Of the many verses from time to time ascribed to the pen of Edgar Poe, and
not included among his known writings, the lines entitled “Alone” have the
chief claim to our notice. _Fac-simile _copies of this piece had been
in possession of the present editor some time previous to its publication
in “Scribner’s Magazine” for September, 1875; but as proofs of the
authorship claimed for it were not forthcoming, he refrained from
publishing it as requested. The desired proofs have not yet been adduced,
and there is, at present, nothing but internal evidence to guide us.
“Alone” is stated to have been written by Poe in the album of a Baltimore
lady (Mrs. Balderstone?), on March 17th, 1829, and the facsimile given in
“Scribner’s” is alleged to be of his handwriting. If the caligraphy be
Poe’s, it is different in all essential respects from all the many
specimens known to us, and strongly resembles that of the writer of the
heading and dating of the manuscript, both of which the contributor of the
poem acknowledges to have been recently added. The lines, however, if not
by Poe, are the most successful imitation of his early mannerisms yet made
public, and, in the opinion of one well qualified to speak, “are not
unworthy on the whole of the parentage claimed for them.”
While Edgar Poe was editor of the “Broadway Journal,” some lines “To
Isadore” appeared therein, and, like several of his known pieces, bore no
signature. They were at once ascribed to Poe, and in order to satisfy
questioners, an editorial paragraph subsequently appeared saying they were
by “A. Ide, junior.” Two previous poems had appeared in the “Broadway
journal” over the signature of “A. M. Ide,” and whoever wrote them was
also the author of the lines “To Isadore.” In order, doubtless, to give a
show of variety, Poe was then publishing some of his known works in his
journal over _noms de plume, _and as no other writings whatever can
be traced to any person bearing the name of “A. M. Ide,” it is not
impossible that the poems now republished in this collection may be by the
author of “The Raven.” Having been published without his usual elaborate
revision, Poe may have wished to _hide _his hasty work under an
assumed name. The three pieces are included in the present collection, so
the reader can judge for himself what pretensions they possess to be by
the author of “The Raven.”