The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-25
Richmond Author Brings Out
Illustrated Volume Of Poems
and Tales.
DR.. S. C. MITCHELL coMMENDs
Noted Educator Praises Recent
Work of Mr.. Charles Mar
shall Graves.
(BY S. @. MITCHELL.)

1Io who introduces youth to such his
torlc persons as William the Silent and
1ohn Hanpden renders Il service to man
i Kind In its struggle for civil liberty AMI
social progress. He who makes acces-
yibe TO youth the formative thought OF
,uch 4, poet rs Edgar Allan Poe enriches
thc human mind and quickens the noDlcst
aspirations of the soul. 1t is this kind OF
n debt of gratitude that We owe to Mr..
Charles Marshall Graves fo- having To-
Called the elusive personality os that
weird and wayward genius, Poe. whose
tragic life is no less fascinating to this
generation than II was enigniAti: to- his
own.
In this attractive volume, published by
Messrs Silver, Budlctt and Company,
New York, Mr.. Graves has gathered the
choicest productions In poetry and prose
which Edgar Allan Poe gayc % the
world. There Is completeness ABOUT the
little volume that pleases one; f)r within
these lids the student has provided full
apparatus for the appreciation Of that
subtle mind, sprite from some distant
sphere which became denizcn III earth
for two-score years, rich in moral sugges-
ton and creative OF a realm OF fantasy
hs distinctive as Saturn is among the
planets.
Warmth and Accuracy.
In the treatment OF Poe's biography Mr..
Graves shows warmth as well as accu-
racy. He traces the steps Of the Grant
author with praiscworthy fidelity. While
he enables the reader to follow Poe in his
travels to England and to many American
cities, he IL particularly happy In point
ing out clearly his various taunts in
Richmond-places rendered doubly vivid
b. pictures. many OF which are published
for the first time. Here. for instance, is
''tlie home OF Mrs. Weiss," on West Grace
Street. where Poe spent part OF his time
on the last visit to Richmond. Among
the other scenes presented in the book
are the Swan Tavern" which was so re-
Gently replaced by the Bjou Theatre:
''the home OF John Allan" 'the Messen-
ger Building" and Duncan Lodge" on
West Broad Street, now fallen into hope
less dilapidation. In furnishing so clear
and accurate n guide-book for those fol-
lowing the poets footsteps In Richmond.
Mr. Graves has made q contribution to
literature and fixed abiding interest in
certain localities OF our historic city.
Splendid Picture of Poe.
The fronttsplece Is the best picture OF
Poe extant, showing face spiritual In
every feature. the brow broad, the lips
set firm. and eyes that pierce behind the
veil OF semblance The soul that looks
out upon you has felt the anguish of
life. as well as the ccstatic transport OF
heart delicateiy responsive to natures
harmonies.
1t was an excellent plan to insert pic
lures of the chief people connected with
the poet, such as Mrs. a. y. Shelton,
the "Lenore," OF THE Raven John
Allan, the foster father of Poe. William
Clcmm. father Of the poets wife. and.
most estimate of all. Virginia GLENN
herself whose classic face discloses the
lofty moral qualities in her that en-
faptured Poe.
Mr.. Gravess style Is nervous. simple
and withal straightforward while his
spirit is shown to be generous In pre-
senting without undue emphasis the COM
pick phases of the career of that strange
being who baffed the people, knowing
him in the body and who remains to-day
n riddle to tho most penetrating research.
His personality is as elusive as his
imagery is ethereal.
The poems selected for this edition