Text: Robert A. Stewart (ed. J. A. Harrison), “Notes to Hans Pfaall,” The Complete Works of Edgar Allan PoeVol. II: Tales - part 01 (1902), 2:330-344


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[page 330, continued:]

HANS PFAALL.(1)

SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER, JUNE, 1835; 1840; GRISWOLD.

The text follows Griswold, with a few corrections by the Editor.

1840 was somewhat revised from Southern Literary Messenger. Especially to be noted are the insertion of several passages (one with note), several omissions, and the addition of the long note at the end of the tale.

Griswold must have had a considerably revised form, as his variations from 1840 are numerous. Several passages are omitted, the opening paragraph of the note at the end of the tale rewritten, and numerous emendations made in phraseology and in punctuation throughout the piece.

The variations of the Southern Literary Messenger from the text.

No motto in Southern Literary Messenger. Page 42 l. 1 , that (o. c.) l. 2 high (singularly high) l. 3 Indeed, (o. c.) l. 4 — so ... novel — (, so ... novel,) l. 5 preconceived (pre-conceived) l. 5 opinions — (,) l. 7 physics (cap.) l. 7-8 reason ... astronomy (cap.) l. 10 date, (o. c.) l. 12 in the (in the goodly and) l. 15 stirring; (,) page 43 l. 1 duration ... firmament. (duration. [page 331:] These occasionally fell from large white masses of cloud which chequered in a fitful manner the blue vault of the firmament.) l. 3 , about noon, (o. c.) l. 6 , in ... afterwards, (o. c.) l. 9 shout, (o. c.) l. 10 Niagara, (o. c.) l. 11 loudly (loud) l. 11 all the city and (o.) l. 15 sharply defined (sharply-defined) l. 17 solid (solid body or) l. 18 shaped, (shaped, so outré in appearance,) l. 20 admired, (o. c.) l. 21 open-mouthed (open-mouthed and thunderstruck) l. 22 devils (vrows and devils) l. 23 knew; (—) l. 24 imagine; (—) l. 24-25 — not Underduk — (, not ... Underduk,) l. 26 mystery; (:) l. 28 corner (left corner) l. 28-29 maintaining ... upon (, cocking up his right eye towards) page 44 l. 4 baloon; (:) l. 6-7 manufactured entirely (entirely manufactured) l. 7-8 certainly; (; —) l. 8 here, (o. c.) l. 9 rather (rather, so to speak,) l. 12 before (o.) l. 13 — It was an (It was too bad — it was not to be borne: it was an insult — an) l. 15 , it (o. c.) l. 15 . Being (, being) l. 16 fool's-cap (fools-cap) l. 17 was ... as (was) l. 18 when (when,) l. 18-19 the crowd saw (there was perceived) l. 19 and, (o. c.) l. 20 cone, (cone) l. 23 ribbons (ribbands) l. 23 worse, — (.) l. 24 hung, (hung) l. 25 car, (o. c.) l. 28 that (, that) l. 31 while (o. c.) page 45 l. 4-5 attempts ... failed, (attempts had failed of obtaining any intelligence concerning them whatsoever.) l. 6 human, (human, and) l. 8 the city (Rotterdam) l. 12 — But (o. d.) l. 12 ... was (, for ... was,) l. 17 singular (droll little) l. 18 height; (—) l. 19 sufficient (enough) l. 18-20 equilibrium (n. i.) l. 25 absurd (grotesque) l. 25 all. (all, although a homy substance of suspicious nature was occasionally protruded through a rent in the bottom of the car, or, to speak more properly, in the top of the hat.) l. 26 gray (extremely gray) l. 27 queue (cue) l. 29 inflammatory; (—) l. 29 acute; (—) l. 30 double; (—) l. 31 kind (kind or character) page 46 l. 3 blood-red (o. h.) l. 5 bosom, (o. c.) l. 10 appeared (appeared altogether) l. 14 proceeded (proceded,) l. 15 side-pocket (o. h.) [page 332:] l. 15 in (of) l. 16 hand; (—) l. 20 wax (wax,) l. 17 half a dozen (one and twenty) l. 27 reascend (re-ascend) l. 28 bags (bags of sand) l. 32 individual (man) page 47 l. 2 that (that,) l. 2-3 each ... circumvolutions, (the period of each and every one of his one and twenty circumvolutions,) l. 3 half a dozen (one and twenty) l. 6 , God willing, (o.) l. 7 decease, (death.) l. 15 thereupon, (o. c.) l. 15 the descent of which (whose descent) l. 16 dignity (dignity,) l. 16 , Von (the illustrious burgomaster Mynheer Superbus Von) l. 18 movements (movement) l. 20 epistle (packet in question) l. 22 Rubadub (Rub-a- dub) l. 27 extraordinary, — serious, (o. c.) l. 27 communication: — (.) l. 28 Rubadub (Rub-a-dub) l. 28-29 President (President,) l. 30 , in (o. c.) l. 32 artizan, (o. c.) page 48 l. 3 considered (considered by all parties at once sudden, and extremely) l. 7 fellow-citizens (o. h.) l. 7 I (, I) l. 9 in (and in) l. 11 mind — (,) l. 14 : for (. For) l. 14 years, (o. c.) l. 16 politics (the troubles and politics) l. 23 world, (o. c.) l. 24 had (had, so they said,) l. 27 and (, and) l. 28 fanning, (o. c.) l. 29 and (and,) l. 31 — for, (, for) page 49 l. 3 the (the speediest and) l. 5 meantime, (o. c.) l. 7 night, (night, so that I began to rave, and foam, and fret like a caged tiger against the bars of his inclosure.) l. 10 vowed (internally vowed) l. 10 law (utmost severity of the law) l. 12 clutches; (,) l. 20 them (my creditors) l. 23 object (any object whatever) l. 26 and, (o. c.) l. 33 book — (,) l. 34 awoke (awoke, as it were,) page 50 l. 2 toward (towards) l. 3-5 (in ... Nantz,) (p.) l. 6 and, (and) l. 10 in an (in a powerful and) l. 1 5 natural philosophy (cap.) l. 23 , the reality, (— the reality —) l. 24 intuition (in tuition: and whether to proceed a step farther, profundity itself might not, in matters of a purely speculative nature, be detected as a legitimate source of falsity and error. ) After the above, insert: — In other words, I believed, and still do believe, that truth is frequently, of its own essence, superficial, and that, in many cases, the depth lies more in the abysses where we seek her. [page 333:] than in the actual situations wherein she may be found. Nature herself seemed to afford me corroboration of these ideas. In the contemplation of the heavenly bodies it struck me very forcibly that I could not distinguish a star with nearly as much precision, when I gazed upon it with earnest, direct, and undeviating attention, as when I suffered my eye only to glance in its vicinity alone. I was not, of course, at that time aware that this apparent paradox was occasioned by the centre of the visual area being less susceptible of feeble impressions of light than the exterior portions of the retina. This knowledge, and some of another kind, came afterwards in the course of an eventful period of five years, during which I have dropped the prejudices of my former humble situation in life, and forgotten the bellows-mender in far different occupations. But at the epoch of which I speak, the analogy which the casual observation of a star offered to the conclusions I had already drawn, struck me with the force of positive confirmation, and I then finally made up my mind to the course which I afterwards pursued.

