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and he was invariably punctual and industrious. we were led by common report to expect a very capricious attention to his duties. Latrobe. one of the judges. that with a single glass of wine his whole nature was reversed.’ 9 of 419 . We saw but one presentiment of the man-a quiet. Willis. however. thorough.’ says Mr.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe punctual. when he was the successful competitor for a prize of $100 offered by a Baltimore periodical for the best prose story. ‘A MSS. and a willingness to let it alone for more than ordinary irregularity. who for some time employed Poe as critic and sub-editor on the ‘Evening Mirror. ‘We heard. Time went on. industrious and most gentlemanly person. the demon became ‘uppermost. industrious. patient. though none of the usual signs of in Poe’s first genuine victory was won in 1833. Found in a Bottle’ was the winning tale. Poe had submitted six stories in a volume. and occasionally a scene of violence and difficulty.’ wrote thus: ‘With the highest admiration for Poe’s genius. ‘Our only difficulty. from one who knew him well (what should be stated in all mention of his lamentable irregularities). ‘was in selecting from the rich contents of the volume. and. P. N.
Philadelphia and New York. we repeat. He then 10 of 419 . industrious. though none of the usual signs of intoxication were visible. and he was invariably punctual and industrious. N. who for some time employed Poe as critic and sub-editor on the ‘Evening Mirror. She had barely turned thirteen years. that with a single glass of wine his whole nature was reversed. punctual. P. and a willingness to let it alone for more than ordinary irregularity. and. his will was palpably insane. patient. thorough.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe During the fifteen years of his literary life Poe was connected with various newspapers and magazines in Richmond. Virginia Clemm. however. Willis. Time went on. in Baltimore.’ wrote thus: ‘With the highest admiration for Poe’s genius. the demon became uppermost. it was never our chance to meet him. 1835. Poe married his cousin. and occasionally a scene of violence and difficulty. He was faithful. Poe himself was but twentysix.’ On September 22. In this reversed character. from one who knew him well (what should be stated in all mention of his lamentable irregularities). industrious and most gentlemanly person. we were led by common report to expect a very capricious attention to his duties. We saw but one presentiment of the man-a quiet. ‘We heard.
Poe’s devotion to his cbild-wife was one of the most beautiful features of his life. when but twenty-five years of age. tell of his sorrow at the loss of his child-wife: I was a child and she was a child. the last year of his life. A friend of the family pictures the death-bed scene-mother and husband trying to impart warmth to her by chafing her hands and her feet.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe was a resident of Richmond and a regular contributor to the ‘Southern Literary Messenger. In a kingdom by the sea.’ It was not until a year later that the bride and her widowed mother followed him thither. 1847. while her pet cat was suffered to nestle upon her bosom for the sake of added warmth. 11 of 419 .’ written by Poe in 1849. Consumption had marked her for its victim. But we loved with a love that was more than loveI and my Annabel Lee. Many of his famous poetic productions were inspired by her beauty and charm. and the constant efforts of husband and mother were to secure for her all the comfort and happiness their slender means permitted. These verses from ‘Annabel Lee. Virginia died January 30.
No tales and poems were ever produced at a greater cost of brain and spirit. ‘Graham’s Magazine’ and the ‘Gentleman’s Magazine’ in Philadelphia.’ and ‘Godey’s Lady’s Book’ in New York. Va. Poe was connected at various times and in various capacities with the ‘Southern Literary Messenger’ in Richmond.’ the ‘Broadway journal. And this was the reason that. he wrote to a friend expressing his pleasure because a 12 of 419 ... Poe’s initial salary with the ‘Southern Literary Messenger. So that her high-born kinsmen came And bore her away from me. was $10 a week! Two years later his salary was but $600 a year. long ago. To shut her up in a sepulchre In this kingdom by the sea. In this kingdom by the sea.’ to which he contributed the first drafts of a number of his best-known tales. chilling My beautiful Annabel Lee. Even in 1844. A wind blew out of a cloud.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe With a love that the winged seraphs of heaven Coveted her and me. when his literary reputation was established securely. Everywhere Poe’s life was one of unremitting toil. the ‘Evening Mirror.
in New York: He was the voice of beauty and of woe. For a while Griswold’s malignant misrepresentations colored the public estimate of Poe as man and as writer. Pure as the mountains of perpetual snow. Sweet as the faint. Cold as the icy winds that round them moan. read at the dedication exercises of the Actors’ Monument to Poe. Ingram. fluttering from on high. Dark as the eaves wherein earth’s thunders groan. Wild as the tempests of the upper sky. May 4. In the two and a half score years that have elapsed since Poe’s death he has come fully into his own. F. but Poe never lost faith. Sarah Helen Whitman and others these scandals have been dispelled and Poe is seen as he actually was-not as a man 13 of 419 . He was finally to triumph wherever pre-eminent talents win admirers.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe magazine to which he was to contribute had agreed to pay him $20 monthly for two pages of criticism. 1885. Eugene Didier. Those were discouraging times in American literature. And tender as love’s tear when youth and beauty die. H. far-off celestial tone of angel whispers. W. Gill. His genius has had no better description than in this stanza from William Winter’s poem. But. thanks to J. Passion and mystery and the dread unknown.
The Works of Edgar Allan Poe without failings. the latter nation has often uttered the reproach that Poe’s own country has been slow to appreciate him. 14 of 419 . certainly is untrue. His works have been translated into many foreign languages. but as the finest and most original genius in American letters. W. H. But that reproach. His is a household name in France and England-in fact. R. it is true. if it ever was warranted. As the years go on his fame increases.
It has no centre. 15 of 419 . each revolving round its several suns. and the Young Queen of the West has also one of her own. unlike London or Paris. and seeming rather to tell a legend of former usefulness than to serve any present need. It is. and often presenting to the rest only the faint glimmer of a milk-and-water way. but resembles more an isolated umbilicus stuck down as near a’s may be to the centre of the land. is not a great central heart from which life and vigor radiate to the extremities. of which some articulate rumor barely has reached us dwellers by the Atlantic. EDGAR ALLAN POE BY JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL {*1} THE situation of American literature is anomalous. view. if it have. Boston. each has its literature almost more distinct than those of the different dialects of Germany. it is like that of the sphere of Hermes. Download the free trial version. Our capital city.eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. Philadelphia. New York. divided into many systems. or. and edit PDF.
he was adopted by Mr. he returned home and entered the University of Virginia. Allan. and we might readily put faith in that fabulous direction to the hiding place of truth. Having received a classical education in England. Poe’s biography displays a vicissitude and peculiarity of interest such as is rarely met with. where. and friendship so often seduces the iron stylus of justice into a vague flourish. The critic’s ink may suffer equally from too large an infusion of nutgalls or of sugar. It is even more grateful to give praise where it is needed than where it is deserved. but Mr. Yet if praise be given as an alms. that she writes what seems rather like an epitaph than a criticism. But it is easier to be generous than to be just. whose barren marriage-bed seemed the warranty of a large estate to the young poet. we could not drop so poisonous a one into any man’s hat.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Perhaps there is no task more difficult than the just criticism of contemporary literature. after an extravagant course. followed by reformation at the last extremity. did we judge from the amount of water which we usually find mixed with it. he was graduated with 16 of 419 . Remarkable experiences are usually confined to the inner life of imaginative men. and left an orphan at an early age. The offspring of a romantic marriage. a wealthy Virginian.
in whose will his name was not mentioned. though brimful of vigor and youth and picturesqueness. we believe. That no certain augury can be drawn from a poet’s earliest lispings there are instances enough to prove. 17 of 419 . Shakespeare is hardly a case in point. Allan. The death of Mr. which ended at St. his ‘Venus and Adonis’ having been published. Perhaps. Previously to this. and excited high expectations of its author’s future distinction in the minds of many competent judges. Shakespeare’s first poems. Then came a boyish attempt to join the fortunes of the insurgent Greeks. however. in his twenty-sixth year. he had published (in 1827) a small volume of poems. however. where he got into difficulties through want of a passport. soon after relieved him of all doubt in this regard. which soon ran through three editions.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe the highest honors of his class. from which he was rescued by the American consul and sent home. Petersburg. from which he obtained a dismissal on hearing of the birth of a son to his adopted father. He now entered the military academy at West Point. an event which cut off his expectations as an heir. by a second marriage. and he committed himself at once to authorship for a support. condensation and overflowing moral of his maturer works. give but a very faint promise of the directness.
Southey. wholly unrelieved by the glittering malignity and eloquent irreligion of his later productions. Collins’ callow namby-pamby died and gave no sign of the vigorous and original genius which he afterward displayed. . Pope’s youthful pieces have all the sing-song.’ Chatterton. They do not clutch hold of the memory with the drowning pertinacity of Watts. a fine eye for nature. lucky beauty.but give no hint of the author of a new style in poetry. Where he becomes original (as it is called). if uttered at all. Kirke White’s promises were indorsed by the respectable name of Mr. the interest of ingenuity ceases and he becomes stupid. neither have they the interest of his occasional simple. had been less objectionable in the retired closet of a diary. and in the sober raiment of prose. They have the merit of a traditional piety. Burns having fortunately been rescued by his humble station from the contaminating society of the ‘Best models. but surely with no authority from Apollo. We have never thought that the world lost more in the ‘marvellous boy. Had he been unfortunate enough to have had an educated taste. we 18 of 419 .The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Milton’s Latin verses show tenderness. and a delicate appreciation of classic models. which to our mind.’ wrote well and naturally from the first. than a very ingenious imitator of obscure and antiquated dulness.
and the unwearied explorer of the beauties of predecessors. But his early insipidities show only a capacity for rhyming and for the metrical arrangement of certain conventional 19 of 419 . we could sift here and there a kernel from the mass of chaff. without hope of resurrection. to be entombed. a safer augury might have been drawn. the verse. Byron’s ‘Hours of Idleness’ would never find a reader except from an intrepid and indefatigable curiosity. most original and most purely imaginative poems of modem times. Coleridge’s youthful efforts give no promise whatever of that poetical genius which produced at once the wildest. tenderest.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe should have had a series of poems from which. Cowley is generally instanced as a wonder of precocity. The earliest specimens of Shelley’s poetic mind already. but leaves its body. give tokens of that ethereal sublimation in which the spirit seems to soar above the regions of words. the close student of history. In Wordsworth’s first preludings there is but a dim foreboding of the creator of an era. From Southey’s early poems. in a mass of them. or to the rarer and more sacred delights of the fireside or the arbor. but they give no assurances of a man who should add aught to stock of household words. also. They show the patient investigator. as from his letters.
and an unhappy memory. There is a little dimness in the filling up. one would say. Such pieces are only valuable when they display what we can only express by the contradictory phrase of innate experience. might acquire the regular see-saw of Pope merely by an association with the motion of the play-ground tilt. We copy one of the shorter poems. a capacity wholly dependent on a delicate physical organization. Poe’s early productions show that he could see through the verse to the spirit beneath. but the grace and symmetry of the outline are such as few poets ever attain. and the rudest verses in which we can trace some conception of the ends of poetry. A schoolboy. written when the author was only fourteen. are worth all the miracles of smooth juvenile versification. We call them the most remarkable boyish poems that we have ever read. and a nice understanding of the effects of language and metre. We know of none that can compare with them for maturity of purpose. An early poem is only remarkable when it displays an effort of reason. There is a smack of ambrosia about it.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe combinations of words. TO HELEN 20 of 419 . Mr. and that he already had a feeling that all the life and grace of the one must depend on and be modulated by the will of the other.
The melody of the whole. That gently. like a Greek column.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Helen.’ no heart ‘blighted’ ere it has safely got into its teens. Thy hyacinth hair. from the regions which Are Holy Land ! It is the tendency of the young poet that impresses us. It is of that finer sort which the inner ear alone can estimate. none of the drawing-room sansculottism which Byron had brought into vogue. Here is no ‘withering scorn. thy classic face. because of its 21 of 419 . thy beauty is to me Like those Nicean barks of yore. The weary. too. way-worn wanderer bore To his own native shore. It seems simple. is remarkable. o’er a perfumed sea. with a pleasant dash of the Greek Helicon in it. It is not of that kind which can be demonstrated arithmetically upon the tips of the fingers. Lo! in yon brilliant window-niche How statue-like I see thee stand! The agate lamp within thy hand. Ah ! Psyche. On desperate seas long wont to roam. All is limpid and serene. Thy Naiad airs have brought me home To the glory that was Greece And the grandeur that was Rome.
but the 22 of 419 . Let talent writhe and contort itself as it may. Or. Say. appreciated the high merit of these and similar passages.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe perfection. To keep watch with delight On the harmony there? John Neal. On the breezes to toss. our boypoet gives us the following exquisite picture: Ligeia ! Ligeia ! My beautiful one. In a poem named ‘Ligeia.’ under which title he intended to personify the music of nature. is it thy will. Mr. No man could ever tell us precisely what it is. and yet there is none who is not inevitably aware of its presence and its power. Larger of bone and sinew it may be. As she on the air. Incumbent on night. himself a man of genius. and drew a proud horoscope for their author. and whose lyre has been too long capriciously silent. Like the lone albatross. Whose harshest idea Will to melody run. it has no such magnetism. Poe had that indescribable something which men have agreed to call genius. capriciously still..
When we say that Mr. and a reverence for the trust reposed in him. and its most perfect works have still one. While talent keeps him. as Paracelsus did.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe wings are wanting. so that a sunset shall seem like a quotation from Dante. his verses shall but seem nobler for the sublime criticism of ocean. Talent may make friends for itself. and if Shakespeare be read in the very presence of the sea itself.foot of clay. industry. Genius claims kindred with the very workings of Nature herself. To the eye of genius. No man of mere talent ever flung his inkstand at the devil. we do not mean to say that he has produced evidence of the highest. Great wits are allied to madness only inasmuch as they are possessed and carried away by their demon. to achieve the proudest triumphs and the greenest 23 of 419 . nor will he ever have disciples who has not himself impulsive zeal enough to be a disciple. but only genius can give to its creations the divine power of winning love and veneration. Talent sticks fast to earth. securely prisoned in the pommel of his sword. Enthusiasm cannot cling to what itself is unenthusiastic. But to say that he possesses it at all is to say that he needs only zeal. Poe had genius. the veil of the spiritual world is ever rent asunder that it may perceive the ministers of good and evil who throng continually around it.
The highest peak of our Parnassus is. and to measure him by our own standard. in estimating the amount 24 of 419 . the last predominating in his earlier tales. If we may believe the Longinuses. as immemorial tradition asserts. by far the most thickly settled portion of the country. fills up and colors. This enables him to conceive truly. Poe has displayed with singular distinctness in his prose works. while the second groups. we have quite too many geniuses of the loftiest order to render a place among them at all desirable. But. and the first in his later ones. and a wonderful fecundity of imagination. whether for its hardness of attainment or its seclusion. Mr. Poe has two of the prime qualities of genius. In judging of the merit of an author. we have a right to regard him from our own point of view. a necessary part of their idiosyncrasy. to maintain a proper relation of parts. The first of these faculties is as needful to the artist in words.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe laurels. and assigning him his niche among our household gods. and Aristotles of our newspapers. Both of these Mr. according to these gentlemen. if love of solitude be. as a knowledge of anatomy is to the artist in colors or in stone. a faculty of vigorous yet minute analysis. a circumstance which must make it an uncomfortable residence for individuals of a poetical temperament. and to draw a correct outline.
he makes all subordinate parts tend strictly to the 25 of 419 . to which we have before alluded. in truth. He combines in a very remarkable manner two faculties which are seldom found united. and a minuteness of detail which does not leave a pin or a button unnoticed. accessible from every side. and placing them by the side of his own ideal.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe of power displayed in his works. we must be governed by his own design. and perhaps it is only in the definition of that word that we disagree with him. we shall take his own standard as our guide. or seek in oracle. But in what we shall say of his writings. He esteems that object to be the creation of Beauty. Both are. Poe in his opinions of the objects of art. We differ from Mr. Mr. find how much is wanting. analysis. In his tales. a power of influencing the mind of the reader by the impalpable shadows of mystery. It is this which distinguishes the artist. His mind at once reaches forward to the effect to be produced. the natural results of the predominating quality of his mind. The temple of the god of song is equally. Poe has chosen to exhibit his power chiefly in that dim region which stretches from the very utmost limits of the probable into the weird confines of superstition and unreality. and there is room enough in it for all who bring offerings. Having resolved to bring about certain emotions in the reader.
This analyzing tendency of his mind balances the poetical. however formless the shadows. and the commonest things get a rainbow edging from it. conveying to us sometimes by a dusky hint some terrible doubt 26 of 419 . However vague some of his figures may seem. For this reason Mr. In raising images of horror.’ for such it practically is to him. To him X is a known quantity all along. The very pulse of the machine. it affects his optic nerve especially. He loves to dissect one of these cancers of the mind.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe common centre. and to trace all the subtle ramifications of its roots. Mr. all working to produce a certain end. Poe. and by giving him the patience to be minute. In any picture that he paints he understands the chemical properties of all his colors. is a spectator ab extra. he has strange success. Poe has no sympathy with Mysticism. He analyzes. Even his mystery is mathematical to his own mind. The Mystic dwells in the mystery. to him the outline is as clear and distinct as that of a geometrical diagram. it colors all his thoughts. on the other hand. he watches ‘with an eye serene. also. he dissects. with wheels and cogs and piston-rods. A monomania he paints with great power. enables him to throw a wonderful reality into his most unreal fancies. is enveloped with it.
view. Mr. graceful and truly classical. perhaps. ‘The House of Usher. It would be hard to find a living author who had displayed such varied powers. As an example of his style we would refer to one of his tales. the most beautiful of his poems. That for Achilles’ image stood his spear Grasped in an armed hand. and edit PDF. so kind. He leaves to imagination the task of finishing the picture.’ in the first volume of his ‘Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque. The great masters of imagination have seldom resorted to the vague and the unreal as sources of effect. himself behind Was left unseen. it would alone have been enough to stamp him as a man of genius. Conceit deceitful. They 27 of 419 . Poe’s writings have also that of form. which is the secret of all horror. save to the eye of mind.’ Besides the merit of conception.eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. and the master of a classic style. His style is highly finished. Had its author written nothing else. and we think that no one could read it without being strongly moved by its serene and sombre beauty. a task to which only she is competent. In this tale occurs.’ It has a singular charm for us. Download the free trial version. ‘For much imaginary work was there. so compact.
but we must concede to him the highest merit of construction. Poe’s secret lies mainly in the skill with which he has employed the strange fascination of mystery and terror. Poe was aesthetically deficient. the coldness of mathematical demonstrations. as means of subjugating the fancies of their readers. Mr. but only in combination with other qualities. His criticisms are. As a critic. 28 of 419 . They have the exactness. We cannot call his materials the noblest or purest.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe have not used dread and horror alone. metres and plots. and at the same time. They are especially valuable as illustrating the great truth. they are also without the heat of partisanship. however. that analytic power is a subordinate quality of the critic. If deficient in warmth. Mr. too generally overlooked. The loftiest muse has ever a household and fireside charm about her. not artifice. Yet they stand in strikingly refreshing contrast with the vague generalisms and sharp personalities of the day. he seemed wanting in the faculty of perceiving the profounder ethics of art. Unerring in his analysis of dictions. distinguished for scientific precision and coherence of logic. In this his success is so great and striking as to deserve the name of art.
it may be considered certain that Mr. He has done that which could only be done once with success or safety.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe On the whole. Poe has attained an individual eminence in our literature which he will keep. He has given proof of power and originality. 29 of 419 . and the imitation or repetition of which would produce weariness.
in all this country. POE BY N. Griswold. he had readers in England and in several of the states of Continental Europe. equally powerful and having the complete mastery by turns-of one man. from the pen of Dr. inhabited by both a devil and an angel seems to have been realized. and the regrets for his death will be suggested principally by the 30 of 419 . if all we hear is true. copy a graphic and highly finished portraiture. in the character of the extraordinary man whose name we have written above. that is to say. differs in some important degree. Our own impression of the nature of Edgar A. personally or by reputation. The poet was known.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe DEATH OF EDGAR A. however. from that which has been generally conveyed in the notices of his death. Poe. before telling what we personally know of him. P. but he had few or no friends. October 7th. WILLIS THE ancient fable of two antagonistic spirits imprisoned in one body. Let us. Rufus W. which appeared in a recent number of the ‘Tribune:"{*1} ‘Edgar Allen Poe is dead. He died in Baltimore on Sunday. This announcement will startle many. but few will be grieved by it.
as his imagination quickened his blood or drew it back frozen to his heart. He walked-the streets. by vulgar fancies or exhibitions of the ignoblest passion. ‘His conversation was at times almost supramortal in its eloquence. or in those of the most airy and delicious beauty. while his own face glowed. exactly and sharply defined. built up his ocular demonstrations in forms of gloomiest and ghastliest grandeur.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe consideration that in him literary art has lost one of its most brilliant but erratic stars. till he himself dissolved the spell. His voice was modulated with astonishing skill. and brought his hearers back to common and base existence. and his large and variably expressive eyes looked repose or shot fiery tumult into theirs who listened. Suddenly starting from a proposition. that the attention which was yielded to him was chained till it stood among his wonderful creations. His imagery was from the worlds which no mortals can see but with the vision of genius. in 31 of 419 . or was changeless in pallor. he rejected the forms of customary logic. in terms of utmost simplicity and clearness. so minutely and distinctly. and by a crystalline process of accretion. ‘He was at all times a dreamer-dwelling in ideal realms-in heaven or hell-peopled with the creatures and the accidents of his brain. yet so rapidly.
and with a face shrouded in gloom. close by whose portals his disturbed soul sought to forget the ills to which his constitution subjected him— -close by the Aidenn where were those he loved-the Aidenn which he might never see. or professed to feel. but in fitful glimpses. that he was already damned. he would brave the wildest storms. as its gates opened to receive the less fiery and more happy natures whose destiny to sin did not involve the doom of death. except when some fitful pursuit subjugated his will and engrossed his faculties. or with eyes upturned in passionate prayer (never for himself. The remarkable poem of ‘The Raven’ was probably much more nearly than has been supposed.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe madness or melancholy. and all night. ‘He seemed. He was that bird’s 32 of 419 . would speak as if the spirits that at such times only could be evoked by him from the Aidenn. but) for their happiness who at the moment were objects of his idolatry. a reflection and an echo of his own history. always to bear the memory of some controlling sorrow. or with his glances introverted to a heart gnawed with anguish. with lips moving in indistinct curses. for he felt. with drenched garments and arms beating the winds and rains. even by those who were very intimate with him.
He had made up his mind upon the numberless complexities of the social world. and in the subtle metaphysical analysis of both.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ’ ‘ unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore— Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore Of ‘Never-never more. in which the individual survives the person. Still. traces of his personal character: elements of his immortal being. But we see here only the better phases of his nature. though he regarded society as composed altogether of villains. while it 33 of 419 . for his harsh experience had deprived him of all faith in man or woman.’ or of ‘Mesmeric Revelations. indications of the idiosyncrasies of what was most remarkable and peculiar in the author’s intellectual nature. whatever their design.’ ‘Every genuine author in a greater or less degree leaves in his works. the sharpness of his intellect was not of that kind which enabled him to cope with villany. This conviction gave a direction to his shrewd and naturally unamiable character. only the symbols of his juster action. and the whole system with him was an imposture. While we read the pages of the ‘Fall of the House of Usher.’ we see in the solemn and stately gloom which invests one.
You could not contradict him. repellant cynicism. that he might have the right to despise a world which galled his self-conceit. He had. but not the worst. not serve -succeed. but his cheek paled with gnawing envy. He was in many respects like Francis Vivian in Bulwer’s novel of ‘The Caxtons. The astonishing natural advantages of this poor boy—his beauty. only the hard wish to succeed-not shine. that. in him. the daring spirit that breathed around him like a fiery atmosphere—had raised his constitutional self-confidence into an arrogance that turned his very claims to admiration into prejudices against him. Irascible.’ Passion. little or nothing of the true point of honor. 34 of 419 . and. you could not speak of wealth. but you raised quick choler. envious—bad enough. desire to rise which is vulgarly called ambition. what was more remarkable in a proud nature. his readiness. There seemed to him no moral susceptibility. to a morbid excess. but no wish for the esteem or the love of his species.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe continually caused him by overshots to fail of the success of honesty. his passions vented themselves in sneers. for these salient angles were all varnished over with a cold. comprehended -many of the worst emotions which militate against human happiness.
as a reminder of what genius was in him. Time went on. and he was invariably punctual and industrious. With his pale. This was our first personal acquaintance with him. but was at his desk in the office. Poe was employed by us. and a willingness to let it atone for more than ordinary irregularity. from nine in the morning till the evening paper went to press. the figure of himself. Mr. let us truthfully say: Some four or five years since. for several months. could perceive. He resided with his wife and mother at Fordham. but slightly concealed. a few miles out of town. and occasionally a scene of violence and difficulty. and intellectual face. however.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘We have suggested the influence of his aims and vicissitudes upon his literature. in draperies of his imagination. as critic and sub-editor. it was 35 of 419 . when editing a daily paper in this city. Nearly all that he wrote in the last two or three years-including much of his best poetry-was in some sense biographical. those who had taken the trouble to trace his steps. we were led by common report to expect a very capricious attention to his duties.’ Apropos of the disparaging portion of the above wellwritten sketch. With the highest admiration for his genius. beautiful. It was more conspicuous in his later than in his earlier writings.
the demon became uppermost.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe impossible. at last. that we knew of any other development of manner or character. such as we had always known him. from one who knew him well (what should be stated in all mention of his lamentable irregularities). of course. 36 of 419 . It was by rumor only. and. up to the day of his death. not to treat him always with deferential courtesy. to our occasional request that he would not probe too deep in a criticism. We heard. voluntarily gave up his employment with us. and. his whole nature was reversed. Residing as he did in the country. through all this considerable period. but he frequently called on us afterward at our place of business. patient. commanding the utmost respect and good feeling by his unvarying deportment and ability. Poe in hours of leisure. and most gentlemanly person. we thought. or that he would erase a passage colored too highly with his resentments against society and mankind. he. and we met him often in the street-invariably the same sad mannered. and. we never met Mr. with a single glass of wine. industrious. winning and refined gentleman . that. he readily and courteously assented-far more yielding than most men. With a prospect of taking the lead in another periodical. on points so excusably sensitive. we had seen but one presentment of the man-a quiet.
at such times. were a constant charm to his character. when himself. Poe was generally accused. the greater portion. and we mention it in connection with this sad infirmity of physical constitution. he doubtless said and did much that was wholly irreconcilable with his better nature. His letters. exhibited this quality very strongly. and seeking his acquaintances with his wonted look and memory. vanity. as to his own deservings. accordingly.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe though none of the usual signs of intoxication were visible. and was accused. seem to us referable altogether to this reversed phase of his character. In this reversed character. Possessing his reasoning faculties in excited activity. of which the constant application for autographs has taken from us. we are sorry to confess. and depravity of heart. In one of the 37 of 419 . The arrogance. his modesty and unaffected humility. and as we knew him only. it was never our chance to see him. We know it from hearsay. Under that degree of intoxication which only acted upon him by demonizing his sense of truth and right. which puts it upon very nearly the ground of a temporary and almost irresponsible insanity. we repeat. he easily seemed personating only another phase of his natural character. but. of insulting arrogance and bad-heartedness. of which Mr. his will was palpably insane.
The Works of Edgar Allan Poe carelessly written notes of which we chance still to retain possession. ‘I have not forgotten how a ‘good word in season’ from you made ‘The Raven. The verses accompanying this. perhaps. 1849 ‘My DEAR WILLIS—The poem which I inclose. and. attributes its success to the few words of commendation with which we had prefaced it in this paper. has been just published in a paper for which sheer necessity compels me to write. and bring them to light in the ‘Home journal?’ If you can oblige me so far as to copy them. and which I am so vain as to hope you will like. for instance. -It will throw light on his sane character to give a literal copy of the note: ‘FORDHAM. for whatever I send it I feel I am consigning to the tomb of the Capulets. and has become the type of a school of poetry of its own-and. in evident earnest. April 20.’ would do. ‘From a late —— paper. in some respects. that would be too bad. now and then.’ and made ‘Ulalume’ (which by-the-way. It pays well as times go-but unquestionably it ought to pay ten prices. he speaks of ‘The Raven’—that extraordinary poem which electrified the world of imaginative readers. may I beg you to take out of the tomb. I do not think it will be necessary to say ‘From the ——. people have done me the honor of attributing 38 of 419 .
and feel that I may depend upon your aid. I would ask you (if I dared) to say something of these lines if they please you. and edit PDF. WILLiS-I am about to make an effort at re-establishing myself in the literary world. to go South and West. and of the trustful and grateful nature which has been denied him.’ but it would be useless to me. if not entirely out of the control of a publisher. 39 of 419 . January 22. even when established. and.’ In double proof of his earnest disposition to do the best for himself. ‘EDGAR A. we give another of the only three of his notes which we chance to retain : ‘FORDHAM. to you). therefore. Download the free trial version. therefore. I mean. ‘My general aim is to start a Magazine. ‘Truly yours ever. I propose. I must get a list of at least five hundred subscribers to begin with. to get up a journal which shall be my own at all points. ‘My DEAR MR. I propose to lecture at the Society Library. to be called ‘The Stylus. nearly two hundred I have already. In order to get the means of taking the first step. however. With this end in view. POE. 1848. the 3d of February.eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. view. among my personal and literary friends—old college and West Point acquaintances -and see what I can do. on Thursday.
To reveal it we are obliged to venture upon the 40 of 419 . we think they sufficiently prove the existence of the very qualities denied to Mr. Such only he has invariably seemed to us. Poe-humility. belief in another’s friendship. painted in sickness. that we remember him but with admiration and respect. ‘EDGAR A. most gratefully. of a man we have only known in health. willingness to persevere. through a friendship of five or six years. my subject shall not be literary at all. Gratefully.’ ‘Having thus given you the facts of the case. And so much easier is it to believe what we have seen and known. But there is another. more touching. I leave all the rest to the suggestions of your own tact and generosity.’’ Brief and chance-taken as these letters are. and far more forcible evidence that there was goodness in Edgar A. and capability of cordial and grateful friendship! Such he assuredly was when sane. when morally insane. in all we have happened personally to know of him. POE. "Your friend always. than what we hear of only. Poe. seeming to us like portraits.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe that there may be no cause of squabbling. I have chosen a broad text: ‘The Universe. these descriptions of him.
The countenance of this lady. her long-forgotten but habitually and unconsciously refined manners.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe lifting of the veil which sacredly covers grief and refinement in poverty. made beautiful and saintly with an evidently complete giving up of her life to privation and sorrowful tenderness. and. her gentle and mournful voice urging its plea. Our first knowledge of Mr. with his sick wife. It was a hard fate that she was watching over. even were there not a more needed and immediate service which it may render to the nearest link broken by his death. if so we can brighten the memory of the poet. and in a style too much above the popular level to be well paid. Mr. disclosed at once the presence of one of those angels upon earth that women in adversity can be. that her daughter was a confirmed invalid. but we think it may be excused. Poe’s removal to this city was by a call which we received from a lady who introduced herself to us as the mother of his wife. and her appealing and yet appreciative mention of the claims and abilities of her son. He was always in pecuniary difficulty. frequently in want of 41 of 419 . Poe wrote with fastidious difficulty. and she excused her errand by mentioning that he was ill. She was in search of employment for him. and that their circumstances were such as compelled her taking it upon herself.
Her daughter died a year and a half since. and never. disinterested and holy as the watch of an invisible spirit-say for him who inspired it? 42 of 419 . caring for him. guarding him against exposure. hallow its object. suffering one syllable to escape her lips that could convey a doubt of him. begging for him still. what does not a devotion like this-pure.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe the merest necessaries of life. in this whole city. or a complaint. Winter after winter. but she did not desert him. and begging for him. for years. as it is allowed to do. or a lessening of pride in his genius and good intentions. thinly and insufficiently clad. If woman’s devotion. born with a first love. and when he was carried away by temptation.’ whatever might be the reason for his writing nothing. and awoke from his self abandonment prostrated in destitution and suffering. and fed with human passion. has been that tireless minister to genius. She continued his ministering angel—living with him. to sell. or an article on some literary subject. sometimes simply pleading in a broken voice that he was ill. amid all her tears and recitals of distress. the most touching sight to us. going from office to office with a poem. mentioning nothing but that ‘he was ill. amid grief and the loneliness of feelings unreplied to.
— to come. his poor desolate mother…’ To hedge round a grave with respect. written by this lady. and the story of such a woman’s unrewarded devotion! Risking what we do. What we have said will speak to some hearts. Can you give me any circumstances or particulars? … Oh! do not desert your poor friend in his bitter affliction! … Ask -Mr. Clemm. but we will copy a few of its words—sacred as its privacy is—to warrant the truth of the picture we have drawn above. as I must deliver a message to him from my poor Eddie…. what choice is there. and add force to the appeal we wish to make for her: ‘I have this morning heard of the death of my darling Eddie…. I need not ask you to notice his death and to speak well of him. in delicacy. by making it public. But say what an affectionate son he was to me.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe We have a letter before us. on the morning in which she heard of the death of this object of her untiring care. Mrs. between the relinquished wealth and honors of the world. It is merely a request that we would call upon her. There are those who will be glad to know how the lamp. I know you will. whose light of poetry has beamed on their 43 of 419 . we feel—other reasons aside—that it betters the world to make known that there are such ministrations to its erring and gifted.
She is destitute and alone. that they may send to her. was watched over with care and pain. we will joyfully place it in her bands. some token of their sympathy. will send to us what may aid and cheer her through the remainder of her life. who is more darkened than they by its extinction. If any. far or near. 44 of 419 .The Works of Edgar Allan Poe far-away recognition.
The day was warm — unusually so for the season — there was hardly a breath of air stirring. phenomena have there occurred of a nature so completely unexpected — so entirely novel — so utterly at variance with preconceived opinions — as to leave no doubt on my mind that long ere this all Europe is in an uproar. were assembled in the great square of the Exchange in the well-conditioned city of Rotterdam. all physics in a ferment. that city seems to be in a high state of philosophical excitement.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe The Unparalleled Adventures of One Hans Pfaal {*1} BY late accounts from Rotterdam. and the multitude were in no bad humor at being now and then besprinkled with friendly showers of momentary duration. all reason and astronomy together by the ears. a vast crowd of people. Indeed. for purposes not specifically mentioned. that fell from large white masses of cloud which chequered in a fitful manner the blue vault of the 45 of 419 . It appears that on the — day of — (I am not positive about the date).
What could it be? In the name of all the vrows and devils in Rotterdam. in an instant afterward. so whimsically put together. ten thousand faces were upturned toward the heavens. and never to be sufficiently admired. Nevertheless. every one to a man replaced his pipe carefully in the 46 of 419 . From behind the huge bulk of one of those sharply-defined masses of cloud already mentioned. a queer. through all the environs of Rotterdam. so oddly shaped. about noon. as not to be in any manner comprehended. a slight but remarkable agitation became apparent in the assembly: the clattering of ten thousand tongues succeeded. ten thousand pipes descended simultaneously from the corners of ten thousand mouths. so. as nothing more reasonable could be done. and furiously. but apparently solid substance. loudly. what could it possibly portend? No one knew. heterogeneous. and a shout. which could be compared to nothing but the roaring of Niagara. resounded long. no one — not even the burgomaster Mynheer Superbus Von Underduk — had the slightest clew by which to unravel the mystery. The origin of this hubbub soon became sufficiently evident.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe firmament. by the host of sturdy burghers who stood openmouthed below. was seen slowly to emerge into an open area of blue space. and. no one could imagine.
yet here. and composed. of the precise material which no one had ever before known to be used for a similar purpose. and cocking up his right eye towards the phenomenon. In the meantime. puffed. and grunted significantly — then waddled back. 47 of 419 . I have it on the best authority. under the very noses of the people. but surely no such balloon had ever been seen in Rotterdam before. It appeared to be — yes! it was undoubtedly a species of balloon. Being little or nothing better than a huge foolscap turned upside down. there was perceived a large tassel depending from its apex. paused. let me ask. and. and finally — puffed again. It was an egregious insult to the good sense of the burghers of Rotterdam. paused. And this similitude was regarded as by no means lessened when.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe corner of his mouth. ever heard of a balloon manufactured entirely of dirty newspapers? No man in Holland certainly. In a very few minutes it arrived near enough to be accurately discerned. For who. however. upon nearer inspection. came the object of so much curiosity. grunted. waddled about. or rather at some distance above their noses was the identical thing in question. lower and still lower toward the goodly city. and the cause of so much smoke. As to the shape of the phenomenon. it was even still more reprehensible.
mixed up with a quantity of odd-looking rubbish. Now this was a circumstance the more to be observed. while the vrow Grettel Pfaall. and up to the date of this narrative all attempts had failed of obtaining any intelligence concerning them whatsoever. and declared it to be the identical hat of her good man himself. But still worse. however. some bones which were thought to be human. had been lately discovered in a retired situation to the east of Rotterdam. had actually disappeared from Rotterdam about five years before.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe around the upper rim or base of the cone. which kept up a continual tinkling to the tune of Betty Martin. there hung. and a hemispherical crown with a black band and a silver buckle. It is. as Pfaall. resembling sheep-bells. with a brim superlatively broad. by way of car. upon sight of it. Suspended by blue ribbons to the end of this fantastic machine. in a very sudden and unaccountable manner. an enormous drab beaver bat. somewhat remarkable that many citizens of Rotterdam swore to having seen the same hat repeatedly before. and some people went so far as to imagine that in this spot a foul murder had been committed. a circle of little instruments. and indeed the whole assembly seemed to regard it with eyes of familiarity. To be sure. uttered an exclamation of joyful surprise. and 48 of 419 . with three companions.
brilliant. or to speak more properly. This was in truth a very droll little somebody. giving to his entire figure a rotundity highly absurd. and inflammatory. his chin and cheeks. but this altitude.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe that the sufferers were in all probability Hans Pfaall and his associates. crooked. But to return. and collected in a cue behind. puffy. His hair was extremely gray. He could not have been more than two feet in height. allowing the crowd below a sufficiently distinct view of the person of its occupant. although wrinkled with age. little as it was. in the top of the hat. could not be seen at all. and acute. his eyes full. His hands were enormously large. were broad. His feet. and double. of course. and tilt him over the edge of his tiny car. but of ears of any kind or character there was not a semblance to be discovered upon any portion of his 49 of 419 . although a horny substance of suspicious nature was occasionally protruded through a rent in the bottom of the car. The balloon (for such no doubt it was) had now descended to within a hundred feet of the earth. and rigged on to the cords of the balloon. The body of the little man was more than proportionately broad. but for the intervention of a circular rim reaching as high as the breast. would have been sufficient to destroy his equilibrium. His nose was prodigiously long.
Having descended. His Excellency stooped to take it up. and fell down. let it fall precisely at the feet of the burgomaster. and appeared disinclined to make any nearer approach to terra firma. His vest was of some bright yellow material. a white taffety cap was set jauntily on one side of his head. This odd little gentleman was dressed in a loose surtout of sky-blue satin. and was evidently astonished at its weight. a quantity of sand from a canvas bag. in a hurried and agitated manner. then eyed it with an air of extreme surprise. he lifted with great difficulty. which. He then proceeded. fastened with silver buckles at the knees. This he poised suspiciously in his hand. and drawing there from a huge letter sealed with red sealing-wax and tied carefully with red tape. Throwing out. and. He at length opened it. Superbus Von Underduk. to complete his equipment. But the aeronaut. therefore. to extract from a sidepocket in his surtout a large morocco pocket-book. he became stationary in an instant. a blood-red silk handkerchief enveloped his throat. upon his bosom. still greatly 50 of 419 . in a fantastic bow-knot of super-eminent dimensions.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe head. to about one hundred feet from the surface of the earth. as I said before. in a dainty manner. the little old gentleman was suddenly seized with a fit of trepidation. with tight breeches to match.
It is not to be supposed. and edit PDF. soaring far away above the city. began at this moment to make busy preparations for departure. had proved so fatally 51 of 419 . and rolled him over and over no less than one-and-twenty times. the half dozen bags which he threw out. and having apparently no farther business to detain him in Rotterdam. that during each and every one of his oneand twenty circumvolutions he emitted no less than oneand-twenty distinct and furious whiffs from his pipe. in the face of every man in Rotterdam. and it being necessary to discharge a portion of ballast to enable him to reascend.eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. It is said. All attention was now directed to the letter. however. tumbled. and the consequences attending thereupon. the descent of which. In the meantime the balloon arose like a lark. view. and. to which he held fast the whole time with all his might. without taking the trouble to empty their contents. on the contrary. discomposed. that the great Underduk suffered this impertinence on the part of the little old man to pass off with impunity. every one of them. and to which he intends holding fast until the day of his death. Download the free trial version. one after another. most unfortunately upon the back of the burgomaster. at length drifted quietly behind a cloud similar to that from which it had so oddly emerged. and was thus lost forever to the wondering eyes of the good citiezns of Rotterdam.
communications. and by occupation a mender of bellows. which was seen. I. it so please your Excellencies. who. had not failed. to bestow a thought upon the important subject of securing the packet in question. however. with three others. to have fallen into the most proper hands. the writer of this communication. It is 52 of 419 . in the city of Rotterdam. and extremely unaccountable. the illustrious Burgomaster Mynheer Superbus Von Underduk.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe subversive of both person and personal dignity to his Excellency. disappeared from Rotterdam. To their Excellencies Von Underduk and Rub-a-dub. and indeed very serious. It was accordingly opened by those dignitaries upon the spot. by name Hans Pfaall. am the identical Hans Pfaall himself. in a manner which must have been considered by all parties at once sudden. during his circumgyratory movements. If. and found to contain the following extraordinary. being actually addressed to himself and Professor Rub-a-dub. President and Vice-President of the States’ College of Astronomers. in their official capacities of President and Vice-President of the Rotterdam College of Astronomy. ‘Your Excellencies may perhaps be able to remember an humble artizan. That functionary. about five years ago. upon inspection. however.
and as the government grew weaker.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe well known to most of my fellow citizens. If a fire wanted fanning. we soon began to feel the effects of liberty and long speeches. and keep up with the march of intellect and the spirit of the age. to speak the truth. But. and radicalism. there was not a pair 53 of 419 . in a very short time. the very best customers in the world. I have no doubt that leather and iron acquired durability in proportion. it could readily be fanned with a newspaper. My ancestors have also resided therein time out of mind — they. Credit was good. as much as they could do to read about the revolutions. employment was never wanting. in which I resided at the time of my disappearance. that the heads of all the people have been set agog with politics. no better business than my own could an honest citizen of Rotterdam either desire or deserve. that for the period of forty years I continued to occupy the little square brick building. until of late years. They had. and all that sort of thing. steadily following the respectable and indeed lucrative profession of mending of bellows. as I was saying. so they said. had now not a moment of time to think of us at all. at the head of the alley called Sauerkraut. People who were formerly. For. as well as myself. and on all hands there was no lack of either money or good-will. for.
There were three fellows in particular who worried me beyond endurance.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe of bellows in all Rotterdam that ever stood in need of a stitch or required the assistance of a hammer. Upon these three I internally vowed the bitterest revenge. and I believe nothing in the world but the pleasure of this anticipation prevented me from putting my plan of suicide into immediate execution. an opportunity of vengeance should be afforded me. by some good turn of fate. and foam. and I spent hour after hour in reflecting upon the most convenient method of putting an end to my life. to dissemble my wrath. however. I soon grew as poor as a rat. and. I thought it best. so that I began to rave. and to treat them with promises and fair words. and fret like a caged tiger against the bars of his enclosure. having given my creditors the slip. having a wife and children to provide for. ‘One day. My house was literally besieged from morning till night. keeping watch continually about my door. Duns. This was a state of things not to be endured. until. and feeling more than usually dejected. left me little leisure for contemplation. in the meantime. I continued for a long 54 of 419 . my burdens at length became intolerable. by blowing my brains out with a blunderbuss. if ever I should be so happy as to get them within my clutches. and threatening me with the law.
It proved to be a small pamphlet treatise on Speculative Astronomy. The limited nature of my education in general. and I directed my steps toward home. and. opened the pages of the first volume which came within my reach. But the treatise had made an indelible impression on my mind. and more especially my ignorance on subjects connected with natural 55 of 419 . I threw myself doggedly into it. reading it actually through twice before I awoke to a recollection of what was passing around me. hardly knowing why. written either by Professor Encke of Berlin or by a Frenchman of somewhat similar name. for the use of customers. until at length I chanced to stumble against the corner of a bookseller’s stall.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe time to wander about the most obscure streets without object whatever. I had some little tincture of information on matters of this nature. The longer I meditated upon these the more intense grew the interest which had been excited within me. There are some particular passages which affected my imagination in a powerful and extraordinary manner. I revolved carefully over in my memory the wild and sometimes unintelligible reasonings of the writer. Seeing a chair close at hand. By this time it began to grow dark. as I sauntered along the dusky streets. and. and soon became more and more absorbed in the contents of the book.
merely served as a farther stimulus to imagination. of instinct or intuition. is frequently of its own essence.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe philosophy. when I gazed on it with earnest. Nature herself seemed to afford me corroboration of these ideas. and still do believe. than in the actual situations wherein she may be found. at that time aware that this apparent paradox was occasioned by the center of the visual area 56 of 419 . as when I suffered my eye only to glance in its vicinity alone. I was not. to doubt whether those crude ideas which. of course. whether. direct and undeviating attention. so far from rendering me diffident of my own ability to comprehend what I had read. superficial. may not often in effect possess all the force. the reality. and other inherent properties. and that. that truth. in many cases. In other words. have all the appearance. to proceed a step farther. and I was vain enough. profundity itself might not. the depth lies more in the abysses where we seek her. arising in ill-regulated minds. In the contemplation of the heavenly bodies it struck me forcibly that I could not distinguish a star with nearly as much precision. I believed. or inducing me to mistrust the many vague notions which had arisen in consequence. in matters of a purely speculative nature. be detected as a legitimate source of falsity and error. or perhaps reasonable enough.
struck me with the force of positive conformation. was too much occupied to sleep. I devoted every spare moment to their perusal. Having arrived at home safely with these. My mind. and laid out what little ready money I possessed. came afterwards in the course of an eventful five years. the analogy which a casual observation of a star offered to the conclusions I had already drawn. during which I have dropped the prejudices of my former humble situation in life. Arising early in the morning. however. But at the epoch of which I speak. and I then finally made up my mind to the course which I afterwards pursued. and some of another kind. I made every endeavor to conciliate the three creditors who 57 of 419 . In the intervals of this period. and forgotten the bellows-mender in far different occupations. ‘It was late when I reached home. and contriving again to escape the vigilance of my creditors. and I went immediately to bed. in the purchase of some volumes of Mechanics and Practical Astronomy. and I lay the whole night buried in meditation. and soon made such proficiency in studies of this nature as I thought sufficient for the execution of my plan.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe being less susceptible of feeble impressions of light than the exterior portions of the retina. I repaired eagerly to the bookseller’s stall. This knowledge.
very fine. and gave her all requisite information as to the particular method of proceeding. rigged it with a hoop and the 58 of 419 . under various pretences. and partly by a promise of paying the balance upon completion of a little project which I told them I had in view. I contrived. by the aid of my wife and with the greatest secrecy and caution. to dispose of what property I had remaining. and for assistance in which I solicited their services. This I directed my wife to make up as soon as possible. ‘Matters being thus arranged. a lot of the varnish of caoutchouc. In the meantime I worked up the twine into a net-work of sufficient dimensions. In this I finally succeeded — partly by selling enough of my household furniture to satisfy a moiety of their claim. cambric muslin. and without paying any attention to my future means of repayment. a large and deep basket of wicker-work. twine. With the means thus accruing I proceeded to procure at intervals. By these means — for they were ignorant men — I found little difficulty in gaining them over to my purpose. in pieces of twelve yards each. made to order. and to borrow. no inconsiderable quantity of ready money. and several other articles necessary in the construction and equipment of a balloon of extraordinary dimensions.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe had given me so much annoyance. in small sums.
by whom it was conditionally communicated to myself. and a dozen demijohns of a very common acid. however. was not equally as good. which I shall not name. a compass. in France. and ten feet in length. The gas to be formed from these latter materials is a gas never yet generated by any other person than myself — or at least never applied to any similar purpose. altogether too expensive. whether cambric muslin with a coating of gum caoutchouc. I then took opportunities of conveying by night. properly shaped. a method of constructing balloons from the membrane of a certain animal. but that it of right belongs to a citizen of Nantz. five iron-bound casks. three inches in diameter. a quantity of a particular metallic substance. I mention this 59 of 419 . to contain about fifty gallons each. a spyglass. a common barometer with some important modifications. or semi-metal. The secret I would make no difficulty in disclosing. and was not sure. I found it. and two astronomical instruments not so generally known. through which substance any escape of gas was nearly an impossibility. to a retired situation east of Rotterdam.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe necessary cords. six tinned ware tubes. The same individual submitted to me. bought a quadrant. and one of a larger size. without being at all aware of my intentions. upon the whole.
of cannon powder. I conveyed to the depot. I privately dug a hole two feet deep. and barely visible beyond the cask. and having let into one of the canisters the end of about four feet of slow match. and in the larger one a keg holding one hundred and fifty pounds. because I think it probable that hereafter the individual in question may attempt a balloon ascension with the novel gas and material I have spoken of. ‘On the spot which I intended each of the smaller casks to occupy respectively during the inflation of the balloon. leaving the other end of the match protruding about an inch. ‘Besides the articles above enumerated. I also dug a hole three feet in depth. and placed the cask over it. and there secreted.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe circumstance. being the station designed for the large cask. I deposited a canister containing fifty pounds. one of M. and placed the barrels over them in their destined situation. the holes forming in this manner a circle twenty-five feet in diameter. and I do not wish to deprive him of the honor of a very singular invention. In each of the five smaller holes. I covered up the hole. I then filled up the remaining holes. In the centre of this circle. These — the keg and canisters — I connected in a proper manner with covered trains. Grimm’s 60 of 419 .
