The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-01-24
TALLAHASSEE
NEWS NOTES
SPECIAL 70 Tn. Journal.

Special 70 The Journal.
Tallahassee, Jan. 23.-The English
department of the Florida college for
women observed the centenary OF
Edgar Allen Poe on Tuesday even
ing at the college chapel. The de-
paItment had invited the Tallahassee
Ladies' Literary Club to join in the
exercises and the result was an ex-
cesdingly interesting program. The
musical numbers were carefully Sc
lected and exquisitely rendered.
They created a harmonious atmos-
phere for the peculiar Municipalities
brought out in the criticisms gwen of
Poe as man and writer
The original poem pleaSiDgly re-
cited by Mrs w. Y. Knott, the gifted
wife of F1Orida's highly esteemed
state treasurer, showed a keen APP
probation of both the extent and
limitations of the poets genius, and
expressed a sympathetic insight into
the vagaries of his undisciplined ma
tIITe. The readings given by Mrs.
T. NJ Shackleford and Miss Dalzell
were also delightful in their inter
probation of the writer's thought,
aid were received with interest by
the audience. Mrs. Sbackleford and
Mrs. Knott represented the Literary
Club. Of which they are prominent
members. Mrs. ShackIedord is also
president of the State Federation of
Women's Clubs Miss Dalzell is di-
rector of the school of expression at
the college
The address given by Miss Long
mire, of the English department was
pleasing biographical sketch of
boy, man and writer.
Miss LOugmiTe narrated the story of
the authors life with much sympathy
and appreciation. She emphasized
his natural tendencies: his edUca-
ton during mis- boyhoOd in England;
and later in the schools of Virginia;
and his varied experiences in histor-
cal work. She spoke of his environ
ment and related many incidents
concerning his domestic life. Her
to the refining influences
of women upon the poet were follow
ed by brief estimate of his charac-
ter.
Or. Tucker Highly Esteemed.
DIR. Samuel NJ. Tucker, the head OF
the English department, is a man
whose high attachments have won
for him the esteem of scholars in |
more than one section of our great |
His criticism of Poe was
not altogether eulogistic. though it |
was kindly and appreciative; nor was |
it merely an eloquent address given to /
please his audience. It was more the |
analysis of a scholarly |
mind. whose trained intuitions en-
ablsd him TO catch every shade of |
the poets meaning, and to interpret /
his genius to duller understandings.
The speaker began by saying that /
much truth lies in Carlyle's striking |
that the history of the race I
5 the history of its great men.
There is reason in heTo-worship. |
n democracy, such a need peeuli-
lTly exists; we are in danger of re-
luCing all men to dead level. We
iced criteria to enable us to recog-
liZe true greatness. Often we cele-
)rate the births of our great men by
laying to them special tribute on oc-
,aSions such as this tonight. This
s we'll; it leads US to acknowledge
md reverence what IS abidingly
great, and to inquire into what con
ytitutes true greatness in any sphere
If human effort,
This centenary celebration of the
birth of Poe, is not an occasion for
,ritical estimates of the man and his
work, but for eulogy. We fully ac-
that We come here to ap-
,reciate and not to criticize. Yet, if
SUr tribute of praise IS to be of
JOweT and value, We must first frank
Y make certain concessions in regard
o the man and the writer
We acknowledge the weakness of
he man PO9-a man Like the rest of
Is in his shortcomings, more than
he rest of US in his possession of an
Unstable, fwayward, artistic temDera-
nent His faults as a man should be L
gnOred. and must not color our esti-
nate of his work. Let This storm of
that has for half a CEN
Ury waged about his private charac-
or be forgotten We acknowledge
hat his work as a literary critic was
argely ephemeral often inconsistent, Il
oHetimes unjust 1t must be con
essed that his Tales are of very IN
quail merit. that his humor is forced |.
nd empty, often painful and ridicu- 1
Gus, that his pictures are only too
'ften merely horrible. We admit
gain that POe's poetry is small in 4