The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-23
PERSONAL APPEARANCE AND BEARING OF EDGAR ALAN POE

marked lady who saw much of him
in Baltimore in his youth; and Mr..
Latrobe. of the same city. who made
his acquaintance at that time also said
that his voice was then so we'll modu-
lated as to be almost rhpthmical
what was the general expression of
the poets face? One of his comrades
during his cadetship at the West Point
Military Academy, has commented on
his weary. worn and disseminated
look" even during that period of his
early manhood "It was one not easily
forgotten" this witness adds. Mr.. La
trobe wildly recalled "thc gravity al
most sadness" of the face of the
young man who came to thank him
FOR the prize awarded in the literary
contest. Mrs. Weiss remembering that
face as it was near the end. had like
impression OF it's serious cast. THE
expression of sadness was natural to
his features in repose," she remarks.
Another witness has testified ito the
look of scornful pride that flashed
over his pale. delicate face and broad
brow" Both Mrs. Shelton, his first
love. and Colonel Ellis. the companion
of his youth. recall with enthusiasm
the beauty of his countenance in his
fresh and happy boyhood. MIR. Bur
well. his collegemate ut the University
of Virginia in 1896. considers that
beauty to have been then almost femi-
nine in It's refinement. The hand
some student is the phrase which Mr..
Wertenbaker uses in recalling, at the
end of fifty years, the striking features
of the young man who so frequently
visited the college library.
what was the impression formed OF
his general appearance? Meeting him
In the midst of thousands" says Bishop
Fitzgerald. "a stranger would stop to
get a second look and to ask. who
is he? He was distinguished in n
peculiar scnsc-a man having that
stamp OF genius, and the charm OF Il
melancholy that drew me towards him
with strange sympathy"
His air was the ideal air of the true
poet; and that air sat upon him as
much in the obscurity of his early
manhood as 1t did at the height Of his
tame In after-years. Mr.. Hewitt, who
knew him in Baltimore in 1880. de-
clares that The looked tho poet all
over" and DIR. Gildersleeve who saw
MN on the streets of Richmond in
ls4S' remarks: "A poetic figure. If there
ever was one. with the subtle lines Of
his wonderfully handsome face fixed In
meditation The recollection of Mrs
Weiss is to the same effect: "He looked
every inch a poet" is her emphatic ex-
preston.
Described by Many.
What was the general impression of
Poe's manner? One lady who had
been much in his society in Lowell
speaks of the Sweetness and gravity
of his demeanor;" another of its gray
ity and Quietness" Quiet and re-
served" were the words used by +. q. G.
barley, the artist, after observing him
closely. Mrs. Gove-Nichols dwcils on
the blended pride and reserve reelected
In his bearing; Mr.. Iatrobc on it's
quiet and ease" and its entire free
dom from obseQuiousness even when he
had reason to be grateful. or was solic-
ting a favor. His quiet way says
Miss Ingram, made me feel his pres
ence" Thomas Dunn English. who is
to he ranked among the most blatant
and most INSCRIPTIONS of his enemies.
speaks Of his easy and refined man
ner." "He was always refined" de-
clarcs lady of Louisville who was
often thrown with him near the end