I believe. with all my implements. however. I calculated. she always looked upon me as an idle boy. good for nothing but 61 of 419 . I found this machine. to tell the truth. and bade her farewell. a mere make-weight. and could manage matters in the world without my assistance. I gave her what little money I had left. would take me up easily. But. if I managed rightly. to return as soon as circumstances would permit. and I found the cambric muslin to answer all the purposes of silk itself. My balloon was soon completed. to require considerable alteration before it could be adapted to the purposes to which I intended making it applicable. quite as strong and a good deal less expensive. with severe labor and unremitting perseverance.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe improvements upon the apparatus for condensation of the atmospheric air. on my part. It would contain more than forty thousand cubic feet of gas. and. She was what people call a notable woman. I at length met with entire success in all my preparations. I exacted from my wife an oath of secrecy in relation to all my actions from the day of my first visit to the bookseller’s stall. and promising. ‘Everything being now ready. Indeed I had no fear on her account. with one hundred and seventy-five pounds of ballast into the bargain. It had received three coats of varnish.
the powder also was liable to damage. I began to get uneasy. what good was likely to result from their getting wet to the skin. I therefore kept my three duns working with great diligence. in spite of the varnish with which it was defended. began to grow rather heavy with the moisture. which. The night. we carried the balloon. They could not perceive. importuning me with questions as to what I intended to do with all this apparatus. pounding down ice around the central cask. as I said before. and a drizzling rain. and I proceeded immediately to business. by a roundabout way. as aides-de-camp. ‘It was the first of April. rendered us very uncomfortable. They did not cease. We there found them all unmolested. and stirring the acid in the others. however. But my chief anxiety was concerning the balloon. and worked away with all my might. merely to take a part in such horrible incantations. with the car and accoutrements. there was not a star to be seen.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe building castles in the air. and taking with me. and was rather glad to get rid of me. so they said. and expressed much dissatisfaction at the terrible labor I made them undergo. the three creditors who had given me so much trouble. It was a dark night when I bade her good-bye. was dark. 62 of 419 . to the station where the other articles were deposited. falling at intervals.
their own interpretation. and a large quantity of provisions. therefore. no doubt. a copious supply of water. in short.eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. 63 of 419 . fancying. what I was now doing was nothing better than it should be. in consideration of their services. of course. to pacify them by promises of payment of all scores in full. Dropping a lighted cigar on the ground. ‘In about four hours and a half I found the balloon sufficiently inflated. as if by accident. I was. and I thought it high time to take my departure. and a trifle more. however. therefore. I also secured in the car a pair of pigeons and a cat. I attached the car. in which much nutriment is contained in comparatively little bulk. in stooping to pick it up. Download the free trial version. I contrived. of igniting privately the piece of slow match. as soon as I could bring the present business to a termination. To these speeches they gave. and put all my implements in it — not forgetting the condensing apparatus. view. whose end. I dare say they cared very little what became of either my soul or my carcass. in great fear of their leaving me altogether. and edit PDF. I took the opportunity. such as pemmican. for I verily believe the idiots supposed that I had entered into a compact with the devil. and that. It was now nearly daybreak. that at all events I should come into possession of vast quantities of ready money. and provided I paid them all I owed.
and able to have carried up as many more. and legs and arms. When I afterward had time for reflection. had I attained the height of fifty yards. and I fell down in the bottom of the car. came so dense a hurricane of fire.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe as I said before. which I shall never forget. jumping into the car. however. and immediately thereupon. roaring and rumbling up after me in the most horrible and tumultuous manner. and smoke. I immediately cut the single cord which held me to the earth. ‘Scarcely. I now perceived that I had entirely overdone the business. as regarded myself. and blazing metal. Accordingly. and gravel. 64 of 419 . and was pleased to find that I shot upward. and sulphur. This manoeuvre was totally unperceived on the part of the three duns. a concussion. burst abruptly through the night and seemed to rip the very firmament asunder. in less than a second. and that the main consequences of the shock were yet to be experienced. Indeed. trembling with unmitigated terror. I felt all the blood in my body rushing to my temples. carrying with all ease one hundred and seventy-five pounds of leaden ballast. that my very heart sunk within me. and. and burning wood. I did not fail to attribute the extreme violence of the explosion. when. protruded a very little beyond the lower rim of one of the smaller casks.chairs,work. onethird;
an ascension being made to any given altitude. and. The greatest height ever reached by man was that of 25. at the same time. of course. and the mechanical laws regulating its dilation and compression. moreover. the ponderable quantity of air surmounted 73 of 419 . all such reasoning and from such data must.000 feet. in what may be called. This is a moderate altitude. not exceeding eighty miles — the rarefaction would be so excessive that animal life could in no manner be sustained. attained in the aeronautic expedition of Messieurs Gay-Lussac and Biot. the immediate vicinity of the earth itself. it is taken for granted that animal life is and must be essentially incapable of modification at any given unattainable distance from the surface. ‘But. and. even when compared with the eighty miles in question. But I did not fail to perceive that these latter calculations are founded altogether on our experimental knowledge of the properties of air. that the most delicate means we possess of ascertaining the presence of the atmosphere would be inadequate to assure us of its existence. and I could not help thinking that the subject admitted room for doubt and great latitude for speculation. comparatively speaking. Now. in point of fact.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe earth’s diameter — that is. be simply analogical.
beyond which there is absolutely no air whatsoever. for all the disturbances due to the attractions of the planets. we cannot. literally speaking. the major axis of the comet’s ellipse is growing shorter. On comparing the intervals between the successive arrivals of Encke’s comet at its perihelion. ascend as high as we may. I was aware that arguments have not been wanting to prove the existence of a real and definite limit to the atmosphere. if we suppose a resistance experienced from the comet from an extremely rare 74 of 419 . it appears that the periods are gradually diminishing. It is therefore evident that. although it may exist in a state of infinite rarefaction. in the most exact manner. that is to say. It must exist. this is precisely what ought to be the case. although no positive refutation of their creed.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe in any farther ascension is by no means in proportion to the additional height ascended (as may be plainly seen from what has been stated before). I argued. but in a ratio constantly decreasing. Now. still a point worthy very serious investigation. in a slow but perfectly regular decrease. after giving credit. But a circumstance which has been left out of view by those who contend for such a limit seemed to me. ‘On the other hand. arrive at a limit beyond which no atmosphere is to be found.
and I believed indefinitely farther. and follows generally the direction of the sun’s equator. and which is only denser in proportion to its solar vicinity? The lenticular-shaped phenomenon. also called the zodiacal light. that this apparent condensation of volume has its origin in the compression of the same ethereal medium I have spoken of before. This radiance. Download the free trial version. in retarding the comet’s velocity.eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. and the comet would be drawn nearer at every revolution. The real diameter of the same comet’s nebulosity is observed to contract rapidly as it approaches the sun. and dilate with equal rapidity in its departure towards its aphelion. was a matter worthy of attention. this medium I could not suppose 75 of 419 . extends from the horizon obliquely upward. and edit PDF. It appeared to me evidently in the nature of a rare atmosphere extending from the sun outward.{*2} Indeed. Valz. increase its centripetal. ethereal medium pervading the regions of its orbit. there is no other way of accounting for the variation in question. view. so apparent in the tropics. In other words. beyond the orbit of Venus at least. For it is evident that such a medium must. But again. Indeed. the sun’s attraction would be constantly attaining greater power. by weakening its centrifugal force. Was I not justifiable in supposing with M. and which cannot be mistaken for any meteoric lustre.
Grimm. and confidently looked forward to its successful application. Granting that on my passage I should meet with atmosphere essentially the same as at the surface of the earth. It was easy. condensed into what we call atmosphere at the planets themselves. by means of the very ingenious apparatus of M. Now. I had indeed spent some money and great labor in adapting the apparatus to the object intended.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe confined to the path of the comet’s ellipse. so to speak. the power of elevation lies altogether in the superior lightness of the 76 of 419 . in the first stage of their ascensions from the earth. I conceived that. ‘It is true that balloons. I had little further hesitation. on the contrary. if I could manage to complete the voyage within any reasonable period. I should readily be enabled to condense it in sufficient quantity for the purposes of respiration. Having adopted this view of the subject. This brings me back to the rate at which it might be possible to travel. to imagine it pervading the entire regions of our planetary system. This would remove the chief obstacle in a journey to the moon. are known to rise with a velocity comparatively moderate. or to the immediate neighborhood of the sun. purely geological. and perhaps at some of them modified by considerations.
in any recorded ascension. and consequently arrives successively in atmospheric strata of densities rapidly diminishing — I say. in this its progress upwards. and varnished with no better material than the ordinary varnish. although such should have been the case. it could make comparatively little difference at what extreme state of rarefaction I should discover it — that is to say. if on account of nothing else. the original velocity should be accelerated. at first sight. that the effect of such escape was only sufficient to counterbalance the effect of some accelerating power. On the other hand. and. a diminution was apparent in the absolute rate of ascent. as the balloon acquires altitude. I could suffer an escape of so much 77 of 419 . it does not appear at all reasonable that. I was not aware that. I now considered that. on account of the escape of gas through balloons illconstructed.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe gas in the balloon compared with the atmospheric air. provided in my passage I found the medium I had imagined. in regard to my power of ascending — for the gas in the balloon would not only be itself subject to rarefaction partially similar (in proportion to the occurrence of which. It seemed. and provided that it should prove to be actually and essentially what we denominate atmospheric air. it does not appear probable that. therefore.
at all events. ‘There was still.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe as would be requisite to prevent explosion). besides the pain attending respiration. the force of gravitation would be constantly diminishing. In accordance with these ideas. however. continue specifically lighter than any compound whatever of mere nitrogen and oxygen. that. with a velocity prodigiously accelerating.{*3} This was a reflection of a nature somewhat startling. which occasioned me some little disquietude. It has been observed. but. in proportion to the squares of the distances. another difficulty. often accompanied with bleeding at the nose. I did not think it worth while to encumber myself with more provisions than would be sufficient for a period of forty days. and other symptoms of an alarming kind. and growing more and more inconvenient in proportion to the altitude attained. Was it not probable that these symptoms would increase indefinitely. being what it was. and thus. in balloon ascensions to any considerable height. would. or at least until terminated by death itself? I finally thought not. great uneasiness is experienced about the head and body. Their origin was to be looked 78 of 419 . In the meantime. I should at length arrive in those distant regions where the force of the earth’s attraction would be superseded by that of the moon.
I could see no reason. may it please your Excellencies. I conceived that. and consequent distention of the superficial blood-vessels — not in any positive disorganization of the animal system. though by no means all. I shall now proceed to lay before you the result of an attempt so apparently audacious in conception. as in the case of difficulty in breathing. for the expansion and compression of chest. I relied with confidence upon the iron hardihood of my constitution. so utterly unparalleled in the annals of mankind. the sensations of pain would gradually diminish — and to endure them while they continued. I have detailed some. not the effect. Unless for default of this renovation. at all events. of respiration. and. where the atmospheric density is chemically insufficient for the due renovation of blood in a ventricle of the heart. why life could not be sustained even in a vacuum. and the cause. ‘Thus. the considerations which led me to form the project of a lunar voyage. commonly called breathing. In a word. therefore. 79 of 419 . as the body should become habituated to the want of atmospheric pressure. is action purely muscular.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe for in the progressive removal of the customary atmospheric pressure upon the surface of the body.
The convex surface of any segment of a sphere is. breathing with great freedom. and found that I still ascended with sufficient rapidity.400 feet. were busily employed in picking up some grains of rice scattered for them in the bottom of the car. therefore. I threw out from the car a quantity of feathers. 80 of 419 . I as yet suffered no bodily inconvenience. it is very easily calculated by means of spherical geometry. what a great extent of the earth’s area I beheld. Indeed. there was. the barometer showed an elevation of 26. which I had taken off. the versed sine — that is to say. The prospect seemed unbounded. These latter being tied by the leg. Now. or five miles to a fraction. as the versed sine of the segment to the diameter of the sphere. The cat was lying very demurely upon my coat. for reasons which will be explained in the sequel. that is to say three miles and three-quarters. to the entire surface of the sphere itself. for I wished to retain with me as much weight as I could carry. I was glad of this. ‘At twenty minutes past six o’clock. in my case.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘Having attained the altitude before mentioned. to prevent their escape. and eyeing the pigeons with an air of nonchalance. the thickness of the segment beneath me — was about equal to my elevation. no necessity for discharging any ballast. and feeling no pain whatever in the head.
however. especially about the ears — still. at intervals. and perceived immediately. severe pain in the head. The sea appeared unruffled as a mirror. by means of the spy-glass. reserving still a weight of one hundred and sixtyfive pounds. I thought it best. a singular recontre. apparently to the eastward. breathing with tolerable freedom. a flash of vivid lightning shot 81 of 419 .’ would express the proportion of the earth’s area seen by me. The cat and pigeons seemed to suffer no inconvenience whatsoever. In other words. I could perceive it to be in a state of violent agitation.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe or the elevation of the point of sight above the surface. to be sure. although. however. I now began to experience. This was. to eight thousand. which put me to great trouble. I beheld as much as a sixteen-hundredth part of the whole surface of the globe. that I had obtained a great increase in my rate of ascent. for I had not believed it possible that a cloud of this nature could be sustained at so great an elevation. by damaging my condensing apparatus and wetting me to the skin. the balloon entered a long series of dense cloud. In a few seconds after my leaving the cloud. ‘As five miles. Upon so doing. then. having drifted away. I soon rose above the difficulty. ‘At twenty minutes before seven. to throw out two five-pound pieces of ballast. The ship was no longer visible.
like a mass of ignited and glowing charcoal. throughout its vast extent. 82 of 419 . I began to find great difficulty in drawing my breath. Hell itself might have been found a fitting image. my hair stood on end. while I gazed afar down within the yawning abysses.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe from one end of it to the other. ‘I was now rising rapidly. Had the balloon remained a very short while longer within the cloud — that is to say — had not the inconvenience of getting wet. are perhaps the greatest which must be encountered in balloons. however. and caused it to kindle up. Even as it was. inevitable ruin would have been the consequence. My head. too. and ruddy gulfs. was excessively painful. as it were. and by seven o’clock the barometer indicated an altitude of no less than nine miles and a half. I had indeed made a narrow escape. I had by this time. was in the broad light of day. and. No fancy may picture the sublimity which might have been exhibited by a similar phenomenon taking place amid the darkness of the night. letting imagination descend. and stalk about in the strange vaulted halls. it must be remembered. determined me to discharge the ballast. This. and red ghastly chasms of the hideous and unfathomable fire. Such perils. although little considered. attained too great an elevation to be any longer uneasy on this head.
while the cat mewed piteously. ceased. and even the balloon itself. with her tongue hanging out of her mouth. I now too late discovered the great 83 of 419 . carried me too rapidly. very imprudently. and occasioned me some alarm. and struggled to escape. The accelerated rate of ascent thus obtained. and even slightly at the eyes. At this juncture. into a highly rarefied stratum of the atmosphere. and all objects in the car. I at length discovered it to be blood. I threw out from the car three fivepound pieces of ballast. I could catch my breath only at long intervals. These symptoms were more than I had expected. appeared distorted to my vision. also. I was suddenly seized with a spasm which lasted for more than five minutes. which was oozing quite fast from the drums of my ears. staggered to and fro in the car as if under the influence of poison. The pigeons appeared distressed in the extreme. and. Upon passing the hand over them they seemed to have protruded from their sockets in no inconsiderable degree. gave me great uneasiness. and without consideration. and the result had nearly proved fatal to my expedition and to myself. in a measure.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe having felt for some time a moisture about my cheeks. and in a gasping manner — bleeding all the while copiously at the nose and ears. My eyes. and without sufficient gradation. and even when this.
indeed. The physical suffering I underwent contributed also to render me nearly incapable of making any exertion for the preservation of my life. and finally succeeded in opening a vein in my right arm. Thus I found that my senses would shortly give way altogether. I nevertheless did not think it expedient to attempt getting 84 of 419 . little power of reflection left. and by the time I had lost about half a moderate basin full. I was constrained to perform the operation in the best manner I was able. and the possible consequences to myself. The blood had hardly commenced flowing when I experienced a sensible relief. most of the worst symptoms had abandoned me entirely. In this I so far succeeded as to determine upon the experiment of losing blood. I anticipated nothing less than death. and my agitation was excessive. and I had already clutched one of the valve ropes with the view of attempting a descent. operated to deter me for the moment. however. when the recollection of the trick I had played the three creditors. with the blade of my penknife. should I return. I lay down in the bottom of the car. and death in a few minutes. I had. Having no lancet.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe rashness of which I had been guilty in discharging the ballast. and the violence of the pain in my head seemed to be greatly on the increase. and endeavored to collect my faculties.
I must consider my theory in fault. I lay still for about a quarter of an hour. It would afford me a chance of bringing to a kind of test the truth of a surmise. In the meantime. had influenced me in attempting this ascension. which. looking toward the cat. or nearly so. The difficulty of breathing. At the end of this time I arose. more than anything else. however. but. I discovered to my infinite surprise. but 85 of 419 . was diminished in a very slight degree.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe on my feet immediately. This was an addition to the number of passengers on my part altogether unexpected. and found myself freer from absolute pain of any kind than I had been during the last hour and a quarter of my ascension. that she had taken the opportunity of my indisposition to bring into light a litter of three little kittens. having tied up my arm as well as I could. but I was pleased at the occurrence. I had imagined that the habitual endurance of the atmospheric pressure at the surface of the earth was the cause. of the pain attending animal existence at a distance above the surface. who was again snugly stowed away upon my coat. Should the kittens be found to suffer uneasiness in an equal degree with their mother. and I found that it would soon be positively necessary to make use of my condenser.
at this period of my ascension. The pains in my head and ears returned. at intervals. Thus it seemed to me evident that my rate of ascent was not only on the increase. and I still continued to bleed occasionally at the nose. however. and each inhalation was attended with a troublesome spasmodic action of the chest. and the southward. although perfectly discernible. as far as I could see.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe a failure to do so I should look upon as a strong confirmation of my idea. with violence. I breathed. I now unpacked the condensing apparatus. ‘By eight o’clock I had actually attained an elevation of seventeen miles above the surface of the earth. and got it ready for immediate use. At a vast distance to the eastward. upon the whole. lay a boundless sheet of apparently unruffled ocean. To the westward. which every moment gained a deeper and a deeper tint of blue and began already to assume a slight appearance of convexity. ‘The view of the earth. the northward. with more and more difficulty. the 86 of 419 . I suffered much less than might have been expected. but. but that the progression would have been apparent in a slight degree even had I not discharged the ballast which I did. at every moment. was beautiful indeed. extended the islands of Great Britain.
He appeared extremely uneasy. and the proudest cities of mankind had utterly faded away from the face of the earth. and edit PDF. view. and I found myself listening on tiptoe for the echoes of the mighty cataract. and making a loud cooing noise. a beautiful gray-mottled pigeon. He made. no attempt to descend as I had expected. however. the dark Mediterranean sea. dotted with shining islands as the heaven is dotted with stars. From the rock of Gibraltar. looking anxiously around him. Of individual edifices not a trace could be discovered. Download the free trial version. with a small portion of the northern part of the continent of Africa. Overhead. the sky was of a jetty black. I determined upon giving them their liberty. and the stars were brilliantly visible. until its entire mass of waters seemed at length to tumble headlong over the abyss of the horizon. now dwindled into a dim speck. and placed him upon the rim of the wicker-work.eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. fluttering his wings. but could not be persuaded to trust himself from off the car. I first untied one of them. ‘The pigeons about this time seeming to undergo much suffering. uttering at the same time 87 of 419 . and threw him to about half a dozen yards from the balloon. but struggled with great vehemence to get back. spread itself out to the eastward as far as my vision extended. entire Atlantic coasts of France and Spain. I took him up at last.
Puss. and so far evinced not the slightest sign of any uneasiness whatever. Her kittens were quite lively. with great velocity.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe very shrill and piercing cries. in the first place. now made a hearty meal of the dead bird and then went to sleep with much apparent satisfaction. and be fell dead within the car. and I have no doubt he reached home in safety. and accomplishing a return. and in a perfectly natural manner. The other one did not prove so unfortunate. To prevent his following the example of his companion. and was pleased to find him continue his descent. ‘At a quarter-past eight. was to surround myself and cat entirely with a barricade against the highly rarefied atmosphere in which I was existing. and your Excellencies will please to bear in mind that my object. being no longer able to draw breath without the most intolerable pain. with the 88 of 419 . He at length succeeded in regaining his former station on the rim. but had hardly done so when his head dropped upon his breast. This apparatus will require some little explanation. I proceeded forthwith to adjust around the car the apparatus belonging to the condenser. who seemed in a great measure recovered from her illness. making use of his wings with ease. I threw him downward with all my force. In a very short time he was out of sight.
and at botttom. and so on. the entire car was in a manner placed. In this bag. a quantity of this same atmosphere sufficiently condensed for the purposes of respiration. That is to say. and formed a complete enclosure on all sides. but flexible gum-elastic bag. Having pulled the bag up in this way. between the net-work and the hoop. to the upper rim or hoop where the net-work is attached. it was now necessary to fasten up its top or mouth. I therefore undid only a few of these loops at one time. by passing its material over the hoop of the net-work — in other words. leaving the car suspended by the remainder. since the cloth now intervened — but to a series of large 89 of 419 . I refastened the loops — not to the hoop. but attached by a series of running loops or nooses. up its sides. But if the net-work were separated from the hoop to admit this passage. by means of my condenser. it (the bag) was drawn over the whole bottom of the car. what was to sustain the car in the meantime? Now the net-work was not permanently fastened to the hoop. which was of sufficient dimensions.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe intention of introducing within this barricade. With this object in view I had prepared a very strong perfectly air-tight. Having thus inserted a portion of the cloth forming the upper part of the bag. along the outside of the ropes. for that would have been impossible.
This was done. a farther portion of the cloth introduced. for the buttons were not only very strong in themselves. but so close together that a very slight portion of the whole weight was supported by any one of them. would be held up merely by the strength of the buttons. would seem an inadequate dependence. and to preserve the lower part of the net-work in its proper situation. a few more of the loops were unfastened from the rim. It is evident that the hoop would now drop down within the car. while the whole weight of the car itself. I should not have been at all uneasy. and propped it at nearly its former height by means of three light poles prepared for the occasion. This. This done. Indeed. affixed to the cloth itself. with all its contents. I now raised up the hoop again within the covering of gum-elastic. the intervals between the buttons having been made to correspond to the intervals between the loops. had the car and contents been three times heavier than they were. but it was by no means so. to keep the bag distended at the top. All that now remained was to fasten up the 90 of 419 . and the disengaged loops then connected with their proper buttons. about three feet below the mouth of the bag. In this way it was possible to insert the whole upper part of the bag between the net-work and the hoop.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe buttons. of course. at first sight.twentiethchanging
and thus. reckoning the days from one to twenty-four hours continuously. feeling sleepy.eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. I now determined to keep a journal of my passage. did not fail to give me an infinite deal of pleasure. It was evident that. and this circumstance. or. in proportion to the height ascended. and edit PDF. although of course fully anticipated. Download the free trial version. without taking into consideration the intervals of darkness. at the farthest. however. in spite of their situation so much farther to the eastward. day after day. The consideration of this dilemma gave me no little 99 of 419 . had escaped my attention up to the very moment of which I am now speaking. if even this term could be extended to an hour and a quarter. the most ruinous consequences might ensue. I should behold the rising luminary many hours at least before the citizens of Rotterdam. view. If I went to sleep as I proposed. in the morning. would I enjoy the light of the sun for a longer and a longer period. obvious as it may appear. I determined to lie down for the rest of the night. but here a difficulty presented itself. ‘At ten o’clock. would be a matter of impossibility. how could the atmosphere in the chamber be regenerated in the interim? To breathe it for more than an hour. until long after this time that the rays of the setting sun ceased to illumine the balloon. which.
occasioned me no little trouble in its solution. but I might easily bring myself to feel no inconvenience from being awakened at intervals of an hour during the whole period of my repose. however. and it will hardly be believed. if. which are only so at all by his having rendered them habitual. I reflected that man is the veriest slave of custom. It would require but five minutes at most to regenerate the atmosphere in the fullest manner. the din of whose descent into a basin of the same metal on the floor beside his chair. after the dangers I had undergone. and finally make up my mind to the necessity of a descent. to prevent his falling asleep over his books. he should be overcome with drowsiness. held in one hand a ball of copper. served effectually to startle him up. that. I had heard of the student who. I should look upon this business in so serious a light. was very different indeed. I am willing to confess.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe disquietude. It was very certain that I could not do without sleep. and the only real difficulty was to contrive a method of arousing myself at the proper moment for so doing. But this hesitation was only momentary. at any moment. and that many points in the routine of his existence are deemed essentially important. and left me 100 of 419 . as to give up all hope of accomplishing my ultimate design. To be sure. My own case. But this was a question which.
and the car consequently followed with a steadiness so perfect that it would have been impossible to detect in it the slightest vacillation whatever. which. and taking two ropes tied them tightly across the rim of the wicker-work from one side to the other. at the moment of discovery. continued its course upward with an even and undeviating ascent. at the elevation now attained. This circumstance favored me greatly in the project I now determined to adopt. I at length hit upon the following expedient. as an invention fully equal to that of the telescope. for I did not wish to keep awake. was hailed by me. simple as it may seem. I unfastened one of these. but to be aroused from slumber at regular intervals of time. ‘It is necessary to premise. About eight inches immediately below these ropes. that the balloon. placing them about a foot apart and parallel so as to form a kind of shelf. upon which I placed the keg. My supply of water had been put on board in kegs containing five gallons each.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe no room for any similar idea. being the only similar piece of wood I 101 of 419 . and steadied it in a horizontal position. or the art of printing itself. the steam-engine. and four feet from the bottom of the car I fastened another shelf — but made of thin plank. and ranged very securely around the interior of the car.
and that the sure consequences would be. the pitcher. and falling into the pitcher below. of course. would be forced to run over. It was evident. to waken me up instantaneously. even from the soundest slumber in the world. and to run over at the mouth. could not do otherwise than fall upon my face. It was also evident. the rest of the plan is obvious. getting full. Having arranged all this. at the expiration of an hour. was a matter briefly and easily ascertained. and exactly beneath one of the rims of the keg. that. after a few experiments. 102 of 419 . until. which was somewhat lower than the rim. This. would fill the latter to the brim in the period of sixty minutes. My bed was so contrived upon the floor of the car. as might happen. cut in a tapering or conical shape. as to bring my head. a small earthern pitcher was deposited. I now bored a hole in the end of the keg over the pitcher. by noticing the proportion of the pitcher filled in any given time. immediately below the mouth of the pitcher.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe had. in lying down. at which the water. and fitted in a plug of soft wood. This plug I pushed in or pulled out. it arrived at that exact degree of tightness. Upon this latter shelf. oozing from the hole. that the water thus falling from a height of more than four feet.
in this case. I now lamented that my great elevation would. having emptied the pitcher into the bung-hole of the keg. My curiosity was greatly excited. and the sun had attained many degrees above the line of my horizon. These regular interruptions to my slumber caused me even less discomfort than I had anticipated. on the edge of the horizon. Nor in this matter was I disappointed. find myself placed directly above the Pole itself. at some period.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘It was fully eleven by the time I had completed these arrangements. with full confidence in the efficiency of my invention. 103 of 419 . and might possibly. for I had hopes of passing on much farther to the north. white. ‘April 3d. Far away to the northward I perceived a thin. and the earth’s apparent convexity increased in a material degree. I retired again to bed. or streak. it was seven o’clock. and exceedingly brilliant line. and I immediately betook myself to bed. and performed the duties of the condenser. I found the balloon at an immense height indeed. Below me in the ocean lay a cluster of black specks. Punctually every sixty minutes was I aroused by my trusty chronometer. and when I finally arose for the day. which undoubtedly were islands. and I had no hesitation in supposing it to be the southern disk of the ices of the Polar Sea. when.
‘April 4th. to the latter opinion. and I slept until next morning soundly. When darkness came over the earth. It had lost. and was astonished at the singular change which had taken place in the appearance of the sea.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe prevent my taking as accurate a survey as I could wish. The rim of ice to the northward was growing more and more apparent. however. Arose in good health and spirits. The cold was intense. My apparatus all continued in good order. might be ascertained. or whether my increasing elevation had left them out of sight. Cold by no means so intense. whether they had passed down the horizon to the southeast. Much. it is impossible to say. The islands were no longer visible. with the exception of the periodical interruption. Nothing else of an extraordinary nature occurred during the day. although it was for many hours afterward broad daylight all around my immediate situation. in a great measure. I was inclined. and obliged me to wrap up closely in an overcoat. 104 of 419 . and of a lustre dazzling to the eye. however. The water-clock was punctual in its duty. I betook myself to bed. the deep tint of blue it had hitherto worn. and the balloon still ascended without any perceptible vacillation. being now of a grayish-white.
It was now very distinct. Weather moderate. however. Nothing of any consequence happened during the day. ‘April 6th.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Nothing of importance occurred. and I again saw the line of ice to the northward. and I had now little doubt of ultimately seeing the Pole. When 105 of 419 . Fancied I could again distinguish a strip of land to the eastward. it would soon arrive above the Frozen Ocean. During the whole of the day I continued to near the ice. ‘April 5th. and my arriving above the flattened regions in the vicinity of the Arctic circle. It was evident that if the balloon held its present course. having taken care to supply myself with books. and with great rapidity. and an immense field of the same material stretching away off to the horizon in the north. and one also to the westward. Beheld the singular phenomenon of the sun rising while nearly the whole visible surface of the earth continued to be involved in darkness. Was surprised at finding the rim of ice at a very moderate distance. owing undoubtedly to the earth’s form being that of an oblate spheroid. I was evidently approaching it. Went early to bed. In time. and I passed the day in reading. and appeared of a much darker hue than the waters of the ocean. Toward night the limits of my horizon very suddenly and materially increased. the light spread itself over all. but could not be certain.
alas! I had now ascended to so vast a distance. between six A. it might be fairly inferred that the balloon had now. beyond a doubt. ‘April 7th. at length beheld what there could be no hesitation in supposing the northern Pole itself. than 7. to my great joy. the entire northern hemisphere lay beneath me like a chart orthographically projected: and the great circle of the equator itself formed the boundary 106 of 419 . fearing to pass over the object of so much curiosity when I should have no opportunity of observing it. Arose early. At all events I undoubtedly beheld the whole of the earth’s major diameter. This elevation may appear immense. but the estimate upon which it is calculated gave a result in all probability far inferior to the truth. and twenty minutes before nine A. to judge from the progression of the numbers indicating my various altitudes. that nothing could with accuracy be discerned. but. at four o’clock in the morning of April the seventh. of the same day (at which time the barometer ran down).254 miles above the surface of the sea. respectively. and immediately beneath my feet. at different periods.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe darkness at length overtook me. certainly. It was there.M. and. Indeed. I went to bed in great anxiety. reached a height of not less.M. on the second of April.
it terminates. Nevertheless. darker than any other spot upon the visible hemisphere. at all times. little could be ascertained. Your Excellencies may. at the Pole itself. its surface is very sensibly flattened. with slight qualification. comparatively too diminutive. in a circular centre. one unbroken. although situated directly beneath me. and occasionally deepened into the most absolute and impenetrable blackness.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe line of my horizon. what could be seen was of a nature singular and exciting. readily imagine that the confined regions hitherto unexplored within the limits of the Arctic circle. By twelve o’clock the circular centre had materially decreased in 107 of 419 . sharply defined. In the first few degrees of this its progress. and which. and at too great a distance from the point of sight. and whose dusky hue. were still. or nearly unbroken. was. farther on depressed into a plane. varying in intensity. becoming not a little concave. to admit of any very accurate examination. and therefore seen without any appearance of being foreshortened. sheet of ice continues to extend. may be called the limit of human discovery in these regions. wbose apparent diameter subtended at the balloon an angle of about sixty-five seconds. however. Farther than this. and finally. Northwardly from that huge rim before mentioned. in themselves.
This circumstance did not fail to give me the most heartful satisfaction. the balloon passing over the western limb of the ice. of course. and in some portions had acquired a brilliancy even painful to the eye.M. besides a material alteration in its general color and appearance. The whole visible area partook in different degrees of a tint of pale yellow. more and more palpable in proportion to my ascent. which would bring me to the tropics. and was holding a course. I could easily perceive that the balloon now hovered above the range of great lakes in the continent of North America. as it were. Found a sensible diminution in the earth’s apparent diameter. Nevertheless. but my present enormous elevation brought closer together. and floating away rapidly in the direction of the equator. ‘April 8th. due south. and by seven P.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe circumference. and I hailed it as a happy omen of 108 of 419 . I lost sight of it entirely. My view downward was also considerably impeded by the dense atmosphere in the vicinity of the surface being loaded with clouds. the floating bodies of vapor. between whose masses I could only now and then obtain a glimpse of the earth itself. This difficulty of direct vision had troubled me more or less for the last forty-eight hours. and the inconvenience became.
for which I could in no manner account. at nine P. Spent a great part of the day in meditating upon an occurrence so extraordinary. over the northern edge of the Mexican Gulf. crackling.M. and terrific sound. I examined all my apparatus. by a loud. whose orbit is inclined to the ecliptic at only the small angle of 5 degrees 8’ 48". It was of very brief duration. however. with great attention. but could find no means whatever of accounting for it. Indeed.. I was suddenly aroused from slumber. attributed the noise to the bursting of the balloon. The balloon kept steadily on her course to the southward.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ultimate success. but. ‘April 10th. and arrived. for it was evident that. about five o’clock this morning. the direction I had hitherto taken. 109 of 419 . To-day the earth’s diameter was greatly diminished. while it lasted resembled nothing in the world of which I had any previous experience. having. there would have been no possibility of my arriving at the moon at all. and the color of the surface assumed hourly a deeper tint of yellow. in the first instance. ‘April 9th. It is needless to say that I became excessively alarmed. had I continued it much longer. and could discover nothing out of order. had filled me with uneasiness.
and thus proceeded throughout the day. if not altogether. Was again very much alarmed by a repetition of the loud. it turned off suddenly. It now required long and excessive labor to condense within the chamber sufficient atmospheric air for the sustenance of life. ‘April 13th. in a more or less degree. keeping nearly. in that of the moon itself. and a considerable increase. a very perceptible vacillation in the car was a consequence of this change of route — a vacillation which prevailed. and although fully anticipated. at an acute angle. and in a state of great anxiety and agitation. in its former course. in the exact plane of the lunar elipse.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Went to bed dissatisfied. but was 110 of 419 . about the twentieth parallel of southern latitude. which wanted only a few days of being full. ‘April 11th. What was worthy of remark. ‘April 12th. to the eastward. crackling noise which terrified me on the tenth. Having reached. now observable for the first time. Found a startling diminution in the apparent diameter of the earth. A singular alteration took place in regard to the direction of the balloon. Thought long upon the subject. for a period of many hours. afforded me the most unequivocal delight.
continued for some moments. of that appalling sound which had so astonished me before. holding the direct course which would bring it immediately to the moon in that part of its orbit the nearest to the earth. The moon could not be seen at all. It now. for the third time. being nearly in my zenith. and gathered intensity as it continued. At length. Extremely rapid decrease in the diameter of the earth. Great and long-continued labor necessary for the condensation of the atmosphere. The moon iself was directly overhead.eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. To-day I became strongly impressed with the idea. I stood in 111 of 419 . but made little progress to the eastward. while. view. which now subtended from the balloon an angle of very little more than twenty-five degrees. About twelve o’clock I became aware. however. Download the free trial version. and edit PDF. Great decrease in the earth’s apparent diameter. that the balloon was now actually running up the line of apsides to the point of perigee. Not even the outlines of continents and seas could now be traced upon the earth with anything approaching distinctness. unable to form any satisfactory conclusion. stupefied and terror-stricken. ‘April 15th.in other words. I still continued in the plane of the elipse. ‘April 14th. and consequently hidden from my view.
came with a voice of a thousand thunders. for I had now little doubt of soon reaching the end of my perilous voyage. To-day. the labor now required by the condenser had increased to a most oppressive degree. and a gigantic and flaming mass of some material which I could not distinguish. roaring and booming by the balloon. in all probability. Sleep was a matter nearly out of the question. My agitation was extreme. I had little difficulty in supposing it to be some mighty volcanic fragment ejected from that world to which I was so rapidly approaching. I became quite ill. and termed meteoric stones for want of a better appellation. as it were. a very small portion of the moon’s disk protruding. Indeed. the car vibrated with excessive violence. through each of the side windows alternately. to my great delight. It was impossible that human nature could endure this state of intense 112 of 419 . and. When my fears and astonishment had in some degree subsided. and my frame trembled with exhaustion.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe expectation of I knew not what hideous destruction. one of that singular class of substances occasionally picked up on the earth. and allowed me scarcely any respite from exertion. ‘April 16th. I beheld. on all sides beyond the huge circumference of the balloon. looking upward as well as I could.
the absolute horror and astonishment. It will be remembered that. with which I was seized possessed. had actually burst!’ These were the first tumultuous ideas that hurried through my mind: ‘The balloon had 113 of 419 . ‘April 17th. at finding the surface beneath me so suddenly and wonderfully augmented in volume. then. on the morning of this day. must have been my amazement. on the thirteenth. During the now brief interval of darkness a meteoric stone again passed in my vicinity. on awakening from a brief and disturbed slumber. and the frequency of these phenomena began to occasion me much apprehension. as to subtend no less than thirty-nine degrees in apparent angular diameter! I was thunderstruck! No words can give any adequate idea of the extreme. On the fourteenth this had greatly diminished. and. the seventeenth. therefore. What. My knees tottered beneath me — my teeth chattered — my hair started up on end. and altogether overwhelmed.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe suffering much longer. the earth subtended an angular breadth of twenty-five degrees. ‘The balloon. I had noticed an angle of no more than about seven degrees and fifteen minutes. on retiring on the night of the sixteenth. This morning proved an epoch in my voyage. on the fifteenth a still more remarkable decrease was observable.
The Works of Edgar Allan Poe positively burst! — I was falling — falling with the most impetuous. although I was evidently approaching the surface below me. that part of the adventure least 114 of 419 . Besides. before I should meet the surface of the earth. in appearance. at the farthest. I could not in any reason have so rapidly come down. it was with a speed by no means commensurate with the velocity I had at first so horribly conceived. I considered. I paused. ‘The stupor and surprise produced in my mind by this extraordinary change in the posture of affairs was perhaps. it could not be more than ten minutes. In fact. and completely hidden by the balloon. amazement must have fairly deprived me of my senses. the most unparalleled velocity! To judge by the immense distance already so quickly passed over. after all. The latter was indeed over my head. and be hurled into annihilation!’ But at length reflection came to my relief. and I finally succeeded in regarding the phenomenon in its proper point of view. and I began to doubt. while the moon — the moon itself in all its glory — lay beneath me. and at my feet. The matter was impossible. This consideration served to calm the perturbation of my mind. when I could not see the vast difference. and the surface of my mother earth. between the surface below me.
It lay beneath me like a chart — and although I judged it to be 115 of 419 . was not expected at the moment. but had been long actually anticipated as a circumstance to be expected whenever I should arrive at that exact point of my voyage where the attraction of the planet should be superseded by the attraction of the satellite — or. and it is by no means clear that. either about my person or about my apparatus.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe susceptible of explanation. although expected. with all my senses in confusion. To be sure I arose from a sound slumber. where the gravitation of the balloon toward the earth should be less powerful than its gravitation toward the moon. wholly directed to the contemplation of the general physical appearance of the moon. I should have been made aware of it by any internal evidence of an inversion — that is to say. of course. more precisely. my attention was. and one which. in the first place. The revolution itself must. ‘It is almost needless to say that. upon coming to a due sense of my situation. For the bouleversement in itself was not only natural and inevitable. to the contemplation of a very startling phenomenon. had I even been awake at the time of the occurrence. have taken place in an easy and gradual manner. and emerging from the terror which had absorbed every faculty of my soul. by any inconvenience or disarrangement.
conical in shape. but a map of the volcanic districts of the Campi Phlegraei would afford to your Excellencies a better idea of their general surface than any unworthy description I might think proper to attempt. and indeed of any lake or river. as the most extraordinary feature in its geological condition. strange to say. The greater part of them were in a state of evident eruption. which now rushed upward by the balloon with a frequency more and more appalling. and having more the appearance of artificial than of natural protuberance. To-day I found an enormous increase in the moon’s apparent bulk — and the evidently accelerated 116 of 419 . at first glance. or body of water whatsoever.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe still at no inconsiderable distance. The entire absence of ocean or sea. The highest among them does not exceed three and three-quarter miles in perpendicular elevation. Yet. the indentures of its surface were defined to my vision with a most striking and altogether unaccountable distinctness. by the repeated thunders of the miscalled meteoric stones. ‘April 18th. I beheld vast level regions of a character decidedly alluvial. although by far the greater portion of the hemisphere in sight was covered with innumerable volcanic mountains. and gave me fearfully to understand their fury and their power. struck me.
the existence. This prolongation of the cusps beyond the semicircle. it may be added. must have arisen from the refraction of the sun’s rays by the moon’s atmosphere. in addition to what I have already urged in regard to Encke’s comet and the zodiacal light. before any part of the dark hemisphere was visible. I had been strengthened in my opinion by certain observations of Mr. before the dark part was visible. in the evening soon after sunset. in the earliest stage of my speculations upon the possibility of a passage to the moon. dense in proportion to the bulk of the planet. in spite of a general disbelief in the existence of any lunar atmosphere at all. and continued to watch it until it became visible. But. and. this too in spite of many theories to the contrary. It will be remembered. had entered largely into my calculations. Schroeter. He observed the moon when two days and a half old. also.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe velocity of my descent began to fill me with alarm. the whole dark limb became illuminated. The two cusps appeared tapering in a very sharp faint prolongation. of Lilienthal. that. I thought. in its vicinity. each exhibiting its farthest extremity faintly illuminated by the solar rays. of an atmosphere. Soon afterward. I computed. the height of the atmosphere (which could refract light enough into its dark hemisphere to produce a twilight 117 of 419 .
to be 5. My ideas on this topic had also received confirmation by a passage in the eighty-second volume of the Philosophical Transactions. Hence it might be supposed. ‘Upon the resistance or.356 Paris feet. in this view. there is a dense matter encompassing the moon wherein the rays of the stars are refracted. that at some times and not at others. entirely depended for the safety of my ultimate descent. when approaching the moon to occultation. and. more properly. upon the support of an atmosphere. after all. I supposed the greatest height capable of refracting the solar ray. the third disappeared after having been about 1’ or 2’ of time indistinct.376 feet. to have their circular figure changed into an oval one. I had in consequence nothing better to expect. I had. existing in the state of density imagined. in other occultations. of course.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe more luminous than the light reflected from the earth when the moon is about 32 degrees from the new) to be 1. prove to have been mistaken. in which it is stated that at an occultation of Jupiter’s satellites. than being dashed into atoms against the rugged surface of the 118 of 419 . and the fixed stars. Jupiter. as a finale to my adventure. and the fourth became indiscernible near the limb. he found no alteration of figure at all. Should I then.{*4} ‘Cassini frequently observed Saturn.