l. 28 morning, (morning, and contriving again to escape the vigilance of my creditors,) page 51 l. 1-2 a certain ... me (my plan) l. 3 period; (o. c.) l. 10-11 for ... men (— for ... men —) l. 17 giving (paying) l. 17 (I ... say) (o.) l. 20 procure (purchase) l. 21 each; (—) l. 21 twine; (—) l. 22 caoutchouc; (—) l. 29 dimensions; (,) l. 30 net-work (a net- work) l. 30-32 cords ... atmosphere (cords, bought a quadrant, a compass, a spy-glass, a common barometer with some important modifications, and two astronomical instruments not so generally known) page 52 l. 2 size; (—) l. 2 tin (tinned ware) l. 3 length; (—) l. 4 , or (o. c.) l. 4. substance, (substance) l. 5 name, (—) l. 5 demijohns (demi-johns) 9-14 I can ... animal life. (o.) l. 14 , Its full (The) l. 15-16 (as ... hinted) (o.) l. 16 Nantz, (o. c.) l. 22 , however, (o. c.) l. 24 , was (o. c.) l. 27-28 material (material,) l. 32 small hole; (hole two feet deep —) l. 33 circle (circle of) page 53 [page 334:] l. 1 of greater (three feet in) l. 13 situation! (.) l. 15 dépôt (depôt) l. 16 secreted, (o. c.) l. 20 labor (labor,) l. 21 But, (o. c.) l. 24 easily, I calculated, (I calculated, easily) l. 29 , being quite (— quite) l. 31 Every-thing (Every thing) l. 33 stall; (,) l. 34 and (and,) page 54 l. 1 permit (admit) l. 1 what little (all the) l. 2 no (little) l. 6-7 — a ... weight — (, a ... weight,) l. 8 air — (,) l. 9 and (and,) l. 10 aides (aids) l. 17 dark; (—) l. 17 seen; (,) l. 18 rain, (o. c.) l. 18 intervals, (o. c.) l. 20 the (my) l. 20 which, (o. c.) l. 22 moisture; the (moisture: my) l. 29-30 (so ... said) (, so ... said,) l. 31 skin, (o. c.) l. 33 night; (—) page 55 l. 5 all scores in full, (immediate payment) l. 7 interpretation; (—) l. 13 (not new par.) l. 15 car, (o. c.) l. 16-21 a telescope ... stopper (o.) l. 22-23 some ... wax, (o.) l. 28 daybreak (day-break) l. 28 (not new par.) l. 32 end of which (whose end) l. 33 little (very little) page 56 l. 1 duns; (,) l. 4 with ... rapidity, (, rapidly) l. 7-8 As I ... 19°. (o.) l. 11 tumultuous and terrible (horrible and tumultous) l. 12 fire, (fire, and smoke, and sulphur, and legs and arms, ) l. 1 3 and mangled limbs (o.) l. 15 terror (unmitigated terror) l. 15 Indeed, (o. c.) l. 26 line (exact line) l. 27 time, (o. c.) l. 28 collapse, (—) l. 28 expanded, (—) l. 29 sickening (horrible) l. 29 velocity, (—) l. 31 me (me with great force) l. 32 downward (downwards) page 57 l. 8 me — (me — my brain reeled) l. 9 at length ... swoon (I fainted away) l. 10 state (state,) l. 12 when (when, at length,) l. 17 replete (rife) l. 18 Indeed, (o. c.) l. 19 of (of incipient) l. 27 not, (—) l. 27 suspected, (—) l. 29 and, (o. c.) l. 30 case, (case, I) page 58 l. 5-6 and never, ... did I look (and I never, ..., looked) l. 17 pantaloons (inexpressibles) l. 19 on (upon) l. 20 them, (o. c.) l. 22-23 within ... obtained, (the instrument thus obtained, within my teeth,) l. 26 ; but (— but) l. 29 now (now,) page 59 l. 1 degrees; (—) l. 4 horizon; ( —) l. 6 outward (outwards) l. 8 imminent (imminent and dangerous) l. 10 toward (towards) l. 14 [page 335:] car — (, —) l. 1 8 disclosures now made (wonderful adventures of Hans Pfall) l. 20 grateful — (;) l. 21 any thing (anything) l. 21 perhaps (I suppose) l. 23 exertion (exertion whatsoever) l. 26 sense (chilling sense) l. 29 delirium (madness and delirium) page 60 l. 2 and, with frantic cries and struggles, (and amid horrible curses and convulsive struggles,) l. 3 till, (o. c.) l. 7 (not new par.) l. 7 afterward (afterwards) l. 7 some time (sometime) l. 11 , fortunately ... bad, (I had fortunately) l. 16 the (my) l. 16 gave (showed) l. 17 three-quarter (three quarter) l. 19-21 of a domino ... toys. (, and in every way bearing a great resemblance to one of those childish toys called a domino.) l. 21 telescope (spy-glass) l. 28 voyage (perilous voyage) l. 32 disgust, (—) l. 29 mind, (o. c.) l. 34 mind, (—) page 61 l. 1 life, (—) l. 2-3 , backed ... Nantz, (o.) l. 7 could, (—) l. 7-8 to the moon (n. i.) l. 8 Now, (o. c.) l. 12 full (incontestably full) l. 17 radii (n. i.) l. 18 237,000 (237000) l. 18 ; — but (. But) l. 19 amounting (, amounting) l. 22 moon (moon, as it were,) l. 26 that, (, that) l. 27 237,000 (237000) l. 27 would (should) l. 28 radius (n. i.) l. 31 231,920 (231920) l. 33 the (o.) l. 33 sixty (thirty) l. 34 hour; (,) page 62 l. 2 161 (322) l. 5 sixty (thirty) l. 9-10 one ... importance (, was a matter of far greater importance) l. 1 2 earth (earth,) l. 13 us (us,) l. 14-15 ; that ... thirds (— that ... third —) l. 10,600 (10600) 18,000 (18000) l. 15 one-third (o. h.) l. 16-17 one-half (o. h.) l. 17 the (of the) l. 22 excessive (excessive,) l. 22 in no manner (, in no manner,) l. 23 and, (o. c.) l. 29 compression, (o. c.) l. 32 granted (granted,) l. 32 is (is,) l. 34 reasoning (reasoning,) page 63 l. 1 data (n. i.) l. 2 man (man,) l. 3 25,000 (25000) l. 13 before, (before) l. 14 ratio (n. i.) l. 16 no (n. i.) l. 17 argued; (,) l. 29 disturbances (disturbances or perturbations) l. 31 ; that ... say, (— that ... say —) l. 33 Now, (o. c.) l. 34 from (by) page 64 l. 3 the comets (its) l. 9 ; — The (. The) l. 12 toward (towards) l. 16-17 dense . . . [page 336:] sun (only denser in proportion to its solar vicinity,) l. 23 evidently (evidently,) l. 32 perhaps at some (in some) [o. note] page 65 l. 1-3 purely ... orbs, (, so to speak, purely geological.) l. 9 quantity (quantities) l. 10 purposes (purpose) l. 13 object (purposes) l. 13 and (and I) l. 16 period (.) l. 17 would (might) l. 20 Now, (o. c.) l. 21-22 gravity ... baloon; (lightness of the gas in the balloon, compared with the atmospheric air;) l. 25 strata (n. i.) l. 26 say, (o. c.) l. 27 upward (upwards) l. 30 diminution (n. i.) l. 30 had ... to be (was) l. 31 ascent; (—) page 66 l. 1 such (such an) l. 3-4 of the acceleration ... centre, (of some accelerating power.) l. 5 that, (, that) l. 6 medium (n. i.) l. 7 essentially (actually and essentially) l. 12-14 similar ... -explosion,) (a rarefaction partially similar,) l. 15 would (would still) l. 17-27 Thus ... pounds (o.) l. 27 meantime, (o. c.) l. 29 so (thus) l. 31 force (power) l. 31 After “the moon.” insert: — In accordance with these ideas, I did not think it worth while to encumber myself with more provisions than would be sufficient for a period of forty days. l. 32 that of the moon (the moon's) l. 33 another difficulty, however, (still, however, another difficulty) page 67 l. 1 that, (o. c.) l. 1 in (in all) l. 3 is (is invariably) [Note on p. 67 not in Southern Literary Messenger.] l. 8-9 increase (increase indefinitely) l. 9 until (, or at least until) l. 16 for the (for the purpose of a) l. 19 vacuum; (—) l. 25 diminish — (,) l. 26 with confidence (strongly) l. 28 may it (it may) l. 29 all, (o. c.) page 68 l. 4-5 mankind (humankind) 1.7 — that ... quarters — (, that quarters,) l. 9 rapidity; (—) l. 11-14 the obvious ... moon, (reasons which will be explained in the sequel.) l. 19 nonchalance (non chalance) l. 27 how great an (what a great) l. 30 Now, (o. c.) l. 30 segment (segment is) l. 32 me — (,) page 69 l. 5 telescope (spy glass) l. 15 a (within a) l. 27 ignited (ignited and glowing) l. 34 descend (descend, as it were,) page 70 l. 5 say (say —) [page 337:] l. 5 wet, (o. c.) l. 6 ballast — (,) l. 6-7 my probably (inevitable ruin) l. 16 , too, (o. c.) l. 22 degree; (,) l. 26 imprudently, (o. c.) l. 27 five-pound (o. h.) l. 29 obtained, (o. c.) l. 30 stratum (n. i.) l. 33 more (better) page 71 l. 1 manner, — (—) l. 8-9 of which I ... guilty (which I guilty of) 1.14 , indeed (o. c.) l. 20 possible (inevitable) l. 21 return (return to Rotterdam) l. 28 left (right) l. 28 penknife (pen-knife) l. 31 basin-full (o. h.) page 72 l. 8 meantime, (o. c.) l. 16 any thing (anything) l. 26 (Not new par.) page 73 l. 10 and (and a) l. 11 blue, (blue, and began already to assume a slight appearance of convexity.

