Text: Edgar Allan Poe, “James Lawson”, from Literary America, 1848, manuscript

[page 93, continued:]

James Lawson.

Mr Lawson has published, I believe, only “Giordano” a tragedy, and two volumes entitled “Tales and Sketches by a Cosmopolite.” The former was condemned (to use a gentle word) some years ago at the Part theatre; and never was condemnation more religiously deserved. The latter are in so much more tolerable than the former that they contain one non-execrable thing — “The Dapper Gentleman's Story” — in manner, as in title, an imitation of one of Irving's “Tales of a Traveller.”

I mention Mr L., however, not on account of his literary labors, but because, although a Scotchman, he has always professed to have greatly at heart the welfare of American letters. He is much in the society of authors and booksellers, converses fluently, tells a good story, is of social habits, and, with no taste whatever, is quite enthusiastic on all topics appertaining to Taste.