By eleven. the surface of the moon being frightfully near. And. I had now every reason to be terrified. and unrigged it from around the car.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe satellite. 119 of 419 . with some hesitation. This morning. ‘April 19th. This approach. in consideration of my leaving them behind me momently in my approach to the denser strata near the moon. and at twelve o’clock. As might have been expected. I determined to endure as I best could. and my apprehensions excited to the utmost. finding no inconvenience from having done so. By ten. But these and other difficulties attending respiration. I finally threw open the gum-elastic chamber. the pump of my condenser at length gave evident tokens of an alteration in the atmosphere. My distance from the moon was comparatively trifling. indeed. very little labor was necessary at the apparatus. to my great joy. when. about nine o’clock. while the labor required by the condenser was diminished not at all. spasms and violent headache were the immediate consequences of an experiment so precipitate and full of danger. I had reason to believe its density considerably increased. I ventured to unscrew the tourniquet. and I could discover no indication whatever of a decreasing rarity in the air. as they were by no means so great as to put me in peril of my life. however.
and it soon became alarmingly certain that. even at the surface. That it was not the case. As a last resource. I still fell with horrible rapidity. in throwing overboard first my ballast. then my condensing apparatus and gum-elastic chamber. can only be explained by a reference to those possible geological disturbances to which I have formerly alluded. having got rid of my coat. therefore. I cut loose from the balloon the car itself. clinging with both hands 120 of 419 . hat. why it was not so. and thus. my precipitous downfall gave testimony enough. and boots. I lost not a moment. however. and finally every article within the car. Yet this should have been the case. which was of no inconsiderable weight. and in an equal degree as at the surface of the earth. accordingly. then my water-kegs. and was now not more than half a mile from the surface. But it was all to no purpose. at all adequate to the support of the great weight contained in the car of my balloon. and coming down with the most terrible impetuosity. the actual gravity of bodies at either planet supposed in the ratio of the atmospheric condensation. still I had been wrong in supposing this density. At all events I was now close upon the planet.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe was still impetuous in the extreme. although I had probably not been deceived in the expectation of an atmosphere dense in proportion to the mass of the satellite.
or gave themselves the least trouble to render me assistance. and the whole was clouded with variable spots. as far as the eye could reach. ever 121 of 419 . fixed immovably in the heavens overhead. grinning in a ludicrous manner. unheard of dangers. and the most momentous. gazing upward at the earth so lately left.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe to the net-work. and tipped on one of its edges with a crescent border of the most brilliant gold. on the nineteenth day of my departure from Rotterdam. and unparalleled escapes. and left perhaps for ever. dull. I had barely time to observe that the whole country. at length. after a series of great anxieties. with their arms set a-kimbo. but stood. about two degrees in diameter. No traces of land or water could be discovered. like a parcel of idiots. and belted with tropical and equatorial zones. ere I tumbled headlong into the very heart of a fantastical-looking city. was thickly interspersed with diminutive habitations. I turned from them in contempt. and. I had. beheld it like a huge. arrived in safety at the conclusion of a voyage undoubtedly the most extraordinary. copper shield. and into the middle of a vast crowd of ugly little people. and eyeing me and my balloon askant. who none of them uttered a single syllable. may it please your Excellencies. ‘Thus.
of their consequent ignorance of the use and properties of 122 of 419 . of the people themselves. the case. But my adventures yet remain to be related. of a variable zone of running water. or conceived by any denizen of earth. with the world inhabited by man. however wonderful. of unmitigated and burning sunshine for one fortnight. and more than polar frigidity for the next. And indeed your Excellencies may well imagine that. in fact. by distillation like that in vacuo. but rendered doubly so by its intimate connection. customs. of a constant transfer of moisture. undertaken. of their peculiar physical construction. I have much to say of the climate of the planet. of their want of ears. I have much — very much which it would give me the greatest pleasure to communicate. This is. after a residence of five years upon a planet not only deeply interesting in its own peculiar character. of the mere voyage which so happily concluded. of its wonderful alternations of heat and cold.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe accomplished. I may have intelligence for the private ear of the States’ College of Astronomers of far more importance than the details. of their manners. and political institutions. from the point beneath the sun to the point the farthest from it. of their ugliness. those useless appendages in an atmosphere so peculiarly modified. in capacity of satellite.
and by means of which the lives and destinies of the inhabitants of the one are interwoven with the lives and destinies of the inhabitants of the other. to the scrutiny of the telescopes of man. All this. of the incomprehensible connection between each particular individual in the moon with some particular individual on the earth — a connection analogous with.eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. and depending upon. of their substitute for speech in a singular method of inter-communication. and as the price of any farther communication on my part — in consideration of the light which I have it in my power to throw upon many very important branches of physical and metaphysical science — I must solicit. have never yet been turned. and moremuch more — would I most willingly detail. to be brief. Download the free trial version. owing to the almost miraculous accordance of the satellite’s rotation on its own axis with its sidereal revolution about the earth. I am pining for a return to my family and to my home. and above all. through the influence of your honorable body. by God’s mercy. if it so please your Excellencies — above all. But. never shall be turned. and edit PDF. that of the orbs of the planet and the satellites. view. a pardon for the crime of which I have been guilty 123 of 419 . I must have my reward. of those dark and hideous mysteries which lie in the outer regions of the moon — regions which. and. speech.
dropped his pipe upon the ground in the extremity of his surprise. HANS PFAALL. to be my messenger to the earth. wiped them. Its bearer. is the object of the present paper. So at least swore. This. Professor Rub-a-dub. Having 124 of 419 . with a round oath.. then. began to make the best of his way home to deliberate upon the measures to be adopted. an inhabitant of the moon. etc. if it can. your Excellencies’ very humble servant. and return to me with the pardon in question. Professor Rub-a-dub. and so finally thought the illustrious Von Underduk. and properly instructed.’ Upon finishing the perusal of this very extraordinary document.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe in the death of the creditors upon my departure from Rotterdam. will await your Excellencies’ pleasure. and without saying a word. so far forgot both himself and his dignity. ‘I have the honor to be. as to turn round three times upon his heel in the quintessence of astonishment and admiration. be obtained. There was no doubt about the matter — the pardon should be obtained. whom I have prevailed upon. as he took the arm of his brother in science. and Mynheer Superbus Von Underduk having taken off his spectacles. in any manner. it is said. and deposited them in his pocket.
Not so. with these sort of people.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe reached the door. and the matter was therefore at an end. however. a general term for all matters above their comprehension. however. have been cut 125 of 419 . the professor ventured to suggest that as the messenger had thought proper to disappear — no doubt frightened to death by the savage appearance of the burghers of Rotterdam — the pardon would be of little use. That an odd little dwarf and bottle conjurer. both of whose ears. of the burgomaster’s dwelling. But hoax. The letter. Secondly. Let us see what they say: Imprimus. To the truth of this observation the burgomaster assented. For my part. Don’t understand at all. for some misdemeanor. I cannot conceive upon what data they have founded such an accusation. Some of the over-wise even made themselves ridiculous by decrying the whole business. as nothing better than a hoax. rumors and speculations. gave rise to a variety of gossip and opinion. as no one but a man of the moon would undertake a voyage to so vast a distance. That certain wags in Rotterdam have certain especial antipathies to certain burgomasters and astronomers. having been published. I believe. is.
— are. would take his Bible oath to their having been printed in Rotterdam. That Hans Pfaall himself. in a tippling house in the suburbs. or which ought to be generally received. Well — what of that? Thirdly. and the three very idle gentlemen styled his creditors. no longer than two or three days ago. That the newspapers which were stuck all over the little balloon were newspapers of Holland. Lastly. Don’t believe it — don’t believe a word of it. the druken villain. having just returned.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe off close to his head. to say the least of the matter. as well as other colleges in all other parts of the world. and therefore could not have been made in the moon. has been missing for several days from the neighboring city of Bruges. were all seen. They were dirty papers — very dirty — and Gluck. — not to mention colleges and astronomers in general. from a trip beyond the sea. Fourthly. nor greater. with money in their pockets. nor wiser than they ought to be. not a whit better. 126 of 419 . That it is an opinion very generally received. that the College of Astronomers in the city of Rotterdam. the printer. He was mistaken — undoubtedly — mistaken.
does not exist. 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 sufficient 127 of 419 . as both attempt to give plausibility by scientific detail—the author of ‘Hans Pfaall’ thinks it necessary to say. Locke. and as both hoaxes are on the same subject. the other of downright earnest).’ by way of detecting the writer of the one in the writer of the other. in selfdefence. As many more persons were actually gulled by the ‘Moon-Hoax’ than would be willing to acknowledge the fact. that his own jeu d’esprit was published in the ‘Southern Literary Messenger’ about three weeks before the commencement of Mr.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Notes to Hans Pfaal {*1} NOTE—Strictly speaking.’ and collated it with the ‘Moon-Hoax. some of the New York papers copied ‘Hans Pfaall. there is but little similarity between the above sketchy trifle and the celebrated ‘Moon-Story’ of Mr. the moon—moreover. perhaps. L’s in the ‘New York Sun.’ Fancying a likeness which. but as both have the character of hoaxes (although the one is in a tone of banter.
Mr. Shortly before. If we desire to ascertain how near. a lens would bring the satellite (or any distant object).000 times.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe to establish its real character. we. 240. of course. No animal at all could be seen so far. even for an instant. much less the minute points particularized in the story. makes his lens have a power of 42. etc. That the public were misled. L. however rich the imagination displayed in this ingenious fiction. by the spacepenetrating power of the glass. By this divide 240. he has himself observed that the lens would not render perceptible objects of less than eighteen inches in diameter. Mr. too. speaks about Sir John Herschel’s perceiving flowers (the Papaver rheas. L. it wanted much of the force which might have been given it by a more scrupulous attention to facts and to general analogy.000 miles. and even detecting the color and the shape of the eyes of small birds. is giving the glass by far too great power. merely proves the gross ignorance which is so generally prevalent upon subjects of an astronomical nature. in round numbers.). apparently. It may be 128 of 419 . Indeed. but even this.000 (the moon’s real distance). more strictly. as I have said. and we have five miles and five sevenths. have but to divide the distance by the magnifying or. The moon’s distance from the earth is. as the apparent distance.
Hartley and Grant.. speaking of ‘a hairy veil’ over the eyes of a species of bison. The points of the compass. evidently. On page 13. In the absence of the sun they have a light from the earth equal to that of thirteen full unclouded moons. is entirely at variance with that or any other lunar chart. even when professing to accord with Blunt’s Lunar Chart. pamphlet edition. are in inextricable confusion. and G. the writer appearing to be ignorant 129 of 419 . The inhabitants of our side of the moon have. in Dumbarton. so there can be nothing of the ‘extremes’ mentioned. too. The topography throughout. and even grossly at variance with itself. no darkness at all. that this prodigious glass is said to have been molded at the glasshouse of Messrs. in passing.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe observed.’ But this cannot be thought a very ‘acute’ observation of the Doctor’s. but Messrs.’s establishment had ceased operations for many years previous to the publication of the hoax. H.
Deceived. for the earth. This simple fact should have induced suspicion. etc. is but a literal copy of Peter Wilkins’ account of the wings of his flying islanders. The description of the wings of the man-bat. by the vague titles. On page 23. given to the dark spots by former astronomers. etc. the passive subject of chemical affinity!’ This is very fine. we have the following: ‘What a prodigious influence must our thirteen times larger globe have exercised upon this satellite when an embryo in the womb of time.. the east being to the left. in the sense 130 of 419 .The Works of Edgar Allan Poe that. on page 21. were these dark places liquid. the line of division is found to be rough and jagged. whereas there is no astronomical point more positively ascertained than that no such bodies exist there. In examining the boundary between light and darkness (in the crescent or gibbous moon) where this boundary crosses any of the dark places. L. at least. perhaps. on a lunar map. but. has entered into details regarding oceans and other large bodies of water in the moon. it would evidently be even. Mare Faecunditatis. Mare Tranquillitatis. but it should be observed that no astronomer would have made such remark. especially to any journal of Science. Mr. it might be thought. these are not in accordance with terrestrial points. Mare Nubium.
so soon as their remarkable situation. in particular. which should have betrayed the fiction. by way of introduction to some discoveries in Saturn. and particularly the powers of the man-bats (for example. but speaks of seeing the entire bodies of such creatures. They would appear to be walking. the moon have any). nor any other such peculiarity. Let us imagine the power actually possessed of seeing animals upon the moon’s surface — what would first arrest the attention of an observer from the earth? Certainly neither their shape. when it is demonstrable that he could have seen only the diameter of their heads! It might as well be remarked. with most of the other 131 of 419 . A similar objection applies to the whole of the concluding pages. The real observer would have uttered an instant ejaculation of surprise (however prepared by previous knowledge) at the singularity of their position. indeed. the philosophical correspondent enters into a minute schoolboy account of that planet — this to the ‘Edinburgh journal of Science!’ But there is one point.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe intended. that the size. in the manner of flies on a ceiling. with heels up and head down. their ability to fly in so rare an atmosphere—if. size. the fictitious observer has not even mentioned the subject. in conclusion. where. is not only thirteen. but forty-nine times larger than the moon.
indeed. in proportion to the increase of size in the lens. with all analogical reasoning on these themes.. about ‘a transfusion of artificial light through the focal object of vision. And for this evil there is no remedy within human ability.. Locke. generally. scarcely necessary to add. and we might have them of any size demanded. belong to that species of figurative writing which comes. would be some artificial light which he should be 132 of 419 . most properly. But. in the beginning of the article. Thus the only ‘artificial’ light which could avail Mr. the casting of large lenses were all that is required.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe fancies in regard to animal and vegetable existence. and consequently of space-penetrating power. perhaps. man’s ingenuity would ultimately prove equal to the task. There is a real and very definite limit to optical discovery among the stars—a limit whose nature need only be stated to be understood. If. are at variance.’ etc. by diffusion of its rays. whether direct or reflected. unhappily. It is. and that analogy here will often amount to conclusive demonstration. under the denomination of rigmarole. that all the suggestions attributed to Brewster and Herschel. for an object is seen by means of that light alone which proceeds from itself. etc. is the diminution of light from the object.
76. The Earl of Ross’s telescope.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe able to throw-not upon the ‘focal object of vision. The metal of the Earl of Ross’s is 6 feet diameter. au premier pilier de la grand’salle du Palais. proche les Consultations. whose title-page runs thus: ‘L’Homme dans la lvne ou le Voyage Chimerique fait au Monde de la Lvne.’ but upon the real object to be viewed-to wit: upon the moon. The weight is 3 tons. D’Avisson (Davidson?) although 133 of 419 . when the light proceeding from a star becomes so diffused as to be as weak as the natural light proceeding from the whole of the stars. Aduanturier Espagnol. D. The writer professes to have translated his work from the English of one Mr. Mis en notre langve par J. chez Francois Piot. Paris. MDCXLVII. pres la Fontaine de Saint Benoist. I have lately read a singular and somewhat ingenious little book. autremét dit le Courier volant. the Herschel telescope having one of only 1. B.’ Pp. has a speculum with a reflecting surface of 4. and 5 at the centre. The focal length is 50 feet. then the star is no longer visible for any practical purpose. lately constructed in England.811. in a clear and moonless night. A.071 square inches. it is 5 1/2 inches thick at the edges. Et chez J. It has been easily calculated that. nouuellement decouuert par Dominique Gonzales. Goignard.
the two separate. and which occupy the first thirty pages.’ says he ‘l’original de Monsieur D’Avisson. mais encore le Manuscrit du Sieur Thomas D’Anan. medecin des mieux versez qui soient aujourd’huy dans la cònoissance des Belles Lettres. de m’ auoir non seulement mis en main cc Livre en anglois. the crew abandoned him. et sur tout de la Philosophic Naturelle. gentilhomme Eccossois. much in the manner of Gil Blas. Here we perceive the Signor Gonzales. to serve the purpose of carrier-pigeons between them. being ill during a sea voyage. To increase the chances of obtaining food. This brings about a training of birds. sur la version duquel j’ advoue que j’ ay tiré le plan de la mienne. A machine is contrived for the purpose. with a view to raising the author himself.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe there is a terrible ambiguity in the statement. Je lui ai cette obligation entre les autres. with point ruffles and a 134 of 419 . which is materially helped out by a steel engraving. At length the idea is entertained of uniting the force of a great number of the birds. ‘J’ en ai eu. the author relates that. Helena.’ After some irrelevant adventures. together with a negro servant. on the island of St. and live as far apart as possible. By and by these are taught to carry parcels of some weight-and this weight is gradually increased. and we have a minute description of it. recommandable pour sa vertu.
In proper season. to migrate annually to some portion of the earth. one day. and edit PDF. The ganzas. were not really denizens of St. The main event detailed in the Signor’s narrative depends upon a very important fact. that they are from ten to thirty feet in height. and that they can jump sixty feet high. that they die without pain. and the author. Helena. when. Here he finds. huge periwig. time out of mind. of which the reader is kept in ignorance until near the end of the book. that they have an emperor called Irdonozur. being out of the gravitating influence. seated astride something which resembles very closely a broomstick. view. among other odd things. with whom he had become so familiar. I cannot forbear giving a specimen of the general philosophy of the volume. but of the moon. and borne aloft by a multitude of wild swans (ganzas) who had strings reaching from their tails to the machine. happening. they fly about with fans. Download the free trial version. 135 of 419 . that the people enjoy extreme happiness. and in a very brief period arrives at the satellite.eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. of course. that they have no law. they would return home. to require their services for a short voyage. Thence it had been their custom. that they live five thousand years. is unexpectedly carried straight tip.
not upon the poles of the Equinoctial. that the stars appeared only on that side of the globe turned toward the moon. and very nearly like the moon of a morning. a question of which I propose to speak more at length here-after. when 136 of 419 . As to the stars. who maintains that it never ceases to revolve from the east to the west. but upon those of the Zodiac. The moon. But few of them were visible.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘I must not forget here. but pale. and these ten times larger (as well as I could judge) than they seem to the inhabitants of the earth. and that the closer they were to it the larger they seemed. whether it was calm weather or stormy. I have also me and the earth. we were carried insensibly around the globe of the earth. that the stars appeared only on that side of the globe turned toward the moon. commonly called the poles of the world. I found myself always immediately between the moon and the earth. and because whenever we attempted to rest. which wanted two days of being full. was of a terrible bigness. as usual. not brilliant. since there was no night where I was. For I admit the opinion of Copernicus. they always had the same appearance. I have also to inform you that. I was convinced of this for two reasons-because my birds always flew in a straight line. ‘I must not forget here. and that the closer they were to it the larger they seemed.
and have since forgotten. the book is not without some claim to attention. in digging the earth. accordingly.’ Notwithstanding the blunders italicized.. I forget the title of the work. as affording a naive specimen of the current astronomical notions of the time. The adventurer. but the means of the voyage are more deplorably ill conceived than are even the ganzas of our friend the Signor Gonzales. when cast loose from its terrestrial 137 of 419 .’ etc. and.’ but none of higher merit than the one just mentioned. or his own absurd ignorance of astronomy.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe I shall have leisure to refresh my memory in regard to the astrology which I learned at Salamanca when young. One of these assumed. There have been other ‘voyages to the moon. That of Bergerac is utterly meaningless. we find our voyager ‘carried insensibly around the globe. and straightway constructs of it a box. that the ‘gravitating power’ extended but a short distance from the earth’s surface. happens to discover a peculiar metal for which the moon has a strong attraction. which.
from Hungry Hill. Emicant Trabes quos docos vocant. the theme being a description of Lunarian customs as compared with ours. In these various brochures the aim is always satirical. in this respect. to the satellite. in the application of scientific principles (so far as the whimsical nature of the subject would permit).The Works of Edgar Allan Poe fastenings. and has been translated into German. I find that Mr. 26. was. in each instance. whose eccentricities gave rise to the tale.’ is a jeu d’ esprit not altogether contemptible. — 138 of 419 . lib. {*2} The zodiacal light is probably what the ancients called Trabes. of Nassau balloon notoriety. 2. The ‘Flight of Thomas O’Rourke. The writers seem. Green. inasmuch as regards an attempt at verisimilitude. In ‘Hans Pfaall’ the design is original. a lofty mountain at the end of Bantry Bay. — Pliny. flies with him. the gamekeeper of an Irish peer. p. to the actual passage between the earth and the moon. and speak of a decreasing inconvenience. and other late aeronauts. deny the assertions of Humboldt. to be utterly uninformed in respect to astronomy. Thomas. {*3} Since the original publication of Hans Pfaall. The ‘flight’ is made on an eagle’s back. the hero. forthwith. In none is there any effort at plausibility in the details of the voyage itself. in fact.
From the circumstances of the observation. in skies perfectly clear. it is evident that the cause of this phenomenon is not either in our air. at the same elongation from the earth. that. but must be looked for in something (an atmosphere?) existing about the moon. at the same altitude of the moon. in the tube. and with one and the same excellent telescope.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe precisely in accordance with the theory here urged in a mere spirit of banter. in the moon. or in the eye of the spectator. when even stars of the sixth and seventh magnitude were conspicuous. the moon and its maculae did not appear equally lucid at all times. {*4} Havelius writes that he has several times found. 139 of 419 .
and where are some miserable frame buildings. and is about three miles long. may be 140 of 419 . tenanted. William Legrand. MANY years ago. It is separated from the main land by a scarcely perceptible creek. —All in the Wrong. Near the western extremity. oozing its way through a wilderness of reeds and slime.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe THE GOLD-BUG What ho! what ho! this fellow is dancing mad ! He hath been bitten by the Tarantula. a favorite resort of the marsh hen. Its breadth at no point exceeds a quarter of a mile. as might be supposed. and took up his residence at Sullivan’s Island. is scant. the city of his forefathers. No trees of any magnitude are to be seen. It consists of little else than the sea sand. This Island is a very singular one. and had once been wealthy. by the fugitives from Charleston dust and fever. The vegetation. or at least dwarfish. He was of an ancient Huguenot family. near Charleston. but a series of misfortunes had reduced him to want. I contracted an intimacy with a Mr. South Carolina. where Fort Moultrie stands. during summer. he left New Orleans. To avoid the mortification consequent upon his disasters.
for there was much in the recluse to excite interest and esteem. in quest of shells or entomological specimens. His chief amusements were gunning and fishing. and forms an almost impenetrable coppice. is covered with a dense undergrowth of the sweet myrtle. and subject to perverse moods of alternate enthusiasm and melancholy. white beach on the seacoast. the bristly palmetto. burthening the air with its fragrance. by mere accident. but the whole island. but rarely employed them. I found him well educated. indeed. which he occupied when I first. with the exception of this western point.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe found. with unusual powers of mind. so much prized by the horticulturists of England. and a line of hard. The shrub here often attains the height of fifteen or twenty feet. He had with him many books. In the inmost recesses of this coppice. Legrand had built himself a small hut. . who had been manumitted before the 141 of 419 . This soon ripened into friendship . made his acquaintance. called Jupiter. In these excursions he was usually accompanied by an old negro.his collection of the latter might have been envied by a Swammerdamm. not far from the eastern or more remote end of the island. or sauntering along the beach and through the myrtles. but infected with misanthropy.
my residence being. About the middle of October. I threw off an overcoat. It was a novelty. but who could be induced. at that time. while the facilities of passage and re-passage were very far behind those of the present day. took an 142 of 419 . whom I had not visited for several weeks . in Charleston. with a view to the supervision and guardianship of the wanderer. conceiving him to be somewhat unsettled in intellect.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe reverses of the family. there occurred.’ It is not improbable that the relatives of Legrand. as was my custom. 18-. unlocked the door and went in. to abandon what he considered his right of attendance upon the footsteps of his young ‘Massa Will. Upon reaching the hut I rapped. and getting no reply. neither by threats nor by promises. however. A fine fire was blazing upon the hearth. had contrived to instil this obstinacy into Jupiter. a day of remarkable chilliness. Just before sunset I scrambled my way through the evergreens to the hut of my friend. a distance of nine miles from the Island. The winters in the latitude of Sullivan’s Island are seldom very severe. and by no means an ungrateful one. sought for the key where I knew it was secreted. and in the fall of the year it is a rare event indeed when a fire is considered necessary.
with Jupiter’s assistance. and wishing the whole tribe of scarabæi at the devil. and awaited patiently the arrival of my hosts. It is the loveliest thing in creation!’ ‘What? . Jupiter.sunrise?’ 143 of 419 . if I had only known you were here!’ said Legrand. he had hunted down and secured. so it will be impossible for you to see it until the morning. ‘Ah. and how could I foresee that you would pay me a visit this very night of all others? As I was coming home I met Lieutenant G—. and gave me a most cordial welcome. He had found an unknown bivalve. forming a new genus. Stay here to-night. more than this.how else shall I term them? . Soon after dark they arrived.of enthusiasm. ‘And why not to-night?’ I asked. rubbing my hands over the blaze. and I will send Jup down for it at sunrise. bustled about to prepare some marsh-hens for supper. Legrand was in one of his fits . a scarabæus which he believed to be totally new.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe arm-chair by the crackling logs. grinning from ear to ear. from the fort. and. and. but in respect to which he wished to have my opinion on the morrow. very foolishly. I lent him the bug. ‘but it’s so long since I saw you.
‘is really almost enough to warrant Jupiter’s idea. While he did this.’ replied Legrand. but found none. suppose it is. In the mean time I can give you some idea of the shape. I keep a tellin on you. ‘de bug is a goole bug.the bug. he seated himself at a small table. and made upon it a rough drawing with the pen. solid.with two jet black spots near one extremity of the back. The antennæ are . As I received 144 of 419 . Massa Will. but no paper. ebery bit of him. ‘is that any reason for your letting the birds burn? The color’ . It is of a brilliant gold color about the size of a large hickory-nut . He looked for some in a drawer. than the case demanded.’ Saying this. on which were a pen and ink.’ said he at length. it seemed to me. inside and all. somewhat more earnestly. When the design was complete.but of this you cannot judge till tomorrow. and another. ‘this will answer. You never saw a more brilliant metallic lustre than the scales emit .‘ ‘Dey aint no tin in him.’ here interrupted Jupiter. I retained my seat by the fire. ‘Never mind.’ ‘Well.’ and he drew from his waistcoat pocket a scrap of what I took to be very dirty foolscap. sep him wing neber feel half so hebby a bug in my life. he handed it to me without rising. Jup. at the other. for I was still chilly. somewhat longer.here he turned to me .The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘Nonsense! no! .
succeeded by a scratching at the door.unless it was a skull. I must wait until I see the beetle itself. found myself not a little puzzled at what my friend had depicted. Jupiter opened it. I looked at the paper. belonging to Legrand. ‘this is a strange scarabæus.’ 145 of 419 . and flatter myself that I am not quite a blockhead. The two upper black spots look like eyes. and.’ said he.’ ‘A death’s-head!’ echoed Legrand -"Oh . to speak the truth.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe it.yes .which it more nearly resembles than anything else that has come under my observation.’ ‘Perhaps so.and then the shape of the whole is oval. and loaded me with caresses. I fear you are no artist. after contemplating it for some minutes. it has something of that appearance upon paper. and a large Newfoundland. I don’t know. if I am to form any idea of its personal appearance. no doubt.have had good masters. ‘I draw tolerably . ‘but. ‘Well!’ I said. for I had shown him much attention during previous visits. rushed in.’ said I. I must confess: new to me: never saw anything like it before .well.’ ‘Well. leaped upon my shoulders. When his gambols were over. a loud growl was heard. or a death’s-head .should do it at least . eh? and the longer one at the bottom like a mouth . Legrand. a little nettled.
’ I said. my dear fellow. we may get up a very thrilling bit of superstition upon this hint. ‘this is a very passable skull . and the whole did bear a very close resemblance to the ordinary cuts of a death’s-head. and I presume that is sufficient. his ill humor puzzled me .’ said I. not wishing to ruffle his temper. well.indeed. there were positively no antennæ visible. He received the paper very peevishly.and. I made them as distinct as they are in the original insect.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘But. who seemed to be getting unaccountably warm upon the subject. or something of that kind . ‘perhaps you have . according to the vulgar notions about such specimens of physiology . I presume you will call the bug scarabæus caput hominis. Why.still I don’t see them.there are many similar titles in the Natural Histories. ‘I am sure you must see the antennæ. I may say that it is a very excellent skull.and your scarabæus must be the queerest scarabæus in the world if it resembles it.’ and I handed him the paper without additional remark. But where are the antennæ you spoke of?’ ‘The antennæ!’ said Legrand. but I was much surprised at the turn affairs had taken. as for the drawing of the beetle. you are joking then. when a 146 of 419 . and was about to crumple it.’ ‘Well. apparently to throw it in the fire.
He did not press me to remain.eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. Presently he took from his coat pocket a wallet. turning it in all directions. Yet he seemed not so much sulky as abstracted. which he locked. however. but. At length he arose. He said nothing. view. placed the paper carefully in it. and proceeded to seat himself upon a sea-chest in the farthest corner of the room. In an instant his face grew violently red . and his conduct greatly astonished me. and edit PDF. but his original air of enthusiasm had quite disappeared.in another as excessively pale. I deemed it proper to take leave. Here again he made an anxious examination of the paper. He now grew more composed in his demeanor. As the evening wore away he became more and more absorbed in reverie. For some minutes he continued to scrutinize the drawing minutely where he sat. and deposited both in a writing-desk. as I had frequently done before. took a candle from the table. seeing my host in this mood. casual glance at the design seemed suddenly to rivet his attention. 147 of 419 . yet I thought it prudent not to exacerbate the growing moodiness of his temper by any comment. but. as I departed. he shook my hand with even more than his usual cordiality. It had been my intention to pass the night at the hut. Download the free trial version. from which no sallies of mine could arouse him.
dat’s just whar de shoe pinch .him neber plain of notin . ‘what is the matter now? . to speak de troof. You say your master is sick.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe It was about a month after this (and during the interval I had seen nothing of Legrand) when I received a visit. him not so berry well as mought be. Jup.Massa Will say noffin at all aint de matter wid him . dat he aint! .but den what make him go about looking dis here 148 of 419 . and I feared that some serious disaster had befallen my friend.but him berry sick for all dat. ‘Well. massa. Jupiter.he aint find nowhar .how is your master?’ ‘Why.’ said I. taint worf while for to git mad about de matter .’ ‘Not well! I am truly sorry to hear it. What does he complain of?’ ‘Dar! dat’s it! . I had never seen the good old negro look so dispirited.’ ‘Very sick.why didn’t you say so at once? Is he confined to bed?’ ‘No. at Charleston. from his man.’ ‘Jupiter.my mind is got to be berry hebby bout poor Massa Will. massa. Hasn’t he told you what ails him?’ ‘Why. I should like to understand what it is you are talking about. Jupiter! .
Jupiter?’ ‘Keeps a syphon wid de figgurs on de slate .’ ‘Eh? . wid he head down and he soldiers up.ah yes! . Todder day he gib me slip fore de sun up and was gone de whole ob de blessed day.upon the whole I think you had better not be too severe with the poor fellow .what? . massa.don’t flog him. and as white as a gose? And den he keep a syphon all de time . I mean de bug .‘ ‘Keeps a what. Jupiter .‘twas de berry day you was dare. I had a big stick ready cut for to gib him deuced good beating when he did come .de queerest figgurs I ebber did see. dey aint bin noffin unpleasant since den ‘twas fore den I’m feared .he can’t very well stand it .’ ‘The what?’ 149 of 419 .but can you form no idea of what has occasioned this illness.but Ise sich a fool dat I hadn’t de heart arter all he look so berry poorly. Ise gittin to be skeered.’ ‘How? what do you mean?’ ‘Why.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe way.dare now. I tell you. or rather this change of conduct? Has anything unpleasant happened since I saw you?’ ‘No. Hab for to keep mighty tight eye pon him noovers. massa.
I rap him up in de paper and stuff piece ob it in he mouff .I’m berry sartain dat Massa Will bin bit somewhere bout de head by dat goole-bug. no how.’ ‘Well. but had for to let him go gin mighty quick.he kick and he bite ebery ting what cum near him.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘De bug. then. myself. but to what fortunate circumstance am I to attribute the honor of a visit from you to-day?’ 150 of 419 . I did n’t like de look oh de bug mouff. if taint cause he bit by de goole-bug? Ise heerd bout dem goole-bugs fore dis. I tell you . Massa Will cotch him fuss. for such a supposition?’ ‘Claws enuff. .dat was de way. Jupiter. that your master was really bitten by the beetle.den was de time he must ha got de bite.’ ‘And what cause have you. I nebber did see sick a deuced bug . and mouth too.’ ‘And you think. What make him dream bout de goole so much. perhaps you are right. massa.I nose it. Jup.’ ‘But how do you know he dreams about gold?’ ‘How I know? why cause he talk about it in he sleep dat’s how I nose. so I would n’t take hold ob him wid my finger. but I cotch him wid a piece ob paper dat I found. and that the bite made him sick?’ ‘I do n’t tink noffin about it .
Do come. yet scarcely know how to tell it. massa?’ ‘Did you bring any message from Mr. massa. Since I saw you I have had great cause for anxiety.’ and here Jupiter handed me a note which ran thus: MY DEAR — Why have I not seen you for so long a time? I hope you have not been so foolish as to take offence at any little brusquerie of mine. Legrand ‘ ‘No. 151 of 419 .The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘What de matter. but no. by his well-meant attentions Would you believe it? . almost beyond endurance. I assure you that it is of the highest importance. and spending the day. that is improbable. I have made no addition to my cabinet since we met. I wish to see you to-night. I have something to tell you. solus. WILLIAM LEGRAND. make it convenient. among the hills on the main land. with which to chastise me for giving him the slip. I verily believe that my ill looks alone saved me a flogging.he had prepared a huge stick. upon business of importance. I have not been quite well for some days past. Ever yours. I bring dis here pissel. in any way. and poor old Jup annoys me. or whether I should tell it at all. the other day. If you can. come over with Jupiter.
Upon reaching the wharf. ‘Him syfe.’ 152 of 419 . therefore. What could he be dreaming of? What new crotchet possessed his excitable brain? What ‘business of the highest importance’ could he possibly have to transact? Jupiter’s account of him boded no good. I dreaded lest the continued pressure of misfortune had. and spade. in the name of all that is mysterious. all apparently new. too. massa. ‘What is the meaning of all this. and de debbils own lot of money I had to gib for em. But it’s all cum ob do bug.’ ‘Very true. I noticed a scythe and three spades. is your ‘Massa Will’ going to do with scythes and spades?’ ‘Dat’s more dan I know. Without a moment’s hesitation. Jup?’ I inquired. but what are they doing here?’ ‘Him de syfe and de spade what Massa Will sis pon my buying for him in de town. fairly unsettled the reason of my friend.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe There was something in the tone of this note which gave me great uneasiness. and debbil take me if I don’t blieve ‘tis more dan he know. at length. lying in the bottom of the boat in which we were to embark. I prepared to accompany the negro. Its whole style differed materially from that of Legrand.’ ‘But what.
‘to reinstate me in my family 153 of 419 . With a fair and strong breeze we soon ran into the little cove to the northward of Fort Moultrie. He grasped my hand with a nervous empressement which alarmed me and strengthened the suspicions already entertained. ‘I got it from him the next morning. It was about three in the afternoon when we arrived. and I felt inexpressibly shocked. if he had yet obtained the scarabæus from Lieutenant G —. ‘In supposing it to be a bug of real gold. and his deep-set eyes glared with unnatural lustre. coloring violently. Do you know that Jupiter is quite right about it?’ ‘In what way?’ I asked. Nothing should tempt me to part with that scarabæus. Legrand had been awaiting us in eager expectation. yes. and a walk of some two miles brought us to the hut. After some inquiries respecting his health. with a triumphant smile. ‘Oh.’ I now stepped into the boat and made sail.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Finding that no satisfaction was to be obtained of Jupiter. whose whole intellect seemed to be absorbed by ‘de bug.’ he replied. ‘This bug is to make my fortune. His countenance was pale even to ghastliness.’ He said this with an air of profound seriousness.’ he continued. I asked him. with a sad foreboding at heart. not knowing what better to say.
at that time. I have only to use it properly and I shall arrive at the gold of which it is the index. for the life of me. It was a beautiful scarabæus. in a grandiloquent tone. ‘you are certainly unwell.you mus git him for your own self. taking all things into consideration. with all the appearance of burnished gold. when I had completed my examination of the beetle. massa? I’d rudder not go fer trubble dat bug . and had better use some little 154 of 419 . that I might have your counsel and assistance in furthering the views of Fate and of the bug’ ‘My dear Legrand. and. unknown to naturalists . black spots near one extremity of the back.’ I cried. tell. and. and a long one near the other. with a grave and stately air. ‘I sent for you. Is it any wonder. and brought me the beetle from a glass case in which it was enclosed. bring me that scarabæus!’ ‘What! de bug. I could not. I could hardly blame Jupiter for his opinion respecting it. ‘I sent for you.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe possessions.’ said he. but what to make of Legrand’s concordance with that opinion. The weight of the insect was very remarkable. interrupting him. then. that I prize it? Since Fortune has thought fit to bestow it upon me. The scales were exceedingly hard and glossy.of course a great prize in a scientific point of view. There were two round. Jupiter.’ Hereupon Legrand arose.
In the first place. I felt it.’ ‘I am anxious to oblige you in any way. ‘But you may be ill and yet have no fever. If you really wish me well. the excitement which you now perceive in me will be equally allayed. In the next’ ‘You are mistaken. You shall go to bed.’ 155 of 419 . Allow me this once to prescribe for you. Whether we succeed or fail. found not the slightest indication of fever.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe precautions. in this expedition we shall need the aid of some person in whom we can confide. and I will remain with you a few days. You are the only one we can trust. Jupiter and myself are going upon an expedition into the hills. you will relieve this excitement. upon the main land. and. and.’ said he. go to bed. You are feverish and’ ‘Feel my pulse.’ I replied. to say the truth. until you get over this. ‘I am as well as I can expect to be under the excitement which I suffer.’ ‘And how is this to be done?’ ‘Very easily. ‘but do you mean to say that this infernal beetle has any connection with your expedition into the hills?’ ‘It has.’ he interposed.
for we have no time to lose. I can become a party to no such absurd proceeding. I promise. and ‘dat deuced bug’ were the sole words which escaped his lips during the journey. that when this freak of yours is over. and myself.but stay! . His demeanor was dogged in the extreme. it seemed to me.’ ‘I am sorry .how long do you propose to be absent?’ ‘Probably all night.more through fear. and be back.Legrand. Legrand.’ ‘Try it by yourselves! The man is surely mad! . Jupiter. the dog. of trusting either of the implements within reach of his master. upon your honor. than from any excess of industry or complaisance. by sunrise.’ With a heavy heart I accompanied my friend. We started about four o’clock . as that of your physician?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘And will you promise me. Jupiter had with him the scythe and spades . and now let us be off.very sorry . and the bug business (good God!) settled to your satisfaction. We shall start immediately. you will then return home and follow my advice implicitly.for we shall have to try it by ourselves.the whole of which he insisted upon carrying . at all events. For my own 156 of 419 .The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘Then.
The Works of Edgar Allan Poe part. proceeded in a northwesterly direction. plain evidence of my friend’s aberration of mind. through a tract of country excessively wild and desolate. with the air of a conjuror. he seemed unwilling to hold conversation upon any topic of minor importance. or until I could adopt some more energetic measures with a chance of success. I thought it best. and to all my questions vouchsafed no other reply than ‘we shall see!’ We crossed the creek at the head of the island by means of a skiff. which he carried attached to the end of a bit of whip-cord. Having succeeded in inducing me to accompany him. Legrand led the way with decision. here and there. where no trace of a human footstep was to be seen. however. When I observed this last. to humor his fancy. to sound him in regard to the object of the expedition. but all in vain. and. twirling it to and fro. while Legrand contented himself with the scarabæus. 157 of 419 . to consult what appeared to be certain landmarks of his own contrivance upon a former occasion. I could scarcely refrain from tears. ascending the high grounds on the shore of the main land. I had charge of a couple of dark lanterns. pausing only for an instant. at least for the present. In the mean time I endeavored. as he went.
Deep ravines. merely by the support of the trees against which they reclined. and the sun was just setting when we entered a region infinitely more dreary than any yet seen. gave an air of still sterner solemnity to the scene. through which we soon discovered that it would have been impossible to force our way but for the scythe. and all other trees which I had then ever seen. and in the general majesty of its appearance.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe In this manner we journeyed for about two hours. upon the level. When we reached this tree. It was a species of table land. densely wooded from base to pinnacle. with some eight or ten oaks. proceeded to clear for us a path to the foot of an enormously tall tulip-tree. by direction of his master. and Jupiter. and asked him if he thought he could climb it. in the wide spread of its branches. The old man seemed a little staggered by the question. The natural platform to which we had clambered was thickly overgrown with brambles. near the summit of an almost inaccessible hill. in various directions. and interspersed with huge crags that appeared to lie loosely upon the soil. and in many cases were prevented from precipitating themselves into the valleys below. and far surpassed them all. in the beauty of its foliage and form. and for some 158 of 419 . which stood. Legrand turned to Jupiter.
to take hold of a harmless little dead beetle. Jup climb any tree he ebber see in he life. When he had completed his scrutiny. for it will soon be too dark to see what we are about.d-n if I do!’ ‘If you are afraid. ‘Get up the main trunk first. Massa Will! . ‘Yes. if you do not take it up with you in some way. drawing back in dismay . a great big negro like you.’ ‘How far mus go up. Download the free trial version.but. why you can carry it up by this string . and edit PDF. view.’ ‘What de matter now. evidently shamed into compliance. I shall be under the necessity of breaking your head with this shovel. he merely said. Me feered de bug! what I keer for de bug?’ Here he took cautiously 159 of 419 . ‘always want for to raise fuss wid old nigger.de goole bug!’ cried the negro. Was only funnin any how.‘what for mus tote de bug way up de tree? . walked slowly around it. moments made no reply. massa.’ ‘De bug.’ ‘Then up with you as soon as possible. and then I will tell you which way to go . Jup. At length he approached the huge trunk.and here . massa?’ said Jup.stop! take this beetle with you. and examined it with minute attention. massa?’ inquired Jupiter.eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create.
now over. until no glimpse of his squat figure could be obtained through 160 of 419 . as closely as possible. in the present case. The negro obeyed him promptly. and resting his naked toes upon others. Thus the difficulty of ascension. In youth. the tulip-tree.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe hold of the extreme end of the string. although the climber was some sixty or seventy feet from the ground. Jupiter. and seemed to consider the whole business as virtually accomplished. at length wriggled himself into the first great fork. and apparently with but little trouble. seizing with his hands some projections. and often rises to a great height without lateral branches. the most magnificent of American foresters. and.’ said Legrand. with his arms and knees. ‘Which way mus go now. ‘Keep up the largest branch . The risk of the achievement was. in fact. lay more in semblance than in reality. maintaining the insect as far from his person as circumstances would permit. has a trunk peculiarly smooth. Embracing the huge cylinder. prepared to ascend the tree. after one or two narrow escapes from falling. while many short limbs make their appearance on the stem. or Liriodendron Tulipferum.the one on this side. ascending higher and higher. in its riper age. but. Massa Will?’ he asked. the bark becomes gnarled and uneven.
fibe .The Works of Edgar Allan Poe the dense foliage which enveloped it. but attend to what I say. evidently much excited. ‘I want you to work your way out upon that limb as far as you can. four.’ replied the negro. If you see anything strange. and I became seriously anxious about getting him home. ‘can see de sky fru de top ob de tree. ‘Now. While I was pondering upon what was best to be done. Jupiter’s voice was again heard.’ ‘Then go one limb higher.I done pass fibe big limb. 161 of 419 . ‘How much fudder is got for go?’ ‘How high up are you?’ asked Legrand. I had no alternative but to conclude him stricken with lunacy.’ ‘Never mind the sky.’ By this time what little doubt I might have entertained of my poor friend’s insanity. How many limbs have you passed?’ ‘One. pon dis side. let me know.’ cried Legrand.’ In a few minutes the voice was heard again. two. tree. Jup. announcing that the seventh limb was attained. was put finally at rest. ‘Ebber so fur. Look down the trunk and count the limbs below you on this side. massa. Presently his voice was heard in a sort of halloo.
massa. Massa Will. and.’ 162 of 419 . seemingly in the greatest distress. and den de limb won’t break wid just de weight ob one nigger. ‘Do!’ said I. It’s getting late.done departed dis here life. ‘Tis berry hebby bug. ‘but not so berry rotten as mought be. you remember your promise.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘Mos feerd for to ventur pon dis limb berry far .’ ‘Him rotten. hear you ebber so plain. Mought ventur out leetle way pon de limb by myself.’ ‘Jupiter. massa. Spose I drop him down fuss. then.’ cried he.done up for sartain . besides. ‘Yes. and see if you think it very rotten.that’s a fine fellow. without heeding me in the least. ‘why come home and go to bed.’ replied the negro in a few moments.tis dead limb putty much all de way. dat’s true.’ ‘What in the name heaven shall I do?’ asked Legrand.’ ‘Try the wood well. Jupiter?’ cried Legrand in a quavering voice.what do you mean?’ ‘Why I mean de bug. ‘do you hear me?’ ‘Yes. Come now! . glad of an opportunity to interpose a word. sure nuff. him dead as de door-nail . with your knife.’ ‘Did you say it was a dead limb.’ ‘By yourself! .
very well! .’ ‘I’m gwine. highly delighted. massa. Look here. Jupiter.somebody bin lef him head up de tree. do you hear me?’ ‘Yes.o-o-o-o-oh! Lor-gol-amarcy! what is dis here pon de tree?’ ‘Well!’ cried Legrand. what fastens ob it on to de tree. Massa Will . mus look. needn’t hollo at poor nigger dat style.’ replied the negro very promptly . ‘what is it?’ ‘Why taint noffin but a skull .deed I is. pon my word . Why dis berry curous sarcumstance. massa.’ ‘Well! now listen! .The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘You infernal scoundrel!’ cried Legrand. .what holds it on?’ ‘Sure nuff. I’ll make you a present of a silver dollar as soon as you get down. apparently much relieved.dare’s a great big nail in de skull. ‘what do you mean by telling me such nonsense as that? As sure as you drop that beetle I’ll break your neck.‘mos out to the eend now.’ 163 of 419 .’ ‘Out to the end!’ here fairly screamed Legrand. ‘do you say you are out to the end of that limb?’ ‘Soon be to de eend.if you will venture out on the limb as far as you think safe.how is it fastened to the limb? . you say! . massa. and de crows done gobble ebery bit ob de meat off. and not let go the beetle.’ ‘A skull.
