Text: Anonymous, “[Review of Ingram's Life of Poe],” Torquay Times and South Devon Advertiser (Torquay, England), vol. XVII, no. 758, July 3, 1880, p. 3, col. 1

[page 3, column 1:]

“The Life and Litters of Edgar Allan Poe,” by John Ingram, Esq. F. S A., has just been Issued in two volumes. by John Hogg, Paternoster Row, London.

This is the most exhaustive end vindicatory biography that has yet been produced of the author of “THE RAVEN.” It grasps the whole subject — his ancestors, his birth, his education, his literary career, his eccentricities, his life-battle, and his sad, untimely death are all succinctly chronicled.

It would seem that little is left for any future biographer to do except to repeat what Mr. Ingram has collected in them two volumes.

Much of the second volume is taken up with his letters and those of his friends who came to his aid in his last sad struggles for existence, and to the rescue of his reputation after he had gone to his rest. Among these friends, N. P. Willis of the Now York Home Journal, is most frequently mentioned. Some years after Poe ‘s death, Mr. Willis, writing to a friend from Idlewild, says —

“Poe was employed by us for several months, as critic and sub-editor. This was our first personal acquaintance with him. * * * With the highest admiration for his genius, and a willingness to let it atone for more than ordinary irregularities, we were led by common report to expect a very capricious attention to his duties, and, occasionally, a scene of violence and difficulty. Time went on, however, and he was invariably punctual and industrious. With his pale, beautiful, and intellectual face, as a reminder of what genius was in him, it was impossible, of course, not to treat him always with deferential courtesy. With a prospect of taking the lead in another periodical, he, at last, voluntarily gave up his employment with us, and, through all this considerable period, we had seen but one presentment of the man — a quiet patient, industrious, and most gentlemanly person, commanding the utmost respect and good feeling by his unvarying deportment and ability.”

Among the friendships that Poe made during his last days — says the biographer — was “Stella,” the author of “Records of the Heart,” “Sappho,” and other popular works — she says: —

“I saw much of Mr. Poe during the last year of his life. He was one of the most sensitive and refined gentlemen I ever knew my girlish poses — ‘The Forsaken,’ made us acquainted. He had seen it floating the rounds of the press, and wrote to tell me how much he liked it ‘ It is inexpressibly beautiful,’ he said, and ‘I should like to know the young author.’ After the first call he frequently dined with me, and passed the evening in playing whist, or reading to me his last poem.”

“The day before he left New York for Richmond,” continues “Stella,” “Mr. Poe came to dinner, and stayed the night. He seemed very sad, and retired early. On leaving the next morning he took my hand in his, and, looking in my face, said, “Dear ‘Stella,’ my much beloved friend, you truly understand and appreciate me. I have a presentiment that I shall never see you again. I most leave to-day for Richmond. If I sever return, write my life. You can and will do me justice.” I will I exclaimed, and we parted to meet no more in this life. That promise I have not yet felt equal to fulfil.”

The following sonnets to Poe by “Stella,” which we find in volume second, were published in the Torquay Times some months ago; and are, we think, the best vindication of his mental purity and elevation that has yet appease I from any pen.

The frontispiece of the first volume is a life-like portrait of Poe, copied from daguerrotype in the possession of “Stella,” and the last that was taken of him. The work is beautifully printed and bound, and a second edition is already called for.