and two others at my suggestion sent to Carey & Lea."

One of these tales was sold to Miss Leslie, for the "Souvenir," at $15. Letters dated December, 1834, and March, May, June, and July, 1835, show the author in lively correspondence with Kennedy and White on matters largely pertaining to his new connection with the "Messenger" as critical reviewer. In one of these letters to White he writes: "I must insist on your not sending me any remuneration for services of this nature [aiding the circulation of the "Messenger" by notices in the Baltimore "Republican," "American," etc.]. They are a pleasure to me, and no trouble whatever.'

Occasional sums from White of $5 or $20 reached Poe through the mails, and were welcome additions to

his purse. Number 10 of the " Messenger" con

66 was

tained thirty-four columns by the new contributor, including "Hans Pfaall" (which, he asserts, written especially for the Messenger "").

.

In September, 1835, his correspondence shows that he was already in Richmond, probably at Mrs. Yarrington's boarding-house, and, a little later, was receiving a salary of $520 a year as editor of the "Messenger," increased to $800 by Mr. White's liberality for extra work. This was to be still further increased to $1,000 the next year. He writes exultantly that his friends had received him with open arms,' "asks Kennedy's advice as to his course in the " Messenger," and finds that his reputation is increasing in the South.

Already, however, a note of warning sounds from White in September, 1835. "No man is safe that drinks before breakfast. No man can do so and attend to business properly." Poe was beginning to complain

of " ill-health," and had contracted this unfortunate habit of morning potations, either from the delicacy of his constitution or from the hereditary blue devils" from which he suffered. Just after his arrival in Richmond, indeed, when everything seemed bright, and he had been employed by White at something more than $40 a month, he fell into low spirits, and wrote Kennedy a despairing letter in which he says: "I am suffering under a depression of spirits, such as I have never felt before. I have struggled in vain. against the influence of this melancholy; you will believe, when I say that I am still miserable, in spite of the great improvement in my circumstances. . . . I am wretched, and know not why. Con

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sole me, - for you can. But let it be quickly, or it will be too late. . . . Persuade me to do what is right. ... Urge me to do what is right. . . . Fail not, as you value your peace of mind hereafter."

Kennedy replied in consoling words and lulled the rasped spirit of the poet as well as he could, fearing that the constitutional hypochondria might drive him to desperation. In later life Poe affirmed that to Kennedy he owed life itself, possibly referring to the admirable conduct of the Baltimore novelist in lending him money at critical periods of his existence and giving him the sound advice which he so much needed.

The bibliography of Poe's writings will show the variety and multiplicity of his work during the eighteen months he resided in Richmond, two whole volumes alone of the present edition being devoted to the uncollected reviews and essays in the "Messenger." He showed himself a most industrious and indefatigable editor, author, and critic, pouring forth a tide of reviews, critiques, poems (revised or original), stories,

satires, and romances such as hardly any two men could have been expected to supply. These are treated more fully in the following chapter and show the epoch-making character of Poe's work as an imaginative writer and scientific critic.

In the early stage of the Richmond period, after the marriage, the Poes seem to have kept house and taken boarders, borrowing money from Kennedy and the Poe family to establish themselves. The evil habit of borrowing began to grow on Poe in spite of the abundant support his "Messenger" connection gave him. One is loath, however, to believe that there was any sharp practice connected with it. That Poe abundantly understood the humorous side and the practices of the "dead beat" is plain from his " ⚫ Diddling Considered as One of the Exact Sciences.''

CHAPTER VI.

1837-1840.

ADRIFT: NEW YORK AND PHILADELPHIA.

THE last leaf of the Southern Literary Messenger" for January, 1837, contained the following

announcement:

To the Patrons of the Southern Literary Messenger:

"In issuing the present number of the Messenger' (the first of a new volume) I deem it proper to inform my subscribers, and the public generally, that Mr. Poe, who has filled the editorial department for the last twelve months with so much ability, retired from that station on the 3d inst., and the entire management of the work again devolves on myself alone. Mr. P., however, will continue to furnish its columns, from time to time, with the effusions of his vigorous and popular pen, and my old contributors, among whom I am proud to number some of the best writers in our state and country, will doubtless continue to favor me with their valuable contributions. . . .

"It is perhaps due to Mr. Poe to state, that he is not responsible for any of the articles which appear in the present number, except the reviews of Bryant's Poems,' 'George Balcombe,' Irving's Astoria,' Reynolds's Address on the South Sea Expedition,' Anthon's Cicero,' - the first number of Arthur Gordon Pym,' a sea story, and two poetical effusions to which