Massa Will. too? . or the place where the left eye has been.here de lef eye! what mus do wid it?’ ‘Let the beetle drop through it. and your left. Have you found it?’ Here was a long pause. I nose dat . eye is on the same side as your left hand. I suppose.’ ‘To be sure! you are left-handed. then! .tis my lef hand what I chops de wood wid.but he careful and not let go your hold of the string. as far as the string will reach . Jupiter.’ ‘Pay attention.do you hear?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘All dat done.’ ‘Curse your stupidity! do you know your right hand from your left?’ ‘Yes. mighty easy ting for to put de bug fru de hole . ‘Is de lef eye of de skull pon de same side as de lef hand of de skull.cause de skull aint got not a bit ob a hand at all . Now. do exactly as I tell you .look out for him dare below!’ 164 of 419 . you can find the left eye of the skull.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘Well now. massa. At length the negro asked.nose all bout dat .find the left eye of the skull.’ ‘Hum! hoo! dat’s good! why dare aint no eye lef at all.nebber mind! I got de lef eye now .
and thence farther unrolled it. a rude circle. as a centre. Legrand immediately took the scythe. having accomplished this. my friend now produced from his pocket a tape measure. At the spot thus attained a second peg was driven. if allowed to fall. The scarabæus hung quite clear of any branches. was now visible at the end of the string. described. in the last rays of the setting sun. at the precise spot where the beetle fell. for the distance of fifty feet . ordered Jupiter to let go the string and come down from the tree. like a globe of burnished gold. with great nicety. but the beetle. of the tree which was nearest the peg. and glistened. 165 of 419 . in the direction already established by the two points of the tree and the peg. three or four yards in diameter. he unrolled it till it reached the peg. just beneath the insect. Taking now a spade himself. and. some of which still faintly illumined the eminence upon which we stood.Jupiter clearing away the brambles with the scythe.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe During this colloquy no portion of Jupiter’s person could be seen. which he had suffered to descend. and cleared with it a circular space. would have fallen at our feet. Driving a peg. and about this. about four feet in diameter. into the ground. and giving one to Jupiter and one to me. Fastening one end of this at that point of the trunk. and.
in a personal contest with his master. but I saw no mode of escape. I would have had no hesitation in attempting to get the lunatic home by force. for the night was coming on. or. and. under any circumstances. but. Could I have depended. at length. indeed.’ A mind disposed to lunacy would readily be led away by such suggestions especially if chiming in with favorite preconceived ideas and then I called to mind the poor fellow’s speech about the beetle’s being ‘the index of his fortune. I made no doubt that the latter had been infected with some of the innumerable Southern superstitions about money buried. To speak the truth.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Legrand begged us to set about digging as quickly as possible. and I felt much fatigued with the exercise already taken. I was sadly vexed and puzzled. would most willingly have declined it. but I was too well assured of the old negro’s disposition. to hope that he would assist me.’ Upon the whole. at that particular moment. perhaps. by Jupiter’s obstinacy in maintaining it to be ‘a bug of real gold. and was fearful of disturbing my poor friend’s equanimity by a refusal. I had no especial relish for such amusement at any time. upon Jupiter’s aid. I 166 of 419 . and that his phantasy had received confirmation by the finding of the scarabæus.
and our chief embarrassment lay in the yelpings of the dog. by chance. and then returned. and. by ocular demonstration. rather. this was the apprehension of Legrand. getting out of the hole with a dogged air of deliberation. to his task.for myself. We dug very steadily for two hours. became so obstreperous that we grew fearful of his giving the alarm to some stragglers in the vicinity. and how strange and suspicious our labors must have appeared to any interloper who. who. He. The lanterns having been lit. might have stumbled upon our whereabouts. tied the brute’s mouth up with one of his suspenders. . at length. and thus the sooner to convince the visionary.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe concluded to make a virtue of necessity . very effectually silenced by Jupiter. at length. The noise was. 167 of 419 . or. Little was said. of the fallacy of the opinions he entertained. we all fell to work with a zeal worthy a more rational cause. as the glare fell upon our persons and implements. I could not help thinking how picturesque a group we composed. with a grave chuckle. who took exceeding interest in our proceedings. I should have rejoiced at any interruption which might have enabled me to get the wanderer home.to dig with a good will.
and went to the farther depth of two feet.’ said Legrand. This done. and yet no signs of any treasure became manifest. with a loud oath. Legrand. In the mean time I made no remark. A general pause ensued. We had excavated the entire circle of four feet diameter. and seized him by the collar. we had reached a depth of five feet. and now we slightly enlarged the limit. We had taken. ‘You scoundrel. and the dog having been unmuzzled. hissing out the syllables from between his clenched teeth . whom I sincerely pitied. let fall the spades. although evidently much disconcerted. wiped his brow thoughtfully and recommenced. Legrand strode up to Jupiter. The gold-seeker.‘you infernal 168 of 419 . at a signal from his master. with the bitterest disappointment imprinted upon every feature. The astonished negro opened his eyes and mouth to the fullest extent. at length clambered from the pit. and fell upon his knees. however. Still nothing appeared. to put on his coat. Jupiter. and proceeded. and I began to hope that the farce was at an end.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe When the time mentioned had expired. which he had thrown off at the beginning of his labor. when. slowly and reluctantly. a dozen steps in this direction. began to gather up his tools. we turned in profound silence towards home. perhaps.
and executing a series of curvets and caracols. ‘the game’s not up yet. and then from myself to his master. mutely. as if in immediate dread of his master’s attempt at a gouge. looked.which is your left eye?’ ‘Oh. then. 169 of 419 . arising from his knees. ‘Come! we must go back. from his master to myself.de lef eye .The Works of Edgar Allan Poe black villain! . when we reached its foot.answer me this instant. was it this eye or that through which you dropped the beetle?’ .I knew it! hurrah!’ vociferated Legrand. my golly. and holding it there with a desperate pertinacity.jis as you tell me. ‘Jupiter. massa.’ said the latter.’ and he again led the way to the tulip-tree.speak. letting the negro go. widout any trouble.here Legrand touched each of Jupiter’s eyes. ‘come here! was the skull nailed to the limb with the face outwards. or with the face to the limb?’ ‘De face was out.which .’ said he. massa . who. ‘Twas dis eye. placing his hand upon his right organ of vision. so dat de crows could get at de eyes good. Massa Will! aint dis here my lef eye for sartain?’ roared the terrified Jupiter. I tell you! . much to the astonishment of his valet. without prevarication! .’ and here it was his right eye that the negro indicated.’ ‘Well. ‘I thought so! .
scarcely understanding what had occasioned the change in my thoughts. the tape measure from the nearest point of the trunk to the peg. At a period when such vagaries of thought most fully 170 of 419 . and we again set to work with the spades. amid all the extravagant demeanor of Legrand . to a spot about three inches to the westward of its former position. I dug eagerly. Taking. somewhat larger than in the former instance. about whose madness I now saw.some air of forethought. for the fancied treasure. even excited. Around the new position a circle. by several yards.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘That will do .nay. and continuing the extension in a straight line to the distance of fifty feet. but. or fancied that I saw. a spot was indicated.’ Here my friend. now. I felt no longer any great aversion from the labor imposed. Perhaps there was something. which impressed me. removed. removed the peg which marked the spot where the beetle fell.must try it again. or of deliberation. the vision of which had demented my unfortunate companion. as before. I had become most unaccountably interested . certain indications of method. with something that very much resembled expectation. I was dreadfully weary. was now described. from the point at which we had been digging. and now and then caught myself actually looking.
In a few seconds he had uncovered a mass of human bones. 171 of 419 . Download the free trial version. as we dug farther. tore up the mould frantically with his claws. and when we had been at work perhaps an hour and a half. in the first instance. and never did I pass ten minutes of more intense excitement. three or four loose pieces of gold and silver coin came to light. leaping into the hole. and what appeared to be the dust of decayed woollen. evidently. but he now assumed a bitter and serious tone. and the words were hardly uttered when I stumbled and fell forward. forming two complete skeletons. intermingled with several buttons of metal. and. had been. and edit PDF. His uneasiness. he made furious resistance. At sight of these the joy of Jupiter could scarcely be restrained. but the countenance of his master wore an air of extreme disappointment He urged us. which. however. We now worked in earnest. Upon Jupiter’s again attempting to muzzle him. view. but the result of playfulness or caprice.eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. possessed me. having caught the toe of my boot in a large ring of iron that lay half buried in the loose earth. One or two strokes of a spade upturned the blade of a large Spanish knife. and. During this interval we had fairly unearthed an oblong chest of wood. we were again interrupted by the violent howlings of the dog. to continue our exertions.
In an instant. This box was three feet and a half long. had plainly been subjected to some mineralizing process perhaps that of the Bi-chloride of Mercury. and two and a half feet deep. As the rays of the lanterns fell within the pit. Legrand appeared exhausted with excitement. that absolutely dazzled our eyes. These we drew back trembling and panting with anxiety. Jupiter’s countenance wore. Luckily. from a confused heap of gold and of jewels. I shall not pretend to describe the feelings with which I gazed. a treasure of incalculable value lay gleaming before us. of course. Our utmost united endeavors served only to disturb the coffer very slightly in its bed. three feet broad. and spoke very few words.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe from its perfect preservation and wonderful hardness. were three rings of iron .by means of which a firm hold could be obtained by six persons. as deadly a pallor as it is possible. the sole fastenings of the lid consisted of two sliding bolts. He seemed stupified 172 of 419 . We at once saw the impossibility of removing so great a weight. near the top. predominant. On each side of the chest. for some minutes. and forming a kind of open trelliswork over the whole.six in all . Amazement was. in nature of things. for any negro’s visage to assume. riveted. It was firmly secured by bands of wrought iron. there flashed upwards a glow and a glare.
finally. nigger? . to raise it from the hole. at one o’clock in the morning. and. nor to open his mouth until our return. let them there remain. that we might get every thing housed before daylight. reaching the hut in safety. At length. We.answer me dat!’ It became necessary. It was growing late. as if enjoying the luxury of a bath. 173 of 419 .The Works of Edgar Allan Poe thunderstricken. The articles taken out were deposited among the brambles. with a deep sigh. burying his naked arms up to the elbows in gold. and it behooved us to make exertion. and the dog left to guard them. and much time was spent in deliberation . upon any pretence.so confused were the ideas of all. We then hurriedly made for home with the chest. to stir from the spot. but after excessive toil. as if in a soliloquy. with some trouble. at last. when we were enabled. ‘And dis all cum ob de goole-bug! de putty goole bug! de poor little goole-bug. that I should arouse both master and valet to the expediency of removing the treasure. lightened the box by removing two thirds of its contents. what I boosed in dat sabage kind ob style! Aint you shamed ob yourself. he exclaimed. Presently he fell upon his knees in the pit. with strict orders from Jupiter neither. It was difficult to say what should be done.
The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Worn out as we were. A little before four we arrived at the pit. which. as accurately as we could. by the tables of the period. The chest had been full to the brim. at which. We were now thoroughly broken down. it was not in human nature to do more immediately. and had supper. All was gold 174 of 419 . and the greater part of the next night. Every thing had been heaped in promiscuously. again set out for the hut.estimating the value of the pieces. in a scrutiny of its contents. just as the first faint streaks of the dawn gleamed from over the tree-tops in the East. we deposited our golden burthens. After an unquiet slumber of some three or four hours’ duration. were upon the premises. as if by preconcert. In coin there was rather more than four hundred and fifty thousand dollars . Having assorted all with care. armed with three stout sacks. leaving the holes unfilled. we found ourselves possessed of even vaster wealth than we had at first supposed. divided the remainder of the booty. starting for the hills immediately afterwards. We rested until two. as equally as might be. but the intense excitement of the time denied us repose. and we spent the whole day. to make examination of our treasure. we arose. There was not a particle of silver. and. There had been nothing like order or arrangement. among us. for the second time. by good luck.
there was a vast quantity of solid gold ornaments. .some of them exceedingly large and fine . with two sword-handles exquisitely embossed. Besides all this. which we picked out from among the other gold.five gold censers of great value. The settings themselves. appeared to have been beaten up with hammers. . and many other smaller articles which I cannot recollect. There were several very large and heavy coins.three hundred and ten emeralds. Spanish. and some counters. and not one of them small. The value of the jewels we found more difficulty in estimating. with a few English guineas.thirty of these. if I remember. of which we had never seen specimens before. eighteen rubies of remarkable brilliancy. so worn that we could make nothing of their inscriptions.eighty-three very large and heavy crucifixes.nearly two hundred massive finger and earrings. with an opal. . There was no American money. There were diamonds . . and twenty-one sapphires. These stones had all been broken from their settings and thrown loose in the chest. and German money. ornamented with richly chased vine-leaves and Bacchanalian figures.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe of antique date and of great variety . . all very beautiful.rich chains .French. . The weight of these valuables exceeded three 175 of 419 .a hundred and ten in all. as if to prevent identification.a prodigious golden punch bowl.
You recollect also. more or less. who saw that I was dying with impatience for a solution of this most extraordinary riddle. Many of them were very old. and admitted to myself that your 176 of 419 . When. the works having suffered. ‘You remember. Legrand. subsided.’ said he. three of the number being worth each five hundred dollars. that night. entered into a full detail of all the circumstances connected with it. and upon the subsequent disposal of the trinkets and jewels (a few being retained for our own use).The Works of Edgar Allan Poe hundred and fifty pounds avoirdupois. if one. at length. and the intense excitement of the time had. at a million and a half of dollars.but all were richly jewelled and in cases of great worth. When you first made this assertion I thought you were jesting. but afterwards I called to mind the peculiar spots on the back of the insect. we had concluded our examination. and as time keepers valueless. it was found that we had greatly undervalued the treasure. and in this estimate I have not included one hundred and ninety-seven superb gold watches. in some measure. We estimated the entire contents of the chest. ‘the night when I handed you the rough sketch I had made of the scarabæus. that I became quite vexed at you for insisting that my drawing resembled a death’s-head. from corrosion .
and.at the singular coincidence involved in the fact. I had made the drawing of the beetle. you mean.’ said I. my glance fell upon the sketch at which you had been looking. My first idea. Upon turning it over. at once.for I am considered a good artist . it had much of the appearance of paper. proceeded to scrutinize the parchment more closely. Still. Well. therefore. when you handed me the scrap of parchment. ‘No. just as I had made it. was mere surprise at the really remarkable similarity of outline . and seating myself at the other end of the room. as I was in the very act of crumpling it up.although there was a certain similarity in general outline.’ ‘The scrap of paper.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe remark had some little foundation in fact. and at first I supposed it to be such. I knew that my design was very different in detail from this . and you may imagine my astonishment when I perceived. that 177 of 419 . it seemed to me. but when I came to draw upon it. I discovered it. the figure of a death’s-head just where. I was about to crumple it up and throw it angrily into the fire. For a moment I was too much amazed to think with accuracy. to be a piece of very thin parchment. Presently I took a candle. now. in fact. It was quite dirty. you remember. the sneer at my graphic powers irritated me . I saw my own sketch upon the reverse.
a sequence of cause and effect . there dawned upon me gradually a conviction which startled me even far more than the coincidence. positively. not only in outline. within the most remote and secret chambers of my intellect. and putting the parchment 178 of 419 . and that this skull. Had the skull been then there. even at that early moment. immediately beneath my figure of the scarabæus. being unable to do so. a glow-worm-like conception of that truth which last night’s adventure brought to so magnificent a demonstration. I began distinctly. when I recovered from this stupor. suffers a species of temporary paralysis. in search of the cleanest spot.and. I became perfectly certain of this. there seemed to glimmer. should so closely resemble my drawing. of course I could not have failed to notice it. for I recollected turning up first one side and then the other.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe unknown to me. The mind struggles to establish a connexion . But. but. Here was indeed a mystery which I felt it impossible to explain. I arose at once. I say the singularity of this coincidence absolutely stupified me for a time. This is the usual effect of such coincidences. but in size. faintly. to remember that there had been no drawing upon the parchment when I made my sketch of the scarabæus. there should have been a skull upon the other side of the parchment.
It was at this moment that his eyes. fell upon the scrap of parchment. by which to take hold of it.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe securely away. which caused me to let it drop. about a mile eastward of the island. or something of that nature. Soon afterwards we turned to go home. which had flown towards him. looked about him for a leaf. I showed 179 of 419 . I betook myself to a more methodical investigation of the affair. and mine also. Upon my taking hold of it. and when Jupiter was fast asleep. it gave me a sharp bite. which I then supposed to be paper. I observed the remnants of the hull of what appeared to have been a ship’s long boat. In the first place I considered the manner in which the parchment had come into my possession. dismissed all farther reflection until I should be alone. It was lying half buried in the sand. wrapped the beetle in it. for the resemblance to boat timbers could scarcely be traced. before seizing the insect. Near the spot where we found it. and gave it to me. The wreck seemed to have been there for a very great while. and on the way met Lieutenant G-. Jupiter. The spot where we discovered the scarabaeus was on the coast of the main land. and but a short distance above high water mark. a corner sticking up. with his accustomed caution. ‘When you had gone. Jupiter picked up the parchment. ‘Well.
and which I had continued to hold in my hand during his inspection. There was a boat lying upon a sea-coast. I searched my pockets. and not far from the boat was a parchment .but I had already established a kind of connexion. I found no paper where it was usually kept. At the same time.with a skull depicted upon it. ‘No doubt you will think me fanciful . for the purpose of making a sketch of the beetle. You will.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe him the insect. and he begged me to let him take it to the fort. Upon my consenting. I looked in the drawer. without being conscious of it. for the circumstances impressed me with peculiar force. I must have deposited the parchment in my own pocket. without the parchment in which it had been wrapped. Perhaps he dreaded my changing my mind. he thrust it forthwith into his waistcoat pocket.you know how enthusiastic he is on all subjects connected with Natural History. hoping to find an old letter. and thought it best to make sure of the prize at once . and found none there.not a paper . ‘You remember that when I went to the table. I thus detail the precise mode in which it came into my possession. when my hand fell upon the parchment. ask ‘where is the connexion?’ I reply 180 of 419 . I had put together two links of a great chain. of course.
The flag of the death’s head is hoisted in all engagements.in the death’s-head.’ I interposed. Although one of its corners had been.almost imperishable. as might have been chosen for a memorandum . must have been designed (God only knows how or by whom) at some period subsequent to your sketching the scarabæus?’ 181 of 419 . for the mere ordinary purposes of drawing or writing. I did not fail to observe.some relevancy . it is not nearly so well adapted as paper. ‘you say that the skull was not upon the parchment when you made the drawing of the beetle. by some accident. since.for a record of something to be long remembered and carefully preserved. according to your own admission. Matters of little moment are rarely consigned to parchment. is the well-known emblem of the pirate. How then do you trace any connexion between the boat and the skull . the form of the parchment. This reflection suggested some meaning . also. It was just such a slip. and not paper.since this latter.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe that the skull.’ ‘But. ‘I have said that the scrap was parchment. Parchment is durable . destroyed. indeed. or death’s-head. it could be seen that the original form was oblong.
the Newfoundland. inspecting it. I reasoned. Just as I placed the parchment in your hand. hereupon turns the whole mystery. and leaped upon your shoulders. however. and in close proximity to the fire. had drawn a chair close to the chimney. The weather was chilly (oh rare and happy accident!). was permitted to fall listlessly between your knees. every incident which occurred about the period in question. I had comparatively little difficulty in solving. but. and observed you narrowly until you returned it. therefore. and as you were in the act of in. ‘At this stage of my reflections I endeavored to remember. and could afford but a single result. At one moment I thought the blaze had caught it. With your left hand you caressed him and kept him off. and was about to caution you. And nevertheless it was done. for example. at this point. I was heated with exercise and sat near the table. did not design the skull. and no one else was present to do it. When I had completed the drawing I gave it to you. 182 of 419 . My steps were sure. You. Wolf. although the secret.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘Ah. and did remember. there was no skull apparent upon the parchment. while your right. holding the parchment. with entire distinctness. and a fire was blazing upon the hearth. You. entered. thus: When I drew the scarabæus. Then it was not done by human agency.
At first. I immediately kindled a fire. but. and were engaged in its examination. upon the parchment. you had withdrawn it. Download the free trial version. and have existed time out of mind.eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. at the corner of the slip. and diluted with four times its weight of water. the skull which I saw designed upon it. is sometimes employed. dissolved in spirit of nitre. upon persevering in the experiment. but again become apparent upon the re-application of heat. so that the characters shall become visible only when subjected to the action of fire. the only effect was the strengthening of the faint lines in the skull. diagonally 183 of 419 . Zaffre. and edit PDF.were far more distinct than the others. a green tint results. I doubted not for a moment that heat had been the agent in bringing to light. by means of which it is possible to write upon either paper or vellum. there became visible. before I could speak. and subjected every portion of the parchment to a glowing heat. You are well aware that chemical preparations exist. These colors disappear at longer or shorter intervals after the material written upon cools. It was clear that the action of the caloric had been imperfect or unequal. Its outer edges . digested in aqua regia.the edges of the drawing nearest the edge of the vellum . view. gives a red. ‘I now scrutinized the death’s-head with care. When I considered all these particulars. The regulus of cobalt.
’ ‘Pretty much.of the text for my context. have nothing to do with goats.pretty much the same thing. but not altogether.’ 184 of 419 .a million and a half of money is too serious a matter for mirth . the air of a stamp. however. in the same manner. ‘You may have heard of one Captain Kidd. The death’shead at the corner diagonally opposite. because its position upon the vellum suggested this idea. satisfied me that it was intended for a kid. they appertain to the farming interest.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe opposite to the spot in which the death’s-head was delineated. had. But I was sorely put out by the absence of all else . the figure of what I at first supposed to be a goat. or seal.’ ‘But I have just said that the figure was not that of a goat.’ ‘Well.’ said Legrand. ‘to be sure I have no right to laugh at you .of the body to my imagined instrument .pirates. I at once looked upon the figure of the animal as a kind of punning or hieroglyphical signature.you will not find any especial connexion between your pirates and a goat .but you are not about to establish a third link in your chain . A closer scrutiny. I say signature.’ ‘Ha! ha!’ said I. a kid then . you know.
somewhere upon the Atlantic coast. it appeared 185 of 419 . and that without the fire.the thousand vague rumors afloat about money buried. . by Kidd and his associates. of course.’ ‘Something of that kind. about the bug being of solid gold. or without the intervention of the dog at the precise moment in which he appeared. And that the rumors have existed so long and so continuous. I felt irresistibly impressed with a presentiment of some vast good fortune impending.I am all impatience. sufficiently cool for fire. it was rather a desire than an actual belief. had a remarkable effect upon my fancy? And then the series of accidents and coincidences . you have heard. after all. the many stories current . or may be. Do you observe how mere an accident it was that these events should have occurred upon the sole day of all the year in which it has been. could have resulted. and so never the possessor of the treasure?’ ‘But proceed . Perhaps. The fact is.’ ‘Well. These rumors must have had some foundation in fact.but do you know that Jupiter’s silly words. I can scarcely say why. I should never have become aware of the death’s-head.these were so very extraordinary.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘I presume you expected to find a letter between the stamp and the signature.
It seemed to me that some accident . who otherwise might never have heard that treasure had been concealed at all.’ 186 of 419 . that the earth still held them. because unguided attempts. not about money-finders. and afterwards reclaimed it. to regain it. nearly amounting to certainty. and that this accident had become known to his followers. therefore. the rumors would scarcely have reached us in their present unvarying form. is well known. Had the pirate recovered his money. only from the circumstance of the buried treasure still remaining entombed.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe to me. to the reports which are now so common. there the affair would have dropped. Have you ever heard of any important treasure being unearthed along the coast?’ ‘Never. that the parchment so strangely found. Had Kidd concealed his plunder for a time. You will observe that the stories told are all about moneyseekers. and who. and then universal currency.had deprived him of the means of recovering it. had given first birth. and you will scarcely be surprised when I tell you that I felt a hope. I took it for granted.’ ‘But that Kidd’s accumulations were immense. involved a lost record of the place of deposit.say the loss of a memorandum indicating its locality . busying themselves in vain.
48†85.48.88*96*?.4(‡?34. Upon taking it off. but nothing appeared.4826)4‡)4‡. having re-heated the parchment.806*. so I carefully rinsed the parchment by pouring warm water over it. and. in several places. and. having done this. with what appeared to be figures arranged in lines. submitted it to my inspection.)6†8)4.’ Here Legrand.8:8‡1. I removed the slip. after increasing the heat.:*883(88)5*‡ . Again I placed it in the pan.:188. (88.’ 187 of 419 .‡?.48‡8¶60))85. found it spotted. with the skull downwards. in a red tint.46(.8)*‡(.4956*2(5*4)8¶8*. I now thought it possible that the coating of dirt might have something to do with the failure.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘But how did you proceed?’ ‘I held the vellum again to the fire.485). and put the pan upon a furnace of lighted charcoal. the whole was just as you see it now.1(‡9..4)485†528806*81 (‡9.48)4‡.48081. between the death’s-head and the goat: ‘53‡‡†305))6*. In a few minutes.40692 85).161.5*†2:*‡(.1-(. I placed it in a tin pan. and suffered it to remain another minute. the pan having become thoroughly heated. to my inexpressible joy. The following characters were rudely traced.
from what is known of Kidd. ‘the solution is by no means so difficult as you might be lead to imagine from the first hasty inspection of the characters. returning him the slip. form a cipher . that this was of a simple species . and it may well be doubted whether human ingenuity can construct an enigma of the kind which human ingenuity may not. Were all the jewels of Golconda awaiting me upon my solution of this enigma.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘But. I am quite sure that I should be unable to earn them. and a certain bias of mind.’ said I.’ said Legrand. absolutely insoluble without the key. they convey a meaning. as would appear. resolve. I made up my mind. ‘I am as much in the dark as ever. These characters. but then. I scarcely gave a thought to the mere difficulty of developing their import. to the crude intellect of the sailor. 188 of 419 .such. I have solved others of an abstruseness ten thousand times greater.that is to say. having once established connected and legible characters. at once. have led me to take interest in such riddles.’ ‘And you really solved it?’ ‘Readily.’ ‘And yet. however. Circumstances. In fact. I could not suppose him capable of constructing any of the more abstruse cryptographs. as any one might readily guess. by proper application.
The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘In the present case . As it was. the genius of the particular idiom. with the cipher now before us. ‘You observe there are no divisions between the words. there being no division. as is most likely. especially. had a word of a single letter occurred. and. for example. Had there been divisions. But. there is no alternative but experiment (directed by probabilities) of every tongue known to him who attempts the solution. the task would have been comparatively easy. But for this consideration I should have begun my attempts with the Spanish and French. In general. But. I assumed the cryptograph to be English. depend upon.the first question regards the language of the cipher. In such case I should have commenced with a collation and analysis of the shorter words. (a or I. so far. all difficulty was removed by the signature. as the more simple ciphers are concerned. for the principles of solution. as the tongues in which a secret of this kind would most naturally have been written by a pirate of the Spanish main.indeed in all cases of secret writing . and are varied by. until the true one be attained. my first step was to ascertain the predominant 189 of 419 .) I should have considered the solution as assured. The pun upon the word ‘Kidd’ is appreciable in no other language than the English.
9 2 ‘ 5. 5 ‘ 12. E predominates so remarkably that an individual sentence of any length is rarely seen. then. The general use which may be made of the table is obvious 190 of 419 . 0 ‘ 6. † 1 ‘ 8. Counting all. ‡ ) ‘ 16. in the very beginning. ‘ 26. in which it is not the prevailing character. ‘Here. the letter which most frequently occurs is e. in English. * ‘ 13. we leave. ‘ 1. ? ‘ 3. . as well as the least frequent.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe letters. the groundwork for something more than a mere guess. ‘Now. succession runs thus: a o i d h n r s t u y c f g l m w b k p q x z. ¶ ‘ 2. -. Afterwards. I constructed a table. 4 ‘ 19. : 3 ‘ 4. thus: Of the character 8 there are 33. 6 ‘ 11.
Now.fleet. as ‘meet. for example. we shall only very partially require its aid. ‘But. therefore. assume that . to the last instance but one. let us see. several commencements and terminations of other words. as e. whether there are not repetitions of any three characters. As our predominant character is 8. so arranged. therefore. the last of them being 8.’ &c. Let us refer. we are enabled to establish a vastly important point. although the cryptograph is brief. ‘Let us assume 8. the characters being . we will commence by assuming it as the e of the natural alphabet. In the present instance we see it doubled no less than five times.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe but. of all words in the language. that is to say. and 8 represents e .’ ‘seen. 4 represents h. in which 191 of 419 . Thus a great step has been taken.’ ‘agree. then.in such words.’ ‘speed. having established a single word. they will most probably represent the word ‘the.the last being now well confirmed. We may. To verify the supposition.48. we find no less than seven such arrangements.’ Upon inspection. in the same order of collocation. for example. represents t. If we discover repetitions of such letters. let us observe if the 8 be seen often in couples . ‘the’ is most usual.for e is doubled with great frequency in English . in this particular cipher.’ ‘.’ been.
r. 192 of 419 . We know that the . if necessary.48.4(‡?34 the. and employ it by way of termination to what immediately precedes. since. for a short distance. immediately ensuing is the commencement of a word. we perceive that no word can be formed of which this th can be a part. leaving a space for the unknown t eeth. ‘Here we are enabled.48 occurs .The Works of Edgar Allan Poe the combination . going through the alphabet.’ as the sole possible reading. with the words ‘the tree’ in juxtaposition. at once.not far from the end of the cipher. by the letters we know them to represent. and. represented by (. ‘Looking beyond these words. thus. we arrive at the word ‘tree. We thus gain another letter. we again see the combination . We have thus this arrangement: the tree .’ as forming no portion of the word commencing with the first t. as before. to discard the ‘th. We are thus narrowed into t ee. by experiment of the entire alphabet for a letter adapted to the vacancy. of the six characters succeeding this ‘the. Let us set these characters down. and.’ we are cognizant of no less than five.
if. where known. or substitute dots. represented by ‡ ? and 3. and representing the unknown by dots. we read thus: th rtee. or egree. i and n. narrowly. not very far from the beginning. ‘Translating the known characters. 193 of 419 .46(.’ we perceive the combination . plainly. we read thus: the tree thr.. ‘Four letters beyond the word ‘degree. But this discovery gives us three new letters. this arrangement. an arrangement immediately suggestive of the word ‘thirteen. d. represented by 6 and *. which. 83(88. as before.’ and again furnishing us with two new characters. we leave blank spaces. ‘Now. ‘Looking now.’ and gives us another letter.88. in place of the unknown characters. represented by †.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe or. through the cipher for combinations of known characters. u and g.h the. o. we find. when the word ‘through’ makes itself evident at once. is the conclusion of the word ‘degree. it reads thus: the tree thr‡?3h the.. substituting the natural letters.
53‡‡†. and that the first two words are ‘A good. we obtain good. as far as discovered. as before. It will stand thus: 5 represents a †‘d 8‘e 3‘g 4‘h 6‘i *‘n ‡‘o (‘r . now.‘t ‘We have. which assures us that the first letter is A.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘Referring. therefore. in a tabular form. we find the combination. ‘Translating. no less than ten of the most important letters represented. I have said enough to convince you that ciphers of this nature are 194 of 419 . to avoid confusion. to the beginning of the cryptograph. and it will be unnecessary to proceed with the details of the solution.’ ‘It is now time that we arrange our key.
eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. as unriddled. when regarded with a casual glance. readily soluble. Download the free trial version.’ ‘You mean. and to give you some insight into the rationale of their development.’ said I. so as to increase 195 of 419 . view. and edit PDF. to punctuate it?’ ‘Something of that kind.’ replied Legrand.’ ‘ ‘But. ‘that the matter still wears a serious aspect..’ and ‘bishop’s hotels?’ ‘ ‘I confess. How is it possible to extort a meaning from all this jargon about ‘devil’s seats.’ ‘death’s heads. But be assured that the specimen before us appertains to the very simplest species of cryptograph. ‘the enigma seems still in as bad a condition as ever. It now only remains to give you the full translation of the characters upon the parchment. My first endeavor was to divide the sentence into the natural division intended by the cryptographist.’ ‘But how was it possible to effect this?’ ‘I reflected that it had been a point with the writer to run his words together without division.
I made the division thus: ‘A good glass in the Bishop’s hostel in the Devil’s seat forty-one degrees and thirteen minutes . ‘for a few days. you will easily detect five such cases of unusual crowding. it entered into my 196 of 419 . and proceeding in a more systematic manner. at this place.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe the difficulty of solution.shoot from the left eye of the death’s-head . of course. If you will observe the MS. in the neighborhood of Sullivan’s Island. Acting upon this hint. ‘leaves me still in the dark. in the course of his composition. in pursuing such an object would be nearly certain to overdo the matter.’ for. he would be exceedingly apt to run his characters. I dropped the obsolete word ‘hostel. for any building which went by the name of the ‘Bishop’s Hotel. a not over-acute man. in the present instance.’ said I.’ replied Legrand. Now.a bee-line from the tree through the shot fifty feet out. one morning.northeast and by north . When..’ ‘It left me also in the dark.main branch seventh limb east side .’ ‘ ‘Even this division. during which I made diligent inquiry. or a point. I was on the point of extending my sphere of search. more than usually close together. when. he arrived at a break in his subject which would naturally require a pause.’ Gaining no information on the subject.
I proceeded to examine the place. that this ‘Bishop’s Hostel’ might have some reference to an old family. when. I accordingly went over to the plantation. The ‘castle’ consisted of an irregular assemblage of cliffs and rocks one of the latter being quite remarkable for its height as well as for its insulated and artificial appearance I clambered to its apex. perhaps a yard below the summit upon which I stood. after some demur. while a niche in the cliff just above it. my eyes fell upon a narrow ledge in the eastern face of the rock. but that it was not a castle nor a tavern. and then felt much at a loss as to what should be next done. quite suddenly. and re-instituted my inquiries among the older negroes of the place. she consented to accompany me to the spot. ‘I offered to pay her well for her trouble. but a high rock. and. ‘While I was busied in reflection. and was not more than a foot wide. dismissing her. of the name of Bessop. This ledge projected about eighteen inches. about four miles to the northward of the Island. We found it without much difficulty. had held possession of an ancient manor-house. gave it a 197 of 419 . which. At length one of the most aged of the women said that she had heard of such a place as Bessop’s Castle. and thought that she could guide me to it. time out of mind.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe head.
’ were intended as directions for the levelling of the glass.’ I knew. was a telescope to be used. ‘forty-one degrees and thirteen minutes.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe rude resemblance to one of the hollow-backed chairs used by our ancestors. from which to use it. could have reference to nothing but a telescope. Greatly excited by these discoveries.’ and ‘northeast and by north.’ This latter direction I at once established by means of a pocket-compass. and found that it was impossible to retain a seat upon it except in one particular position. the ‘forty-one degrees and thirteen minutes’ could allude to nothing but elevation above the visible horizon.. and returned to the rock. ‘The ‘good glass. pointing the glass as nearly at an angle of forty-one degrees of elevation as I 198 of 419 . I proceeded to use the glass. and now I seemed to grasp the full secret of the riddle. ‘northeast and by north. Now here. This fact confirmed my preconceived idea. ‘I let myself down to the ledge. since the horizontal direction was clearly indicated by the words. then. for the word ‘glass’ is rarely employed in any other sense by seamen. I hurried home. Of course. I at once saw. and a definite point of view. admitting no variation. procured a telescope. Nor did I hesitate to believe that the phrases. I made no doubt that here was the ‘devil’s seat’ alluded to in the MS.
and beneath this point I thought it at least possible that a deposit of value lay concealed.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe could do it by guess. seventh limb. east side. I perceived that the design was to drop a bullet from the left eye of the skull. and that a bee-line. or. at first. I moved it cautiously up or down. drawn from the nearest point of the trunk through ‘the shot. what then?’ 199 of 419 . would indicate a definite point .’ I said. but could not. until my attention was arrested by a circular rift or opening in the foliage of a large tree that overtopped its fellows in the distance. and. a straight line. distinguish what it was. still simple and explicit.’ (or the spot where the bullet fell. although ingenious. ‘Upon this discovery I was so sanguine as to consider the enigma solved.) and thence extended to a distance of fifty feet. in regard to a search for buried treasure. In the centre of this rift I perceived a white spot. and now made it out to be a human skull. ‘is exceedingly clear. also. I again looked.’ could refer only to the position of the skull upon the tree. for the phrase ‘main branch. while ‘shoot from the left eye of the death’s head’ admitted. When you left the Bishop’s Hotel. in other words. of but one interpretation. Adjusting the focus of the telescope.’ ‘All this.
who had. on the next day. for some weeks past. I turned homewards. I contrived to give him the slip. no doubt. ‘you missed the spot. But. through Jupiter’s stupidity in letting the bug fall through the right instead of through the left eye of the skull. This mistake made a difference of about two inches and a half in the ‘shot’ . With the rest of the adventure I believe you are as well acquainted as myself. in the 200 of 419 . is the fact (for repeated experiment has convinced me it is a fact) that the circular opening in question is visible from no other attainable point of view than that afforded by the narrow ledge upon the face of the rock. and took especial care not to leave me alone.’ ‘I suppose. After much toil I found it.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘Why.that is to say.’ said I.’ however. ‘In this expedition to the ‘Bishop’s Hotel’ I had been attended by Jupiter. The instant that I left ‘the devil’s seat. the circular rift vanished. in the first attempt at digging. having carefully taken the bearings of the tree. the abstraction of my demeanor.’ ‘Precisely. and went into the hills in search of the tree. nor could I get a glimpse of it afterwards. What seems to me the chief ingenuity in this whole business. getting up very early. turn as I would. When I came home at night my valet proposed to give me a flogging. observed.
and your conduct in swinging the beetle . and now there is only one point which puzzles me. we might have had all our labor in vain. were merely two points for the establishment of a line of direction. And why did you insist upon letting fall the bug.’ ‘Yes. but ‘the shot. An observation of yours about its great weight suggested the latter idea. threw us quite off the scent.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe position of the peg nearest the tree. increased as we proceeded with the line. from the skull?’ ‘Why. instead of a bullet. and had the treasure been beneath the ‘shot. however trivial in the beginning. by a little bit of sober mystification.’ ‘But your grandiloquence. and for this reason I let it fall it from the tree. For this reason I swung the beetle. I felt somewhat annoyed by your evident suspicions touching my sanity. in my own way. of course the error. and by the time we had gone fifty feet.’ the error would have been of little moment. I perceive. and so resolved to punish you quietly. But for my deep-seated impressions that treasure was here somewhere actually buried. to be frank.how excessively odd! I was sure you were mad. What are we to make of the skeletons found in the hole?’ 201 of 419 .’ together with the nearest point of the tree.
if Kidd indeed secreted this treasure. only one plausible way of accounting for them .and yet it is dreadful to believe in such atrocity as my suggestion would imply.it is clear that he must have had assistance in the labor. perhaps it required a dozen . It is clear that Kidd . while his coadjutors were busy in the pit. Perhaps a couple of blows with a mattock were sufficient.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘That is a question I am no more able to answer than yourself. But this labor concluded. There seems. however.who shall tell?’ 202 of 419 . which I doubt not . he may have thought it expedient to remove all participants in his secret.
his pollution of the Holy of Holies. cruel.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe FOUR BEASTS IN ONE THE HOMO-CAMELEOPARD Chacun a ses vertus. after a tumultuous reign of eleven years. however. This honor is. a hundred and seventy-one years before the coming of Christ. ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES is very generally looked upon as the Gog of the prophet Ezekiel. dastardly. silly. are circumstances of a prominent kind. the character of the Syrian monarch does by no means stand in need of any adventitious embellishment. 203 of 419 . indeed. and his miserable death at Taba. more properly attributable to Cambyses. or rather his usurpation of the sovereignty. and therefore more generally noticed by the historians of his time than the impious. his implacable hostility to the Jews. And. the son of Cyrus. his attempt to plunder the temple of Diana at Ephesus. and whimsical achievements which make up the sum total of his private life and reputation. —Crebillon’s Xerxes. His accession to the throne.
the remarkable city of Antioch. sixteen cities of that appellation. with innumerable falls. and many of the emperors of the queen city (among whom may be mentioned. and became immediately the residence of the Syrian monarchy. it was the ordinary station of the prefect of the eastern provinces. the first king of the country after Alexander the Great.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Let us suppose. in Syria and other countries. besides the one to which I more particularly allude. ‘What broad and rapid river is that which forces its way. Verus and Valens) spent here the greater part of their time. But ours is that which went by the name of Antiochia Epidaphne. To be sure there were. in memory of his father Antiochus. through the mountainous 204 of 419 . gentle reader. especially. It was built (although about this matter there is some dispute) by Seleucus Nicanor. and throw our eyes upon the town and neighboring country. Let us ascend this battlement. from its vicinity to the little village of Daphne. that it is now the year of the world three thousand eight hundred and thirty. In the flourishing times of the Roman Empire. where stood a temple to that divinity. But I perceive we have arrived at the city itself. for a few minutes. and let us. imagine ourselves at that most grotesque habitation of man.
there are few who have had a peep at Antioch. which stretches. In the nineteenth century Antioch is — that is to say. Were it later — for example. at the same time. By few. This is well. we should be deprived of this extraordinary spectacle. totally destroyed. like a broad mirror. the advantages of a modern education. by that time. Antioch will be — in a lamentable state of decay. Therefore cease to regard that sea. about twelve miles off to the southward. I see you profit 205 of 419 . were it the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and forty-five. like you and me. and it is the only water in sight. and give your whole attention to the mass of houses that lie beneath us. at three different periods. It will have been. with the exception of the Mediterranean. You will remember that it is now the year of the world three thousand eight hundred and thirty. Indeed.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe wilderness. few who. Every one has seen the Mediterranean. what little of its former self may then remain. but let me tell you. and finally through the wilderness of buildings?’ That is the Orontes. by three successive earthquakes. I mean. have had. to say the truth. will be found in so desolate and ruinous a state that the patriarch shall have removed his residence to Damascus.
were it not for the over-powering fumes of idolatrous incense. or houses so miraculously tall? What gloom their shadows 206 of 419 .The Works of Edgar Allan Poe by my advice. I had forgotten that Shakespeare will not flourish for seventeen hundred and fifty years to come. I have no doubt we should find a most intolerable stench. ‘And the numerous temples.I beg pardon. and.’ There are. and in this respect is as much indebted to nature as to art. may bear comparison with the most lauded of antiquity. ‘There are a prodigious number of stately palaces.’ All this I must acknowledge. sumptuous and magnificent. But does not the appearance of Epidaphne justify me in calling it grotesque? ‘It is well fortified. Did you ever behold streets so insufferably narrow. and abominable hovels. We cannot help perceiving abundance of filth in every kennel.’ Very true. and are making the most of your time in inspecting the premises — in -satisfying your eyes With the memorials and the things of fame That most renown this city. Still there is an infinity of mud huts.
and thence derive a cognomen. 207 of 419 .eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. Others more particularly belong to the race of philosophers. He is worshipped under the figure of a large stone pillar terminating at the summit in a cone or pyramid. The greatest portion. view. we should otherwise have the darkness of Egypt in the time of her desolation. ‘Hark — behold! — who can those ridiculous beings be. whereby is denoted Fire. Heliogabalus. his Sunship is not there — at least not the Sunship adored by the Syrians. That deity will be found in the interior of yonder building.’ That is the new Temple of the Sun. cast upon the ground! It is well the swinging lamps in those endless colonnades are kept burning throughout the day. ‘It is certainly a strange place! What is the meaning of yonder singular building? See! it towers above all others. with their faces painted. and lies to the eastward of what I take to be the royal palace. Download the free trial version. Hereafter a very notorious Roman Emperor will institute this worship in Rome. who is adored in Syria under the title of Elah Gabalah. and edit PDF. half naked. You need not look up at the heavens. I dare say you would like to take a peep at the divinity of the temple. shouting and gesticulating to the rabble?’ Some few are mountebanks.turvy. ‘Surely this is the most populous city of the East! What a wilderness of people! what a jumble of all ranks and 215 of 419
and divinity of their king. wisdom. 216 of 419 . and having. as they declare. moreover. well satisfied of the faith. do think it no more than their duty to invest his brows (in addition to the poetic crown) with the wreath of victory in the footrace — a wreath which it is evident he must obtain at the celebration of the next Olympiad. with his own hand. and which. ‘Stay a moment! I see a vast hubbub in the hippodrome. I beseech you?’ That? — oh. nothing! The noble and free citizens of Epidaphne being. in the Sarmatic war. been eye-witnesses of his late superhuman agility. what is the meaning of it. valor. they now give him in advance. therefore. that the hymn here introduced was sung by the rabble upon the occasion of Aurelian. Footnotes — Four Beasts {*1} Flavius Vospicus says. nine hundred and fifty of the enemy. having slain.
so glories the analyst in that moral activity which disentangles. when inordinately possessed. delighting in such exercises as call his muscles into action. are not beyond all conjecture. brought about by the very soul 217 of 419 . but little susceptible of analysis. a source of the liveliest enjoyment. that they are always to their possessor. in themselves. He derives pleasure from even the most trivial occupations bringing his talent into play. As the strong man exults in his physical ability. exhibiting in his solutions of each a degree of acumen which appears to the ordinary apprehension præternatural. are. of conundrums.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe THE MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE What song the Syrens sang. We know of them. The mental features discoursed of as the analytical. We appreciate them only in their effects. although puzzling questions. or what name Achilles assumed when he hid himself among women. His results. among other things. He is fond of enigmas. of hieroglyphics. —Sir Thomas Browne.
does the one without effort at the other. is greatly misunderstood. It follows that the game of chess. and in nine 218 of 419 . in its effects upon mental character. have. where the pieces have different and bizarre motions. with various and variable values. I will. but simply prefacing a somewhat peculiar narrative by observations very much at random. unjustly. Yet to calculate is not in itself to analyse. The attention is here called powerfully into play. and merely on account of its retrograde operations. as if par excellence. the whole air of intuition. The possible moves being not only manifold but involute. what is only complex is mistaken (a not unusual error) for what is profound. an oversight is committed resulting in injury or defeat. A chess-player. I am not now writing a treatise. and especially by that highest branch of it which.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe and essence of method. therefore. take occasion to assert that the higher powers of the reflective intellect are more decidedly and more usefully tasked by the unostentatious game of draughts than by a the elaborate frivolity of chess. the chances of such oversights are multiplied. The faculty of re-solution is possibly much invigorated by mathematical study. In this latter. If it flag for an instant. analysis. has been called. in truth. for example.
what advantages are obtained by either party are obtained by superior acumen. Whist has long been noted for its influence upon what is termed the calculating power. the probabilities of inadvertence are diminished. the result of some strong exertion of the intellect. the sole methods (sometime indeed absurdly simple ones) by which he may seduce into error or hurry into miscalculation. It is obvious that here the victory can be decided (the players being at all equal) only by some recherché movement. and not unfrequently sees thus. Download the free trial version. and the mere attention being left comparatively unemployed. the analyst throws himself into the spirit of his opponent. and men of the highest order of intellect have been known to take an apparently unaccountable delight in it. of course. Deprived of ordinary resources. view. cases out of ten it is the more concentrative rather than the more acute player who conquers.Let us suppose a game of draughts where the pieces are reduced to four kings. and edit PDF. The best 219 of 419 . In draughts. on the contrary. Beyond doubt there is nothing of a similar nature so greatly tasking the faculty of analysis. identifies himself therewith. where the moves are unique and have but little variation. no oversight is to be expected. while eschewing chess as frivolous.eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. at a glance. and where. To be less abstract .
But it is in matters beyond the limits of mere rule that the skill of the analyst is evinced. a host of observations and inferences. so far. 220 of 419 . lies not so much in the validity of the inference as in the quality of the observation. the concentrative chess-player will do very well at whist. I mean that perfection in the game which includes a comprehension of all the sources whence legitimate advantage may be derived. nor. and. but proficiency in whist implies capacity for success in all those more important undertakings where mind struggles with mind. So.’ are points commonly regarded as the sum total of good playing. and lie frequently among recesses of thought altogether inaccessible to the ordinary understanding. while the rules of Hoyle (themselves based upon the mere mechanism of the game) are sufficiently and generally comprehensible. The necessary knowledge is that of what to observe. do his companions. To observe attentively is to remember distinctly. and the difference in the extent of the information obtained. in silence. perhaps.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe chess-player in Christendom may be little more than the best player of chess. Thus to have a retentive memory. Our player confines himself not at all. and to proceed by ‘the book. He makes. When I say proficiency. These are not only manifold but multiform.
indications of the true state of affairs. and thenceforward puts down his cards with as absolute a 221 of 419 . often counting trump by trump. the counting of the tricks. he is in full possession of the contents of each hand. and honor by honor. to his apparently intuitive perception. of triumph. does he reject deductions from things external to the game. A casual or inadvertent word.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe because the game is the object.all afford. The first two or three rounds having been played. hesitation. From the manner of gathering up a trick he judges whether the person taking it can make another in the suit. with the order of their arrangement. embarrassment. of surprise. He examines the countenance of his partner. with the accompanying anxiety or carelessness in regard to its concealment. comparing it carefully with that of each of his opponents. or of chagrin. He recognises what is played through feint. He considers the mode of assorting the cards in each hand. eagerness or trepidation . the accidental dropping or turning of a card. gathering a fund of thought from the differences in the expression of certainty. He notes every variation of face as the play progresses. through the glances bestowed by their holders upon each. by the air with which it is thrown upon the table.
the ingenious man is often remarkably incapable of analysis. supposing it a primitive faculty. The constructive or combining power. in fact. The narrative which follows will appear to the reader somewhat in the light of a commentary upon the propositions just advanced. indeed. by which ingenuity is usually manifested. that the ingenious are always fanciful. as to have attracted general observation among writers on morals. Residing in Paris during the spring and part of the summer of 18—. The analytical power should not be confounded with ample ingenuity. and the truly imaginative never otherwise than analytic. Auguste Dupin.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe precision of purpose as if the rest of the party had turned outward the faces of their own. I there became acquainted with a Monsieur C. but of a character very strictly analogous. It will be found. Between ingenuity and the analytic ability there exists a difference far greater. than that between the fancy and the imagination. and to which the phrenologists (I believe erroneously) have assigned a separate organ. This young gentleman was 222 of 419 . has been so frequently seen in those whose intellect bordered otherwise upon idiocy. for while the analyst is necessarily ingenious.
or to care for the retrieval of his fortunes. I felt that the societyof such a man would be to me a treasure beyond price. brought us into closer communion. by a variety of untoward events. Books. at the vast extent of his reading. were his sole luxuries.indeed of an illustrious family. Our first meeting was at an obscure library in the Rue Montmartre. had been reduced to such poverty that the energy of his character succumbed beneath it. indeed. and this feeling I frankly confided 223 of 419 . and in Paris these are easily obtained. I was deeply interested in the little family history which he detailed to me with all that candor which a Frenchman indulges whenever mere self is his theme. by means of a rigorous economy. but. there still remained in his possession a small remnant of his patrimony. and. upon the income arising from this. and. too. without troubling himself about its superfluities. where the accident of our both being in search of the same very rare and very remarkable volume. I was astonished. We saw each other again and again. and he ceased to bestir himself in the world. and the vivid freshness of his imagination. to procure the necessaries of life. above all. By courtesy of his creditors. he managed. Seeking in Paris the objects I then sought. I felt my soul enkindled within me by the wild fervor.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe of an excellent .
perhaps. We admitted no visitors. as into all his others. and it had been many years since Dupin had ceased to know or be known in Paris. It was a freak of fancy in my friend (for what else shall I call it?) to be enamored of the Night for her own sake. as madmen of a harmless nature. Indeed the locality of our retirement had been carefully kept a secret from my own former associates. Our seclusion was perfect. and into this bizarrerie. a time-eaten and grotesque mansion. we should have been regarded as madmen although. and tottering to its fall in a retired and desolate portion of the Faubourg St.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe to him. Had the routine of our life at this place been known to the world. I quietly fell. but we could counterfeit her presence. We existed within ourselves alone. giving myself up to his wild whims with a perfect abandon. At the first dawn of the morning we closed all the messy shutters 224 of 419 . It was at length arranged that we should live together during my stay in the city. I was permitted to be at the expense of renting. The sable divinity would not herself dwell with us always. and as my worldly circumstances were somewhat less embarrassed than his own. and furnishing in a style which suited the rather fantastic gloom of our common temper. long deserted through superstitions into which we did not inquire. Germain.
and did not hesitate to confess the pleasure thus derived. and was wont to follow up such assertions by direct and very startling proofs of his intimate knowledge of my own. seeking. He seemed. or roaming far and wide until a late hour. 225 of 419 . rose into a treble which would have sounded petulantly but for the deliberateness and entire distinctness of the enunciation. amid the wild lights and shadows of the populous city. too. that infinity of mental excitement which quiet observation can afford. writing. with a low chuckling laugh. his eyes were vacant in expression. At such times I could not help remarking and admiring (although from his rich ideality I had been prepared to expect it) a peculiar analytic ability in Dupin. or conversing.if not exactly in its display . in respect to himself. threw out only the ghastliest and feeblest of rays. while his voice. usually a rich tenor. until warned by the clock of the advent of the true Darkness. continuing the topics of the day. strongly perfumed. lighting a couple of tapers which. Then we sallied forth into the streets arm in arm. His manner at these moments was frigid and abstract. to take an eager delight in its exercise . wore windows in their bosoms. that most men. He boastedto me.reading.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe of our old building. By the aid of these we then busied our souls in dreams .
