Page:The Southern Literary Messenger - Minor.djvu/43

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Literary Messenger
33

took no note of him last month he amply makes up for it this time, with what follows: "As one or two of the criticisms in relation to the tales of our contributor, Mr. Poe, have been directly at variance with those generally expressed, we take the liberty of inserting here an extract from a letter, which we find in the Baltimore Visitor. That paper having offered a premium for the best prose tale and also one for the best poem, both these premiums were awarded to Mr. Poe, by the Committee." They were John P. Kennedy, J. H. B. Latrobe and James H. Miller, who gave the prize to "A MS. Found in a Bottle," one of the sixteen tales of the Folio Club. The editor continues: "We presume this letter must set the question at rest. 'Lionizing' is one of the tales here spoken of. 'The Visionary' is another. * * * When such men as Miller Latrobe, Kennedy, Tucker and Paulding speak unanimously in terms of exalted commendation of any literary production, it is nearly unnecessary to say that we are willing to abide by their decision."

The literary notices are numerous, but condensed. In future the comments upon articles published are to be discontinued.

With the thirteenth number, September, 1835, the first volume comes to its close and the publisher, in ushering it, "is gratified that his past endeavors to please have been crowned with suc-