After l. 17 insert: From the rock of Gibraltar, now dwindled into a dim speck, the dark Mediterranean sea, dotted with shining islands as the heaven is dotted with stars, spread itself out to the eastward as far as my vision extended, until its entire mass of waters seemed at length to tumble headlong over the abyss of the horizon, and I found myself listening on tiptoe for the echoes of the mighty cataract.

Omit Par. II., page 73 . Page 74 l. 10-11 , a ... pigeon, (— a ... pigeon —) l. 14 noise, (—) l. 16 half-a- (half a) l. 17 from (from off) l. 21 rim, (— ) page 75 l. 1 lively (lively,) l. 2 uneasiness (uneasiness whatever) l. 3 quarter-past (o. h.) l. 4 breadth (breadth at all) l. 11 existing, (—) l. 19 , up ... sides, (— up . sides —) l. 25 work, — (—) l. 26 words, (o. c.) page 76 l. 4 bag; (—) 1.16 dependence; (,) l. 20 Indeed, (o. c.) l. 32 tourniquet (n. i.) page 77 l. 12 ; for (—) l. 16 , three (eight) l. 22 vacuum (n. i.) l. 23-24 , in ... condensation, (o. c.) l. 25 being (, being) l. 28 , in ... time, (o. c.) l. 31 ear; — (—) l. 34 chamber, (chamber) page 78 l. 9 before (before-) l. 12 As soon ... elastic, (o.) l. 19 employed, (o. c.) l. 20 respiration; (,) l. 22 guilty, of (guilty in) l. 23 last (very last) l. 30 headache (headach) page 79 l. 7 , or (or) l. 11 five-and-twenty (o. h.) l. 14 lost (entirely lost) l. 15 became (became fully) l. 18 The [page 338:] ocean concavity, (The convexity of the ocean beneath me was very evident indeed —) After l. 19 insert: I observed now that even the lightest vapors never rose to more than ten miles above the level of the sea) l. 22 expected, (—) l. 24 velocity, (o. c.) l. 26,, not (:) l. 30 feathers; (—) l. 31 rapidly; (—) page 80 l. 3 momently (momentarily) l. 7 Rotterdam; (,)1. 22 solitudes, (o. c.) l. 25 for ever (forever) l. 28 After “clouds” insert: — And out of this melancholy water arose a forest of tall eastern trees, like a wilderness of dreams. And I bore in mind that the shadows of the trees which fell upon the lake remained not on the surface where they fell — but sunk slowly and steadily down, and commingled with the waves, while from the trunks of the trees other shadows were continually coming out, and taking the place of their brothers thus entombed. “This, then,” I said thoughtfully, “is the very reason why the waters of this lake grow blacker with age, and more melancholy as the hours run on.” l. 30 appalling (appaling).