We were strolling one night down a long dirty street in the vicinity of the Palais Royal. In an instant afterward I recollected myself. I often dwelt meditatively upon the old philosophy of the Bi-Part Soul. from what I have just said. neither of us had spoken a syllable for fifteen minutes at least. and amused myself with the fancy of a double Dupin . apparently. and would do better for the Théâtre des Variétés. 226 of 419 . and not at first observing (so much had I been absorbed in reflection) the extraordinary manner in which the speaker had chimed in with my meditations. All at once Dupin broke forth with these words: ‘He is a very little fellow. was merely the result of an excited. Let it not be supposed.’ I replied unwittingly. and my astonishment was profound. that’s true. that I am detailing any mystery. Being both. or penning any romance.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Observing him in these moods.the creative and the resolvent. But of the character of his remarks at the periods in question an example will best convey the idea.’ ‘There can be no doubt of that. occupied with thought. or perhaps of a diseased intelligence. What I have described in the Frenchman.
’ replied my friend. ‘the method . — ‘of Chantilly.’ I exclaimed.if method there is .’ said he. for Heaven’s sake. gravely. Chantilly was a quondam cobbler of the Rue St. How was it possible you should know I was thinking of ——. I do not hesitate to say that I am amazed.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘Dupin. and can scarcely credit my senses.by which you have been enabled to fathom my soul in this matter. and been notoriously Pasquinaded for his pains.’ said I. ‘this is beyond my comprehension. had attempted the rôle of Xerxes.’ ‘The fruiterer! .’ 227 of 419 . to ascertain beyond a doubt whether he really knew of whom I thought. who. becoming stage-mad. ‘who brought you to the conclusion that the mender of soles was not of sufficient height for Xerxes et id genus omne. in Crébillon’s tragedy so called.?’ Here I paused. ‘Tell me.you astonish me .’ This was precisely what had formed the subject of my reflections. ‘why do you pause? You were remarking to yourself that his diminutive figure unfitted him for tragedy. Denis. ‘It was the fruiterer.’ In fact I was even more startled than I would have been willing to express.I know no fruiterer whomsoever.
in fact. a fruiterer.’ There are few persons who have not. What.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘The man who ran up against you as we entered the street . Epicurus. There was not a particle of charlâtanerie about Dupin. by accident. but what this had to do with Chantilly I could not possibly understand. had nearly thrown me down. The occupation is often full of interest and he who attempts it for the first time is astonished by the apparently illimitable distance and incoherence between the starting-point and the goal. Orion. from the moment in which I spoke to you until that of the rencontre with the fruiterer in question. ‘I will explain. must have been my amazement when I heard the Frenchman speak what he had just spoken. then. the fruiterer.’ I now remembered that. ‘and that you may comprehend all clearly. and when I could not help 228 of 419 . the street stones.’ he said.Chantilly. Dr. Nichols. amused themselves in retracing the steps by which particular conclusions of their own minds have been attained. at some period of their lives. we will first retrace the course of your meditations. The larger links of the chain run thus .it may have been fifteen minutes ago. Stereotomy. as we passed from the Rue C —— into the thoroughfare where we stood. carrying upon his head a large basket of apples.
glancing. slightly strained your ankle. As we crossed into this street. and then proceeded in silence. just before leaving the Rue C —— . with a large basket upon his head. I knew that you could not say to yourself ‘stereotomy’ without being brought to 229 of 419 .) until we reached the little alley called Lamartine. and. a species of necessity. This was the last subject we discussed. muttered a few words. I was not particularly attentive to what you did.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe acknowledging that he had spoken the truth. ‘You kept your eyes upon the ground . by way of experiment. but observation has become with me.’ a term very affectedly applied to this species of pavement. slipped. perceiving your lips move. with a petulant expression. with the overlapping and riveted blocks. which has been paved. if I remember aright. You stepped upon one of the loose fragments. of late. at the holes and ruts in the pavement. (so that I saw you were still thinking of the stones. I could not doubt that you murmured the word ‘stereotomy. a fruiterer. Here your countenance brightened up. He continued: ‘We had been talking of horses. brushing quickly past us. turned to look at the pile. thrust you upon a pile of paving stones collected at a spot where the causeway is undergoing repair. appeared vexed or sulky.
I was aware that you could not have forgotten it. which appeared in yesterday’s ‘Musée. yet with how little notice. from certain pungencies connected with this explanation. formerly written Urion. and since.’ the satirist. you had been stooping in your gait. and. but now I saw you draw 230 of 419 . It was clear. therefore. I had told you that this was in reference to Orion. So far. I felt that you could not avoid casting your eyes upward to the great nebula in Orion. I mean the line Perdidit antiquum litera sonum. that you would not fail to combine the two ideas of Orion and Chantilly. You did look up.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe think of atomies. But in that bitter tirade upon Chantilly. You thought of the poor cobbler’s immolation. and I certainly expected that you would do so. and thus of the theories of Epicurus. quoted a Latin line about which we have often conversed. when we discussed this subject not very long ago. That you did combine them I saw by the character of the smile which passed over your lips. the vague guesses of that noble Greek had met with confirmation in the late nebular cosmogony. and I was now assured that I had correctly followed your steps. I mentioned to you how singularly. making some disgraceful allusions to the cobbler s change of name upon assuming the buskin.
had ceased and everything remained 231 of 419 . and her daughter Mademoiselle Camille L’Espanaye.that Chantilly .’ when the following paragraphs arrested our attention. . about three o’clock. two or more rough voices in angry contention were distinguished and seemed to proceed from the upper part of the house. and eight or ten of the neighbors entered accompanied by two gendarmes. the inhabitants of the Quartier St. be was a very little fellow . At this point I interrupted your meditations to remark that as. known to be in the sole occupancy of one Madame L’Espanaye. from the fourth story of a house in the Rue Morgue. issuing. occasioned by a fruitless attempt to procure admission in the usual manner.eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. As the second landing was reached. and edit PDF. we were looking over an evening edition of the ‘Gazette des Tribunaux. ‘EXTRAORDINARY MURDERS. but. I was then sure that you reflected upon the diminutive figure of Chantilly. as the party rushed up the first flight of stairs. After some delay. By this time the cries had ceased.he would do better at the Théâtre des Variétés. the gateway was broken in with a crowbar.’ Not long after this. also. Roch were aroused from sleep by a succession of terrific shrieks. view. in fact. yourself up to your full height.This morning. these sounds. Download the free trial version. apparently.
There was only one bedstead. which stood in one corner were open. and from this the bed had been removed.) a spectacle presented itself which struck every one present not less with horror than with astonishment. although many articles still remained in them. three large silver spoons. and thrown into the middle of the floor. was forced open. and seeming to have been pulled out by the roots. apparently. an ear-ring of topaz. 232 of 419 . rifled. ‘The apartment was in the wildest disorder . It was open. containing nearly four thousand francs in gold. Upon arriving at a large back chamber in the fourth story.the furniture broken and thrown about in all directions. and two bags. with the key still in the door. besmeared with blood. (the door of which. and had been. It had no contents beyond a few old letters. with the key inside. three smaller of métal d’Alger. The party spread themselves and hurried from room to room. A small iron safe was discovered under the bed (not under the bedstead). being found locked. The drawers of a bureau. On the hearth were two or three long and thick tresses of grey human hair. Upon the floor were found four Napoleons. also dabbled in blood. and other papers of little consequence. On a chair lay a razor.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe perfectly quiet.
corpse of the daughter. 233 of 419 . with her throat so entirely cut that. ‘After a thorough investigation of every portion of the house. head downward. a search was made in the chimney. the party made its way into a small paved yard in the rear of the building.’ The next day’s paper had these additional particulars. was dragged therefrom. ‘To this horrible mystery there is not as yet. upon an attempt to raise her. Upon examining it. was fearfully mutilated the former so much so as scarcely to retain any semblance of humanity. The body was quite warm. it having been thus forced up the narrow aperture for a considerable distance. The body. where lay the corpse of the old lady. the head fell off. we believe. and deep indentations of finger nails. but an unusual quantity of soot being observed in the fireplace. many excoriations were perceived. and (horrible to relate!) the. as well as the head. no doubt occasioned by the violence with which it had been thrust up and disengaged. the slightest clew.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘Of Madame L’Espanaye no traces were here seen. as if the deceased had been throttled to death. and. dark bruises. Upon the face were many severe scratches. upon the throat. without farther discovery.
in France. that levity of import which it conveys with us.] ‘but nothing whatever has transpired to throw light upon it. There appeared to be no furniture in any part of the building except in the fourth story. having washed for them during that period.very affectionate towards each other. laundress. Was sure that they had no servant in employ. The old lady and her daughter seemed on good terms . tobacconist. Was reputed to have money put by. for more than six years. [The word ‘affaire’ has not yet. Could not speak in regard to their mode or means of living. We give below all the material testimony elicited. told fortunes for a living. deposes that she has known both the deceased for three years. ‘Pauline Dubourg. deposes that he has been in the habit of selling small quantities of tobacco and snuff to Madame L’Espanaye for nearly four years.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘The Tragedy in the Rue Morgue. Was born in the neighborhood. The deceased and her daughter had occupied the house in which the corpses were found. They were excellent pay. Believed that Madame L. Many individuals have been examined in relation to this most extraordinary and frightful affair. ‘Pierre Moreau. Never met any persons in the house when she called for the clothes or took them home. It 234 of 419 . and has always resided there.
She became dissatisfied with the abuse of the premises by her tenant. and a physician some eight or ten times. gendarme.were reputed to have money. deposes that he was called to the house about three o’clock in the morning. The two lived an exceedingly retired life . and her daughter. Witness had seen the daughter some five or six times during the six years. ‘Isidore Muset. Had heard it said among the neighbors that Madame L. told fortunes did not believe it. Those in the rear were always closed. Had never seen any person enter the door except the old lady and her daughter. fourth story. and found some twenty or thirty persons at the gateway. a porter once or twice. ‘Many other persons. at length. gave evidence to the same effect. The old lady was childish. neighbors. who under-let the upper rooms to various persons. The house was a good house not very old. refusing to let any portion. The house was the property of Madame L. Forced it open. No one was spoken of as frequenting the house. and moved into them herself.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe was formerly occupied by a jeweller. It was not known whether there were any living connexions of Madame L. endeavoring to gain admittance. with the exception of the large back room. 235 of 419 . The shutters of the front windows were seldom opened.
Could not be sure whether it was the voice of a man or of a woman.’ The shrill voice was that of a foreigner. they reclosed the door. on account of its being a double or folding gate. but believed the language to be Spanish. The shrieks were continued until the gate was forced . As soon as they forced an entrance. Could distinguish the words ‘sacré’ and ‘diable. Could distinguish some words of the former. The shrill voice. which was that of a Frenchman. deposes that he was one of the party who first entered the house. Witness led the way up stairs. Had but little difficulty in getting it open. ‘Henri Duval. notwithstanding the lateness of the hour. Corroborates the testimony of Musèt in general. The state of the room and of the bodies was described by this witness as we described them yesterday. and by trade a silver-smith. not short and quick. 236 of 419 . Upon reaching the first landing. and bolted neither at bottom not top. to keep out the crowd. heard two voices in loud and angry contention . a neighbor. which collected very fast.a very strange voice. Was positive that it was not a woman’s voice. Could not make out what was said.the one a gruff voice. They seemed to be screams of some person (or persons) in great agony .not with a crowbar. the other much shriller .The Works of Edgar Allan Poe with a bayonet .were loud and drawn out.and then suddenly ceased.
’ ‘diable. was that of an Italian.not so much shrill as harsh. Not speaking French. Is the elder Mignaud. restaurateur. of the firm of Mignaud et Fils. This witness volunteered his testimony. but was convinced by the intonation that the speaker was an Italian. Rue Deloraine. Could not call it a shrill voice. Was passing the house at the time of the shrieks.spoken apparently in fear as well as in anger.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe this witness thinks. ‘— Odenheimer.unequal . Could not distinguish the words uttered. They lasted for several minutes . The gruff voice said repeatedly ‘sacré. Knew Madame L. They were loud and quick . Was sure that the shrill voice was that of a man .’ and once ‘mon Dieu.probably ten.of a Frenchman.very awful and distressing. Could not be sure that it was a man’s voice. Was sure that the shrill voice was not that of either of the deceased.’ ‘Jules Mignaud. Had conversed with both frequently. It might have been a woman’s. banker. Corroborated the previous evidence in every respect but one. Was one of those who entered the building. Was certain it was not French. Madame 237 of 419 . Was not acquainted with the Italian language. and her daughter. was examined through an interpreter. The voice was harsh . Could not distinguish the words. They were long and loud . Is a native of Amsterdam.
‘William Bird. Mademoiselle L. appeared and took from his hands one of the bags. Could make out several words. It is a bye-street . tailor deposes that he was one of the party who entered the house. when she took out in person the sum of 4000 francs. This sum was paid in gold. ‘Adolphe Le Bon. but cannot now remember all. Heard the voices in contention. Did not see any person in the street at the time. about noon. The gruff voice was that of a Frenchman.a scraping and scuffling sound. Upon the door being opened. Had checked for nothing until the third day before her death. while the old lady relieved him of the other.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe L’Espanaye had some property. Has lived in Paris two years.’ There was a sound at the moment as if of several persons struggling . and a clerk went home with the money.louder than the 238 of 419 . Was one of the first to ascend the stairs. Made frequent deposits in small sums. Heard distinctly ‘sacré’ and ‘mon Dieu. Had opened an account with his banking house in the spring of the year . Is an Englishman. he accompanied Madame L’Espanaye to her residence with the 4000 francs. The shrill voice was very loud . deposes that on the day in question. He then bowed and departed.(eight years previously). clerk to Mignaud et Fils. put up in two bags.very lonely.
Every thing was perfectly silent . both of the back and front room. were down and firmly fastened from within. This room was crowded with old beds.no groans or noises of any kind. Might have been a woman’s voice. but not locked. with garrets (mansardes. with the key on the inside.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe gruff one. These were carefully removed and searched. on the fourth story. deposed that the door of the chamber in which was found the body of Mademoiselle L. ‘Four of the above-named witnesses. boxes. Appeared to be that of a German.) A trap-door on the roof was nailed down very securely . Is sure that it was not the voice of an Englishman. Upon forcing the door no person was seen. Sweeps were sent up and down the chimneys. A door between the two rooms was closed. at the head of the passage was open. The door leading from the front room into the passage was locked. Does not understand German. was locked on the inside when the party reached it. the door being ajar. being recalled.did not appear to have been opened for years. and so forth. The house was a four story one. There was not an inch of any portion of the house which was not carefully searched. The time elapsing between the hearing of the 239 of 419 . A small room in the front of the house. The windows.
Does not understand the English language. The speaker appeared to be expostulating. The gruff voice was that of a Frenchman.some as long as five. Heard the voices in contention. Is nervous. Heard the voices in question. confectioner. was variously stated by the witnesses. deposes that he resides in the Rue Morgue. The gruff voice was that of a Frenchman. Some made it as short as three minutes . but judges by the intonation. Could not distinguish what was said. recalled. The door was opened with difficulty. Thinks it the voice of a Russian. ‘Several witnesses.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe voices in contention and the breaking open of the room door. The shrill voice was that of an Englishman . Spoke quick and unevenly. undertaker. Distinguished several words. Did not proceed up stairs. By 240 of 419 . Corroborates the general testimony. Never conversed with a native of Russia. Is an Italian. ‘Alberto Montani. ‘Alfonzo Garcio.is sure of this. deposes that he was among the first to ascend the stairs. here testified that the chimneys of all the rooms on the fourth story were too narrow to admit the passage of a human being. and was apprehensive of the consequences of agitation. Could not make out the words of the shrill voice. Is a native of Spain. Was one of the party who entered the house.
They were both then lying on the sacking of the bedstead in the chamber where Mademoiselle L. deposes that he was called to view the bodies about day-break. produced. ‘Paul Dumas. There were several deep scratches just below the chin. The fact that it had been thrust up the chimney would sufficiently account for these appearances. There is no back passage by which any one could have descended while the party proceeded up stairs. physician. The corpse of the young lady was much bruised and excoriated. The face was fearfully discolored. These brushes were passed up and down every flue in the house. The throat was greatly chafed. was found. together with a series of livid spots which were evidently the impression of fingers. Dumas. A large bruise was discovered upon the pit of the stomach.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘sweeps’ were meant cylindrical sweeping brushes. The corpse of the mother was horribly 241 of 419 . The tongue had been partially bitten through. In the opinion of M. The body of Mademoiselle L’Espanaye was so firmly wedged in the chimney that it could not be got down until four or five of the party united their strength. and the eye-balls protruded. Mademoiselle L’Espanaye had been throttled to death by some person or persons unknown. by the pressure of a knee. such as are employed by those who clean chimneys. apparently.
the shadow of a clew apparent.any large. and was also greatly shattered. No woman could have inflicted the blows with any weapon. Dumas. as well as all the ribs of the left side. and the opinions of M. although several other persons were examined. if wielded by the hands of a very powerful man. All the bones of the right leg and arm were more or less shattered. It was not possible to say how the injuries had been inflicted. The throat had evidently been cut with some very sharp instrument probably with a razor. heavy. Whole body dreadfully bruised and discolored. ‘Alexandre Etienne. or a broad bar of iron . The head of the deceased. and obtuse weapon would have produced such results.a chair . Corroborated the testimony. A heavy club of wood. was called with M. ‘Nothing farther of importance was elicited. surgeon. The left tibia much splintered. when seen by witness. was entirely separated from the body.if indeed a murder has been committed at all. Dumas to view the bodies.’ 242 of 419 . was never before committed in Paris . A murder so mysterious. There is not. however. The police are entirely at fault .an unusual occurrence in affairs of this nature.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe mutilated. and so perplexing in all its particulars.
and fresh examinations of witnesses instituted. There is no method in their proceedings. however. not unfrequently. that he asked me my opinion respecting the murders. mentioned that Adolphe Le Bon had been arrested and imprisoned although nothing appeared to criminate him. It was only after the announcement that Le Bon had been imprisoned. ‘by this shell of an examination. and edit PDF. but.that the premises in question had been carefully re-searched. I saw no means by which it would be possible to trace the murderer. I could merely agree with all Paris in considering them an insoluble mystery. view.pour mieux entendre la 243 of 419 . The Parisian police. but no more. ‘We must not judge of the means. Roch .eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. are cunning. as to put us in mind of Monsieur Jourdain’s calling for his robe-de-chambre . A postscript. beyond the method of the moment. but all to no purpose. beyond the facts already detailed. so much extolled for acumen. The evening edition of the paper stated that the greatest excitement still continued in the Quartier St. Download the free trial version. for he made no comments. these are so ill adapted to the objects proposed. Dupin seemed singularly interested in the progress of this affair — at least so I judged from his manner. They make a vast parade of measures.’ said Dupin.
are brought about by simple diligence and activity. Truth is not always in a well. The depth lies in the valleys where we seek her. was a good guesser and a persevering man.is to have the best appreciation of its lustre . perhaps. he erred continually by the very intensity of his investigations. He impaired his vision by holding the object too close. for example. their schemes fail. but. for the most part. But. lost sight of the matter as a whole. but in so doing he. A greater number of rays actually fall upon the eye in the latter case. without educated thought. as regards the more important knowledge. I do believe that she is invariably superficial. is to behold the star distinctly . When these qualities are unavailing. To look at a star by glances . one or two points with unusual clearness.to view it in a side-long way. Vidocq. In fact. and not upon the mountain-tops where she is found. The modes and sources of this kind of error are well typified in the contemplation of the heavenly bodies.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe musique. in the 244 of 419 . by turning toward it the exterior portions of the retina (more susceptible of feeble impressions of light than the interior). The results attained by them are not unfrequently surprising.a lustre which grows dim just in proportion as we turn our vision fully upon it. necessarily. Thus there is such a thing as being too profound. but. He might see.
but said nothing] ‘and. It was an ordinary Parisian house. 245 of 419 . and shall have no difficulty in obtaining the necessary permission. It was late in the afternoon when we reached it. and it is possible to make even Venus herself vanish from the firmanent by a scrutiny too sustained. or too direct. on one side of which was a glazed watch-box.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe former. I know G——. from the opposite side of the way. there is the more refined capacity for comprehension.’ [I thought this an odd term. with an objectless curiosity. This is one of those miserable thoroughfares which intervene between the Rue Richelieu and the Rue St. with a gateway. before we make up an opinion respecting them. Le Bon once rendered me a service for which I am not ungrateful. the Prefect of Police. let us enter into some examinations for ourselves. and we proceeded at once to the Rue Morgue. for there were still many persons gazing up at the closed shutters.’ The permission was obtained. By undue profundity we perplex and enfeeble thought. so applied. Roch. The house was readily found. too concentrated. An inquiry will afford us amusement. besides. We will go and see the premises with our own eyes. ‘As for these murders. as this quarter is at a great distance from that in which we resided.
a gendarme accompanying us throughout. The disorders of the room had. been suffered to exist. when we took our departure. meanwhile examining the whole neighborhood. having shown our credentials. passed in the rear of the building . we came again to the front of the dwelling. We then went into the other rooms. and that Je les ménagais: . were admitted by the agents in charge. I saw nothing beyond what had been stated in the ‘Gazette des Tribunaux. Before going in we walked up the street. It was his humor. and. indicating a loge de concierge.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe with a sliding panel in the window.for this phrase there is no English equivalent. and then. and into the yard.into the chamber where the body of Mademoiselle L’Espanaye had been found.’ Dupin scrutinized every thing not excepting the bodies of the victims. We went up stairs . On our way home my companion stepped in for a moment at the office of one of the daily papers. rang. and where both the deceased still lay. with a minuteness of attention for which I could see no possible object. as usual. as well as the house. Retracing our steps. to decline all 246 of 419 . again turning. I have said that the whims of my friend were manifold. The examination occupied us until dark.Dupin. now. turned down an alley.
until about noon the next day. for the very reason which should cause it to be regarded as easy of solution . too. The wild disorder of the room. I fear. with the head downward. if I had observed any thing peculiar at the scene of the atrocity. with the facts that no one was discovered up stairs but the assassinated Mademoiselle L’Espanaye.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe conversation on the subject of the murder.I mean for the outré character of its features.’ which caused me to shudder. suddenly. and that there were no means of egress without the notice of the party ascending. nothing peculiar.’ ‘The ‘Gazette. the frightful mutilation of the body of the old lady. They are puzzled. It appears to me that this mystery is considered insoluble. with those just 247 of 419 . into the unusual horror of the thing.’ I said.’ ‘ he replied. at least. ‘nothing more. But dismiss the idle opinions of this print. The police are confounded by the seeming absence of motive . the corpse thrust. up the chimney.not for the murder itself . without knowing why. than we both saw stated in the paper. these considerations. He then asked me. There was something in his manner of emphasizing the word ‘peculiar. ‘No. by the seeming impossibility of reconciling the voices heard in contention.but for the atrocity of the murder. ‘has not entered.
but the probability is that he will. Of the worst portion of the crimes committed.’ continued he.’ as ‘what has occurred that has never occurred before.’ In fact.in this room . that reason feels its way. in its search for the true. for upon it I build my expectation of reading the entire riddle. Should he 248 of 419 .’ I stared at the speaker in mute astonishment. looking toward the door of our apartment . or have arrived. must have been in some measure implicated in their perpetration. by putting completely at fault the boasted acumen. It is true that he may not arrive. at the solution of this mystery. it should not be so much asked ‘what has occurred. have sufficed to paralyze the powers. But it is by these deviations from the plane of the ordinary. In investigations such as we are now pursuing. I look for the man here . They have fallen into the gross but common error of confounding the unusual with the abstruse. and others which I need not mention. I hope that I am right in this supposition. of the government agents. if at all. although perhaps not the perpetrator of these butcheries.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe mentioned. it is probable that he is innocent.‘I am now awaiting a person who.every moment. ‘I am now awaiting. is in the direct ratio of its apparent insolubility in the eyes of the police. the facility with which I shall arrive.
while Dupin went on. but his voice. for the strength of Madame L’Espanaye would have been utterly unequal to the task of thrusting her daughter’s corpse up the chimney as it was found. Murder.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe come. were not the voices of the women themselves. His discourse was addressed to myself. ‘That the voices heard in contention. and the nature of the wounds upon her own person entirely preclude the idea of self-destruction. vacant in expression.’ I took the pistols. and we both know how to use them when occasion demands their use. or believing what I heard. ‘by the party upon the stairs. This relieves us of all doubt upon the question whether the old lady could have first destroyed the daughter and afterward have committed suicide. Here are pistols.’ he said. then. had that intonation which is commonly employed in speaking to some one at a great distance. His eyes. regarded only the wall. has been committed by some third party. scarcely knowing what I did. very much as if in a soliloquy. I speak of this point chiefly for the sake of method. although by no means loud. was fully proved by the evidence. I have already spoken of his abstract manner at such times. and the voices of this third party were those heard in 249 of 419 . it will be necessary to detain him.
not to the whole testimony respecting these voices . and ‘might have distinguished some words had he been acquainted with the Spanish.not to the voice of an individual of any nation with whose language he is conversant . each one spoke of it as that of a foreigner. The Frenchman supposes it the voice of a Spaniard. as one individual termed it. The witnesses. a Hollander. Each likens it . they were here unanimous. You have observed nothing distinctive. and a Frenchman attempted to describe it. the peculiarity is . as you remark. ‘That was the evidence itself. while all the witnesses agreed in supposing the gruff voice to be that of a Frenchman. while an Italian. the harsh voice.but to what was peculiar in that testimony. or. Let me now advert . there was much disagreement in regard to the shrill. Each is sure that it was not the voice of one of his own countrymen.but that.not that they disagreed . agreed about the gruff voice. Did you observe any thing peculiar about it?’ I remarked that. a Spaniard.but the converse. but we find it stated 250 of 419 .The Works of Edgar Allan Poe contention.’ The Dutchman maintains it to have been that of a Frenchman. an Englishman. But in regard to the shrill voice.’ said Dupin. ‘but it was not the peculiarity of the evidence. Yet there was something to be observed.
but. with the first. about which such testimony as this could have been elicited! .no sounds resembling words .’ No words .’ Now.’ The Spaniard ‘is sure’ that it was that of an Englishman.’ A second Frenchman differs. but. without denying the inference.’ The Englishman thinks it the voice of a German. but ‘has never conversed with a native of Russia. I will now merely call your attention to three points. denizens of the five great divisions of Europe could recognise nothing familiar! You will say that it might have been the voice of an Asiatic . ‘convinced by the intonation.’ The Italian believes it the voice of a Russian. moreover. and is positive that the voice was that of an Italian. like the Spaniard. is.in whose tones. how strangely unusual must that voice have really been.’ It is represented by two others to have been ‘quick and unequal.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe that ‘not understanding French this witness was examined through an interpreter. Neither Asiatics nor Africans abound in Paris. and ‘does not understand German. 251 of 419 . ‘as he has no knowledge of the English.of an African. not being cognizant of that tongue. The voice is termed by one witness ‘harsh rather than shrill. even. but ‘judges by the intonation’ altogether.were by any witness mentioned as distinguishable.
I will not say just yet. but I do not hesitate to say that legitimate deductions even from this portion of the testimony . however. and that the suspicion arises inevitably from them as the single result. so far. and escaped materially. Then how? Fortunately. and that mode must lead us to a definite decision. with myself. I designed to imply that the deductions are the sole proper ones.’ but my meaning is not thus fully expressed. each 252 of 419 . to this chamber.’ continued Dupin. in fancy. What shall we first seek here? The means of egress employed by the murderers.to my inquiries in the chamber. upon your own understanding. there is but one mode of reasoning upon the point. What the suspicion is.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘I know not. I said ‘legitimate deductions.the portion respecting the gruff and shrill voices .Let us examine. it was sufficiently forcible to give a definite form . It is not too much to say that neither of us believe in præternatural events. The doers of the deed were material. I merely wish you to bear in mind that. ‘what impression I may have made. ‘Let us now transport ourselves.are in themselves sufficient to engender a suspicion which should give direction to all farther progress in the investigation of the mystery. . Madame and Mademoiselle L’Espanaye were not destroyed by spirits.a certain tendency .
brought to this conclusion in so unequivocal a manner as we are. These. as reasoners. in reality. There were. in every direction. The police have laid bare the floors. Let us turn to the chimneys. the ceilings. to reject it on account of apparent impossibilities. not trusting to their eyes. It is only left for us to prove that these apparent ‘impossibilities’ are. the body of a large cat. with the keys inside. being thus absolute. when the party ascended the stairs. I examined with my own. Both doors leading from the rooms into the passage were securely locked. although of ordinary width for some eight or ten feet above the hearths. through those of the back room. 253 of 419 . then. It is then only from these two apartments that we have to seek issues. The impossibility of egress. and the masonry of the walls. But. we are reduced to the windows. or at least in the room adjoining. the possible means of egress. throughout their extent. it is not our part.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe by each. No secret issues could have escaped their vigilance. The murderers must have passed. then. not such. Through those of the front room no one could have escaped without notice from the crowd in the street. by means already stated. will not admit. no secret issues. It is clear that the assassins were in the room where Mademoiselle L’Espanaye was found. Now.
through its obviousness. It resisted the utmost force of those who endeavored to raise it. I knew.because here it was. therefore. This being so. A large gimlet-hole had been pierced in its frame to the left.à posteriori. they could not have refastened the sashes from the inside. And. it was thought a matter of supererogation to withdraw the nails and open the windows. that all apparent impossibilities must be proved to be not such in reality. The lower portion of the other is hidden from view by the head of the unwieldy bedstead which is thrust close up against it. and is wholly visible. The police were now entirely satisfied that egress had not been in these directions. failed also. One of them is unobstructed by furniture. a similar nail was seen similarly fitted in it.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘There are two windows in the chamber. nearly to the head. ‘I proceeded to think thus . and a very stout nail was found fitted therein. Upon examining the other window. to the scrutiny of the 254 of 419 . The former was found securely fastened from within. . and was so for the reason I have just given . ‘My own examination was somewhat more particular. and a vigorous attempt to raise this sash. as they were found fastened. The murderers did escape from one of these windows.the consideration which put a stop.
there must be found a difference between the nails. then. A concealed spring must. as was probable. and. have the power of fastening themselves. exist. Yet the sashes were fastened. Getting upon the sacking of the bedstead. ‘I now replaced the nail and regarded it attentively. There was no escape from this conclusion. however mysterious still appeared the circumstances attending the nails. I stepped to the unobstructed casement. and this corroboration of my idea convinced me that my premises at least. A person passing out through this window might have reclosed it. Supposing. and again narrowed in the field of my investigations. view.but the nail could not have been replaced. They must. the springs upon each sash to be the same. It resisted all my efforts. I pressed it. then. and the spring would have caught . and edit PDF. or at least between the modes of their fixture. Passing my hand down behind the 255 of 419 . police in this quarter. were correct.eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. as I had anticipated. I looked over the head-board minutely at the second casement. The conclusion was plain. Download the free trial version. forbore to upraise the sash. A careful search soon brought to light the hidden spring. The assassins must have escaped through the other window. withdrew the nail with some difficulty and attempted to raise the sash. satisfied with the discovery. I now know.
There was no flaw in any link of the chain. and apparently fitted in the same manner . the head portion of the nail. I had traced the secret to its ultimate result.driven in nearly up to the head. ‘about the nail. at this point. I now looked at the nail. ‘There must be something wrong.’ I touched it.’ The scent had never for an instant been lost. you must have misunderstood the nature of the inductions. The rest of the shank was in the gimlet-hole where it had been broken off. identical in character with its neighbor. but. as I had supposed.and that result was the nail. I had not been once ‘at fault. and the head. in the top of the bottom sash.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe board. if you think so. It had. ‘You will say that I was puzzled. I say. I now carefully replaced 256 of 419 .’ I said. The fracture was an old one (for its edges were incrusted with rust). It was as stout as the other. which had partially imbedded. the appearance of its fellow in the other window. I readily discovered and pressed the spring. terminated the clew. which was. and had apparently been accomplished by the blow of a hammer. with about a quarter of an inch of the shank. . in every respect. came off in my fingers. but this fact was an absolute nullity (conclusive us it might seem to be) when compared with the consideration that here. To use a sporting phrase.
was now unriddled. Pressing the spring. I closed the window. From this rod it would have been impossible for any one to reach the window itself. and it was the retention of this spring which had been mistaken by the police for that of the nail.a kind rarely employed at the present day. .The Works of Edgar Allan Poe this head portion in the indentation whence I had taken it. and the resemblance to a perfect nail was complete .the fissure was invisible. that the shutters of the fourth story were of the peculiar kind called by Parisian carpenters ferrades . ‘The riddle. it had become fastened by the spring. ‘The next question is that of the mode of descent. and the semblance of the whole nail was again perfect. so far. Dropping of its own accord upon his exit (or perhaps purposely closed). I gently raised the sash for a few inches. (a 257 of 419 . About five feet and a half from the casement in question there runs a lightning-rod. remaining firm in its bed.farther inquiry being thus considered unnecessary. however. Upon this point I had been satisfied in my walk with you around the building. They are in the form of an ordinary door. to say nothing of entering it. The assassin had escaped through the window which looked upon the bed. the head went up with it. I observed. but frequently seen upon very old mansions at Lyons and Bourdeaux.
In the present instance these shutters are fully three feet and a half broad. at all events. they stood off at right angles from the wall. however. having once satisfied themselves that no egress could have been made in this quarter. It was also evident that. they did not perceive this great breadth itself. might have been thus effected. not a folding door) except that the lower half is latticed or worked in open trellis . failed to take it into due consideration. When we saw them from the rear of the house. or. as well as myself. they would naturally bestow here a very cursory examination.thus affording an excellent hold for the hands. reach to within two feet of the lightningrod. Letting go. then. if swung fully back to the wall. an entrance into the window. if so. In fact.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe single. that the shutter belonging to the window at the head of the bed. in looking at these ferrades in the line of their breadth (as they must have done). but. placing his feet 258 of 419 . his hold upon the rod. It is probable that the police. By reaching to the distance of two feet and a half (we now suppose the shutter open to its whole extent) a robber might have taken a firm grasp upon the trellis-work. would. by exertion of a very unusual degree of activity and courage. It was clear to me. examined the back of the tenement. from the rod. they were both about half open .that is to say.
that ‘to make out my case.the almost præternatural character of that agility which could have accomplished it.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe securely against the wall. and springing boldly from it. ‘You will say. and. but it is not the usage of reason.but. no doubt. My ultimate object is only the truth. I wish to impress upon your understanding the very extraordinary . about whose nationality no two persons could be found to agree. It is my design to show you. ‘I wish you to bear especially in mind that I have spoken of a very unusual degree of activity as requisite to success in so hazardous and so difficult a feat. that very unusual activity of which I have just spoken with that very peculiar shrill (or harsh) and unequal voice. that the thing might possibly have been accomplished: .’ I should rather undervalue. he might have swung the shutter so as to close it. might even have swung himself into the room. and in whose utterance no syllabification could be detected. secondly and chiefly. first. using the language of the law. than insist upon a full estimation of the activity required in this matter. This may be the practice in law.’ 259 of 419 . My immediate purpose is to lead you to place in juxtaposition. if we imagine the window open at the time.
at times. The drawers of the bureau. Let us survey the appearances here. had been rifled. The conclusion here is absurd. although many articles of apparel still remained within them. why did he abandon four thousand francs in gold to encumber himself with a 260 of 419 . ‘that I have shifted the question from the mode of egress to that of ingress. My friend went on with his discourse. why did he not take the best why did he not take all? In a word. It is a mere guess .had little use for numerous changes of habiliment.seldom went out . in the end. If a thief had taken any.a very silly one . it is said. I seemed to be upon the verge of comprehension without power to comprehend . Those found were at least of as good quality as any likely to be possessed by these ladies.men.and no more.’ he said. to remember. It was my design to convey the idea that both were effected in the same manner. How are we to know that the articles found in the drawers were not all these drawers had originally contained? Madame L’Espanaye and her daughter lived an exceedingly retired life .The Works of Edgar Allan Poe At these words a vague and half-formed conception of the meaning of Dupin flitted over my mind. at the same point. find themselves upon the brink of remembrance without being able. Let us now revert to the interior of the room.saw no company . ‘You will see.
had the gold been gone. if we are to suppose gold the motive of this outrage. upon the floor. It would have been corroborative of this idea of motive. we must also imagine the perpetrator so vacillating an idiot as to have abandoned his gold and his motive together. without attracting even momentary notice. the fact of its delivery three days before would have formed something more than a coincidence.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe bundle of linen? The gold was abandoned. the banker. to discard from your thoughts the blundering idea of motive. therefore. I wish you. 261 of 419 . under the real circumstances of the case. Nearly the whole sum mentioned by Monsieur Mignaud. was discovered. engendered in the brains of the police by that portion of the evidence which speaks of money delivered at the door of the house. are great stumbling-blocks in the way of that class of thinkers who have been educated to know nothing of the theory of probabilities . Coincidences ten times as remarkable as this (the delivery of the money. Coincidences. in bags. In the present instance. in general. and murder committed within three days upon the party receiving it). But.that theory to which the most glorious objects of human research are indebted for the most glorious of illustration. happen to all of us every hour of our lives.
that peculiar voice. Here is a woman strangled to death by manual strength. Least of all. Their roots (a hideous sight!) were clotted 262 of 419 . how great must have been that strength which could have thrust the body up such an aperture so forcibly that the united vigor of several persons was found barely sufficient to drag it down! ‘Turn.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘Keeping now steadily in mind the points to which I have drawn your attention . Ordinary assassins employ no such modes of murder as this. do they thus dispose of the murdered.very thick tresses . even when we suppose the actors the most depraved of men. You are aware of the great force necessary in tearing thus from the head even twenty or thirty hairs together. too. and thrust up a chimney.let us glance at the butchery itself. Think. now. On the hearth were thick tresses . head downward. In the manner of thrusting the corpse up the chimney. you will admit that there was something excessively outré . to other indications of the employment of a vigor most marvellous. that unusual agility.of grey human hair. These had been torn out by the roots.something altogether irreconcilable with our common notions of human action. and that startling absence of motive in a murder so singularly atrocious as this . You saw the locks in question as well as myself.
however simple it may now seem. a butchery without motive. and so far these gentlemen are very correct. ‘If now. and his worthy coadjutor Monsieur Etienne. escaped the police for the same reason that the breadth of the shutters escaped them . I wish you also to look at the brutal ferocity of these deeds.because. have pronounced that they were inflicted by some obtuse instrument. a strength superhuman. a ferocity brutal.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe with fragments of the flesh of the scalp . a grotesquerie in horror 263 of 419 . but the head absolutely severed from the body: the instrument was a mere razor. by the affair of the nails. This idea. The obtuse instrument was clearly the stone pavement in the yard. The throat of the old lady was not merely cut. Of the bruises upon the body of Madame L’Espanaye I do not speak. upon which the victim had fallen from the window which looked in upon the bed. in addition to all these things. you have properly reflected upon the odd disorder of the chamber. we have gone so far as to combine the ideas of an agility astounding. Monsieur Dumas.sure token of the prodigious power which had been exerted in uprooting perhaps half a million of hairs at a time. their perceptions had been hermetically sealed against the possibility of the windows having ever been opened at all.
’ said he. the hair of a madman is not such as I now hold in my hand. Tell me what you can make of it. before we decide this point. Madmen are of some nation.’ he replied.this is no human hair. ‘A madman.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe absolutely alien from humanity.’ ‘In some respects. completely unnerved. then. Besides. and a voice foreign in tone to the ears of men of many nations. I wish you to glance at the little sketch I have here traced upon this paper.’ ‘Dupin!’ I said. ‘but. and their language. ‘your idea is not irrelevant. has always the coherence of syllabification.’ ‘I have not asserted that it is. escaped from a neighboring Maison de Santé. are never found to tally with that peculiar voice heard upon the stairs. and devoid of all distinct or intelligible syllabification.’ I said. But the voices of madmen. has ensued? What impression have I made upon your fancy?’ I felt a creeping of the flesh as Dupin asked me the question. What result. even in their wildest paroxysms. It is a fac-simile 264 of 419 . however incoherent in its words.some raving maniac. ‘has done this deed . ‘this hair is most unusual . I disentangled this little tuft from the rigidly clutched fingers of Madame L’Espanaye.
(by Messrs.’ upon the throat of Mademoiselle L’Espanaye.’ 265 of 419 .’ I did so.’ I made the attempt in vain. to place all your fingers.the fearful grasp by which it originally imbedded itself. and in another. ‘We are possibly not giving this matter a fair trial. evidently the impression of fingers. now. Dumas and Etienne.) as a ‘series of livid spots.’ replied Dupin. in the respective impressions as you see them.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe drawing of what has been described in one portion of the testimony as ‘dark bruises. ‘This. There is no slipping apparent.’ I said. spreading out the paper upon the table before us. ‘that this drawing gives the idea of a firm and fixed hold.’ ‘Read now.’ ‘You will perceive. but the difficulty was even more obvious than before. and deep indentations of finger nails.’ continued my friend. and try the experiment again. at the same time. Attempt. ‘is the mark of no human hand.possibly until the death of the victim . Wrap the drawing around it. the circumference of which is about that of the throat. Here is a billet of wood. but the human throat is cylindrical. ‘this passage from Cuvier.’ he said. ‘The paper is spread out upon a plane surface. Each finger has retained .
and the imitative propensities of these mammalia are sufficiently well known to all.’ ‘True. ‘The description of the digits. of the species here mentioned. is identical in character with that of the beast of Cuvier. could have impressed the indentations as you have traced them. by the evidence. and one of them was unquestionably the voice of a Frenchman.the expression. . too. I see that no animal but an Ourang-Outang. as I made an end of reading. Besides. has been justly characterized by one of the witnesses (Montani. I understood the full horrors of the murder at once. the confectioner. This tuft of tawny hair. the prodigious strength and activity.) as an expression of remonstrance or expostulation.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe It was a minute anatomical and generally descriptive account of the large fulvous Ourang-Outang of the East Indian Islands. under the circumstances. ‘is in exact accordance with this drawing. therefore.’ said I. the wild ferocity. But I cannot possibly comprehend the particulars of this frightful mystery. The gigantic stature. and you will remember an expression attributed almost unanimously. Upon these two words. there were two voices heard in contention. ‘mon Dieu!’ This. I have mainly built my hopes of a full solution 266 of 419 . to this voice.
It is still at large. under the agitating circumstances which ensued. view. at the office of ‘Le Monde. The owner. The Ourang-Outang may have escaped from him. Download the free trial version. tawny Ourang-Outang of the Bornese species.. If the Frenchman in question is indeed. We will call them guesses then.inst. belonging to a 267 of 419 . as I suppose. and speak of them as such.) will bring him to our residence.for I have no right to call them more .that he was innocent of all participation in the bloody transactions which took place.) a very large.since the shades of reflection upon which they are based are scarcely of sufficient depth to be appreciable by my own intellect.’ He handed me a paper.eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. and much sought by sailors. and since I could not pretend to make them intelligible to the understanding of another. upon our return home. of the riddle. this advertisement which I left last night. and I read thus: CAUGHT . He may have traced it to the chamber. It is possible . innocent of this atrocity. and edit PDF. (the morning of the murder.’ (a paper devoted to the shipping interest. he could never have re-captured it. (who is ascertained to be a sailor. but.In the Bois de Boulogne. early in the morning of the . I will not pursue these guesses .indeed it is far more than probable . A Frenchman was cognizant of the murder.
au troisiême. after all. If I am in error.’ said Dupin. this knot is one which few besides sailors can tie. Moreover. Germain . and paying a few charges arising from its capture and keeping. ‘How was it possible. the Frenchman will naturally hesitate about replying to the advertisement . Here. that the Frenchman was a sailor belonging to a Maltese vessel. But if I am right. I picked the ribbon up at the foot of the lightning-rod.’ I asked.) may have the animal again. Call at No. I am wrong in my induction from this ribbon. upon identifying it satisfactorily. which from its form. Rue ——. ‘that you should know the man to be a sailor.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Maltese vessel. however.about demanding the Ourang-Outang. ‘I am not sure of it. He 268 of 419 . Faubourg St. Now if. and belonging to a Maltese vessel?’ ‘I do not know it. —— . a great point is gained. he will merely suppose that I have been misled by some circumstance into which he will not take the trouble to inquire. and is peculiar to the Maltese. still I can have done no harm in saying what I did in the advertisement. has evidently been used in tying the hair in one of those long queues of which sailors are so fond. Cognizant although innocent of the murder. and from its greasy appearance. is a small piece of ribbon. It could not have belonged to either of the deceased.
why should I lose it through idle apprehensions of danger? Here it is. within my grasp. I will render the animal at least. The advertiser designates me as the possessor of the beast. which it is known that I possess.‘I am innocent. liable to suspicion.they have failed to procure the slightest clew. I am poor. It was found in the Bois de Boulogne . or to implicate me in guilt on account of that cognizance.’ ‘ At this moment we heard a step upon the stairs.’ 269 of 419 . get the Ourang-Outang. I will answer the advertisement. my OurangOutang is of great value . Above all. Should they even trace the animal.’ said Dupin. I am not sure to what limit his knowledge may extend. ‘Be ready. but neither use them nor show them until at a signal from myself. Should I avoid claiming a property of so great value.to one in my circumstances a fortune of itself .at a vast distance from the scene of that butchery. ‘with your pistols. I am known. it would be impossible to prove me cognizant of the murder. How can it ever be suspected that a brute beast should have done the deed? The police are at fault . It is not my policy to attract attention either to myself or to the beast. and keep it close until this matter has blown over.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe will reason thus: .
