remarkable composition "The Raven," of
which Mr. Willis has observed that in his opinion "it is the most
effective single example of fugitive poetry ever published in this
country, and is unsurpassed in English poetry for subtle conception,
masterly ingenuity of versification, and consistent sustaining of
imaginative lift;" and by that of one of the most extraordinary
instances of the naturalness of detail---the verisimilitude of minute
narrative--for which lie was preeminently distinguished, his "Mesmeric
Revelation," purporting to be the last conversation of a somnambule, held
with his magnetizer just before his death, which was followed by the yet
more striking exhibition of abilities in the same way, entitled "The
Facts in the case of M. Vaklemar," in which the subject is represented as
having been mesmerized in _articulo mortis_. These pieces were reprinted
throughout the literary and philosophical world, in nearly all languages,
everywhere causing sharp and curious speculation, and where readers could
be persuaded that they were fables, challenging a reluctant but genuine
admiration.

He had not been long in New York before he was engaged by Mr. Willis and
General Morris as a critic and assistant editor of _The Mirror_. He
remained in this situation about six months, when he became associated
with Mr. Briggs in the conduct of _The Broadway Journal_, which, in
October 1845, passed entirely into his possession. He had now the long
sought but never before enjoyed absolute control of a literary gazette,
and, with much friendly assistance, he maintained it long enough to show,
that whatever his genius, he had not the kind or degree of talent
necessary to such a position. His chief critical writing in _The Broadway
Journal_, were a paper on Miss Barrett's Poems, and a long discussion of
the subject of plagiarism, with especial reference to Mr. Longfellow. In
March, 1845, he had given a lecture at the Society Library upon the
American poets, composed, for the most part, of fragments of his
previously published reviewals; and in the autumn he accepted an
invitation to read a poem before the Boston Lyceum. A week after the
event, he printed in _The Broadway Journal_ the following account of it,
in reply to a paragraph in one of the city papers, founded upon a
statement in the _Boston Transcript_.

"Our excellent friend, Major Noah, has suffered himself to be cajoled by
that most beguiling of all beguiling little divinitie