Poe’s American Poetry lecture — two Philadelphia newspaper reports, November 1843

Poe’s American Poetry lecture — two Philadelphia newspaper reports, November 1843 Two complete contemporary reports of Poe’s November 21, 1843 lecture before the William Wirt Literary Institute. These are newspaper reactions, not a recovered transcript of the lecture itself. The opinions expressed belong to the contemporary writers. Locally preserved historical transcription, not an original newspaper facsimile. Typography is simplified; not independently proofread word by word against a printed copy. Philadelphia Saturday Museum, November 25, 1843 MR. POE'S LECTURE. Quite a large, and certainly highly intelligent audience attended the Lecture on American Poetry, delivered by Edgar A. Poe, Esq., on Tuesday evening, before the William Wirt Literary Institute. We have not leisure this week to give even a brief outline of the lecture, the character of which may be inferred from the reputation which Mr. Poe has so extensively enjoyed, as a severe and impartial critic. Added to this important qualification, the fact of the Lecturer himself possessing talents, as a poet, of a high order, and therefore capable of more truly appreciating his subject, with great analytical power, and that command of language and strength of voice which enables a speaker to give full expression to whatever he may desire to say, it will readily be perceived that the Lecturer on Tuesday evening, combined qualities which are rarely associated in a public speaker. — With the exception of some occasional severity, which however merited, may have appeared somewhat too personal, the lecture gave general satisfaction, especially the portions in which the eloquent Sonnets of Judge Conrad, on “The Lord's Prayer,” were introduced. The judicious reading of these created a marked sensation. We hear it suggested that an attempt will be made to prevail on Mr. Poe to re-deliver this Lecture in a more central place in the city. With some modification, it would bear repetition, and we dare say the press will unite in forwarding these views, notwithstanding the cool manner in which Mr. P. laid bare its system of almost universal and indiscrimate eulogy, bestowed alike upon anything and everything — “from the most elaborate quarto of Noah Webster, down to a penny edition of Tom Thumb.” George Lippard, Citizen Soldier, November 29, 1843 MR. POE’S LECTURE. — It was our desire, and we confidently expected, to lay before our readers the excellent Lecture of Edgar Allan Poe, Esq., delivered before the Wirt Institute, on Tuesday evening week. Other arrangements of the Author prevented us from the accomplishment of the design. But we must say a few brief words, concerning the subject of the lecture, how it was managed, and how received by the audience. The subject, “American Poetry,” was handled in a manner, that placed all the pseudo-critics, the Rev. Mr. Rufus Griswold, Esq. among others, to the blush, and showed the audience, how a man born a poet, could describe the true nature and object, as well as the principles of poetry. The sentences of the Lecturer were vigorous, energetic and impassioned, his criticisms scathingly severe in some cases, and desrvedly eulogistic in others. Ex-Judge Conrad, received a merited compliment from Mr. Poe, who recited the whole of his version of the Lord’s Prayer, and Mr. Morris of the Inquirer, was noticed with cordial approbation. As a general thing, the Lecture was received with the most enthusiastic demonstrations of applause, and it was agreed by all, that it was second to none, if not superior to all lectures ever delivered before the Wirt Institute.