’ said Dupin. but stepped up with decision. He did not turn back a second time. when we again heard him coming up. Now.’ in French accents. in a cheerful and hearty tone. ‘Sit down. evidently. Dupin was moving quickly to the door. and no doubt a very valuable animal.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe The front door of the house had been left open. and rapped at the door of our chamber. a remarkably fine.a tall. and bade us ‘good evening. and muscular-looking person. he seemed to hesitate. His face. He had with him a huge oaken cudgel. greatly sunburnt. were still sufficiently indicative of a Parisian origin. with a certain daredevil expression of countenance. and advanced several steps upon the staircase. stout. not altogether unprepossessing. He bowed awkwardly. however. although somewhat Neufchatelish.’ said Dupin. . was more than half hidden by whisker and mustachio. A man entered. ‘I suppose you have called about the Ourang-Outang. I almost envy you the possession of him. ‘Come in. Upon my word. and the visiter had entered. How old do you suppose him to be?’ 270 of 419 . my freind. which. without ringing. Presently we heard him descending. but appeared to be otherwise unarmed. He was a sailor.
My reward shall be this. ‘I don’t mean that you should be at all this trouble for nothing. we had no conveniences for keeping him here.’ replied my friend. ‘that is all very fair. He then drew a 271 of 419 . locked it and put the key in his pocket.’ said Dupin. sir. in an assured tone: ‘I have no way of telling . Let me think! . ‘Couldn’t expect it. He is at a livery stable in the Rue Dubourg. with the air of a man relieved of some intolerable burden.’ ‘Well. Have you got him here?’ ‘Oh no. he walked toward the door.’ ‘I shall be sorry to part with him.’ Dupin said the last words in a very low tone. and very quietly. Of course you are prepared to identify the property?’ ‘To be sure I am.but he can’t be more than four or five years old. just by. and then replied. any thing in reason.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe The sailor drew a long breath.what should I have? Oh! I will tell you. sir. Just as quietly. You can get him in the morning. You shall give me all the information in your power about these murders in the Rue Morgue. too. to be sure. Am very willing to pay a reward for the finding of the animal .’ said the man.that is to say.
He spoke not a word. ‘My friend. however. I perfectly well know that you are innocent of the atrocities in the Rue Morgue. It will not do. I pledge you the honor of a gentleman. On the other hand. without the least flurry. you are bound by every principle of honor to confess all 272 of 419 . Now the thing stands thus. and of a Frenchman. From what I have already said. You were not even guilty of robbery. trembling violently. when you might have robbed with impunity. and with the countenance of death itself. but the next moment he fell back into his seat. in a kind tone. He started to his feet and grasped his cudgel. you must know that I have had means of information about this matter . I pitied him from the bottom of my heart.you are indeed.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe pistol from his bosom and placed it. You have done nothing which you could have avoided . to deny that you are in some measure implicated in them.’ said Dupin. We mean you no harm whatever. that we intend you no injury.means of which you could never have dreamed. certainly. ‘you are alarming yourself unnecessarily . You have nothing to conceal. You have no reason for concealment.nothing. The sailor’s face flushed up as if he were struggling with suffocation. upon the table. which renders you culpable.
This companion dying. this. the animal fell into his own exclusive possession. in a great measure.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe you know. and passed into the interior on an excursion of pleasure. landed at Borneo. A party. occasioned by the intractable ferocity of his captive during the home voyage. of which he formed one.I would be a fool indeed if I did. after a brief pause. but his original boldness of bearing was all gone. . he at length succeeded in lodging it safely at his own residence in Paris. He had lately made a voyage to the Indian Archipelago. After great trouble. Himself and a companion had captured the Ourang. ‘So help me God. until such time as it should recover 273 of 419 . An innocent man is now imprisoned. and I will make a clean breast if I die for it. I am innocent.but I do not expect you to believe one half I say . not to attract toward himself the unpleasant curiosity of his neighbors. in substance.Outang. while Dupin uttered these words. he kept it carefully secluded. where. Still.’ What he stated was.’ The sailor had recovered his presence of mind. charged with that crime of which you can point out the perpetrator.’ said he. ‘I will tell you all I know about this affair.
He had been accustomed. however. unfortunately open. securely confined. It then again made off. down the stairs. and fully lathered. until the latter had nearly come up with it. attempting the operation of shaving. and thence. Terrified at the sight of so dangerous a weapon in the possession of an animal so ferocious. for some moments. in which it had no doubt previously watched its master through the key-hole of the closet. to quiet the creature. The Frenchman followed in despair. into the street. as was thought. Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night. into which it had broken from a closet adjoining. Upon sight of it. and so well able to use it. where it had been. was at a loss what to do. Razor in hand. it was sitting before a looking-glass. the man. His ultimate design was to sell it. by the use of a whip. or rather in the morning of the murder.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe from a wound in the foot. and to this he now resorted. In this manner the chase continued for a long time. received from a splinter on board ship. razor still in hand. the OurangOutang sprang at once through the door of the chamber. through a window. the ape. The streets were profoundly 274 of 419 . he found the beast occupying his own bed-room. even in its fiercest moods. occasionally stopping to look back and gesticulate at its pursuer.
The shutter was kicked open again by the Ourang-Outang as it entered the room. it perceived the lightning rod. The sailor. the fugitive’s attention was arrested by a light gleaming from the open window of Madame L’Espanaye’s chamber. in the meantime. by its means. A lightning rod is ascended without difficulty. when he had arrived as high as the window. On the other hand. Rushing to the building. He had strong hopes of now recapturing the brute. especially by a sailor. the most that he could accomplish was to reach over so as to obtain a glimpse of the interior of the 275 of 419 . his career was stopped. grasped the shutter. except by the rod. In passing down an alley in the rear of the Rue Morgue. which was thrown fully back against the wall. and. there was much cause for anxiety as to what it might do in the house. swung itself directly upon the headboard of the bed.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe quiet. in the fourth story of her house. but. where it might be intercepted as it came down. which lay far to his left. clambered up with inconceivable agility. was both rejoiced and perplexed. as it was nearly three o’clock in the morning. The whole feat did not occupy a minute. as it could scarcely escape from the trap into which it had ventured. This latter reflection urged the man still to follow the fugitive.
) and was flourishing the razor about her face. As the sailor looked in. The flapping-to of the shutter would naturally have been attributed to the wind. had apparently been occupied in arranging some papers in the iron chest already mentioned. habited in their night clothes. the gigantic animal had seized Madame L’Espanaye by the hair. and its contents lay beside it on the floor. It was open. and. The victims must have been sitting with their backs toward the window. With one determined sweep of its muscular arm it nearly severed her head from 276 of 419 . as she had been combing it.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe room. in imitation of the motions of a barber. from the time elapsing between the ingress of the beast and the screams. Now it was that those hideous shrieks arose upon the night. which had startled from slumber the inmates of the Rue Morgue. At this glimpse he nearly fell from his hold through excess of horror. The daughter lay prostrate and motionless. she had swooned. (which was loose. Madame L’Espanaye and her daughter. it seems probable that it was not immediately perceived. The screams and struggles of the old lady (during which the hair was torn from her head) had the effect of changing the probably pacific purposes of the Ourang-Outang into those of wrath. which had been wheeled into the middle of the room.
was just discernible. rather gliding than clambering down it. In conclusion. it flew upon the body of the girl. then that of the old lady. retaining its grasp until she expired. and skipped about the chamber in an agony of nervous agitation. throwing down and breaking the furniture as it moved. As the ape approached the casement with its mutilated burden. Its wandering and wild glances fell at this moment upon the head of the bed. and dragging the bed from the bedstead. as it was found. the sailor shrank aghast to the rod. was instantly converted into fear. The fury of the beast. Conscious of having deserved punishment. which it immediately hurled through the window headlong. The words heard by the party upon the staircase were the Frenchman’s exclamations of 277 of 419 . hurried at once home dreading the consequences of the butchery. Gnashing its teeth. all solicitude about the fate of the Ourang-Outang. and. it seized first the corpse of the daughter. The sight of blood inflamed its anger into phrenzy. and thrust it up the chimney. over which the face of its master. it seemed desirous of concealing its bloody deeds. rigid with horror. who no doubt bore still in mind the dreaded whip.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe her body. and flashing fire from its eyes. in his terror. and gladly abandoning. and imbedded its fearful talons in her throat.
about the propriety of every person minding his own business. for. at best. like the pictures of the Goddess Laverna.’ said Dupin. It was subsequently caught by the owner himself. all head and 278 of 419 .The Works of Edgar Allan Poe horror and affright. however well disposed to my friend. is by no means that matter for wonder which he supposes it. ‘Let him discourse. — or. our friend the Prefect is somewhat too cunning to be profound. could not altogether conceal his chagrin at the turn which affairs had taken. who obtained for it a very large sum at the Jardin des Plantes. It is all head and no body. ‘Let him talk. The Ourang-Outang must have escaped from the chamber. This functionary. upon our narration of the circumstances (with some comments from Dupin) at the bureau of the Prefect of Police. commingled with the fiendish jabberings of the brute. I am satisfied with having defeated him in his own castle. In his wisdom is no stamen. that he failed in the solution of this mystery. who had not thought it necessary to reply. by the rod. and was fain to indulge in a sarcasm or two. just before the break of the door. Nevertheless. Le Don was instantly released. I have scarcely anything to add.. in truth. it will ease his conscience. It must have closed the window as it passed through it.
view.’ ‘ * * Rousseau . I mean the way he has ‘de nier ce qui est. shoulders. like a codfish. Download the free trial version. by which he has attained his reputation for ingenuity. and edit PDF.Nouvelle Heloise. But he is a good creature after all.eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. 279 of 419 . I like him especially for one master stroke of cant. et d’expliquer ce qui n’est pas.
Men and circumstances generally modify the ideal train of events. {*2} Moral Ansichten. Thus with the Reformation. und ihre Folgen gleichfalls unvollkommen sind. and its consequences are equally imperfect. who have not occasionally been startled into a 280 of 419 .The Works of Edgar Allan Poe THE MYSTERY OF MARIE ROGET.’ Es giebt eine Reihe idealischer Begebenheiten. They rarely coincide.Novalis. so dass sie unvollkommen erscheint. die der Wirklichkeit parallel lauft. so that it seems imperfect. even among the calmest thinkers. THERE are few persons. Selten fallen sie zusammen. Menschen und zufalle modifieiren gewohulich die idealische Begebenheit. statt des Protestantismus kam das Lutherthum hervor. . instead of Protestantism came Lutheranism. A SEQUEL TO ‘THE MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE. There are ideal series of events which run parallel with the real ones. So bei der Reformation.
to depict some very remarkable features in the mental character of my friend. as mere coincidences. and this design was 281 of 419 .The Works of Edgar Allan Poe vague yet thrilling half-credence in the supernatural. the Chevalier C. by coincidences of so seemingly marvellous a character that.such sentiments are seldom thoroughly stifled unless by reference to the doctrine of chance. and thus we have the anomaly of the most rigidly exact in science applied to the shadow and spirituality of the most intangible in speculation. The extraordinary details which I am now called upon to make public. at New York. or. about a year ago. Auguste Dupin. When. This depicting of character constituted my design. the intellect has been unable to receive them. it did not occur to me that I should ever resume the subject. purely mathematical. as regards sequence of time. the Calculus of Probabilities. Such sentiments . whose secondary or concluding branch will be recognized by all readers in the late murder of Mary Cecila Rogers. Now this Calculus is. as it is technically termed. in its essence. will be found to form. in an article entitled ‘The Murders in the Rue Morgue. the primary branch of a series of scarcely intelligible coincidences.’ I endeavored.for the half-credences of which I speak have never the full force of thought .
in the drama at the Rue Morgue. the name of Dupin had grown into a household word. Prone. I readily fell in with his humor. Hearing what I have lately heard. continuing to occupy our chambers in the Faubourg Saint Germain. weaving the dull world around us into dreams. however. the Chevalier dismissed the affair at once from his attention. and slumbered tranquilly in the Present. and relapsed into his old habits of moody reverie. at all times. Upon the winding up of the tragedy involved in the deaths of Madame L’Espanaye and her daughter. and. to abstraction. it would be indeed strange should I remain silent in regard to what I both heard and saw so long ago. The simple character of those inductions 282 of 419 . Late events. With its emissaries. had not failed of its impression upon the fancies of the Parisian police. in their surprising development. but I should have proven no more.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe thoroughly fulfilled in the wild train of circumstances brought to instance Dupin’s idiosyncrasy. It may readily be supposed that the part played by my friend. we gave the Future to the winds. which will carry with them the air of extorted confession. I might have adduced other examples. have startled me into some farther details. But these dreams were not altogether uninterrupted.
283 of 419 . and from the period of his death. but his indolent humor forbade all farther agitation of a topic whose interest to himself had long ceased. His frankness would have led him to disabuse every inquirer of such prejudice. This event occurred about two years after the atrocity in the Rue Morgue. Marie. until within eighteen months before the assassination which forms the subject of our narrative. The father had died during the child’s infancy. of course it is not surprising that the affair was regarded as little less than miraculous. the mother and daughter had dwelt together in the Rue Pavée Saint Andrée. and the cases were not few in which attempt was made to engage his services at the Prefecture. whose Christian and family name will at once arrest attention from their resemblance to those of the unfortunate ‘cigar. or that the Chevalier’s analytical abilities acquired for him the credit of intuition. It thus happened that he found himself the cynosure of the policial eyes.girl. One of the most remarkable instances was that of the murder of a young girl named Marie Rogêt.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe by which he had disentangled the mystery never having been explained even to the Prefect.’ was the only daughter of the widow Estelle Rogêt. {*3} Madame there keeping a pension. or to any other individual than myself.
after the lapse of a week. Marie. Monsieur 284 of 419 . was of course immediately hushed. Monsieur Le Blanc was unable to account for her absence. except that of a private character. She had been in his employ about a year. when. and his rooms soon became notorious through the charms of the sprightly grisette. and the police were upon the point of making serious investigations. and whose custom lay chiefly among the desperate adventurers infesting that neighborhood. and Madame Rogêt was distracted with anxiety and terror. in good health. who occupied one of the shops in the basement of the Palais Royal. made her re-appearance at her usual counter in the perfumery. and his liberal proposals were accepted eagerly by the girl. Affairs went on thus until the latter had attained her twenty-second year. but with a somewhat saddened air. Monsieur Le Blanc {*4} was not unaware of the advantages to be derived from the attendance of the fair Marie in his perfumery. when her great beauty attracted the notice of a perfumer. The anticipations of the shopkeeper were realized. although with somewhat more of hesitation by Madame. one fine morning. All inquiry.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe assisted by Marie. when her admirers were thrown info confusion by her sudden disappearance from the shop. The public papers immediately took up the theme.
for the girl. above all. that the last week had been spent at the house of a relation in the country. that her friends were alarmed by her sudden disappearance for the second time. as before. replied to all questions. conspired to produce intense excitement in the minds of the sensitive Parisians. It was about five months after this return home. and at a point not very far distant from the secluded neighborhood of the Barrière du Roule. Three days elapsed. and. and nothing was heard of her. even the momentous political topics of the day 285 of 419 . On the fourth her corpse was found floating in the Seine. ostensibly to relieve herself from the impertinence of curiosity. in the discussion of this one absorbing theme. {*6} The atrocity of this murder. and sought the shelter of her mother’s residence in the Rue Pavée Saint Andrée.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Le Blanc professed total ignorance. For several weeks. her previous notoriety. * near the shore which is opposite the Quartier of the Rue Saint Andree. Thus the affair died away. and was generally forgotten. with Madame.) the youth and beauty of the victim. (for it was at once evident that murder had been committed. soon bade a final adieu to the perfumer. I can call to mind no similar occurrence producing so general and so intense an effect. Marie.
the Prefect took it upon himself to offer the sum of twenty thousand francs ‘for the conviction of the assassin. ‘for the conviction of any one of the assassins. tasked to the utmost extent. At the end of the tenth day it was thought advisable to double the sum originally proposed. and even then this reward was limited to a thousand francs. while. a full pardon was 286 of 419 . at length.’ In the proclamation setting forth this reward. of course. The Prefect made unusual exertions. if more than one should prove to have been implicated. if not always with judgment. and numerous individuals were examined to no purpose. owing to the continual absence of all clue to the mystery. the second week having elapsed without leading to any discoveries.’ or. Upon the first discovery of the corpse. it was not supposed that the murderer would be able to elude. It was not until the expiration of a week that it was deemed necessary to offer a reward. and the prejudice which always exists in Paris against the Police having given vent to itself in several serious émeutes.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe were forgotten. the inquisition which was immediately set on foot. for more than a very brief period. In the mean time the investigation proceeded with vigor. the popular excitement greatly increased. and. and the powers of the whole Parisian police were.
Engaged in researches which absorbed our whole attention. and they were discharged forthwith. arrests were made which promised elucidation. before even a rumor of the events which had so agitated the public mind.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe promised to any accomplice who should come forward in evidence against his fellow. But although. which will be regarded as an extraordinary sum when we consider the humble condition of the girl. of such atrocities as the one described. in addition to the amount proposed by the Prefecture. and passed without any light being thrown upon the subject. in one or two instances. and to the whole was appended. Strange as it may appear. No one doubted now that the mystery of this murder would be immediately brought to light. reached the ears of Dupin and myself. or more than glanced at the leading political articles in one of the daily papers. or received a visiter. the third week from the discovery of the body had passed. it had been nearly a month since either of us had gone abroad. The entire reward thus stood at no less than thirty thousand francs. The first 287 of 419 . the private placard of a committee of citizens. yet nothing was elicited which could implicate the parties suspected. and the great frequency. offering ten thousand francs. in large cities. wherever it appeared.
Even his honor was concerned. but which has no bearing upon the proper subject of my narrative. and certainly a liberal proposition. of which latter we were not yet in possession. but the proposition he accepted at once. The compliment my friend rebutted as best he could. He had been piqued by the failure of all his endeavors to ferret out the assassins.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe intelligence of the murder was brought us by G ——. interspersing them with long comments upon the evidence. His reputation . and beyond doubt. He discoursed much. the Prefect broke forth at once into explanations of his own views. This point being settled. while I hazarded an occasional suggestion as the night wore drowsily away. He called upon us early in the afternoon of the thirteenth of July. in person. although its advantages were altogether provisional.so he said with a peculiarly Parisian air . Dupin. He concluded a somewhat droll speech with a compliment upon what he was pleased to term the tact of Dupin. and there was really no sacrifice which he would not be willing to make for the development of the mystery. and remained with us until late in the night. 18—.was at stake. sitting steadily in 288 of 419 . The eyes of the public were upon him. learnedly. the precise nature of which I do not feel myself at liberty to disclose. and made him a direct.
about nine o’clock in the morning of Sunday June the twenty-second. and. and an occasional signal glance beneath their green glasses. and lodged. The Rue des Drômes is a short and narrow but populous thoroughfare. {*7} and to him only. had been published any decisive information in regard to this sad affair. Eustache was the accepted suitor of Marie. she gave notice to a Monsieur Jacques St. of her intent intention to spend the day with an aunt who resided in the Rue des Drômes. not far from the banks of the river. during the whole interview. because silently. this mass of information stood thus: Marie Rogêt left the residence of her mother. in the most direct course possible. a copy of every paper in which.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe his accustomed arm-chair. in the Rue Pavée St. sufficed to convince me that he slept not the less soundly. In the morning. 18—. at the Prefecture. was the embodiment of respectful attention. St. as 289 of 419 . Eustache. He wore spectacles. and at a distance of some two miles. Freed from all that was positively disproved. a full report of all the evidence elicited. throughout the seven or eight leaden-footed hours which immediately preceded the departure of the Prefect. I procured. from the pension of Madame Rogêt. Andrée. from first to last. at the various newspaper offices. In going out.
On this day. at the pension. It was not. the twenty-fifth of June. (as she had done under similar circumstances before. Upon seeing the body. with a friend. Andrée. however until the fourth day from the period of disappearance that any thing satisfactory was ascertained respecting her.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe well as took his meals. As night drew on. {*8} who. it was ascertained that the girl had not been to the Rue des Drômes. and its environs. and to have escorted her home. who had found it floating in the river. (Wednesday. on the shore of the Seine which is opposite the Rue Pavée St. a tardy search was instituted at several points in the city. it came on to rain heavily.) he did not think it necessary to keep his promise. seventy years of age. In the afternoon.) was heard to express a fear ‘that she should never see Marie again. Madame Rogêt (who was an infirm old lady.’ but this observation attracted little attention at the time. On Monday. 290 of 419 .) a Monsieur Beauvais. had been making inquiries for Marie near the Barrière du Roule. and. Beauvais. however. and when the day elapsed without tidings of her. supposing that she would remain all night at her aunt’s. was informed that a corpse had just been towed ashore by some fishermen. He was to have gone for his betrothed at dusk.
The corpse 291 of 419 . it said. His friend recognized it more promptly. identified it as that of the perfumery-girl. the left partially open.eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. but more especially at the shoulder-blades. There were no cuts apparent. to brutal violence. also. The flesh of the neck was much swollen. The face was suffused with dark blood. some of which issued from the mouth. after some hesitation. On the left wrist were two circular excoriations. view. was much chafed. This alone would have sufficed to produce death. as in the case of the merely drowned. as well as the back throughout its extent. The arms were bent over on the chest and were rigid. In bringing the body to the shore the fishermen had attached to it a rope. A part of the right wrist. The medical testimony spoke confidently of the virtuous character of the deceased. and edit PDF. or of a rope in more than one volution. A piece of lace was found tied so tightly around the neck as to be hidden from sight. There was no discoloration in the cellular tissue. Download the free trial version. and was fasted by a knot which lay just under the left ear. She had been subjected. No foam was seen. but none of the excoriations had been effected by this. apparently the effect of ropes. it was completely buried in the flesh. About the throat were bruises and impressions of fingers. or bruises which appeared the effect of blows. The right hand was clenched.
and a reexamination instituted. but not torn off. but nothing was elicited beyond 292 of 419 . The dress immediately beneath the frock was of fine muslin. as usual. that there could have been no difficulty in its recognition by friends. was not a lady’s. the matter was industriously hushed up. but a slip or sailor’s knot. the strings of a bonnet were attached. It was wound three times around the waist. It was found around her neck. {*9} however. The dress was much torn and otherwise disordered. and several days had elapsed before any public emotion resulted. The knot by which the strings of the bonnet were fastened.torn very evenly and with great care. Over this muslin slip and the slip of lace. the corpse was disinterred. Through the exertions of Beauvais. it was not. the bonnet being appended. (this formality being superfluous. about a foot wide. as far as possible.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe was in such condition when found. A weekly paper.) but hastily interred not far front the spot at which it was brought ashore. at length took up the theme. taken to the Morgue. fitting loosely. a slip. and secured with a hard knot. and from this a slip eighteen inches wide had been torn entirely out . and secured by a sort of hitch in the back. After the recognition of the corpse. In the outer garment. had been torn upward from the bottom hem to the waist.
These passages are literal translations from L’Etoile. to give an intelligible account of his whereabouts during the Sunday on which Marie left home. the one which attracted the most notice. however. at first. The clothes. Subsequently. or some other 293 of 419 . accounting satisfactorily for every hour of the day in question. {*10} a paper conducted. It will be proper that I submit to the reader some passages which embody the suggestion alluded to. the excitement increased hourly. June the twenty-second. St. Among these. were now submitted to the mother and friends of the deceased. and fully identified as those worn by the girl upon leaving home. affidavits. was the idea that Marie Rogêt still lived . Meantime. ‘Mademoiselle Rogêt left her mother’s house on Sunday morning. however. Eustache fell especially under suspicion. and he failed. and journalists busied themselves in suggestions. in general.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe what has been already noted. he submitted to Monsieur G——. a thousand contradictory rumors were circulated. As time passed and no discovery ensued. with much ability.that the corpse found in the Seine was that of some other unfortunate. with the ostensible purpose of going to see her aunt. 18—. Several individuals were arrested and discharged.
who saw her at all. even if we presume that Marie Rogêt was thrown into the river within three hours after she left her mother’s house. Thus we see that if the body found in the river was that of Marie Rogêt. choose darkness rather the. There has no person. a female body was discovered afloat on the shore of the Barrière de Roule. Those who are guilty of such horrid crimes. require from six to 294 of 419 . on that day. if murder was committed on her body. at twelve. or bodies thrown into the water immediately after death by violence.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe connexion. though we have no evidence that Marie Rogêt was in the land of the living after nine o’clock on Sunday. after she left her mother’s door…. From that hour. All experience has shown that drowned bodies. On Wednesday noon. up to that hour. it could only have been in the water two and a half days. so far. come forward. This was. But it is folly to suppose that the murder. nobody is proved to have seen her. in the Rue des Drômes. light …. she was alive. or three at the outside. only three days from the time she left her home . we have proof that. There is no trace or tidings of her at all…. could have been consummated soon enough to have enabled her murderers to throw the body into the river before midnight.three days to an hour. June the twenty-second. Now. whatever.
it sinks again. I continue the translation: ‘What. was fully disproved. would have throw the body in without weight to sink it.’ The editor here proceeds to argue that the body must have been in the water ‘not three days merely. if let alone. Now. are the facts on which M. and it rises before at least five or six days’ immersion.’ because it was so far decomposed that Beauvais had great difficulty in recognizing it.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ten days for decomposition to take place to bring them to the top of the water. And. then. whether the body would be so soon afloat. even were it thrown in after having been dead two days. This latter point. five times three days. also. when such a precaution could have so easily been taken. Beauvais says that he has no doubt the body was that of Marie Rogêt? He ripped up the gown sleeve. it is exceedingly improbable that any villains who had committed such a murder as is here supposed. furthermore. some trace would be found on shore of the murderers. Even where a cannon is fired over a corpse. but. what was there in this cave to cause a departure from the ordinary course of nature? … If the body had been kept in its mangled state on shore until Tuesday night. we ask. at least. however. It is a doubtful point. and says he found marks 295 of 419 .
M. the lover and intended husband of Marie.something as indefinite. Beauvais came into his chamber and told him of it. Eustache. it strikes us it was very coolly received. There was nothing said or heard about the matter in the Rue Pavée St. as can readily be imagined .as little conclusive as finding an arm in the sleeve. The public generally supposed those marks to have consisted of some description of scars. He rubbed the arm and found hair upon it . at seven o’clock. that an investigation was still in progress respecting her daughter. Nobody went over. that reached even the occupants of the same building. if they thought the body was that of Marie. St. but sent word to Madame Rogêt. If we allow that Madame Rogêt. we think. (which is allowing a great deal. when M. deposes that he did not hear of the discovery of the body of his intended until the next morning. could not go over. For an item of news like this. from her age and grief. M. who boarded in her mother’s house. Beauvais did not return that night.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe which satisfied him of the identity.) there certainly must have been some one who would have thought it worth while to go over and attend the investigation. on Wednesday evening. Andrée.’ In this way the journal endeavored to create the impression of an apathy on the part of the relatives of 296 of 419 .
In a subsequent 297 of 419 . Its insinuations amount to this: . Moreover. and that these friends. It was distinctly proved that no apathy.yet all this was satisfactorily disproved. Beauvais prevailed upon a friend and relative to take charge of him. inconsistent with the supposition that these relatives believed the corpse to be hers. had availed themselves of the opportunity to impress press the public with the belief of her death. that M. and so agitated as to be unable to attend to any duty. so far from receiving the news coolly. that the corpse was re-interred at the public expense . with the connivance of her friends. all this was asserted by L’Etoile in furtherance of the impression it designed to convey . I say. was distracted with grief. But L’Etoile was again overhasty. upon the discovery of a corpse in the Seine. although it was stated by L’Etoile. that St. existed. and bore himself so frantically. and prevent his attending the examination at the disinterment. such as was imagined. somewhat resembling that of the girl.that an advantageous offer of private sculpture was absolutely declined by the family .The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Marie.and that no member of the family attended the ceremonial: although. that the old lady was exceedingly feeble.that Marie. had absented herself from the city for reasons involving a charge against her chastity. Eustache.
an attempt was made to throw suspicion upon Beauvais himself. In the present posture of affairs. Madame B. 298 of 419 . A single step cannot be taken without M.’ By the following fact. you run against him…. but let the matter be for him…. M. M. for. then. and he has elbowed the male relatives out of the way. Beauvais.. according to their representations. he determined that nobody shall have any thing to do with the proceedings but himself. told her that a gendarme was expected there. We are told that on one occasion. A visiter at his office. who was going out. and the name ‘Marie’ inscribed upon a slate which hung near at hand. go which way you will. a few days prior to the girl’s disappearance. in a very singular manner. The editor says: ‘Now. For some reason. Beauvais. and during the absence of its occupant. Beauvais appears to have the whole matter looked up in his head. He seems to have been very much averse to permitting the relatives to see the body. while a Madame B—— was at Madame Rogêt’s house. some color was given to the suspicion thus thrown upon Beauvais. must not say anything to the gendarme until he returned. and she.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe number of the paper. a change comes over the matter. had observed a rose in the key-hole of the door.
yet no one has come forward who saw her outside of her mother’s door. when she went out…. It is impossible that a person so well known to thousands as this young woman was. that Marie had been the victim of a gang of desperadoes . for she interested all who knew her.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe The general impression. without being recognized by a dozen persons. that she did go out at all. Le Commerciel. so far as we were enabled to glean it from the newspapers. Her gown was torn. seemed to be. If the murder had been committed at the Barrière du Roule. It is impossible that she could have gone to the Barrière du Roule. so far as it has been directed to the Barrière du Roule. was earnest in combating this popular idea. It was when the streets were full of people. and by that the body was carried as a bundle. maltreated and murdered. should have passed three blocks without some one having seen her. or to the Rue des Drômes. a print of extensive influence. I quote a passage or two from its columns: ‘We are persuaded that pursuit has hitherto been on a false scent. and tied. there would have been no necessity for any 299 of 419 . bound round her. and there is no evidence. and any one who saw her would have remembered it. except the testimony concerning her expressed intentions.that by these she had been borne across the river. {*11} however.
while roaming among the woods near the Barrière du Roule. Two small boys. The handkerchief bore the name ‘Marie Rogêt. and there was every evidence of a struggle. within which were three or four large stones. chanced to penetrate a close thicket. the bushes were broken. The earth was trampled. two feet long and one foot wide. This was done by fellows who had no pocket-handkerchief. was torn out and tied under her chin around the back of her head. On the upper stone lay a white petticoat.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe such arrangement. at least. with a back and footstool. and a pocket-handkerchief were also here found. the chief portion of Le Commerciel’s argument. and the ground bore evidence of some heavy burthen having been dragged along it. The fact that the body was found floating near the Barrière. sons of a Madame Deluc. on the second a silk scarf. is no proof as to where it was thrown into the water…. A piece of one of the unfortunate girl’s petticoats. forming a kind of seat. 300 of 419 . Between the thicket and the river. the fences were found taken down. however. which seemed to overthrow.’ A day or two before the Prefect called upon us. probably to prevent screams. gloves.’ Fragments of dress were discovered on the brambles around. . A parasol. some important information reached the police.
The pieces of her frock torn out by the bushes were about three inches wide and six inches long. The grass had grown around and over some of them. therefore. they were all mildewed down hard with the action of the rain and stuck together from mildew. The neighborhood is secluded — particularly so. There can be no doubt. the other piece was part of the skirt. and it had been mended. They looked like strips torn off.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe A weekly paper. opposite the Barrière du Roule. was all mildewed and rotten. . not the hem. The upper part. .{*12} had the following comments upon this discovery — comments which merely echoed the sentiment of the whole Parisian press: ‘The things had all evidently been there at least three or four weeks. The silk on the parasol was strong. 301 of 419 . about a foot from the ground…. and tore on its being opened…. that the spot of this appalling outrage has been discovered. One part was the hem of the frock. and were on the thorn bush. new evidence appeared. It is the usual Sunday resort of blackguards from the city.’ Consequent upon this discovery. who cross the river in boats. Le Soleil. but the threads of it were run together within. where it had been doubled and folded. Madame Deluc testified that she keeps a roadside inn not far from the bank of the river.
and re-crossed the river as if in great haste. Valence. An omnibus driver. a gang of miscreants made their appearance. returned to the inn about dusk. Valence. Madame Deluc’s attention was called to the dress worn by the girl. A scarf was particularly noticed. on the Sunday in question. upon this same evening. Soon after the departure of the couple. a young girl arrived at the inn. The two remained here for some time. on account of its resemblance to one worn by a deceased relative. that Madame Deluc. as well as her eldest son. heard the screams of a female in the vicinity of the inn. On their departure. {*13} now also testified that he saw Marie Rogêt cross a ferry on the Seine. accompanied by a young man of dark complexion. behaved boisterously. He. knew Marie. in the afternoon of the Sunday in question. It was soon after dark. and could not be 302 of 419 . recognized not only the scarf which was found in the thicket. ate and drank without making payment. they took the road to some thick woods in the vicinity.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe About three o’clock. Madame D. followed in the route of the young man and girl. The screams were violent but brief. but the dress which was discovered upon the corpse. in company with a young man of dark complexion.
it should have been considered difficult. for this reason. the lifeless. the mystery has been considered easy. He died without speaking. from the newspapers. ‘that this is a far more intricate case than that of the Rue Morgue. ‘I need scarcely tell you. for this reason. was found in the vicinity of what all now supposed the scene of the outrage. embraced only one more point — but this was a point of seemingly vast consequence. when. with his design of selfdestruction. Download the free trial version. and edit PDF. A phial labelled ‘laudanum. This is an ordinary. from which it differs in one important respect. You will observe that. at first. was found near him. mistaken in her identity. as he finished the perusal of my notes. at the suggestion of Dupin. The articles found in the thicket were fully identified by the relatives of Marie.’ and emptied. view.eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. of solution. It appears that. Marie’s betrothed. it was thought unnecessary to offer a reward. Upon his person was found a letter. or nearly lifeless body of St. briefly stating his love for Marie. although an atrocious instance of crime. There is nothing peculiarly outré about it. His breath gave evidence of the poison. immediately after the discovery of the clothes as above described. The items of evidence and information thus collected by myself. Thus. Eustache. The 303 of 419 .’ said Dupin.
to a properly regulated intellect. would have afforded the surest omen of success. They could picture to their imaginations a mode . they have taken it for granted that one of them must. and the very plausibility which each assumed. I have before observed that it is by prominences above the plane of the ordinary.and a motive . if at all. is not so much ‘what has occurred?’ as ‘what has occurred that has never occurred before?’ In the investigations at the house of Madame L’Espanaye. while this same intellect might have been plunged in despair at the ordinary character of all that met the eye in the case of the perfumery-girl. in her search for the true. and because it was not impossible that either of these numerous modes and motives could have been the actual one. {*14} the agents of G—— were discouraged and confounded by that very unusualness which.were able at once to comprehend how and why such an atrocity might have been committed.many motives. 304 of 419 . and that the proper question in cases such as this. and yet told of nothing but easy triumph to the functionaries of the Prefecture.many modes . that reason feels her way. But the case with which these variable fancies were entertained.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe myrmidons of G—. should have been understood as indicative rather of the difficulties than of the facilities which must attend elucidation.
since it is Monsieur G—— with whom we have to deal. If. It will not do to trust him too far. therefore. dating our inquiries from the body found. if starting from the living Marie. and respecting whom.murder. at the commencement. The body found at the Barrière du Roule. or assassins. yet find her unassassinated — in either case we lose our labor. from all supposition of self. we find her. too. We both know this gentleman well. the reward is offered. no doubt that murder had been committed. it is indispensable that our first step should be the determination of the identity of the corpse with the Marie Rogêt who is missing. was found under such circumstances as to leave us no room for embarrassment upon this important point. But it has been suggested that the corpse discovered. we are freed. Here. our agreement has been arranged with the Prefect. if not for the purpose of justice. is not that of the Marie Rogêt for the conviction of whose assassin. 305 of 419 . we yet discover this body to be that of some other individual than Marie. The idea of suicide was excluded at once.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘In the case of Madame L’Espanaye and her daughter there was. and thence tracing a murderer. even at the beginning of our investigation. For our own purpose. or. solely.
The mass of the people regard as profound only him who suggests pungent contradictions of the general idea. In ratiocination. The print which merely falls in with ordinary opinion (however well founded this opinion may be) earns for itself no credit with the mob. and that the journal itself is convinced of their importance would appear from the manner in which it commences one of its essays upon the subject . this article appears conclusive of little beyond the zeal of its inditer. rather than any true plausibility in this idea. ‘speak of the conclusive article in Monday’s Etoile. which have suggested it to L’Etoile.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘With the public the arguments of L’Etoile have had weight. it is of the lowest order of merit. it is the epigram which is the most immediately and the most universally appreciated. not less than in literature. Let us examine the heads of this 306 of 419 . it is the object of our newspapers rather to create a sensation — to make a point . We should bear in mind that.‘Several of the morning papers of the day.than to further the cause of truth. and secured it a favorable reception with the public. The latter end is only pursued when it seems coincident with the former.’ To me. in general.’ it says. that Marie Rogêt still lives. that it is the mingled epigram and melodrame of the idea. In both. ‘What I mean to say is.
’ We demand at once. if murder was committed on her body. But.’ This assumption. could have been consummated soon enough to have enabled her murderers to throw the body into the river before midnight. there would still have been time enough ‘’to throw the body into the river before midnight. amounts precisely to this .. from the brevity of the interval between Marie’s disappearance and the finding of the floating corpse. endeavoring to avoid the incoherence with which it is originally set forth. In the rash pursuit of this object. ‘It is folly to suppose. and very naturally. becomes thus. ‘The first aim of the writer is to show.’ he says.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe journal’s argument. had the murder taken place at any moment between nine o’clock in the morning of Sunday. he rushes into mere assumption at the outset. then. an object with the reasoner. at once. that this corpse cannot be that of Marie.and.that the murder was not committed on Sunday at all . ‘that the murder. The reduction of this interval to its smallest possible dimension. if we allow L’Etoile to 307 of 419 . and a quarter before midnight.
as it stands.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe assume this.’ continued Dupin. for an idea which these words have obviously intended. and to suppose at the same time. to suppose all this. It is not. may be imagined to have existed actually thus in the brain of its inditer .’ however it appears as printed in L’Etoile. and failed to convey. we may permit it any liberties whatever.) that the body was not thrown in until after midnight’ — a sentence sufficiently inconsequential in itself. The paragraph beginning ‘It is folly to suppose that the murder.‘It is folly to suppose that the murder. ‘Were it my purpose. if murder was committed on the body. but not so utterly preposterous as the one printed. could have been committed soon enough to have enabled her murderers to throw the body into the river before midnight. it is folly. at whatever period of the day or night of Sunday this murder was committed. with L’Etoile that we have to do. it was improbable that the assassins 308 of 419 . It was the design of the journalist to say that. The sentence in question has but one meaning. ‘merely to make out a case against this passage of L’Etoile’s argument. we say.. etc. I might safely leave it where it is. (as we are resolved to suppose. but with the truth. and this meaning I have fairly stated: but it is material that we go behind the mere words. however.
it could have been in the water but a very brief time. It is assumed that the murder was committed at such a position. or on the river itself. the assumption of which I complain. the assassination might have taken place upon the river’s brink. require from six to ten days for sufficient decomposition to take place to bring them to the top of the water. having assumed that. or as cöincident with my own opinion. the journal goes on to say: ’All experience has shown that drowned bodies. by calling your attention to its ex parte character at the outset. as the most obvious and most immediate mode of disposal. and 309 of 419 . that the bearing it to the river became necessary. the throwing the corpse in the water might have been resorted to. and under such circumstances. ‘Having prescribed thus a limit to suit its own preconceived notions. Even when a cannon is fired over a corpse. has no reference to the facts of the case.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe would have ventured to bear the corpse to the river before midnight. at any period of the day or night. I wish merely to caution you against the whole tone of L’Etoile’s suggestion. thus. so far. My design. or bodies thrown into the water immediately after death by violence. really. And herein lies. You will understand that I suggest nothing here as probable. Now. and. if this were the body of Marie.
it sinks again if let alone.’ ‘These assertions have been tacitly received by every paper in Paris. until such time as the rule itself should be confuted. {*15} This latter print endeavors to combat that portion of the paragraph which has reference to ‘drowned bodies’ only. and this probability will be in favor of L’Etoile’s 310 of 419 . insisting merely upon its exceptions.) the argument of L’Etoile is suffered to remain in full force. Had it been possible to adduce fifty instead of five examples of bodies found floating at the end of two or three days. to rebut the general assertion of L’Etoile. Admitting the rule. by citing some five or six instances in which the bodies of individuals known to be drowned were found floating after the lapse of less time than is insisted upon by L’Etoile. these fifty examples could still have been properly regarded only as exceptions to L’Etoile’s rule.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe it rises before at least five or six days’ immersion. (and this Le Moniteur does not deny. But there is something excessively unphilosophical in the attempt on the part of Le Moniteur. for this argument does not pretend to involve more than a question of the probability of the body having risen to the surface in less than three days. with the exception of Le Moniteur. by a citation of particular instances militating against that assertion.
But. if he suffer the specific gravity of the water fairly to be adduced in comparison with his own that is to say. will be enabled to float.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe position until the instances so childishly adduced shall be sufficient in number to establish an antagonistical rule. Now the human body. it may be said that very few human bodies will sink at all. Almost any one. and the specific gravity of the water of a river is somewhat influenced by the presence of the tide from sea. in general. is the upright position of the walker on land. is about equal to the bulk of fresh water which it displaces. against the rule itself. the specific gravity of the human body. The proper position for one who cannot swim. with small bones. is neither much lighter nor much heavier than the water of the Seine. and of men. with the head thrown fully back. that is to say. are lighter than those of the lean and large-boned. leaving this tide out of question. and for this end we must examine the rationale of the rule. of their own accord. falling into a river. and immersed. ‘You will see at once that all argument upon this head should be urged. even in fresh water. with as little exception as possible. if at all. The bodies of fat and fleshy persons. if he suffer his whole person to be immersed. in its natural condition. and of women generally. the mouth and nostrils alone remaining 311 of 419 .
and that of the fluid which now fills them. of water into the lungs. is an additional weight sufficient to immerse the whole head. An arm. we shall find that we float without difficulty and without exertion. and that a trifle will cause either to preponderate. 312 of 419 . the arms are invariably thrown upwards. but is insufficient in the cases of individuals with small bones and an abnormal quantity of flaccid or fatty matter. that the gravities of the body. This difference is sufficient to cause the body to sink. Thus circumstanced. and the inception. uplifted from the water. The result is the immersion of the mouth and nostrils. Such individuals float even after drowning. for instance. and the whole body becomes heavier by the difference between the weight of the air originally distending these cavities.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe above the surface. while the accidental aid of the smallest piece of timber will enable us to elevate the head so as to look about. while an attempt is made to keep the head in its usual perpendicular position. It is evident. however. and thus deprived of its support. as a general rule. Much is also received into the stomach. Now. are very nicely balanced. and of the bulk of water displaced. during efforts to breathe while beneath the surface. in the struggles of one unused to swimming.
being. its specific gravity becomes less than that of the water displaced. When this distension has so far progressed that the bulk of the corpse is materially increased with. will there remain until. This effect is brought about by decomposition. with any thing like accuracy. supposed at the bottom of the river. for example.is hastened or retarded by innumerable agencies. Under certain conditions this result would be brought about within an hour. its specific gravity again becomes less than that of the bulk of water which it displaces. or otherwise. it might not take place at all. out a corresponding increase of mass or weight. by its currency or stagnation. Thus it is evident that we can assign no period. by some means.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘The corpse. But decomposition is modified by innumerable circumstances . distending the cellular tissues and all the cavities. by the heat or cold of the season. at which the corpse shall rise through decomposition. under others. by the temperament of the body. The result of decomposition is the generation of gas. by its depth or shallowness. and giving the puffedappearance which is to horrible. by its infection or freedom from disease before death. by the mineral impregnation or purity of the water. and it forthwith makes its appearance at the surface. There are chemical infusions by which the animal frame can be 313 of 419 .
Even when a cannon is fired over a corpse. thus permitting it to rise when other agencies have already prepared it for so doing. allowing the cavities to distend under the influence of the gas. ‘that drowned bodies. from the acetous fermentation of vegetable matter (or within other cavities from other causes) sufficient to induce a distension which will bring the body to the surface. This may either loosen the corpse from the soft mud or ooze in which it is imbedded. and very usually is. ‘All experience shows.’ 314 of 419 . and it rises before at least five or six days’ immersion. But.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe preserved foreverfrom corruption. a generation of gas within the stomach.’ says this paper. The effect produced by the firing of a cannon is that of simple vibration. or it may overcome the tenacity of some putrescent portions of the cellular tissue. ‘Having thus before us the whole philosophy of this subject. it sinks again if let alone. require from six to ten days for sufficient decomposition to take place to bring them to the top of the water. there may be. the Bi-chloride of Mercury is one. apart from decomposition. we can easily test by it the assertions of L’Etoile. or bodies thrown into the water immediately after death by violence.
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’ could never have been adduced. will be found to tally much better with my hypothesis of romantic busy-bodyism. his apparent determination ‘that nobody should have anything to do with the proceedings except himself. that she coquetted with 323 of 419 . Once adopting the more charitable interpretation.’ the caution given to Madame B——. than with the reasoner’s suggestion of guilt. ‘The suspicious circumstances which invest him. we shall find no difficulty in comprehending the rose in the key-hole. Each man recognizes his neighbor. without the ability to advance a single reason for the belief of a second party. that she must hold no conversation with the gendarmeuntil his return (Beauvais’).’ It seems to me unquestionable that Beauvais was a suitor of Marie’s. Nothing is more vague than impressions of individual identity. yet there are few instances in which any one is prepared to give a reason for his recognition. The editor of L’Etoile had no right to be offended at M. and.’ the ‘aversion to permitting them to see the body. in a case of this kind. it may be remarked that a man may very well be understood to believe. the ‘Marie’ upon the slate. the ‘elbowing the male relatives out of the way. Beauvais’ unreasoning belief.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe without re-adverting to the fact that stronger evidence ‘to make others believe. lastly.
a public man . and.’ ‘And what.’ I here demanded.and one whose walks to and fro in the city. in spirit. ‘do you think of the opinions of Le Commerciel?’ ‘That. have been mostly limited to the vicinity of the public offices. they are far more worthy of attention than any which have been promulgated upon the subject. should have passed three blocks without some one having seen her. and that he was ambitious of being thought to enjoy her fullest intimacy and confidence. in two instances. at least.girl . as the evidence fully rebuts the assertion of L’Etoile. ‘that a person so well known to thousands as this young woman was.an apathy inconsistent with the supposition of their believing the corpse to be that of the perfumery. touching the matter of apathy on the part of the mother and other relatives . are founded in imperfect observation. I shall say nothing more upon this point.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe him.’ it urges. He is aware that he 324 of 419 .we shall now proceed as if the question of identity were settled to our perfect satisfaction. but the premises. ‘It is impossible. Le Commerciel wishes to intimate that Marie was seized by some gang of low ruffians not far from her mother’s door.’ This is the idea of a man long resident in Paris . The deductions from the premises are philosophical and acute.
in her walks. This could only be the case were her walks of the same unvarying. In this case. at regular intervals. be supposed discursive.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe seldom passes so far as a dozen blocks from his own bureau. For my own part. in general. knowing the extent of his personal acquaintance with others. within a confined periphery. granting the personal acquaintances to be equal. In this particular instance. would be equally liable to recognition with himself in his. and reaches at once the conclusion that she. and within the same species of limited region as are his own. I 325 of 419 . he compares his notoriety with that of the perfumery-girl. the chances would be also equal that an equal number of personal rencounters would be made. methodical character. and of others with him. finds no great difference between them. abounding in individuals who are led to observation of his person through interest in the kindred nature of his occupation with their own. He passes to and fro. And. The parallel which we imagine to have existed in the mind of Le Commerciel would only be sustained in the event of the two individuals’ traversing the whole city. But the walks of Marie may. without being recognized and accosted. it will be understood as most probable. that she proceeded upon a route of more than average diversity from her accustomed ones.