Page 81 l. 4 o’clock, (o. c.) l. 4 M., (M.) l. 9 breathing; (,) l. 11 , of course, (o. c.) l. 19 uneasiness, (uneasiness whatever.) l. 21 around, (o. c.) l. 22 , possibly, (o. c.) l. 24 medium (n. i.) l. 26 strata (n. i.) l. 29 , at this time, (o. c.) l. 33 valve, (o. c.) page 82 l. 3 air, (o. c.) l. 5 Positively, (o. c.) l. 7 absolute (absolute and total) l. 12 o’clock, (o. c.) l. 14 rapidity, (o. c.) l. 31 night; (—) l. 33 escaped (totally escaped) page 83 l. 2 interim (n. i.) l. 4 or, (o. c.) l. 7 disquietude; (,) l. 7 believed, (o. c.) l. 11 custom, (—) l. 15 sleep; (—) l. 16 intervals (regular intervals) l. 19 manner — (,) l. 20 was, (o. c.) l. 22 which, (o. c.) l. 33 idea; (—) page 84 l. 6 premise, (o. c.) l. 11 vacillation (vacillation whatever) 1.15 these, (—) l. 16-17, and taking two ropes, (— took two ropes, and) l. 17 other; (,) l. 19 keg, (o. c.) l. 25 keg, (o. c.) l. 28 , it (it) l. 31 water, (o. c.) l. 32 would (should) l. 34 , by (o. c.) page 85 l. 9 more (better) l. 9 that (that,) l. 16 bed, (o. c.) l. 23 anticipated; (,) l. 24 day, (o. c.) l. 28-29 convexity ... manifest, (apparent [page 339:] convexity increased in a material degree.) l. 31-33 Overhead ... ascent, (o.) page 86 l. 1 , or streak, (or streak) l. 3 disc (disk) l. 9 , however, (however) l. 10 (not new par.) l. 19 soundly, (—) l. 25 grayish-white (o. h.) l. 26-30 The convexity ... cataract (o.) l. 31 visible; (—) l. 32 south-east (o. h.) l. 34 inclined, (o. c.) page 87 l. 1 was (, was) l. 4 reading, (—) l. 11 distinct, (o. c.) l. 14-15 , and ... westward, (— and . westward —) l. 30 me, (o. c.) page 88 l. 2 feet; (—) l. 3, that (o. c.) l. 6 , at (o. c.) l. 6 , respectively, (o. c.) l. 7 six, A.M., (six A.M.) l. 8 nine, A.M., (nine A. M.) l. 11-12 certainly, (o. c.) l. 17-18 ; the ... projected; (— the ... projected —) l. 20 may, (o. c.) l. 26 sight, (o. c.) l. 27 , what (o. c.) l. 30 , may (o. c.) l. 34 , farther ... plane, (— farther ... plane —) page 89 1. 2 , at ... itself, (at ... itself) l. 5 seconds, (;) l. 8 absolute (absolute and impenetrable) l. 8 this, (o. c.) l. 10 seven, P.M., (seven P.M.) l. 11 entirely; (—) l. 21 clouds, (o. c.) l. 25 hours; (—) l. 28-29 Nevertheless, (— ) l. 31-32 , due south, (o. c.) page 90 l. 1 Indeed, (o. c.) l. 2 ; for (,) l. 6 5° 8’ (5°, 8”,) l. 7-10 Strange ... ellipse, (o.) l. 14-15 , at nine, P. M., (at nine P. M.) l. 16 Gulf (s. 1.) l. 22 say (say,) l. 29 state of great (pitiable state of) page 91 l. 7 suddenly, (o. c.) l. 8 angle, (o. c.) l. 12 route, (o. c). l. 16 loud (loud,) l. 19 diameter, (o. c.) l. 28 perigee, (o. c.) l. 30 orbit (orbit,) l. 32 overhead (over-head) l. 33 long continued (long-continued) page 92 l. 2 with (with anything approaching to) l. 4 appalling (unearthly and appalling) l. 6 intensity (horrible intensity) l. 7 while, (o. c.) l. 7 stricken, (o. c.) l. 8 of (, of) l. 8 knew (know) l. 10 a (the) l. 25 extreme; (—) l. 26 Indeed, (o. c.) l. 27 , had (o. c.) page 93 l. 1 insert: — The consequence of a concussion with any of them would have been inevitable destruction to me and my balloon.) l. 4 remembered, (o. c.) l. 6 diminished; (—) l. 7-8 observable; (—) l. 8 and, (o. c.) l. 8 sixteenth, (o. c.) l. 11 , on (o. c.) l. 12 slumber, (o. c.) l. 14 [page 340:] , as (o. c.) l. 16 thunderstruck! (.) l. 16 No words (No words — no earthly expression) l. 17 extreme, (—) l. 18 , with (o. c.) l. 21 , then, (o. c.) l. 22 ! “These (— these) l. 24 burst! — (—) l. 25 velocity! (.) l. 29 annihilation! (.) l. 30 paused; considered; (paused — considered —) l. 32 After “down” insert: — There was some mistake. Not the red thunderbolt itself could have so impetuously descended.) page 94 l. 1 conceived (so horribly conceived) l. 4 fact, (o. c.) l. 5 senses, (o. c.) l. 12 affairs, (o. c.) l. 16 anticipated, (o. c.) l. 23 slumber, (o. c.) l. 23 confusion, (o. c.) l. 31 say, (o. c.) l. 31 , either (o. c.) l. 33 , that, (o. c.) page 95 l. 4 chart — (,) l. 11 say, (say!) l. 12 alluvial, (—) l. 17 three-quarter (o.h.) l. 18 ; but (but) l. 24 power, (o. c.) l. 25 mis-called (o. h.) l. 25 stones, (o. c.) l. 29 bulk — (,) l. 30 descent, (o. c.) l. 31 , that (o. c.) l. 33 , in its vicinity, (o. c.) page 96 l. 1 planet, (o. c.) l. 1 calculations; ( —) l. 3-4 a general at all. (the positive evidence of our senses.) l. 4-31 But, in ... the limb, (o.) page 97 l. 1 (not new par.) l. 2 an (this) l. 6 expect, (o. c.)1. 6 adventure, (o. c.) l. 8 , indeed, (o. c.) l. 17 ten, (o. c.) l. 19 eleven, (o. c.) l. 19 apparatus; (—) l. 21 tourniquet (n. i.) page 98 l. 1 headache (headach) l. 6 momently (momentarily) l. 7 strata (n. i.) l. 17 supposed in the ratio (being in exact ratio) l. 17 of the (of their) l. 19 , however, (o. c.) l. 20 enough; (—) l. 24-25 , accordingly, (o. c.) l. 27 article (individual article) l. 30 mile (mile at farthest) l. 34 network (loop of the network) page 99 l. 1 , as ... reach, (as ... reach) l. 9 , with (with) l. 9 askant, (o. c.) l. 10 and, (o.c.) l. 11 for ever (forever) l. 13 immovably (immoveably) l. 20 -of (of) l. 24 momentous, (o. c.) l. 27 that, (o. c.) page 100 l. 4 planet; ( —) l. 5 cold; (—) l. 6 frigidity (severity of winter) l. 7 next; (—) l. 8 like that in (in) l. 9 it; (—) l. 10 water; (—) l. 10 themselves; (—) l. 11 institutions; (—) l. 12 construction; (—) l. 12 ugliness; (—) l. 14 modified; ( —) l. 14 modified (modified as to be insufficient for the [page 341:] conveyance of any but the loudest sounds —) l. 15 speech; (—) l. 16 communication; (—) l. 23 other; (—) l. 24 Excellencies — (,) l. 25 those (these) l. 26 moon, — (—) l. 31 turned, (o. c.) l. 32 But, (o. c.) page 101 l. 14 &., (.) l. 16 Excellencies’ (Excellencies) l. 20 Underduk (Underduk,) l. 26 swore, (o. c.) l. 32 professor (cap.) l. 33 suggest (suggest,) page 102 l. 4 vast (horrible) l. 9 over-wise (overwise) l. 9 ridiculous (ridiculous,) l. 14 part, (o. c.) l. 18 After “astronomers,” insert : — Don’t understand at all. l. 22 After Bruges, insert : — Well — what of it l. 24 balloon, (o. c.) l. 28 After Rotterdam, insert: — He was mistaken — undoubtedly — mistaken. l. 32 in a (in the) l. 34 After sea, insert: — Don’t believe it — don’t believe a word of it. page 103 l. 3 Rotterdam, (—) l. 4 colleges (cap.) l. 5 colleges and astronomers (Colleges and Astronomers) l. 5 world, (o. c.) l. 6 general, (o. c.) l. 7 After “ought to be.” insert: — The d — 1, you say! Now that's too bad. Why, hang the people, they should be prosecuted for a libel. I tell you, gentlemen, you know nothing about the business. You are ignorant of Astronomy — and of things in general. The voyage was made — it was indeed — and made, too, by Hans Pfaal. I wonder, for my part, you do not perceive at once that the letter — the document — is intrinsically — is astronomically true — and that it carries upon its very face the evidence of its own authenticity.

