The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe - Edgar Allan Poe [1207]
John S. Du Solle
Mr. DU SOLLE is well known through his connection with the " Spirit of the Times." His prose is forcible, and often excellent in other respects. As a poet, he is entitled to higher consideration. Some of his Pindaric pieces are unusually good, and it may be doubted if we have a better iersifer in America.
Accustomed to the daily toil of an editor, he has contracted a habit of writing hurriedly, and his MS. varies with the occasion. It is impossible .o deduce any inferences from it, as regards the mental character. The signature shows rather how he can write than how he does.
J. S. French
Mr. FRENCH is the author of a `' Life of David Crockett," and also of a novel called " Elkswatawa," a denunciatory review of which, in the " Southern Messenger," some years ago, deterred him from further literary attempts. Should he write again, he will probably distinguish himself, for he is unquestionably a man of talent. We need no better evidence of this than his MS., which speaks of force, boldness, and originality. The flourish, however, betrays a certain floridity of taste.
Theo. S. Fay
The author of "Norman Leslie " and "The Countess Ida" has been more successful as an essayist about small matters, than as a novelist. "Norman Leslie" is more familiarly remembered as "The Great Used Up," while " The Countess " made no definite impression whatever. Of course we are not to expect remarkable features in Mr. FAY'S MS. It has a wavering, finicky, and over-delicate air, without pretension to either grace or force; and the description of the chirography would answer, without alteration, for that of the literary character. Mr. F. frequently employs an amanuensis, who writes a very beautiful French hand. The one must not be confounded with the other.
J. K. Mitchell
Dr. MITCHELL has published several pretty songs which have been set to music, and become popular. He has also given to the world a volume of poems, of which the longest was remarkable for an old-fashioned polish and vigor of versification. His MS. is rather graceful than picturesque or forcible — and these words apply equally well to his poetry in general. The signature indicates the hand.
G. P. Morris
General MORRIS has composed many songs which have taken fast hold upon the popular taste, and which are deservedly celebrated. He has caught the true tone for these things, and hence his popularity — a popularity which his enemies would fain make us believe is altogether attributable to his editorial influence. The charge is true only in a measure. The tone of which we speak is that kind of frank, free, hearty lentiment (rather than philosophy) which distinguishes Beranger, and which the critics, for want of a better term, call nationality.
His MS. is a simple unornamental hand, rather rotund than angular, very legible, forcible, and altogether in keeping with his style.
G. H. Calvert
Mr. CALVERT was at one time principal editor of the "Baltimore American," and wrote for that journal some good paragraphs on the common topics of the day. He has also published many translations from the German, and one or two original poems — among others an imitation of Don Juan called "Pejayo," which did him no credit. He is essentially a feeble and common-place writer of poetry, although his prose compositions have a certain degree of merit. His chirography indicates the "common-place" upon which we have commented. It is a very usual, scratchy, and tapering clerk's hand — a hand which no man of talent ever did or could indite, unless compelled by circumstances of more than ordinary force. The signature is far better than the general manuscript of his epistles.
J. Evans Snodgrass
Dr. SNODGRASS was at one time the associate of Mr. Brooks in the " Baltimore Museum," a monthly journal