‘But whatever force there may still appear to be in the suggestion of Le Commerciel. thronged with people. ‘that she went out. by any one of the many routes between her own residence and that of her aunt. It was at nine o’clock in the morning. the streets of the city are.’ says Le Commerciel. and the entire population of Paris itself. without meeting a single individual whom she knew. or by whom she was known.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe should hold it not only as possible. but as very far more than probable. Between ten and eleven the streets are thronged. with the exception of Sunday. that Marie might have proceeded.’ But not so. but not at so early a period as that designated. In viewing this question in its full and proper light. the populace are chiefly within doors preparing for church. No observing person can have failed to notice the peculiarly deserted air of the town. we must hold steadily in mind the great disproportion between the personal acquaintances of even the most noted individual in Paris. ‘It was when the streets were full of people. Now at nine o’clock of every morning in the week. it is true. at any given period. 326 of 419 . will be much diminished when we take into consideration the hour at which the girl went abroad. At nine on Sunday. from about eight until ten on the morning of every Sabbath.
are the very description of people who will always be found to have handkerchiefs even when destitute of shirts.’ ‘And what are we to think. with a laudable industry. ‘There is another point at which there seems a deficiency of observation on the part of Le Commerciel.’ Whether this idea is. or is not well founded. and edit PDF. by fellows who had no pocket-handkerchiefs. ‘The things had all evidently been there. 327 of 419 .’ I asked. and around the back of her head.’ he says.’at least. These. You must have had occasion to observe how absolutely indispensable. ‘A piece. from this paper and from that. to the thorough blackguard. two feet long. collecting them. He has merely repeated the individual items of the already published opinion. however. probably to prevent screams. view.eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. Download the free trial version. This was done. has become the pockethandkerchief.’ it says. of late years. ‘of one of the unfortunate girl’s petticoats. we will endeavor to see hereafter. was torn out and tied under her chin. but by ‘fellows who have no pocket-handkerchiefs’ the editor intends the lowest class of ruffians. ‘of the article in Le Soleil?’ ‘That it is a vast pity its inditer was not born a parrot in which case he would have been the most illustrious parrot of his race. and one foot wide.
The Works of Edgar Allan Poe three or four weeks. ‘At present we must occupy ourselves with other investigations You cannot fail to have remarked the extreme laxity of the examination of the corpse. Should there be nothing wrong here. Eustache must be re-examined. We will ascertain beyond a doubt the validity of the affidavits in regard to his whereabouts on the Sunday. We must endeavor to satisfy ourselves by personal inquiry. and we will examine them more particularly hereafter in connexion with another division of the theme. To be sure. The case of St. and there are others of equal moment. Had the body been in any respect despoiled? Had the deceased any articles of jewelry about her person upon leaving home? if so. are very far indeed from removing my own doubts upon this subject. but let us proceed methodically. had she any when found? These are important questions utterly untouched by the evidence. the question of identity was readily determined. we will dismiss St. I have no suspicion of this person. Affidavits of this character are readily made matter of mystification. however.’ The facts here re-stated by Le Soleil. but there were other points to be ascertained. and there can be no doubt that the spot of this appalling outrage has been discovered. which have met with no attention. or should have been. 328 of 419 .
that it has at length become necessary. It is through the spirit of this principle. or incidental. ‘In that which I now propose. in any prospective view of improvement. with total disregard of the collateral or circumstantial events. in investigations such as this. and a true philosophy will always show. that a vast. that modern science has resolved to calculate upon the unforeseen. is. were there found to be deceit in the affidavits. if not precisely through its letter. in no respect an unaccountable circumstance. perhaps the larger portion of truth. is the limiting of inquiry to the immediate. Yet experience has shown. to make not only large.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Eustache from our investigations. however corroborative of suspicion. His suicide. The history of human knowledge has so uninterruptedly shown that to collateral. we will discard the interior points of this tragedy. But perhaps you do not comprehend me. but the largest 329 of 419 . Not the least usual error. It is the mal-practice of the courts to confine evidence and discussion to the bounds of apparent relevancy. or accidental events we are indebted for the most numerous and most valuable discoveries. or one which need cause us to deflect from the line of ordinary analysis. and concentrate our attention upon its outskirts. without such deceit. arises from the seemingly irrelevant.
in the present case. we have only reconnoitred the field of investigation. and of the consequent 330 of 419 . and it is but in accordance with the spirit of the principle involved in this fact. We make chance a matter of absolute calculation. from the trodden and hitherto unfruitful ground of the event itself.’ In pursuance of Dupin’s suggestion. We subject the unlooked for and unimagined.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe allowances for inventions that shall arise by chance. will not afford us some minute points which shall establish a direction for inquiry. It is no longer philosophical to base. upon what has been. The result was a firm conviction of their validity. that the larger portion of all truth has sprung from the collateral. a vision of what is to be. but it will be strange indeed if a comprehensive survey. Accident is admitted as a portion of the substructure. such as I propose. ‘I repeat that it is no more than fact. So far. and quite out of the range of ordinary expectation. I made scrupulous examination of the affair of the affidavits. to the mathematical formulae of the schools. While you ascertain the validity of the affidavits. of the public prints. that I would divert inquiry. I will examine the newspapers more generally than you have as yet done. to the contemporary circumstances which surround it.
The Works of Edgar Allan Poe innocence of St. was caused by the disappearance of this same Marie Rogêt. she re-appeared at her customary comptoir. during the week of her absence from Le Blanc’s parfumerie. at the expiration of a week. A quarrel. as well as ever. or perhaps of a month. with what seemed to me a minuteness altogether objectless. it is supposed.Monday June 23. with the exception of a slight paleness not altogether usual. We 331 of 419 . in a scrutiny of the various newspaper files. however. providentially led to her return home. It is well known that. Eustache. In the mean time my friend occupied himself. that she had merely been on a visit to some friend in the country.’ . in the Palais Royal. At the end of a week. and the affair was speedily hushed up.Evening Paper . and that. It was given out by Monsieur Le Blanc and her mother. we shall have her among us again. At the end of a week he placed before me the following extracts: ‘About three years and a half ago. {*17} ‘An evening journal of yesterday. from the parfumerie of Monsieur Le Blanc. she was in the company of a young naval officer. much noted for his debaucheries. refers to a former mysterious disappearance of Mademoiselle Rogêt. a disturbance very similar to the present. We presume that the present absence is a freak of the same nature.
the services of six young men. The villains have escaped for the time. Upon reaching the opposite shore. and finally taken to the shore at a point not far from that at which she had originally entered the boat with her parents. and some of them will soon be taken.June 25. the three passengers stepped out. {*18} ‘An outrage of the most atrocious character was perpetrated near this city the day before yesterday. She returned for it. and had proceeded so far as to be beyond the view of the boat. about dusk.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe have the name of the Lothario in question. brutally treated.Le Mercurie . who were idly rowing a boat to and fro near the banks of the Seine.’ . was seized by the gang. for obvious reasons. A gentleman. the object of which is to fasten the crime of the late atrocity upon Mennais.’ . with his wife and daughter. gagged. {*20} but as this gentleman has been fully exonerated by a loyal inquiry. but the police are upon their trail. to convey him across the river. forbear to make it public. stationed in Paris. {*19} ‘We have received one or two communications. June 24. but. when the daughter discovered that she had left in it her parasol. at present. who is. and as the arguments of our 332 of 419 . carried out into the stream.Tuesday Morning.Morning Paper . engaged.
{*21} ‘We have received several forcibly written communications. Our own opinion is decidedly in favor of this supposition. {*22} ‘On Monday. June 31. 333 of 419 .Tuesday.’ .Thursday. The rudder is now at the barge office.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe several correspondents appear to be more zealous than profound. they not only seemed to me irrelevant.June 28. § Upon reading these various extracts. We shall endeavor to make room for some of these arguments hereafter. saw a empty boat floating down the Seine. but I could perceive no mode in which any one of them could be brought to bear upon the matter in hand. we do not think it advisable to make them public. I waited for some explanation from Dupin. and which go far to render it a matter of certainty that the unfortunate Marie Rogêt has become a victim of one of the numerous bands of blackguards which infest the vicinity of the city upon Sunday. June 26. one of the bargemen connected with the revenue service.’ .Morning Paper .’ Evening Paper .Le Diligence . The bargeman towed it under the barge office. apparently from various sources. without the knowledge of any of the officers. Sails were lying in the bottom of the boat. The next morning it was taken from thence.
Had the lover been 334 of 419 . have not troubled themselves. is a few months more than the general period of the cruises of our men-of-war. The chances are ten to one. would again propose an elopement. as far as I can understand from the Prefect. ‘to dwell upon the first and second of those extracts. and the return home of the betrayed.’ he said.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘It is not my present design. who. rather than as the commencement of a new one.we are prepared to regard it as a ‘making up’ of the old amour. And here let me call your attention to the fact. I have copied them chiefly to show you the extreme remissness of the police. Yet it is mere folly to say that between the first and second disappearance of Marie. We are now prepared to view a second elopement (if we know that an elopement has again taken place) as indicating a renewal of the betrayer’s advances. there is no supposable connection. and the second supposed elopement. that he who had once eloped with Marie. rather than that she to whom proposals of elopement had been made by one individual. Let us admit the first elopement to have resulted in a quarrel between the lovers. should have them made to her by another. rather than as the result of new proposals by a second individual . in any respect. that the time elapsing between the first ascertained. with an examination of the naval officer alluded to.
and who is so deeply in her confidence. we find no recognized. Eustache. there was no elopement as imagined. that she hesitates not to remain with him until the shades of the evening descend. may we not at least suppose this design entertained by the girl? Upon quitting home.’ ‘But if we cannot imagine Madame Rogêt privy to the design of elopement. Who. no open. most of the relatives know nothing? And what means the singular prophecy of Madame Rogêt on the morning of Marie’s departure? — ‘I fear that I shall never see Marie again. is the secret lover.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe interrupted in his first villany by the necessity of departure to sea. at least. no honorable suitors of Marie. of whom the relatives (at least most of them) know nothing. she 335 of 419 . and perhaps Beauvais. I ask. that.or not yet altogether accomplished by him? Of all these things we know nothing. Certainly not . Of none other is there any thing said. but whom Marie meets upon the morning of Sunday. amid the solitary groves of the Barrière du Roule? Who is that secret lover. in the second instance. then. of whom. and had he seized the first moment of his return to renew the base designs not yet altogether accomplished . ‘You will say.but are we prepared to say that there was not the frustrated design? Beyond St. however.
and proceed with him across the river. the suspicion of all. upon returning to the pension with this alarming intelligence.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe gave it to be understood that she was about to visit her aunt in the Rue des Drômes and St. Eustache. reaching the Barrière du Roule at so late an hour as three o’clock in the afternoon. Now. (for whatever purpose — to her mother known or unknown. and of the surprise and suspicion aroused in the bosom of her affianced suitor. That she did meet some companion. is known. when.‘I am to meet a certain person for the purpose of elopement. I say.but let us reflect. calling for her. She must have foreseen the chagrin of St. at the hour appointed. She must have thought of these things. if we suppose her not intending to return. he should find that she had not been there. and when. . but the suspicion becomes a point of trivial importance to her. Eustache was requested to call for her at dark. Eustache. She could not have thought of returning to brave this suspicion. or for certain 336 of 419 .) she must have thought of her expressed intention when leaving home. St. in the Rue des Drômes. But in consenting so to accompany this individual. this fact strongly militates against my suggestion. ‘We may imagine her thinking thus . he should become aware of her continued absence from home. moreover. at first glance.
my absence from home for the longest possible period.a fact of which I might keep him for ever in ignorance. he will be sure to ascertain that I have played him false . and by then stating that I had been to visit my aunt in the Rue des Drômes. if I wholly neglect to bid him call. and my absence will the sooner excite anxiety.it would not be my policy to bid St. will be accounted for. since it will be expected that I return the earlier. for.I will give it to be understood that I shall visit and spend the day with my aunt at the Rue des Drômes . my time for escape will be diminished. Eustache not to call for me until dark . Now. if it were my design to return at all if I had in contemplation merely a stroll with the individual in question .The Works of Edgar Allan Poe other purposes known only to myself.there must be sufficient time given us to elude pursuit . he will be sure not to call before. as it is my design never to return or not for some weeks . but. calling.in this way. by returning before dark. by leaving home without notifying him of my intention. and I shall gain more time than in any other manner. But. It is necessary that there be no chance of interruption .I well tell St.or not until certain concealments 337 of 419 . without causing suspicion or anxiety. Eustache call for me at dark. Eustache call. If I bid St.
But it is now made known that. and the distinction is often exceedingly difficult to perceive and to maintain. under certain conditions. In the present instance. at the very period. bearing marks of violence. the popular opinion.the gaining of time is the only point about which I need give myself any concern. is not to be disregarded. But it is important that we find no palpable traces of suggestion. beautiful and notorious. This corpse is found. All Paris is excited by the discovered corpse of Marie. and floating in the river. The opinion must be rigorously the public’s own. that the girl had been the victim of a gang of blackguards. In ninety-nine cases from the hundred I would abide by its decision. in which it is supposed that the girl was assassinated.’ ‘You have observed.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe are effected . in your notes. When arising of itself — when manifesting itself in a strictly spontaneous manner — we should look upon it as analogous with that intuition which is the idiosyncrasy of the individual man of genius. Now. an outrage similar in nature to that 338 of 419 . or about the very period. a girl young. and was from the first. that the most general opinion in relation to this sad affair is. has been superinduced by the collateral event which is detailed in the third of my extracts. it appears to me that this ‘public opinion’ in respect to a gang.
under the same circumstances. known to be so committed. committed at a time nearly coincident.eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. by a gang of young ruffians. while a gang of ruffians were perpetrating. engaged in a wrong of precisely the same aspect. was not so committed. in the same city. is. at a given locality. with the same means and appliances. there should have been another similar gang. in a similar locality. view. a most unheard-of wrong. Is it wonderful that the one known atrocity should influence the popular judgment in regard to the other unknown? This judgment awaited direction. and upon this very river was this known outrage committed. that the true wonder would have been a failure of the populace to appreciate and to seize it. and edit PDF. if not in this marvellous train of coincidence. endured by the deceased. was perpetuated. at precisely the same period of time! Yet in what. if any thing. the one atrocity. The connexion of the two events had about it so much of the palpable. although less in extent. But. too. Download the free trial version. upon the person of a second young female. evidence that the other. and the known outrage seemed so opportunely to afford it! Marie. in fact. if. It would have been a miracle indeed. was found in the river. does the accidentally suggested opinion of the populace call upon us to believe? 339 of 419 .
That it was the scene. in the thicket at the Barrière du Roule. although dense.’ Fragments of dress were seen on the branches around. a silk scarf. and a pocket-handkerchief. the bushes were broken. On the upper stone was discovered a white petticoat. ‘Marie Rogêt. would naturally have been stricken with terror at the public attention thus acutely directed into the proper channel. gloves. The handkerchief bore the name. in the neighborhood of the Rue Pavée St. and.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘Before proceeding farther. and the unanimity with which it was supposed to indicate the precise scene of the outrage. on the second. Within were three or four large stones. let us consider the supposed scene of the assassination. and there was every evidence of a violent struggle. Had the true scene been. This thicket. The earth was trampled. Andrée. in certain classes of 340 of 419 . A parasol. ‘Notwithstanding the acclamation with which the discovery of this thicket was received by the press. were also here found. I may or I may not believe . it must be admitted that there was some very good reason for doubt. supposing them still resident in Paris. was in the close vicinity of a public road.but there was excellent reason for doubt. as Le Commerciel suggested. the perpetrators of the crime. forming a kind of seat with a back and footstool.
a sense of the necessity of some exertion to redivert this attention. The grass had grown around and over some of them. at once. ‘They were all mildeweddown hard. where it bad been doubled and folded. during the twenty days elapsing between the fatal Sunday and the afternoon upon which they were found by the boys. and stuck together from mildew.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe minds.’ In respect to the grass having ‘. although Le Soleil so supposes. The upper part.’ says Le Soleil. of two small boys. And thus. without attracting attention. and thus from the recollections. adopting the opinions of its predecessors. There is no real evidence. the idea of placing the articles where they were found. that the articles discovered had been more than a very few days in the thicket. the thicket of the Barrière du Roule having been already suspected. but the threads of it were run together within. for these boys removed the articles and took them home before they had been 341 of 419 .’ it is obvious that the fact could only have been ascertained from the words. and tore on being opened.grown around and over some of them. while there is much circumstantial proof that they could not have remained there. was all mildewed and rotten. ‘with the action of the rain. The silk of the parasol was strong. might have been naturally entertained. there would have arisen.
is be really unaware of the nature of this mildew? Is he to be told that it is one of the many classes of fungus. be entirely concealed from sight by the upspringing grass. at a glance. A parasol lying upon a newly turfed ground. Such a thing as an unexplored.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe seen by a third party. know the extreme difficulty of finding seclusion unless at a great distance from its suburbs. for a longer period than a single week for a longer period than from one Sunday to the next. it is exceedingly difficult to believe that these articles could have remained in the thicket specified. (such as was that of the period of the murder. Those who know any thing of the vicinity of Paris. especially in warm and damp weather. that what has been most triumphantly adduced in support of the idea that the articles bad been ‘for at least three or four weeks’ in the thicket. or even an unfrequently visited recess. might.) as much as two or three inches in a single day. in a single week. But grass will grow. And touching that mildew upon which the editor of Le Soleil so pertinaciously insists. amid 342 of 419 . On the other hand. that he employs the word no less than three times in the brief paragraph just quoted. is most absurdly null as regards any evidence of that fact. of which the most ordinary feature is its upspringing and decadence within twenty-four hours? ‘Thus we see.
Here are the very nooks where the unwashed most abound . With sickness of the heart the wanderer will flee back to the polluted Paris as to a less odious because less incongruous sink of pollution.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe its woods or groves. released from the claims of labor. than the utter license of the country. not through love of the rural. the town blackguard seeks the precincts of the town. He will seek privacy amid the densest foliage.let any such one attempt. at the road-side inn. being at heart a lover of nature. At every second step. or beneath the foliage of the 343 of 419 . He desires less the fresh air and the green trees. how much more so on the Sabbath! It is now especially that. is yet chained by duty to the dust and heat of this great metropolis . or deprived of the customary opportunities of crime. is not for a moment to be imagined. all in vain. But if the vicinity of the city is so beset during the working days of the week.here are the temples most desecrate. which in his heart he despises. he will find the growing charm dispelled by the voice and personal intrusion of some ruffian or party of carousing blackguards. even during the weekdays. Here. Let any one who. but by way of escape from the restraints and conventionalities of society. to slake his thirst for solitude amid the scenes of natural loveliness which immediately surround us.
of course. You will find that the discovery followed. Collate this with the date of the fifth extract made by myself from the newspapers. and to the neighborhood of the Barrière du Roule as its scene. let me direct your notice to the date of the discovery of the articles. Now here. he indulges.the joint offspring of liberty and of rum. although various and apparently from various sources. for a longer period .. the suspicion is not that. ‘But there are not wanting other grounds for the suspicion that the articles were placed in the thicket with the view of diverting attention from the real scene of the outrage. almost immediately.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe woods. the directing of attention to a gang as the perpetrators of the outrage. And. These communications. in all the mad excess of a counterfeit hilarity . first. is to be looked upon as little less than miraculous. I say nothing more than what must be obvious to every dispassionate observer.viz. tended all to the same point . when I repeat that the circumstance of the articles in question having remained undiscovered. in any thicket in the immediate neighborhood of Paris. unchecked by any eye except those of his boon companions. in consequence of these 344 of 419 .than from one Sunday to another. the urgent communications sent to the evening paper.
Within its naturally walled enclosure were three extraordinary stones. within a few rods. and enthroned upon its natural throne? Those who would hesitate at such a wager. was in the immediate vicinity. for a 345 of 419 . having been deposited there only at so late a period as at the date. for the reason that the articles had not before been in the thicket. but the suspicion might and may well have been.an exceedingly singular one. or shortly prior to the date of the communications by the guilty authors of these communications themselves.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe communications. so full of a natural art. I repeat — it is exceedingly hard to comprehend how the articles could have remained in this thicket undiscovered. ‘This thicket was a singular . And this thicket. It was unusually dense. the articles were found by the boys.a wager of one thousand to one — that a day never passed over the heads of these boys without finding at least one of them ensconced in the umbrageous hall. or have forgotten the boyish nature. Would it be a rash wager . whose boys were in the habit of closely examining the shrubberies about them in search of the bark of the sassafras. that the articles were not before found by the boys. have either never been boys themselves. forming a seat with a back and footstool. or of the public attention by them directed. of the dwelling of Madame Deluc.
but the petticoat and the scarf are found deposited as if upon shelves. on the second a silk scarf.’ . gloves. ‘But there are still other and stronger reasons for believing them so deposited. in spite of the dogmatic ignorance of Le Soleil. In the narrow limits of that bower.’ Here is just such an arrangement as would naturally be made by a not overacute person wishing to dispose the articles naturally. I should rather have looked to see the things all lying on the ground and trampled under foot.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe longer period than one or two days.’ it is said. the bushes were broken. and a pocket-handkerchief bearing the name. and that thus there is good ground for suspicion. let me beg your notice to the highly artificial arrangement of the articles. ‘of a struggle. and the earth was trampled. deposited where found. at a comparatively late date. were a parasol. when subjected to the brushing to and fro of many struggling persons. ‘There was evidence. than any which I have as yet urged. On the upper stone lay a white petticoat. scattered around. now. that they were. ‘Marie Rogêt. And. it would have been scarcely possible that the petticoat and scarf should have retained a position upon the stones. ‘The pieces of the frock torn out by the bushes were about three inches wide and six 346 of 419 . But it is by no means a really natural arrangement.
in almost every case. Le Soleil has employed an exceedingly suspicious phrase.’ but purposely and by hand.’ I never so knew it. The pieces. by the agency of a thorn. One part was the hem of the frock and it had been mended. will be. They looked like strips torn off. tears them rectangularly . it be a pocket. the 347 of 419 . could only be effected by a miracle through the agency of thorns. nor did you.’ from any garment such as is now in question. will the one force serve the purpose.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe inches long. It is one of the rarest of accidents that a piece is ‘torn off. do indeed ‘look like strips torn off. as described. But in the present case the question is of a dress. required. presenting but one edge.’ Here. inadvertently. and meeting at an apex where the thorn enters . then. and it is desired to tear from it a slip.divides them into two longitudinal rents. for example. at right angles with each other. two thorns will be necessary. To tear a piece off from such fabric. If there be two edges to the fabric . in different directions. where no edge is presented. From the very nature of such fabrics. a thorn or nail becoming entangled in them. and no one thorn could accomplish it. even where an edge is presented.but it is scarcely possible to conceive the piece ‘torn off. two distinct forces.handkerchief.if. But. and then only. operating. To tear a piece from the interior.
I say.’ . You will not have apprehended me rightly. yet. There might have been a wrong here. they form. less of reasonable ground for suspicion. not the hem. What I have adduced.that is to say. this is a point of minor importance. but to produce the perpetrators of the murder. ‘And one part. than the one startling circumstance of the articles’ having been left in this thicket at all. notwithstanding the minuteness with which I 348 of 419 . was torn completely out through the agency of thorns. however.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe one in two distinct directions. If hemmed.’ yet we are required to believe not only that one piece but that many have been so torn. and the other in one. We thus see the numerous and great obstacles in the way of pieces being ‘torn off’ through the simple agency of ‘thorns. from the uncaged interior of the dress! These. We are not engaged in an attempt to discover the scene. But.’ too. more possibly. are things which one may well be pardoned for disbelieving. if you suppose it my design to deny this thicket as the scene of the outrage. the matter is nearly out of the question. taken collectedly. ‘was the hem of the frock!’ Another piece was ‘part of the skirt. or. And this in the supposition that the edge is unhemmed. an accident at Madame Deluc’s. by any murderers who had enough precaution to think of removing the corpse. perhaps. in fact.
to bring you.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe have adduced it. has been with the view. But do they not rather demonstrate the absence of a gang? What struggle could have taken place . in regard to the number of ruffians. ‘We will resume this question by mere allusion to the revolting details of the surgeon examined at the inquest. are applicable in 349 of 419 . The victim must have been absolutely passive at their will.between a weak and defenceless girl and the gang of ruffians imagined? The silent grasp of a few rough arms and all would have been over.’ and let me ask what these traces have been supposed to demonstrate. Not that the matter might not have been as inferred. A gang. to a further contemplation of the doubt whether this assassination has. have been properly ridiculed as unjust and totally baseless.what struggle so violent and so enduring as to have left its ‘traces’ in all directions . first. but secondly and chiefly. by the most natural route. You will here bear in mind that the arguments urged against the thicket as the scene. to show the folly of the positive and headlong assertions of Le Soleil. or has not been. It is only necessary to say that is published inferences. the work of a gang.was there not much for another? ‘Let us reflect now upon ‘the traces of a struggle. but that there was no ground for the inference: . by all the reputable anatomists of Paris.
and yet a more positive evidence than the corpse itself (whose features might have been quickly obliterated by decay. only against it as the scene of an outrage committed by more than a single individual.) is allowed to lie conspicuously in the scene of the outrage . Let us see. An individual has committed the murder. His is none of that confidence which the presence of numbers inevitably inspires.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe chief part. we can conceive. and there is abundant room in his heart for the natural awe of the deed. If we imagine but one violator. It seems almost impossible that these evidences of guilt should have been accidentally left where found. He trembles 350 of 419 . If this was accident. He is alone with the ghost of the departed. He is alone with the dead. ‘And again. and thus only conceive. I have already mentioned the suspicion to be excited by the fact that the articles in question were suffered to remain at all in the thicket where discovered. the struggle of so violent and so obstinate a nature as to have left the ‘traces’ apparent. The fury of his passion is over. We can imagine it only the accident of an individual. There was sufficient presence of mind (it is supposed) to remove the corpse. He is appalled by what lies motionless before him.I allude to the handkerchief with the name of the deceased. it was not the accident of a gang.
and is bewildered. if.which would have power to urge the return of that lonely murderer over that toilsome and perilous path. But now what treasure does the world hold . He could not return if he would. to the thicket and its blood chilling recollections? He returns not. indeed confidence is ever wanting in the breast of the arrant blackguard. and it will be easy to return for what is left.what threat of vengeance could it hold out .eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create.perhaps through the medium of a boat. Yet there is a necessity for disposing of the corpse. view. let the consequences be what they may. Download the free trial version. and edit PDF. in time and by long and frequent pauses of deep agony. for it is difficult. He turns his back forever upon those dreadful shrubberies and flees as from the wrath to come. ‘But how with a gang? Their number would have inspired them with confidence. if not impossible to carry all the burthen at once. The sounds of life encompass his path. But in his toilsome journey to the water his fears redouble within him. Even the very lights from the city bewilder him. he reaches the river’s brink. He bears it to the river. A dozen times he hears or fancies the step of an observer. Yet. and disposes of his ghastly charge . and of arrant blackguards alone are the supposed gangs ever 351 of 419 . but leaves behind him the other evidences of guilt. His sole thought is immediate escape.
would have prevented the bewildering and unreasoning terror which I have imagined to paralyze the single man. for the purpose of 352 of 419 .The Works of Edgar Allan Poe constituted. There would have been no need of return. The device is that of a single individual. But would any number of men hare dreamed of resorting to such an expedient? To three or four. the limbs of the corpse would have afforded not only a sufficient. for their number would have enabled them to carry all at once.’ This was done with the obvious design of affording a handle by which to carry the body. ‘Consider now the circumstance that in the outer garment of the corpse when found. ‘a slip. but the best possible hold. and secured by a sort of hitch in the back. the rails of the fences were found taken down. Could we suppose an oversight in one. or three. Their number. They would have left nothing behind them. this oversight would have been remedied by a fourth. or two. I say. about a foot wide had been torn upward from the bottom hem to the waist wound three times round the waist. and this brings us to the fact that ‘between the thicket and the river. and the ground bore evident traces of some heavy burden having been dragged along it!’ But would a number of men have put themselves to the superfluous trouble of taking down a fence.
in some measure. That it was not through want of a handkerchief for the purpose imagined by Le Commerciel. ‘of one of the unfortunate girl’s petticoats was torn out and tied under her chin. and secured with a hard knot.’ ‘I have before suggested that a genuine blackguard is never without a pocket-handkerchief. fitting loosely. is rendered apparent by the handkerchief left in the thicket. that this bandage was employed. and that the object was not ‘to prevent screams’ appears. commented. But it is not to this fact that I now especially advert. But the language of the evidence speaks of the strip in question as ‘found around the neck. This was done by fellows who had no pocket-handkerchiefs. also.’ says this journal. ‘A piece. probably to prevent screams. an observation upon which I have already. from the bandage having been employed in preference to what would so much better have answered the purpose. but differ materially from those of Le Commerciel. and around the back of her head. 353.’ These words are sufficiently vague.
the murderer bethought him. It was easier to tear a new slip from the petticoat. found the weight.the evidence goes to show that it wasdragged. And thus rumpled it was discovered. made it fast about the neck.’ only attainable with trouble and delay. it became necessary to attach something like a rope to one of the extremities. It could be best attached about the neck. having borne the corpse. And. but for its volution about the corpse. where the head would prevent its slipping off. the hitch which embarrassed it. and so dragged his victim to the brink of the river. He tore it. too much for his strength. of the bandage about the loins. in this mode of procedure. and but imperfectly answering its purpose . My inference is this. and therefore. He would have used this. although of muslin. would form a strong band when folded or rumpled longitudinally. He resolved to drag the burthen . now.that this bandage was employed at all. for some distance. demonstrates that the necessity for its employment sprang from circumstances arising at a 354 of 419 . (whether from the thicket or elsewhere) by means of the bandage hitched around its middle. That this ‘bandage. and the reflection that it had not been ‘torn off’ from the garment. unquestionably. The solitary murderer.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe The slip was eighteen inches wide. With this object in view.
you will say. This I grant. is the only gang which is represented by that honest and scrupulous old lady as having eaten her cakes and swallowed her brandy. in the vicinity of the thicket. But the gang which has drawn upon itself the pointed animadversion.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe period when the handkerchief was no longer attainable — that is to say. and recrossed the river as if in great haste. behaved boisterously. in and about the vicinity of the Barrière du Roule at or about the period of this tragedy. returned to the inn about dusk. at or about the epoch of the murder. such as described by Madame Deluc. followed in the route of the young man and girl.’ 355 of 419 . although the somewhat tardy and very suspicious evidence of Madame Deluc. without putting themselves to the trouble of making her payment. ‘But the evidence. of Madame Deluc. (if the thicket it was). and on the road between the thicket and the river. I doubt if there were not a dozen gangs. (!) points especially to the presence of a gang. after quitting the thicket. ate and drank without making payment. Et hinc illæ iræ? ‘But what is the precise evidence of Madame Deluc? ‘A gang of miscreants made their appearance. as we have imagined. arising.
should she make a point of the haste? It is no cause for wonder. in all the many reports of the evidence. dark.’ is. And although. the relative expressions in question are 356 of 419 . since she dwelt lingeringly and lamentingly upon her violated cakes and ale . otherwise. since it was about dusk.’ And in what words does Madame Deluc designate the period of the evening at which these screams were heard? ‘It was soon after dark. when storm impends. as well as her eldest son. It was only about dusk that the indecent haste of these ‘miscreants’ offended the sober eyes of Madame Deluc.cakes and ale for which she might still have entertained a faint hope of compensation. ‘I say approaches.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘Now this ‘great haste’ very possibly seemed greater haste in the eyes of Madame Deluc. that even a gang of blackguards should make haste to get home. when a wide river is to be crossed in small boats.’ she says. and’about dusk’ is as certainly daylight. at least. for the night had not yet arrived. Thus it is abundantly clear that the gang quitted the Barrière du Roule prior to the screams overheard (?) by Madame Deluc. and when night approaches. But ‘soon after dark. But we are told that it was upon this very evening that Madame Deluc. ‘heard the screams of a female in the vicinity of the inn. surely. Why.
that some member of a gang of low ruffians. in fact. but this one has. no notice whatever of the gross discrepancy has. is the very best of proof that it is. or two. That the secret has not been divulged. as fearful of betrayal. in the thicket at the Barrière du Roule. Under the circumstances of large reward offered. for a moment. or anxious for escape. or at least by an intimate and secret associate of the 357 of 419 . it is not to be imagined. The horrors of this dark deed are known only to one. by a lover. been taken by any of the public journals. and to God. living human beings. ‘Let us sum up now the meagre yet certain fruits of our long analysis. or by any of the Myrmidons of police. as yet. Each one of a gang so placed. He betrays eagerly and early that he may not himself be betrayed. to my own understanding at least. and full pardon to any King’s evidence.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe distinctly and invariably employed just as I have employed them in this conversation with yourself. is not so much greedy of reward. or of a murder perpetrated. would not long ago have betrayed his accomplices. ‘I shall add but one to the arguments against a gang. a weight altogether irresistible. or of any body of men. We have attained the idea either of a fatal accident under the roof of Madame Deluc. a secret.
tends to blend the idea of this seaman with that of the ‘naval officer’ who is first known to have led the unfortunate into crime. point to a seaman. ‘And here. it was no common swarthiness which constituted the sole point of remembrance. His companionship with the deceased. both as regards Valence and Madame Deluc. the ‘hitch’ in the bandage. through dread of being charged with the murder. But it may be said that this man lives. The circumstance of the first elopement. Let me pause to observe that the complexion of this man is dark and swarthy. and the ‘sailor’s knot. This complexion. most fitly. comes the consideration of the continued absence of him of the dark complexion. why are there only traces of the assassinated girl? The scene of the two outrages will naturally be supposed identical. as mentioned by Le Mercurie. a gay. designates him as above the grade of the common sailor. but not an abject young girl. This associate is of swarthy complexion.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe deceased. 358 of 419 . But why is this man absent? Was he murdered by the gang? If so. Here the well written and urgent communications to the journals are much in the way of corroboration.’ with which the bonnet-ribbon is tied. and is deterred from making himself known. And where is his corpse? The assassins would most probably have disposed of both in the same way.
We cannot suppose him. if alive. The denouncing of the assassins would have appeared. Let us carefully compare with each other the various communications sent to the evening paper.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe This consideration might be supposed to operate upon him now . both innocent himself and incognizant of an outrage committed. in the denouncement of the assassins. the surest and sole means of relieving himself from suspicion. on the night of the fatal Sunday.since it has been given in evidence that he was seen with Marie . Let us know the full history of ‘the officer.at this late period . Yet only under such circumstances is it possible to imagine that he would have failed. in which the object was to inculpate a gang. He had crossed the river with her in an open ferry-boat. of attaining the truth? We shall find these means multiplying and gathering distinctness as we proceed. ‘And what means are ours. even to an idiot. This policy would have suggested. The first impulse of an innocent man would have been to announce the outrage. This done. and his whereabouts at the precise period of the murder.’ with his present circumstances. Let us sift to the bottom this affair of the first elopement.but it would have had no force at the period of the deed. He had been seen with the girl. let us compare 359 of 419 . and to aid in identifying the ruffians.
without the cognizance of the officer in attendance. information on this particular point (or upon others) . Valence. of the officer. but the rudder is at hand. let us again compare these various communications with the known MSS. with those sent to the morning paper. And. by one altogether at ease in heart. and insisting so vehemently upon the guilt of Mennais.information which the parties themselves may not even be aware of possessing. for not only can the bargeman who picked it up identify it. The rudder of a sail-boat would not have been abandoned. by repeated questionings of Madame Deluc and her boys. Let us endeavor to ascertain. With a proper caution and perseverance we shall infallibly trace this boat. without inquiry.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe these communications. and without the rudder. will not fail to elicit. at some period prior to the discovery of the corpse. skilfully directed. And let us now trace the boatpicked up by the bargeman on the morning of Monday the twenty-third of June.’ Queries.. as well as of the omnibus driver. all this done. There was no 360 of 419 . And here let me pause to insinuate a question. something more of the personal appearance and bearing of the ‘man of dark complexion. both as regards style and MS. from some of these parties. and which was removed from the barge-office. at a previous period.
Any risk would have 361 of 419 . he would unquestionably have noticed his oversight. In the act of consigning the corpse to the water. This would naturally have been the case.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe advertisement of the picking up of this boat. at so early a period as Tuesday morning.some personal permanent connexion leading to cognizance of its minute in interests . to be informed. and as silently removed. That the body was found without weight is also corroborative of the idea. It was silently taken to the barge-office. without the agency of advertisement.how happened he. But its owner or employer . We can only account for its absence by supposing the murderer to have neglected the precaution of supplying himself with it before pushing off.its petty local news? ‘In speaking of the lonely assassin dragging his burden to the shore. Now we are to understand that Marie Rogêt was precipitated from a boat. of the locality of the boat taken up on Monday. I have already suggested the probability of his availing himself of a boat. The corpse could not have been trusted to the shallow waters of the shore. If thrown from the shore a weight would have been attached. The peculiar marks on the back and shoulders of the victim tell of the bottom ribs of a boat. but then no remedy would have been at hand. unless we imagine some connexion with the navy .
Having rid himself of his ghastly charge. the dawn of our success shall begin. perhaps. the murderer would have hastened to the city.at a locality. 362 of 419 . Moreover. to him who employed it in the midnight of the fatal Sabbath. Now where is that rudderless boat? Let it be one of our first purposes to discover. His natural thought would have been to cast from him.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe been preferred to a return to that accursed shore. He would not only have fled from the wharf. with a rapidity which will surprise even ourselves. . But the boat . The next night. but he would not have permitted the boat to remain. without daring to ask for the rudder. There. the wretch is stricken with unutterable horror at finding that the boat has been picked up and detained at a locality which he is in the daily habit of frequenting . he would have leaped on land. Let us pursue our fancies.In the morning. in fastening it to the wharf.would he have secured it? He would have been in too great haste for such things as securing a boat. which his duty compels him to frequent. all that had held connection with his crime. as far as possible. With the first glimpse we obtain of it. This boat shall guide us. he removes it. Assuredly he would have cast it adrift. at some obscure wharf. he would have felt as if securing evidence against himself.
of power. What I have said above upon this topic must suffice. and edit PDF. will deny. such portion as details the following up of the apparently slight clew obtained by Dupin. and not. but that we insult him in imagining a possible necessity for modification. That the latter. We feel it advisable only to state.Eds. and that the Prefect fulfilled punctually.eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. no man who thinks. placed in our hands. from the MSS. can. Download the free trial version.’ for the question is of will. That Nature and its God are two.’ [For reasons which we shall not specify. It is not that the Deity cannot modify his laws. view. is also unquestionable. in brief. {*23}] It will be understood that I speak of coincidences and no more. In my own heart there dwells no faith in præternature. but which to many readers will appear obvious. Mr. although with reluctance. creating the former. control or modify it. I say ‘at will. In their origin these laws were fashioned to embrace all 363 of 419 . we have taken the liberty of here omitting. and the murderer will be traced. that the result desired was brought to pass. at will. . Poe’s article concludes with the following words. the terms of his compact with the Chevalier. Corroboration will rise upon corroboration. as the insanity of logic has assumed.
it is my covert design to hint at an extension of the parallel. But let it not for a moment be supposed that. in arithmetic. or even to suggest that the measures adopted in Paris for the discovery of the assassin of a grisette. I say all this will be seen. in respect to the latter branch of the supposition. For. would produce any similar result. may be 364 of 419 . and in tracing to its dénouement the mystery which enshrouded her. in its own individuality. by diverting thoroughly the two courses of events. and the fate of one Marie Rogêt up to a certain epoch in her history. that I speak of these things only as of coincidences. there has existed a parallel in the contemplation of whose wonderful exactitude the reason becomes embarrassed. With God all is Now. in proceeding with the sad narrative of Marie from the epoch just mentioned. I repeat. an error which. very much as.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe contingencies which could lie in the Future. or measures founded in any similar ratiocination. so far as that fate is known. And farther: in what I relate it will be seen that between the fate of the unhappy Mary Cecilia Rogers. it should be considered that the most trifling variation in the facts of the two cases might give rise to the most important miscalculations. then.
The Works of Edgar Allan Poe inappreciable. subject only to the influence of the various other throws which may be made by the dice. can have influence upon the throw which exists only in the Future. and which lie now absolutely in the Past. in regard to the former branch. we must not fail to hold in view that the very Calculus of Probabilities to which I have referred. It does not appear that the two throws which have been completed. at length. is sufficient cause for betting the largest odds that sixes will not be thrown in the third attempt. for example.forbids it with a positiveness strong and decided just in proportion as this parallel has already been long-drawn and exact. is yet one which only the mathematician can fully entertain. forbids all idea of the extension of the parallel: . seemingly appealing to thought altogether apart from the mathematical. The chance for throwing sixes seems to be precisely as it was at any ordinary time . This is one of those anomalous propositions which. And this is a reflection 365 of 419 . And. produces. Nothing.that is to say. by dint of multiplication at all points of the process. a result enormously at variance with truth. is more difficult than to convince the merely general reader that the fact of sixes having been thrown twice in succession by a player at dice. A suggestion to this effect is usually rejected by the intellect at once.
a gross error redolent of mischief . although her death occasioned an intense and long-enduring excitement.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe which appears so exceedingly obvious that attempts to controvert it are received more frequently with a derisive smile than with anything like respectful attention. was murdered in the vicinity of New York. the essential. the author has followed in minute detail. while merely paralleling the inessential facts of the real murder of Mary 366 of 419 . 1842). The error here involved . and. Herein. A young girl. the mystery attending it had remained unsolved at the period when the present paper was written and published (November.I cannot pretend to expose within the limits assigned me at present. but the lapse of several years since the tragedy upon which the tale is based.’ the foot-notes now appended were considered unnecessary. It may be sufficient here to say that it forms one of an infinite series of mistakes which arise in the path or Reason through her propensity for seeking truth in detail. renders it expedient to give them. and with the philosophical it needs no exposure. FOOTNOTES—Marie Rogêt {*1} Upon the original publication of ‘Marie Roget. and also to say a few words in explanation of the general design. under pretence of relating the fate of a Parisian grisette. Mary Cecilia Rogers.
Thus all argument founded upon the fiction is applicable to the truth: and the investigation of the truth was the object. {*4} Anderson. {*7} Payne.’ edited by H. It may not be improper to record. {*2} The nom de plume of Von Hardenburg. but absolutely all the chief hypothetical details by which that conclusion was attained. and visited the localities. at different periods.’ (*10} The New York ‘Brother Jonathan. in full.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Rogers. that the confessions of two persons. nevertheless. {*6} Weehawken. Esq. not only the general conclusion. {*5} The Hudson. {*3} Nassau Street. The ‘Mystery of Marie Roget’ was composed at a distance from the scene of the atrocity. {*9} The New York ‘Mercury. 367 of 419 . Thus much escaped the writer of which he could have availed himself had he been upon the spot. confirmed. (one of them the Madame Deluc of the narrative) made. {*8} Crommelin. long subsequent to the publication. and with no other means of investigation than the newspapers afforded. Hastings Weld.
will cease to value them according to their results.’ {*15} The New York ‘Commercial Advertiser. 368 of 419 . Thus the jurisprudence of every nation will show that.’ {*20} Mennais was one of the parties originally suspected and arrested. {*13} Adam {*14} See ‘Murders in the Rue Morgue. The errors into which a blind devotion to principles of classification has led the common law. {*17} New York ‘Express. Stone.’ edited by Col.’ edited by C. and he who arranges topics in reference to their causes. when law becomes a science and a system.’ (*12} Philadelphia ‘Saturday Evening Post. {*16} ‘A theory based on the qualities of an object.’ {*18} NewYork ‘Herald.Landor. Esq.’ {*19} New York ‘Courier and Inquirer.’ . will prevent its being unfolded according to its objects. but discharged through total lack of evidence. I. will be seen by observing how often the legislature has been obliged to come forward to restore the equity its scheme had lost. it ceases to be justice.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe {*11} New York ‘Journal of Commerce. Peterson.
’ {*22} New York ‘Evening Post. 369 of 419 .The Works of Edgar Allan Poe {*21} New York ‘Courier and Inquirer.’ {*23} Of the Magazine in which the article was originally published.
Monck Mason’s Flying Machine ! . ‘Victoria. S. The rush for the ‘sole paper which had the news. Robert Holland. and. in the ‘New York Sun. it will be difficult to assign a reason why she should not have accomplished it. if (as some assert) the ‘Victoria’ did not absolutely accomplish the voyage recorded. Henson.’ after a passage of Seventy-five Hours from Land to Land ! Full Particulars of the Voyage! The subjoined jeu d’esprit with the preceding heading in magnificent capitals. and four others. via Norfolk ! . in the Steering Balloon. Mr. Mr.C.’ was something beyond even the prodigious . near Charlestown.] 370 of 419 . and therein fully subserved the purpose of creating indigestible aliment for the quidnuncs during the few hours intervening between a couple of the Charleston mails. Harrison Ainsworth. Mason.’ a daily newspaper..The Atlantic crossed in Three Days ! Signal Triumph of Mr. as matter of fact. well interspersed with notes of admiration.Arrival at Sullivan’s Island. Mr. was originally published. of Mr.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe THE BALLOON-HOAX [Astounding News by Express. in fact.
has been subdued by science. by Sir Everard Bringhurst . A. The particulars furnished below may be relied on as authentic and accurate in every respect. with a slight exception. the 9th instant.and in the inconceivably brief period of seventy-five hours from shore to shore ! By the energy of an agent at Charleston. as well as the earth and the ocean.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe THE great problem is at length solved ! The air. The Atlantic has been actually crossed in a Balloon! and this too without difficulty without any great apparent danger .C. Monck Mason and Mr. at 11. author of ‘Jack Sheppard. and 2.. on Tuesday. Robert Holland. and Mr. Harrison Ainsworth. P. the 6th instant.with two seamen from Woolwich . the well-known æronauts . which was performed between Saturday. as. eight persons. to whose politeness our agent is also indebted for much verbal information respecting the balloon itself. the projector of the late unsuccessful flying machine . and will become a common and convenient highway for mankind. Mr. Mr. a nephew of Lord Bentinck’s . S. they are copied verbatim from the joint diaries of Mr. Monck Mason and Mr.M..M. Harrison Ainsworth. Osborne. Henson.with thorough control of the machine . 371 of 419 . Mr. .’ &c.in all. we are enabled to be the first to furnish the public with a detailed account of this most extraordinary voyage..
of late .had much weakened the public interest in the subject of aerial navigation.a fact which sufficiently demonstrates their inutility . The only propelling force it ever exhibited. and other matters of interest. the whole fabric would necessarily descend. But. Mr. ‘Two very decided failures. was the mere impetus acquired from the descent of the inclined plane . Henson’s scheme (which at first was considered very feasible even by men of science. The only alteration in the MS.) was founded upon the principle of an inclined plane. than when they were in motion . it was found that the operation of these fans not only did not propel the machine. and in the absence of the propelling. which was also the sustaining power. applied and continued by the revolution of impinging vanes.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe its construction. but actually impeded its flight. received.those of Mr. ‘THE BALLOON. Mr. This 372 of 419 . in all the experiments made with models at the Adelaide Gallery. Henson and Sir George Cayley . has been made for the purpose of throwing the hurried account of our agent. in form and number resembling the vanes of a windmill. and this impetus carried the machine farther when the vanes were at rest. Forsyth. into a connected and intelligible form. started from an eminence by an extrinsic force.