The note at the end of the tale does not occur in the Southern Literary Messenger.

The deviations of the 1840 from the Southern Literary Messenger are noted below: —

The first reading given is that of the 1840, the second, that of the Southern Literary Messenger.

Page 42 l. 2 high (singularly high) l. 5 preconceived (pre-conceived) l. 7 physics (cap.) l. 7-8 dynamics ... astronomy (cap.) l. 10 date, (o. c.) page 43 l. 11 loudly (loud) l. 18 shaped, (o. c.) l. 20 admired, (o. c.) l. 21 open-mouthed (open-mouthed and thunderstruck) l. 27 [page 342:] mystery; (:) page 44 l. 5 balloon; (:) l. 13 It was an egregious insult to the good sense of the burghers of Rotterdam. (It was too bad, etc.) page 45 l. 25 absurd (grotesque) page 46 l. 5 bosom, (o. c.) l. 6 super- (o. h.) l. 19 and, (o. c.) l. 20 wax (wax,) l. 29 tumbled, (o. c.) page 47 l. 28-29 President (President,) page 48 l. 19 , and (and on all hands) page 51 l. 29 dimensions; (,) page 52 l. 27-28 material (material,) page 53 l. 16 secreted, (o. c.) page 54 l. 18 rain, (o. c.) page 55 l. 15 car, (o. c.) page 56 l. 13 legs, (o. c.) [Not in text] page 57 l. 8 my brain reeled (omit 1840) [Not in text] l. 9 , at length, (o. 1840) page 59 l. 8 deadly (dangerous) [Not in text] page 60 l. 2 and with frantic cries and convulsive struggles, (and amid horrible curses and convulsive struggles,) l. 3 till, (till) l. 7 new par. in 1840, not Southern Literary Messenger l. 7 some time (sometime) l. 30 , had (o. c.) page 61 l. 7 , if (—) l. 15 Now, (o. c.) page 62 l. 13 us (us,) page 63 l. 10 given (stated) l. 13 before, (o. c.) l. 33 Now, (o. c.) page 64 The note occurs in 1840 l. 23 evidently, (evidently) page 65 l. 12-14 rarefaction partially similar, (in ... explosion,) (rarefaction partially similar,) l. 27 meantime, (o. c.) l. 29 thus (so) page 67 l. 1 in (in all) l. 3 is (is invariably) Note page 67 occurs in 1840 l. 28 may it (it may) [1. 30 , I (o. c.) l. 34 , — ( —) l. 34 urged (urged in a spirit of banter)] (var. of 1840 from text) page 68 l. 1 you (you,) l. 19 nonchalence (non chalence) page 71 l. 14 , indeed (o. c.) After ‘cateract,’ above page 337 l. 20 insert: — Overhead, the sky was of a jetty black, and the stars were brilliantly visible.) page 75 l. 34 bag — (;) page 76 l. 20 Indeed, (o. c.) page 77 l. 34 chamber, (o. c.) Above page 338 l. 16 This, (o. c.) page 83 l. 24 which, (o. c.) page 87 l. 11 distinct, (o. c.) page 88 l. 20 may, (o. c.) page 89 l. 5 seconds, (;) l. 21 clouds, (o. c.) page 90 l. 2 ; for (,) l. 6 5° 8’ 48” (5° 8’, 48”) l. 15 Gulf (s. 1.) l. 21 say (say,) l. 29 state of great (pitiable state of) page 91 l. 16 loud (loud,) l. 19 diameter, (o. c.) [page 343:] l. 30 orbit (orbit,) page 92 l. 6 moments, (o. c.) l. 8 of (of,) The Southern Literary Messenger passage above: — “The ... ballon.” page 339 l. 34-36 does not occur in 1840. page 93 l. 24 with (with the most intense,) The Southern Literary Messenger passage above, page 340 l. 7-9 There ... conceived.” does not occur in 1840. page 94 l. 23 confusion, (o. c.) page 95 l. 17 three-quarter (o. h.) page 96 l. 26 eighty-second (82d). From “But” page 96 l. 4 to bottom page 96, together with note, which does not occur in Southern Literary Messenger, is found in 1840. The next lines give variations of 1840 from text, in above-mentioned passage. l. 21 light (liight) l. 23 new, (o. c.) l. 28 , that, (o. c.) Note: — page 97 l. 33 ; (,) l. 35 , that (o. c.) l. 35 times, (o. c).

