Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque — 1840, volume II

Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque — 1840, volume II Local reading text of the 1840 edition, volume II, including its title-page wording and all 13 distinct historical text sections linked from the source table of contents. The two volumes form one research entry and have separate local records. The title page is dated 1840; this is not a claim about the exact day the book was issued. This preserves the specified lifetime-edition readings, distinct from later collected editions already held. It is an electronic historical transcription, not a photographic facsimile. Modern source commentary and double-bracketed correction glosses are excluded; historical author notes are retained. Typography, contents layout and page breaks are simplified. No independent word-by-word proofreading is claimed. CONTENTS Advertisements EPIMANES SIOPE HANS PHAALL A TALE OF JERUSALEM VON JUNG LOSS OF BREATH METZENGERSTEIN BERENICE WHY THE LITTLE FRENCHMAN WEARS HIS HAND IN A SLING THE VISIONARY THE CONVERSATION OF EIROS AND CHARMION APPENDIX TALES OF THE GROTESQUE AND ARABESQUE. —————— BY EDGAR A POE. —————— Seltsamen tochter Jovis Seinem schosskinde Der Phantasie. GOETHE —————— IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. II. —————————————— PHILADELPHIA: LEA AND BLANCHARD. 1840. Advertisements TALES OF THE GROTESQUE AND ARABESQUE. BY EDGAR A. POE. IN TWO VOLUMES. ———— THESE Tales have received encomiums of a most unusual character, from a great variety of high sources. Besides a number of editorial opinions in their favor, some personal ones (not editorial) are here appended. As all these (with a single exception) have already found their way into the papers, or other prints, of the time, the publishers presume there can be no impropriety in their republication. PERSONAL OPINIONS. These tales are eminently distinguished by a wild, vigorous, and poetical imagination, a rich style, a fertile invention, and varied and curious learning. . . . . . . . Of singular force and beauty. — John P. Kennedy. I am much pleased with a tale called “The House of Usher,” and should think that a collection of tales, equally well written, could not fail of being favorably received. . . . . . . . . Its graphic effect is powerful. — Washington Irving. I have read a little tale called “William Wilson” with much pleasure. It is managed in a highly picturesque style, and the singular and mysterious interest is ably sustained throughout. I repeat what I have said of a previous production of this author; that I cannot but think that a series of articles of like style and merit would be extremely well received by the public. — Washington Irving. In “Ligeia,” by Mr. Poe, there is a fine march of description, which has a touch of the D’Israeli quality. — N. P. Willis — Letters from under a Bridge. He puts us in mind of no less a writer than Shelley. — John Neal. “Bon-Bon,” by Mr. Poe, is equal to anything Theodore Hook ever wrote. — M. M. Noah. Mr. Poe's “M.S. found in a bottle” is one of the most singularly ingenious and imaginative things I ever remember to have read. Discovery is there analyzed and spiritualized in a strain of allegory which need not fear comparison with Coleridge's “Ancient Mariner.” — J. F. Otis. —— That powerful pen, whose versatile and brilliant creations I have so often admired. — Mrs. L. H. Sigourney. Mr. Poe possesses an extraordinary faculty. He paints the palpable obscure with strange power, throwing over his pictures a sombre gloom which is appalling. The images are dim, but distinct; shadowy but well-defined. The outline indeed is all we see; but there they stand, shrouded in darkness, and fright us with the mystery which defies farther scrutiny. . . . His genius, as well as private history, puts us in mind of that of Coleridge. — Judge Beverly Tucker (of Va.), author of “George Balcombe.” There can be but one opinion in regard to the force and beauty of his style. . . . . . He discovers a superior capacity and a highly cultivated tas