affects to throw new light (sort OF cathode
ray. as it were) on the "source of inspira-
tom of Poes "Raven," and who is, fur
thermore, pleased to expose some of the
poets numerous shortcomings. Poe's
fame will not be eclipsed by DR.. Thom as
Dunn English, and even the article in
question. which IS printed below, seems
like an echo of the assaults that were made
on Foe by enemies during his lifetime:
1t was no great number of months ago when
I had the pleasure of a chat with DR.. Thomas
Dunn English, for a long time Representative
of the Newark On. J.) District in Congress. Dr.
English is one of the last strong figures of a
literary past, which reaches backward in it's
morning to include such names as Fenimore
Cooper, N. P. Willis and Washington Irving
Dr. English, of all he has written, regrets moth
ing but "Ben Bolt" which he composed with
out money and without price at the request of
n. p. Willis, when the latter became editor of
the New York Mirror.
While talking with DR.. English / was told
much that was new and interesting. The con-
versation fell on Edgar Allan Poe, whom DR..
English knew closely and well.
A. m EnO1iqh and Poe
friends; as much friends, at least, as was pos
sible with one OF POe's erratic and shallow
nature. Poe was not to blame for his makeup,
which was, however, peculiar one. All
sense of moral obligation was left out of Poe
He might borrow your watch in the blandest
way. and when you got 1t again you would re-
got all he could on it. Nor did this abash him.
He was as freely in your presence afterward,
never Offering to repay your loss or explain
the phenomenon OF his pawning your watch.
He appeared to regard and relish it as the
most natural good and proper thing to do.
You could always tell when Poe had been
drinking by his slouchy, unkempt dress. When
sober Poe was vast fop, great dandy. He
great deal in his dark, melancholy, sensitive,
but exceedingly weak face which was veiled
to men. Indeed, 1t was from women whom
Poe us a rule did his borrowing, and it was
their jewelry which he regularly pawned. Poe
was born in Boston. but preferred to have it
believed that his native place was Baltimore.
He never failed to refer slightingly to the
Yankees and their literature.
After Poe had attained good deal OF fame
he was asked to attend dinner in Boston and
read a poem written for the occasion. He
spoke to DR.. English about 1t At the last mo-
ment
al don't know whether to go or not" he said
"What's the matter?" Dr.. English asked
"Pve not written any poem" Poe replied.
At this Dr. English suggested that he'd bet
ter say ne was sick This he might fairly do
as he'd just been rescued from one OF his
sprees.
"But,n said Poe at the suggestion that he
stay away from the dinner, 81 can't remain
away. l must co. you see, because they are 60
ing to give me 800"
Poe went and read poem which he'd writ
tSia when he was b0y. and which had neyer