The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-17
Edgar ALLEN Poe---EHiis EARLY Life In Richmond

Iof the bare trees which overhung tho
streets; stin further on. the wide rus
set fields and the flashing silver sur
| race OIL the more remote reaches of the
James. meandering towards the wood
| cd horizon II
The mansion stood in u roomy plat
one part OF which was laid on in small
plantations OF fig trees and grape
vines, while the other parts were
orcrsrown with luxuriant masses OF
! DON. myrtle. and jessamine. AS Mr..
Man was now amongst the wcalthtest
citizehs OF Virginia. and hiy wife was
animated by an ardent social umbi-
ton, their new home became what
neither OF the other homes which they
| had occupied had ever becn--onc OF
the most fashionable In the city, II
was thought ut the time that their
entertainments We're 80 elaborate and
I costly as to subject even so rich a
, most TO the imputation OF cxtravagancc
PREVIOUS 10 this accession OF fortune.
there is no indication that the Allans
possessed social position of distinc-
ton. although from Mr.. Allan's near
ness in blood to Mr.. William Cali and
Mrs. Alan's relationship to the Salcn-
tines, highly respectable family their
station In society must have been an
assured one. Their entertainments
during their residence on Fourteenth
ana Fifth Streets rarely passe. the
bounds of anything more hriIliant
than tea or card party. hut the lat
ter was always attended by some OF
the most honored members of the sew
cral professions seated in the city
Mr.. and Mrs. Allan were communicates
of st. Johns Church. under the roof
OF which Patrick Henry had delivered
the greatest OF his stormy philippines
AS Episcopalians they had no sym
PATTY with the austere ideas as to So
cial obscrrances so strictly held BY
other religious denominations. Their
Sunday dinners were the most luNur!-
Gus OF the week, because always par
taken OF by friends who had been in
rited after the service at church to
be present At the generous hoard: md
We are also told that they refused 10
permit the spirit OF Puritan sabbatari-
anism TO interfere with the drives and
rides which they were in the habit OF
enjoying in the afternoon OF the same
day. Mrs. Allan. who by nature was
OF gay disposition. was so inordi-
nately fond OF tho diversions OF So
ciety that she was accused OF world
illness. The necessity OF having to
manage their affairs with economical
foresight for SO many years htd. 1t Isl
plain, never been conEenial to her real
tastes. but at the same time she was
a woman strictly punctiious In the
fuihlment Of all the requirements Of
her religious duties.
4 View of Future Poet.
Edgar was expected to be present at
the different entertainments given by
his fostcrparents but for his particu-
lar diversion. several companions of his
own age were always invited. II was
perhaps at one OF Mr.. Allans card
parties that NC obtain our first view
Of the future poet; he Is pictured as
standing between the doors OF the
drawing room and rccitinE to n dis
tnsnished and. no doubt. amused audi
cncc, stirring passages from the La
OF me Last Minstrel" The sweetness
OF his voice, the clcarness of his en-
nhciaton. and the brilliancy OF his
eyes. were recalled fully BALI a con
Jury afterwards by persons who had
seen aim thus declniming his lines
On other ccassinns-perhaps ut dinner
'ompan ies-he diverted the guests by
P'easlns their healths In sugarcd wa
ter As he grew older ne vas en-
courased to have little parties of his
own piaymates. in w'hich dancing and
'harade were the principal amusc-
mehts At these youthful entertain !
mcnts in the Allan home code Of
juvenile etiquette was strictly cnforc |
ed.
not less scrupulous attention was
pad TO EdEar's religious cducatlon--h,
was required SO attend Sunday school
with regularity, and he was not per-
m'tted TO he absent without excuse
from the family pew on Sunday at the
morning services.
IhiS firm and constant oversight was
certainly distasteful to him. and there
Is TRUSTWORTHY evidence that he gave
signs OF rcstleSsness under it as early
AS his fifteenth year. Still, there is mol
"oubt that in the atmosphere Of this
refined and cheerful home. and OF the
society which gathered under it's his
plahie ceilings. the poet acquired all
inc liner characteristics of his personal
nearing through life. There is a con-
curing testimony that. when sober, no
man was distinguished for more vol
ished department, and that In this con
ditlon, when alone he was true to him
sell, ne exhibited all the Qualities of
nigh and thorough breeding.
These traits he imhibed not onIy:i
from the members of the domestic cir.
Gle of his childhood. hut also from
continuous intercourse as n boy under
MS foster parents roof with men OIL
such vigorous native talents. such cx.
lrhSlH" professional learning. such
discriminating taste, such rlpc mora;
culture and such accomplished man
ners as Mr.. Wickham. Mr.. Leigh. Mr.