Page 97 l. 1 (new par. in 1840) l. 1 an (this) l. 7 than, (o. c.) page 98 l. 8 extreme; (:) page 99 l. 24 momentous, (o. c.) page 100 l. 14 modified (modified as to ... sounds —) l. 24 — above (,) l. 26 , — (—) page 101 l. 44 &c, (&c.) l. 14 Excellencies’ (Excellencies) l. 20 Underduk (Underduk;) l. 26 swore, (o. c.) l. 33 suggest (suggest,) page 102 l. 9 over-wise (o. h.) l. 10 ridiculous (ridiculous,). The ending of the tale in the Southern Literary Messenger, beginning, “The d — evil, you,” etc., does not occur in 1840.

Below are noted the variations of 1840 from the text (in the note pages 103-108, which does not occur in the Southern Literary Messenger).

Instead of paragraphs I. and II. in the text, substitute for 1840 the following: —

In a note to the title of the story, called “Hans Pfaal,” I made allusion to the “Moon hoax” of Mr. Locke. As a great many more persons were actually gulled by this jeu d’esprit than would be willing to acknowledge the fact, it may here afford some little amusement to show why no one should have been deceived — to point out those particulars of the story which should have been [page 344:] sufficient to establish its real character. Indeed, however rich the imagination displayed in this ingenious fiction, it wanted much of the force which might have been given it by a more scrupulous attention to general analogy and physical truth. That the public were misled, even for an instant, merely proves the gross ignorance which is generally prevalent upon subjects of an astronomical nature.

Now begin page 103 par. III. “The moon l. 35-36 , or ... penetrating (o.) l. 38,) (),) l. 40 particularized (particularised) page 104 l. 2 ), (,)) l. 6 in passing (en passant) l. 6 this (his) l. 8 , in (o. c.) l. 21 unclouded (o.) l. 31 moon; (—) l. 36 jagged; (—) l. 42 following: (.) page 105 l. 2 fine; (—) l. 4 Science! l. 15 thirteen (13) l. 5 forty-nine (49) l. 7 planet: — (—) l. 10 betrayed (discovered) l. 12 surface; — ( —) l. 15 , with (o. c.) l. 19 subject (subject at all) l. 25 , indeed, (o. c.) omit pars. I., II., page 105, and I., II., page 106 . page 106 l. 17 thus: — (—) page 107 l. 14 they (, they) l. 28-30 since ... morning, (n. i.) l. 32 judge, (o. c.) l. 38-39 always ... earth, (n. i.) l. 41-42 we ... earth (n. i.) page 108 l. 2. , a (—) l. 6 , the (, which is no doubt a mere lapsus linguae) l. 10 , and (—) omit pars. II. and III., page 108.

Variations of Griswold from text.

Page 64 Note [et trabes] (Trabes) [quas] (quos) [docos] (Docos) page 96 l. 21 light (light) page 104 l. 1 [rheas] (rhoeas) page 105 l. 33 comes (come). The last ‘comes’ is 1840 reading.

FOOTNOTES

[The following footnote appears at the bottom of page 331:]

l. Poe himself spells the hero's name in several different ways; as in the text, “Hans Phaal”(in his correspondence: see vol. xvii), and “Hans Pfaal.” — ED.


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Notes:

None.


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[S:0 - JAH02, 1902] - Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore - Editions - The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe (J. A. Harrison) (Notes to Hans Pfaall)