He exhibited a model of his invention at the Polytechnic Institution.rightly attributing the failure of Mr. was here.’ occasioned so much excitement in 1837. however. or power. but were found entirely ineffectual in moving the balloon.height. to a balloon . also.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe consideration led Sir George Cayley to think only of adapting a propeller to some machine having of itself an independent power of support . Its length was thirteen feet six inches . ‘It was at this juncture that Mr.in a word. The propelling principle. with Sir George. but afterward removed his model to the Adelaide Gallery. or original. ‘Like Sir George Cayley’s balloon. his own was an ellipsoid. or in aiding its ascending power. to the interruption of surface in the independent vanes. The whole project was thus a complete failure. the idea. 373 of 419 . He made the first public experiment at Willis’s Rooms.) conceived the idea of employing the principle of the Archimedean screw for the purpose of propulsion through the air . being novel. ‘Nassau. Henson’s scheme. These vanes were four in number. and of Sir George Cayley’s. applied to interrupted surfaces. only so far as regards the mode of its application to practice. put in revolution. or vanes. Monck Mason (whose voyage from Dover to Weilburg in the balloon.
These radii are connected at the outer extremities by two bands of flattened wire . and tightened so as to present a tolerably uniform surface. connecting the screw with 374 of 419 . The weight of the whole machine and apparatus was seventeen pounds leaving about four pounds to spare. In the lower ends of these tubes are holes in which the pivots of the axis revolve. and rigged on to the balloon itself with a network in the customary manner. about nine feet long. Beneath the centre of the balloon. pass a series of steel wire radii. was a frame of light wood. through which. before the gas has time to deteriorate or escape.the whole in this manner forming the framework of the screw. which is completed by a covering of oiled silk cut into gores. would support twenty-one pounds upon its first inflation. and thus projecting a foot on either side. proceeds a shaft of steel. From this framework was suspended a wicker basket or car. which. if pure hydrogen. At each end of its axis this screw is supported by pillars of hollow brass tube descending from the hoop. It contained about three hundred and twenty cubic feet of gas. eighteen inches in length. two feet long. From the end of the axis which is next the car. ‘The screw consists of an axis of hollow brass tube.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe six feet eight inches. upon a semispiral inclined at fifteen degrees.
‘This model (which. The spring was of great power.eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. It could be turned flat. being capable of raising forty-five pounds upon a barrel of four inches diameter. and thus enabled the æronaut to transfer the resistance of the air which in an inclined position it must generate in its passage. strange to say. after the first turn. although. Its weight was about two ounces. the pinion of a piece of spring machinery fixed in the car. one foot. It weighed. and was about three feet long. and edit PDF.) was put in action at the Adelaide Gallery. through want of time. as well as to the right or left . communicating a progressive motion to the whole. shaped somewhat like a battledoor. Download the free trial version. and at the widest. where it accomplished a velocity of five miles per hour. the machine was readily turned in any direction. and directed upwards or downwards. By means of the rudder. the screw is made to revolve with great rapidity. By the operation of this spring. compared with its dimensions. to any side upon which he might desire to act . view. eight pounds six ounces. and gradually increasing as it was wound up. it excited very little interest in comparison with the previous 375 of 419 . The rudder was a light frame of cane covered with silk. altogether. we have necessarily described in an imperfect manner. thus determining the balloon in the opposite direction.
and especially for the interest they have exhibited in the progress of ærostation. Mason of the ultimate success of his invention. Ainsworth. To accomplish the great desideratum of ærial navigation. Mr. a balloon of sufficient capacity to test the question by a voyage of some extent the original design being to cross the British Channel.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe complex machine of Mr. ‘So well satisfied. at the desire of Mr. two gentlemen well known for scientific acquirement. The project. that he determined to construct immediately. Henson. was admitted 376 of 419 . in Wales. it was very generally supposed that some exceedingly complicated application must be made of some unusually profound principle in dynamics.) at the seat of the latter gentleman near Penstruthal. as before. however. he solicited and obtained the patronage of Sir Everard Bringhurst and Mr. was Mr.so resolute is the world to despise anything which carries with it an air of simplicity. Holland. in the Nassau balloon. Osborne. if possible. Mr.the only persons entrusted with the design being those actually engaged in the construction of the machine. Osborne. Mason. Osborne. Sir Everard Bringhurst. which was built (under the superintendence of Mr. and Mr. To carry out his views. accompanied by his friend Mr. Henson . was kept a profound secret from the public .
but uncertain. but is easily procured and managed. in the course of a day or two. the supporting power of the machine. owing to its extreme subtlety. varnished with the liquid gum caoutchouc. have frequently been wasted in futile attempts to procure a sufficiency of hydrogen to fill a balloon. and even three days. we are indebted to Mr. is not more than about 2500 pounds.when the two gentlemen made final arrangements to be included in the adventure. ‘For its introduction into common use for purposes of aerostation. Up to his discovery. The coal gas is not only much less costly. on Saturday last . Charles Green. but as coal gas was employed in place of the more expensive and inconvenient hydrogen. and immediately after inflation. It is of vast dimensions. from which it had great tendency to escape. Two. ‘The balloon is composed of silk. We are not informed for what reason the two seamen were also included in the party but.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe to a private view of the balloon. and its affinity for the surrounding 377 of 419 . the process of inflation was not only exceedingly expensive. we shall put our readers in possession of the minutest particulars respecting this extraordinary voyage. when fully inflated.000 cubic feet of gas . containing more than 40.
so as to dispense altogether with fire.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe atmosphere. for so frail looking a machine. water-casks. in proportion. It is formed of a light wicker. and various other indispensable matters. for six months. All these articles. were suspended from the hoop overhead. and is wonderfully strong. and a guide378 of 419 . telescopes. In a balloon sufficiently perfect to retain its contents of coal-gas unaltered. and the united weights of the party amounting only to about 1200. ‘The supporting power being estimated at 2500 pounds. barrels containing provision for a fortnight. contrived for warming coffee by means of slack-lime. barometers. than that of the model .by cordage. with their respective weights marked upon them . The rudder is also very much larger. in proportion. and the screw is considerably smaller. The balloon is furnished besides with a grapnel. arranged in bags of different sizes. an equal quantity of hydrogen could not be maintained in equal purity for six weeks. in quantity or amount. with the exception of the ballast. including a coffee-warmer. carpet-bags. The car is much smaller and lighter. Its rim is about four feet deep. cloaks. of which again 1200 was exhausted by ballast. there was left a surplus of 1300. than the one appended to the model. if it should be judged prudent to do so. and a few trifles.
) the permission of the escape of gas from the valve . the only recourse is. (or rather was. is a proportionate general loss of ascending power . ‘As soon as the balloon quits the earth. For example. This was the great obstacle to voyages of length. This ballast being discarded. in a comparatively brief period. It is merely a very long rope which is suffered to trail from the car. will here be necessary for such of our readers as are not conversant with the details of aerostation. but. and a clear sunshine evaporating the dew. until Mr. and the effect of which is 379 of 419 .The Works of Edgar Allan Poe rope . To check this ascent. in explanation. augmenting or diminishing its ascending power. the best-constructed balloon must necessarily exhaust all its resources. or the machine may descend. there may be a deposition of dew upon the silk. to the extent. it is subjected to the influence of many circumstances tending to create a difference in its weight . in the loss of gas. even. and at the same time expanding the gas in the silk. so that. A few words. ‘The guide-rope remedies the difficulty in the simplest manner conceivable. the whole will again rapidly ascend. ballast has then to be thrown out. Green’s invention of the guide-rope. which latter is of the most indispensable importance. of several hundred pounds . and come to the earth.
on the other hand. and serve all the purposes of a mere rope on land. Another most important office of the guiderope. there should be a deposition of moisture upon the silk. is to point out the direction of the balloon.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe to prevent the balloon from changing its level in any material degree. The rope drags. it becomes necessary to employ small kegs of copper or wood. the balloon can neither ascend or descend. is always in advance. and consequent ascent. or counteracted. If. Thus. this levity is immediately counteracted by the additional weight of rope upraised from the earth. in an exactly just proportion. when any progress whatever is made : a comparison. while the balloon is free . for example. of the relative positions of the two 380 of 419 . If. either on land or sea. for it is remedied. either in gas or ballast. These float. and its resources. by the deposit on the ground of just so much of the end of the rope as is necessary. there will be no necessity for discharging ballast to remedy the increase of weight. consequently. and the machine begins to descend in consequence. except within very narrow limits. remain comparatively unimpaired. any circumstances should cause undue levity. filled with liquid ballast of a lighter nature than water. by means of the compass. When passing over an expanse of water. therefore. the latter.
the balloon was set free. and alight as near Paris as possible. the 6th instant. of either the screw or the rudder. that is to say. In the same way. as in the case of the Nassau voyage. the voyagers had taken the precaution to prepare themselves with passports directed to all parts of the Continent. the greater the velocity . Osborne’s seat. will always indicate the course. We proceed now with the journal. no use being made. specifying the nature of the expedition. and entitling the adventurers to exemption from the usual formalities of office : unexpected events. and the converse. for the first half hour. about a mile from Penstruthal. Mr. ‘The inflation was commenced very quietly at daybreak. in a direction nearly South . however. every thing being ready for departure. rising gently but steadily. rendered these passports superfluous. on Saturday morning. the farther the balloon precedes the end of the rope. indicates the velocity. as transcribed by Mr. the whole apparatus is stationary . but the larger the angle. When there is no angle in other words. Forsyth from 381 of 419 . when the rope hangs perpendicularly. in the Court-Yard of Weal-Vor House. in North Wales . and at 7 minutes past 11. the angle formed by the rope with the vertical axis of the machine. ‘As the original design was to cross the British Channel.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe objects.
and a P. as given. however. ‘Saturday. and so concluded to ascend for the present. and looked beautifully. In about ten minutes after starting. having been made over night. we commenced the inflation this morning at daybreak . Cut loose. and Mr.Every preparation likely to embarrass us. we did not get through before nearly eleven o’clock. is in the hand-writing of Mr. our ascent became very rapid. each day. . which bore us in the direction of the British Channel. and will shortly give the public a more minute. April the 6th. and more in the sun’s rays. we still went up very rapidly. and no doubt. and rose gently but steadily. Mason. then. with a light breeze at North. The body of the journal. We soon ran out our guide-rope . is appended. Monck Mason. I did not wish. by Mr.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe the joint MSS. Ainsworth. The balloon was unusually steady. who has in preparation. in high spirits. ‘THE JOURNAL. to lose gas at so early a period of the adventure. the 382 of 419 . but even when we had raised it clear of the earth. and as we arose higher and so got clear of the cliffs. but owing to a thick fog. Ainsworth. Found the ascending force greater than we had expected . S. Of Mr. which encumbered the folds of the silk and rendered it unmanageable. a thrillingly interesting account of the voyage.
a most romantic one when seen from any point. We now resolved to let off enough gas to bring our guide-rope. with the seamen. Ainsworth. In about twenty minutes our first buoy dipped. In a few minutes we soared over them in fine style . and the pinnacles and crags to the South East.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe barometer indicated an altitude of 15. with the buoys affixed. The numerous deep gorges presented the appearance of lakes. resembling nothing so much as the giant cities of eastern fable. We were rapidly approaching the mountains in the South . the line of breakers on the coast appeared immediately beneath us. the tendency of great elevation in a balloon being to reduce inequalities of the surface below. At half-past eleven still proceeding nearly South. into the water. 383 of 419 . in fifteen minutes afterward. piled in inextricable confusion. This was immediately done. we obtained our first view of the Bristol Channel .000 feet. and the view of the subjacent country . to nearly a dead level. on account of the dense vapors with which they were filled. and. The weather was remarkably fine. and we were fairly out at sea. but our elevation was more than sufficient to enable us to pass them in safety. was surprised at their apparent want of altitude when viewed from the car. . and Mr. and we commenced a gradual descent.was now especially sublime.
when we set in motion the spring of the screw. By means of the rudder we instantly effected the necessary change of direction. (by a swaying of the car through some movement of one of the two seamen we had taken up. from the pivot of the axis of the screw. Upon this we gave nine hearty cheers. The steel rod connecting the spring with the propeller was suddenly jerked out of place. we became involved in a strong current of wind from the East. we remained stationary as to elevation. with rapidly increasing force. and dropped in the sea a bottle. our attention being completely absorbed. We were all now anxious to test the efficiency of the rudder and screw. We soon 384 of 419 . when an unforeseen accident occurred which discouraged us in no little degree. and we put them both into requisition forthwith. which bore us.) and in an instant hung dangling out of reach. and were rejoiced to find it propel us readily as desired. at the car end. towards the Atlantic. had we done with our rejoicings. While we were endeavoring to regain it. for the purpose of altering our direction more to the eastward. enclosing a slip of parchment with a brief account of the principle of the invention.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe and at the touch of the second soon afterwards. however. Hardly. and in a line for Paris. and our course was brought nearly at right angles to that of the wind .
and kept resolutely upon our course. before we had secured the rod. certainly. which (strange to say) met with objection from the two seamen only. we overruled their fears. at some forty miles to our North. than fifty or sixty miles an hour. as the gale freshened. however. we first threw out fifty pounds of ballast. a by no means unreasonable or chimerical proposition. make an attempt to reach the coast of North America.viz. and then wound up (by means of a windlass) so much of the rope as brought it quite clear of the sea.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe found ourselves driving out to sea at the rate of not less. and. After slight reflection I gave a willing assent to this bold proposition. and we had the balloon abundantly at command. and had time to think what we were about. but as the trailing of the buoys materially impeded our progress.: that we should take advantage of the strong gale which bore us on. and in place of beating back to Paris. We perceived the effect of this manœuvre immediately. Holland . We steered due West . either for ascent or descent. It was now that Mr. the guide-rope flying out behind the car. in which he was instantly seconded by Mr. but to my fancy. we flew with a velocity nearly inconceivable . so that we came up with Cape Clear. Ainsworth made an extraordinary. in a vastly increased rate of progress . 385 of 419 . As the stronger party.
an excitement greatly relished by ourselves. We kept on in this manner throughout the day. We suffered no little from cold. and the dampness of the atmosphere was most unpleasant . It could not have been less than five hundred miles. As the sun went down. as the shades of night closed around us. or fear. no doubt. with no material incident. The wind was from the East all night. a few of which were endeavoring to beat up. and. but the most of them lying to. The propeller was kept in constant operation. to the wind. We occasioned the greatest excitement on board all . and especially by our two men. but the ample space in the car 386 of 419 . aided our progress materially. Many of the vessels fired signal guns . who. the gale freshened into an absolute hurricane. and was probably much more. seemed resolved to give all scruple. and gave us the brightest omen of success. and the ocean beneath was clearly visible on account of its phosphorescence. We passed over innumerable vessels of all kinds. we made a rough estimate of the distance traversed. and in all we were saluted with loud cheers (which we heard with surprising distinctness) and the waving of caps and handkerchiefs. It is needless to say that a very short time sufficed us to lose sight of the coast.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe like a streamer from a vessel. now under the influence of a dram of Geneva. and.
) The last nine hours have been unquestionably the most exciting of my life.eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. but for the sake of human knowledge and . view. Download the free trial version.lives a whole 387 of 419 . I can conceive nothing more sublimating than the strange peril and novelty of an adventure such as this. a man lives . from coast to coast. just now. And yet the feat is only so evidently feasible that the sole wonder is why men have scrupled to attempt it before. than with any other phenomenon presenting itself. The immense flaming ocean writhes and is tortured uncomplainingly. ‘P.S. In view of such a gale the broad Atlantic becomes a mere lake. One single gale such as now befriends us . we did sufficiently well. In a night such as is this to me.for the vastness of the triumph. in that period. and edit PDF. Ainsworth.let such a tempest whirl forward a balloon for four or five days (these gales often last longer) and the voyager will be easily borne. (by Mr. The waters give up no voice to the heavens. and by means of cloaks and a few blankets. notwithstanding its agitation. enabled us to lie down. May God grant that we succeed ! I ask not success for mere safety to my insignificant person. I am more struck. with the supreme silence which reigns in the sea beneath us. The mountainous surges suggest the idea of innumerable dumb gigantic fiends struggling in impotent agony.
(for a vessel at sea. at sundown. We could not have made head against the strong wind of yesterday .000 feet. we are holding our course due west. I regard the project as thoroughly successful. and the easy navigation of the air in any direction (not exactly in the teeth of a gale) as no longer problematical. principally by the screw and rudder. Mason’s MS. I have not the slightest fear for the result. by ascending. but.nor would I forego this rapturous delight for that of a whole century of ordinary existence. or more. We have an abundance of gas to take us across this small pond. ‘Sunday. the seventh.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe century of ordinary life . we might have got out of its influence. It has veered. however. At noon. to-day. perhaps. and now. by 10. I feel convinced. thirty miles per hour.] This morning the gale. [Mr. Did this to search for a more direct current. The difficulty has been strangely exaggerated and misapprehended. we can make our way with the propeller. even should the voyage last three weeks. had subsided to an eight or nine knot breeze. I can choose my current. if requisite. and should I find all currents 388 of 419 . by discharging ballast.) and bears us. ascended to an elevation of nearly 25. but found none so favorable as the one we are now in. very considerably to the north . which answer their purposes to admiration. Against a pretty stiff breeze.
[Mr.S. at an elevation equal to that of Cotopaxi. which must be entirely remodelled. Omne ignotum pro magnifico.{*1} ‘Monday. the 8th. [By Mr. nor difficulty of breathing . Crossing the ocean in a balloon is not so difficult a feat after all. nor headache. while the sea does not seem convex (as one might suppose) but absolutely and most unequivocally concave. and the stars are distinctly visible . We have flown at a great rate during the day. P.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe against me. We have had no incidents worth recording. Mason’s MS. I can make very tolerable headway with the propeller. did Mr. nor Mr. Mr.I mean the steel rod . Mem : at 25. except the fact (to me quite a surprising one) that. The latter could not be improved. I find. The night promises fair.] I have little to record. and all seem to be delightfully astonished.not the vanes.] This morning we had again some little trouble with the rod of the propeller. We have passed over some twenty or thirty vessels of various kinds.000 feet elevation the sky appears nearly black. and we must be more than half way across the Atlantic. for fear of serious accident . I experienced neither very intense cold. Osborne complained of constriction of the chest . Ainsworth. nor Sir Everard. neither.but this soon wore off. The wind has been blowing 389 of 419 . Holland. Mason.
The sea is peculiarly phosphorescent. We are in full view of the low coast of South Carolina. but can stand it no longer. Just before day. as well as I can judge . accompanied with the apparent rapid subsidence of the whole machine. P. and the consequent disruption of the minute particles of ice with which the network had become encrusted during the night. but could not be sure of it.but it is very difficult to determine this point. Osbornes telescope made it out something like ‘Atalanta.M.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe steadily and strongly from the north-east all day and so far fortune seems bent upon favoring us.seemingly one of the New York line packets. [Mr. at a rapid pace. through increase of heat in the atmosphere. Endeavored to make out her name.’ It is now 12 . 390 of 419 .at night. the 9th. I have not slept since quitting Wheal-Vor.S. A. we were all somewhat alarmed at some odd noises and concussions in the balloon. These phenomena were occasioned by the expansion of the gas. Mr.] It is now 2. and nearly calm. Ainsworth.. We cannot be far from the American coast.M. [By Mr. since we move with the air so completely. ‘P. Ainsworth’s MS. and we are still going nearly west.] One. and must take a nap. Threw down several bottles to the vessels below. ‘Tuesday. Saw one of them picked up by a large ship .
the crossing of the Atlantic. The latter gentleman having acquaintances at Fort Moultrie. Ainsworth to Mr. and by Mr. We have crossed the Atlantic . The balloon was exhausted and secured without trouble . counting from shore to shore. Osborne.M. of course. The balloon was brought over the beach (the tide being out and the sand hard. The inhabitants of the island. and admirably adapted for a descent. it was immediately resolved to descend in its vicinity. Forsyth. P. thronged out. which took firm hold at once. No serious accident occurred.) and the grapnel let go. which was immediately recognized by both the seamen.. The grapnel caught at 2.fairly and easily crossed it in a balloon ! God be praised ! Who shall say that anything is impossible hereafter? ‘ The Journal here ceases. however. and thus the whole voyage was completed in seventy-five hours .The Works of Edgar Allan Poe The great problem is accomplished. but it was with the greatest difficulty that any one could be made to credit the actual voyage . Some particulars of the descent were communicated. precisely . It was nearly dead calm when the voyagers first came in view of the coast. smooth. to see the balloon . by Mr. from which this 391 of 419 . or rather less. and of the fort. and when the MS. No real danger was at any time apprehended.
~~~ End of Text ~~~ {*1} Note. and the hypothenuse from the horizon to the balloon. But the 25.000 feet of altitude is little or nothing. however. but we can safely promise our readers some additional information either on Monday or in the course of the next day. perpendicularly to the surface of the earth (or sea). which. the most interesting. and the most important undertaking. Their farther intentions were not ascertained . ever accomplished or even attempted by man. it would be useless now to think of determining. the party were still at Fort Moultrie. the base and hypothenuse of the supposed triangle would be so long when compared with the perpendicular. at farthest. A line dropped from an elevation of 25. in comparison with the extent of the prospect. In other words. would form the perpendicular of a right-angled triangle. Ainsworth has not attempted to account for this phenomenon. is quite susceptible of explanation. of which the base would extend from the right angle to the horizon. This is unquestionably the most stupendous. What magnificent events may ensue.000 feet.Mr. that the two former may be regarded as nearly parallel. In this manner the horizon of 392 of 419 . .The Works of Edgar Allan Poe narrative is compiled was despatched from Charleston.
The Works of Edgar Allan Poe the æronaut would appear to be on a level with the car. But. until the elevation shall bear so great a proportion to the extent of prospect. of course. as the point immediately beneath him seems. 393 of 419 . Hence the impression of concavity . at a great distance below him.when the earth’s real convexity must become apparent. and this impression must remain. at a great distance below the horizon. also. it seems. that the apparent parallelism of the base and hypothenuse disappears . and is.
and the Pyrrhonism of my opinions has at all times rendered me notorious. OF my country and of my family I have little to say. to the principles of that science.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe MS. — Quinault — Atys. — Beyond all things. a strong relish for physical philosophy has. and estranged me from the other. a deficiency of imagination has been imputed to me as a crime. the study of the German moralists gave me great delight. I have often been reproached with the aridity of my genius. I fear. but from the ease with which my habits of rigid thought enabled me to detect their falsities. FOUND IN A BOTTLE Qui n’a plus qu’un moment a vivre N’a plus rien a dissimuler. not from any ill-advised admiration of their eloquent madness. even the least susceptible of such reference. and a contemplative turn of mind enabled me to methodize the stores which early study very diligently garnered up. Ill usage and length of years have driven me from the one. Indeed. Hereditary wealth afforded me an education of no common order. tinctured my mind with a very common error of this age — I mean the habit of referring occurrences. Upon the 394 of 419 .
The stowage was clumsily done. 395 of 419 . on a voyage to the Archipelago of the Sunda islands. We got under way with a mere breath of wind.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe whole. and built at Bombay of Malabar teak. and a few cases of opium. cocoa-nuts. After many years spent in foreign travel. jaggeree. copper-fastened. and for many days stood along the eastern coast of Java. no person could be less liable than myself to be led away from the severe precincts of truth by the ignes fatui of superstition. and the vessel consequently crank. lest the incredible tale I have to tell should be considered rather the raving of a crude imagination. from the Lachadive islands. in the rich and populous island of Java. We had also on board coir. I have thought proper to premise thus much. than the positive experience of a mind to which the reveries of fancy have been a dead letter and a nullity. She was freighted with cotton-wool and oil. I went as passenger — having no other inducement than a kind of nervous restlessness which haunted me as a fiend. ghee. without any other incident to beguile the monotony of our course than the occasional meeting with some of the small grabs of the Archipelago to which we were bound. from the port of Batavia. I sailed in the year 18 — . Our vessel was a beautiful ship of about four hundred tons.
The Works of Edgar Allan Poe One evening. I watched it attentively until sunset. No watch was set. an more entire calm it is impossible to conceive. and the water seemed more than usually transparent. I observed a very singular. he ordered the sails to be furled.W. and looking like a long line of low beach. when it spread all at once to the eastward and westward. every breath of wind died away. and was loaded with spiral exhalations similar to those arising from heat iron. However. and as we were drifting in bodily to shore. and the 396 of 419 . isolated cloud. girting in the horizon with a narrow strip of vapor. and the peculiar character of the sea. As night came on. as from its being the first we had seen since our departure from Batavia. It was remarkable. My notice was soon afterwards attracted by the dusky-red appearance of the moon. and a long hair. hung without the possibility of detecting a vibration. I found the ship in fifteen fathoms. The latter was undergoing a rapid change. leaning over the taffrail. yet. held between the finger and thumb. as the captain said he could perceive no indication of danger. and the anchor let go. to the N. The air now became intolerably hot. heaving the lead. Although I could distinctly see the bottom. as well for its color. The flame of a candle burned upon the poop without the least perceptible motion.
rushing over us fore and aft. consisting principally of Malays. humming noise. as her masts had gone by the board. By what miracle I escaped destruction. In the next instant. staggering awhile beneath the immense pressure of the tempest. My uneasiness. in a great measure. I told the captain my fears. The extreme fury of the blast proved. I went below — not without a full presentiment of evil. Although completely water-logged. the salvation of the ship. swept the entire decks from stem to stern. it is impossible to say. and left me without deigning to give a reply. heavily from the sea. Indeed. however. after a minute. I found the ship quivering to its centre. jammed in between the stern-post and 397 of 419 . like that occasioned by the rapid revolution of a mill-wheel. prevented me from sleeping. and. upon recovery. a wilderness of foam hurled us upon our beam-ends. — As I placed my foot upon the upper step of the companion-ladder. but he paid no attention to what I said. and before I could ascertain its meaning. stretched themselves deliberately upon deck. she rose. every appearance warranted me in apprehending a Simoom. and about midnight I went upon deck. and.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe crew. I found myself. I was startled by a loud. yet. Stunned by the shock of the water. finally righted.
we had received considerable injury. I hallooed to him with all my strength. Our cable had. or we should have been instantaneously overwhelmed. parted like pack-thread. so terrific. struck with the idea of our being among breakers. All on deck. who had shipped with us at the moment of our leaving port. and our exertions were at first paralyzed by the momentary expectation of going down. and that we had made no great shifting of our 398 of 419 . at the first breath of the hurricane. — the captain and mates must have perished as they slept. beyond the wildest imagination. The frame-work of our stern was shattered excessively. was. and the water made clear breaches over us. and looking dizzily around. We scudded with frightful velocity before the sea. with the exception of ourselves. of course. but to our extreme Joy we found the pumps unchoked. had been swept overboard. and presently he came reeling aft. we could expect to do little for the security of the ship. and. Without assistance. at first. I heard the voice of an old Swede. for the cabins were deluged with water. After a while. We soon discovered that we were the sole survivors of the accident. was the whirlpool of mountainous and foaming ocean within which we were engulfed. With great difficulty I gained my feet.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe rudder. in almost every respect.
Download the free trial version. as nearly as we could guess. which.. The main fury of the blast had already blown over. — The sun arose with a sickly yellow lustre. procured with great difficulty from the forecastle — the hulk flew at a rate defying computation. were still more terrific than any tempest I had before encountered. Our course for the first four days was. yet the wind was upon the increase.eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. and we apprehended little danger from the violence of the wind.E. About noon. ballast. and by S. our attention was again arrested by the appearance of the sun. and we must have run down the coast of New Holland. but we looked forward to its total cessation with dismay. we should inevitably perish in the tremendous swell which would ensue. without equalling the first violence of the Simoom. that. — There were no clouds apparent. and blew with a fitful and unsteady fury. and edit PDF. before rapidly succeeding flaws of wind. S. For five entire days and nights — during which our only subsistence was a small quantity of jaggeree. although the wind had hauled round a point more to the northward. and clambered a very few degrees above the horizon — emitting no decisive light. view. well believing. 399 of 419 . with trifling variations. But this very just apprehension seemed by no means likely to be soon verified. in our shattered condition. — On the fifth day the cold became extreme.
and thick gloom. looked out bitterly into the 400 of 419 . so that we could not have seen an object at twenty paces from the ship. but a dull and sullen glow without reflection. — Superstitious terror crept by degrees into the spirit of the old Swede. We observed too.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe It gave out no light. as worse than useless. All around were horror. sliver-like rim. all unrelieved by the phosphoric sea-brilliancy to which we had been accustomed in the tropics. although the tempest continued to rage with unabated violence. which had hitherto attended us. Just before sinking within the turgid sea. to the stump of the mizen-mast. Eternal night continued to envelop us. Thenceforward we were enshrouded in patchy darkness. and securing ourselves. We waited in vain for the arrival of the sixth day — that day to me has not arrived — to the Swede. as it rushed down the unfathomable ocean. It was a dim. alone. there was no longer to be discovered the usual appearance of surf. that. We neglected all care of the ship. and my own soul was wrapped up in silent wonder. or foam. its central fires suddenly went out. as if hurriedly extinguished by some unaccountable power. and a black sweltering desert of ebony. as well as possible. never did arrive. properly so called. as if all its rays were polarized.
401 of 419 . well aware of having made farther to the southward than any previous navigators. when a quick scream from my companion broke fearfully upon the night. as. and felt great amazement at not meeting with the usual impediments of ice. My companion spoke of the lightness of our cargo. and reminded me of the excellent qualities of our ship.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe world of ocean. In the meantime every moment threatened to be our last — every mountainous billow hurried to overwhelm us. where the air grew stagnant. We were. ‘See! see!’ cried he. At times we gasped for breath at an elevation beyond the albatross — at times became dizzy with the velocity of our descent into some watery hell. nor could we form any guess of our situation. and prepared myself gloomily for that death which I thought nothing could defer beyond an hour. but I could not help feeling the utter hopelessness of hope itself. The swell surpassed anything I had imagined possible. We had no means of calculating time. and that we were not instantly buried is a miracle. with every knot of way the ship made. however. and no sound disturbed the slumbers of the kraken. shrieking in my ears. the swelling of the black stupendous seas became more dismally appalling. We were at the bottom of one of these abysses.
I became aware of a dull. four thousand tons. and dashed from their polished surfaces the fires of innumerable battle-lanterns. Casting my eyes upwards. I beheld a spectacle which froze the current of my blood. and threw a fitful brilliancy upon our deck. Although upreared upon the summit of a wave more than a hundred times her own altitude. But what mainly inspired us with horror and astonishment.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ‘Almighty God! see! see!’ As he spoke. her bows were alone to be seen. sullen glare of red light which streamed down the sides of the vast chasm where we lay. hovered a gigantic ship of. as if in contemplation of her 402 of 419 . At a terrific height directly above us. When we first discovered her. and upon the very verge of the precipitous descent. was that she bore up under a press of sail in the very teeth of that supernatural sea. perhaps. and of that ungovernable hurricane. For a moment of intense terror she paused upon the giddy pinnacle. which swung to and fro about her rigging. her apparent size exceeded that of any ship of the line or East Indiaman in existence. A single row of brass cannon protruded from her open ports. unrelieved by any of the customary carvings of a ship. as she rose slowly from the dim and horrible gulf beyond her. Her huge hull was of a deep dingy black.
the ship hove in stays. I therefore thought proper to contrive a hiding-place in the hold. The shock of the descending mass struck her. with irresistible violence. upon the rigging of the stranger. I awaited fearlessly the ruin that was to overwhelm. Why I did so I can hardly tell. Staggering as far aft as I could. Our own vessel was at length ceasing from her struggles. and sinking with her head to the sea. At this instant. As I fell. then trembled and tottered. and — came down.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe own sublimity. and soon found an opportunity of secreting myself in the hold. I was unwilling to trust myself with a race of people who had offered. With little difficulty I made my way unperceived to the main hatchway. doubt. and to the confusion ensuing I attributed my escape from the notice of the crew. was perhaps the principle of my concealment. and apprehension. This I did by 403 of 419 . consequently. so many points of vague novelty. which was partially open. and went about. I know not what sudden self-possession came over my spirit. which at first sight of the navigators of the ship had taken hold of my mind. in that portion of her frame which was already under water. to the cursory glance I had taken. An indefinite sense of awe. and the inevitable result was to hurl me.
******** A feeling. but had an opportunity of observing his general appearance. I could not see his face. and for which I fear futurity itself will offer me no key. the latter 404 of 419 . His manner was a wild mixture of the peevishness of second childhood. To a mind constituted like my own. There was about it an evidence of great age and infirmity. He muttered to himself. and the solemn dignity of a God. when a footstep in the hold forced me to make use of it. His knees tottered beneath a load of years. and I saw him no more. some words of a language which I could not understand. to which the lessons of bygone times are inadequate. A man passed by my place of concealment with a feeble and unsteady gait. and decayed charts of navigation. He at length went on deck. I had scarcely completed my work. in a low broken tone.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe removing a small portion of the shifting-boards. has taken possession of my soul — a sensation which will admit of no analysis. in such a manner as to afford me a convenient retreat between the huge timbers of the ship. for which I have no name. and groped in a corner among a pile of singular-looking instruments. and his entire frame quivered under the burthen.
The Works of Edgar Allan Poe consideration is an evil. since they have their origin in sources so utterly novel. Concealment is utter folly on my part. Incomprehensible men! Wrapped up in meditations of a kind which I cannot divine. It is true that I may not find an opportunity of transmitting it to the world. At the last moment I will enclose the MS. I shall from time to time continue this Journal. they pass me by unnoticed. A new sense — a new entity is added to my soul. for the people will not see. ******** It is long since I first trod the deck of this terrible ship. I think. but I will not fall to make the endeavour. and have written. Yet it is not wonderful that these conceptions are indefinite. I shall never — I know that I shall never — be satisfied with regard to the nature of my conceptions. and cast it within the sea. and took thence the materials with which I write. and the rays of my destiny are. ******** An incident has occurred which has given me new room for meditation. It was but just now that I passed directly before the eyes of the mate — it was no long while ago that I ventured into the captain’s own private cabin. gathering to a focus. in a bottle. Are such things the operation of 405 of 419 .
I know not how it is. build. Her rigging. her huge size and overgrown suits of canvas. Although well armed. and the thoughtless touches of the brush are spread out into the word DISCOVERY. I think. all negative a supposition of this kind. and general equipment. ******** 406 of 419 . a ship of war. What she is not. While musing upon the singularity of my fate. The studding-sail is now bent upon the ship. she is not. her severely simple bow and antiquated stern. I have made many observations lately upon the structure of the vessel.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe ungoverned Chance? I had ventured upon deck and thrown myself down. an unaccountable memory of old foreign chronicles and ages long ago. and there is always mixed up with such indistinct shadows of recollection. I can easily perceive — what she is I fear it is impossible to say. but in scrutinizing her strange model and singular cast of spars. among a pile of ratlin-stuff and old sails in the bottom of the yawl. without attracting any notice. there will occasionally flash across my mind a sensation of familiar things. I unwittingly daubed with a tar-brush the edges of a neatlyfolded studding-sail which lay near me on a barrel.
I made bold to thrust myself among a group of the crew. and. ‘It is as sure. and apart from the rottenness attendant upon age. Their knees trembled with 407 of 419 .The Works of Edgar Allan Poe I have been looking at the timbers of the ship. they all bore about them the marks of a hoary old age. In reading the above sentence a curious apothegm of an old weather-beaten Dutch navigator comes full upon my recollection. They paid me no manner of attention. when any doubt was entertained of his veracity. considered independently by the worm-eaten condition which is a consequence of navigation in these seas. ‘as sure as there is a sea where the ship itself will grow in bulk like the living body of the seaman. I mean its extreme porousness. She is built of a material to which I am a stranger.’ ******** About an hour ago. characteristic of Spanish oak. It will appear perhaps an observation somewhat over-curious. but this wood would have every. Like the one I had at first seen in the hold.’ he was wont to say. although I stood in the very midst of them all. if Spanish oak were distended by any unnatural means. There is a peculiar character about the wood which strikes me as rendering it unfit for the purpose to which it has been applied. seemed utterly unconscious of my presence.
and their gray hairs streamed terribly in the tempest. without taking a final plunge into the abyss. I have just left the deck. tremulous and broken. their eyes glistened with the rheum of years. being thrown dead off the wind. ******** I mentioned some time ago the bending of a studdingsail. their shrivelled skins rattled in the wind. has continued her terrific course due south. lay scattered mathematical instruments of the most quaint and obsolete construction. Around them. their shoulders were bent double with decrepitude. their voices were low. It appears to me a miracle of miracles that our enormous bulk is not swallowed up at once and forever. from her trucks to her lower studding-sail booms. with every rag of canvas packed upon her. and rolling every moment her top-gallant yard-arms into the most appalling hell of water which it can enter into the mind of a man to imagine. although the crew seem to experience little inconvenience. on every part of the deck. We are surely doomed to hover continually upon the brink of Eternity. From billows a thousand times more stupendous than any I have ever seen.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe infirmity. From that period the ship. we glide away with the facility of the arrowy sea408 of 419 . where I find it impossible to maintain a footing.
the wonderful. he paid me no attention. as I expected. neither robust nor remarkably otherwise. so utter. — His gray hairs are records of the past. and his grayer eyes are Sybils of the 409 of 419 . so extreme. or impetuous under-tow. which excites within my spirit a sense — a sentiment ineffable. But it is the singularity of the expression which reigns upon the face — it is the intense. although little wrinkled. and the colossal waters rear their heads above us like demons of the deep. In stature he is nearly my own height. and in his own cabin — but. seems to bear upon it the stamp of a myriad of years.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe gull. ******** I have seen the captain face to face. — I must suppose the ship to be within the influence of some strong current. I am led to attribute these frequent escapes to the only natural cause which can account for such effect. He is of a well-knit and compact frame of body. Although in his appearance there is. the thrilling evidence of old age. that is. to a casual observer. but like demons confined to simple threats and forbidden to destroy. His forehead. about five feet eight inches. nothing which might bespeak him more or less than manstill a feeling of irrepressible reverence and awe mingled with the sensation of wonder with which I regarded him.
until my very soul has become a ruin. over a paper which I took to be a commission. and he pored. and when their fingers fall athwart my path in the wild glare of the battle-lanterns. and although the speaker was close at my elbow. and obsolete long-forgotten charts. although I have been all my life a dealer in antiquities. and Tadmor. His head was bowed down upon his hands. I feel as I have never felt before. at all events. ******** When I look around me I feel ashamed of my former apprehensions. iron-clasped folios. as did the first seaman whom I saw in the hold. with a fiery unquiet eye. ******** The ship and all in it are imbued with the spirit of Eld. his voice seemed to reach my ears from the distance of a mile. The cabin floor was thickly strewn with strange. and mouldering instruments of science.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe future. some low peevish syllables of a foreign tongue. and have imbibed the shadows of fallen columns at Balbec. and which. He muttered to himself. their eyes have an eager and uneasy meaning. and Persepolis. The crew glide to and fro like the ghosts of buried centuries. If I trembled at the blast which has 410 of 419 . bore the signature of a monarch.
howling and shrieking by the white ice. indistinctly and at intervals. but. and looking like the walls of the universe. and a chaos of foamless water. and will reconcile me to the most hideous aspect of death. towering away into the desolate sky. utterly impossible. may be seen. whose attainment is destruction. the ship proves to be in a current. I presume. to convey any idea of which the words tornado and simoom are trivial and ineffective? All in the immediate vicinity of the ship is the blackness of eternal night.eBook brought to you by The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Create. Download the free trial version. yet a curiosity to penetrate the mysteries of these awful regions. about a league on either side of us. and edit PDF. thunders on to the southward with a velocity like the headlong dashing of a cataract. view. hitherto attended us. stupendous ramparts of ice. It is evident that we are hurrying onwards to some exciting knowledge — some never-to-beimparted secret. Perhaps this current leads us to the southern pole itself. shall I not stand aghast at a warring of wind and ocean. predominates even over my despair. ******** To conceive the horror of my sensations is. It must be 411 of 419 . ******** As I imagined. if that appellation can properly be given to a tide which.
and it was not until many years afterwards that I became acquainted with the maps of Mercator. But little time will be left me to ponder upon my destiny — the circles rapidly grow small — we are plunging madly within the grasp of the whirlpool — and amid a roaring. — The ‘MS. but there is upon their countenances an expression more of the eagerness of hope than of the apathy of despair. horror upon horror! the ice opens suddenly to the right.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe confessed that a supposition apparently so wild has every probability in its favor. in which the ocean is represented as rushing. and bellowing. ******** The crew pace the deck with unquiet and tremulous step. oh God! and — going down. NOTE. and to the left. the summit of whose walls is lost in the darkness and the distance. the ship is quivering. and. the ship is at times lifted bodily from out the sea — Oh. In the meantime the wind is still in our poop. Found in a Bottle. round and round the borders of a gigantic amphitheatre. in immense concentric circles.’ was originally published in 1831. and thundering of ocean and of tempest. and we are whirling dizzily. by 412 of 419 . as we carry a crowd of canvas.
413 of 419 . into the (northern) Polar Gulf. the Pole itself being represented by a black rock. towering to a prodigious height. to be absorbed into the bowels of the earth.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe four mouths.
which depended from the walls not only in their main surfaces. yet tattered and antique. Radcliffe. Its decorations were rich. rather than permit me. was one of those piles of commingled gloom and grandeur which have so long frowned among the Appennines. not less in fact than in the fancy of Mrs. to pass a night in the open air. Its walls were hung with tapestry and bedecked with manifold and multiform armorial trophies. perhaps. It lay in a remote turret of the building. in my desperately wounded condition.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe The Oval Portrait THE chateau into which my valet had ventured to make forcible entrance. together with an unusually great number of very spirited modern paintings in frames of rich golden arabesque. but in very many nooks which the bizarre architecture of the chateau rendered necessary — in these paintings my incipient delirium. had caused me to take deep interest. In these paintings. so that I bade Pedro to close the heavy shutters of the room — since it was already night — to light the tongues of a 414 of 419 . To all appearance it had been temporarily and very lately abandoned. We established ourselves in one of the smallest and least sumptuously furnished apartments.
and then closed my eyes. It was the portrait of a young girl just ripening into womanhood. But the action produced an effect altogether unanticipated. But while my lids remained thus shut. and the perusal of a small volume which had been found upon the pillow. and outreaching my hand with difficulty. rather than disturb my slumbering valet. I placed it so as to throw its rays more fully upon the book. I wished all this done that I might resign myself. I ran over in my mind my reason for so shutting 415 of 419 . at least alternately to the contemplation of these pictures. if not to sleep.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe tall candelabrum which stood by the head of my bed — and to throw open far and wide the fringed curtains of black velvet which enveloped the bed itself. Why I did this was not at first apparent even to my own perception. The position of the candelabrum displeased me. and which purported to criticise and describe them. devotedly I gazed. I glanced at the painting hurriedly. Rapidly and gloriously the hours flew by and the deep midnight came. The rays of the numerous candles (for there were many) now fell within a niche of the room which had hitherto been thrown into deep shade by one of the bed-posts. Long — long I read — and devoutly. I thus saw in vivid light a picture all unnoticed before.
As a thing of art nothing could be more admirable than the painting itself. In a very few moments I again looked fixedly at the painting.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe them. The portrait. had mistaken the head for that of a living person. It was a mere head and shoulders. The arms. But it could have been neither the execution of the work. richly gilded and filigreed in Moresque. and even the ends of the radiant hair melted imperceptibly into the vague yet deep shadow which formed the background of the whole. could it have been that my fancy. The frame was oval. It was an impulsive movement to gain time for thought — to make sure that my vision had not deceived me — to calm and subdue my fancy for a more sober and more certain gaze. the bosom. shaken from its half slumber. I have already said. and to startle me at once into waking life. Least of all. much in the style of the favorite heads of Sully. of the 416 of 419 . for the first flashing of the candles upon that canvas had seemed to dissipate the dreamy stupor which was stealing over my senses. nor the immortal beauty of the countenance. was that of a young girl. which had so suddenly and so vehemently moved me. I saw at once that the peculiarities of the design. done in what is technically termed a vignette manner. That I now saw aright I could not and would not doubt.
half sitting. I had found the spell of the picture in an absolute life-likeliness of expression. and of the frame. At length. and not more lovely than full of glee. must have instantly dispelled such idea — must have prevented even its momentary entertainment. austere. And evil was the hour when she saw. all light and smiles. hating only the Art which was her rival. for an hour perhaps. and having already a bride in his Art. and wedded the painter. and appalled me. with my vision riveted upon the portrait. Turning to the number which designated the oval portrait. He. and not more lovely than full of glee. half reclining. satisfied with the true secret of its effect. I remained. I sought eagerly the volume which discussed the paintings and their histories. subdued. I fell back within the bed. loving and cherishing all things. Thinking earnestly upon these points. studious. I there read the vague and quaint words which follow: ‘She was a maiden of rarest beauty. With deep and reverent awe I replaced the candelabrum in its former position. and frolicsome as the young fawn. which.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe vignetting. dreading only the pallet and brushes and other untoward instruments which deprived 417 of 419 . at first startling. and loved. finally confounded. she a maiden of rarest beauty. passionate. The cause of my deep agitation being thus shut from view.
uncomplainingly. and from day to day. who pined visibly to all but him. and moody man. took glory in his work. high turret-chamber where the light dripped upon the pale canvas only from overhead. the painter. so that he would not see that the light which fell so ghastly in that lone turret withered the health and the spirits of his bride.The Works of Edgar Allan Poe her of the countenance of her lover. and wild. and wrought day and night to depict her who so loved him. for the painter had grown wild with the ardor of his work. even to regard the countenance 418 of 419 . But he. Yet she smiled on and still on. And in sooth some who beheld the portrait spoke of its resemblance in low words. which went on from hour to hour. because she saw that the painter (who had high renown) took a fervid and burning pleasure in his task. But she was humble and obedient. who became lost in reveries. and turned his eyes from canvas merely. yet who grew daily more dispirited and weak. and a proof not less of the power of the painter than of his deep love for her whom he depicted so surpassingly well. And be was a passionate. as the labor drew nearer to its conclusion. there were admitted none into the turret. and sat meekly for many weeks in the dark. as of a mighty marvel. But at length. It was thus a terrible thing for this lady to hear the painter speak of his desire to portray even his young bride.
The Works of Edgar Allan Poe of his wife. ‘This is indeed Life itself!’ turned suddenly to regard his beloved: — She was dead! 419 of 419 . And when many weeks bad passed. and. but in the next. and then the tint was placed. and but little remained to do. the painter stood entranced before the work which he had wrought. And then the brush was given. And he would not see that the tints which he spread upon the canvas were drawn from the cheeks of her who sate beside him. for one moment. and crying with a loud voice. he grew tremulous and very pallid. save one brush upon the mouth and one tint upon the eye. while he yet gazed. the spirit of the lady again flickered up as the flame within the socket of the lamp. and aghast.