EDGAR ALLAN POE 271 



in its human offspring from one of those fat and fertile spots 

 which the wit whom I have once before quoted described so 

 happily, that, if I quoted the passage, its brilliancy would spoil 

 one of my pages, as a diamond breastpin sometimes kills the 

 social effect of the wearer, who might have passed for a gentle- 

 man without it. The Poet at the Breakfast Table. 



NO definition has spoken of the landscape-gardener as of the EDGAR 

 poet ; yet it seemed to my friend that the creation of the p0g AN 

 landscape-garden offered to the proper Muse the most magnificent (1811-1849). 

 of opportunities. 



Here, indeed, was the fairest field for the display of imagination 

 in the endless combining of forms of novel beauty ; the elements 

 to enter into combination being, by a vast superiority, the most 

 glorious which the earth could afford. In the multiform and 

 multicolour of the flowers and the trees, he recognised the most 

 direct and energetic efforts of Nature at physical loveliness. And 

 in the direction or concentration of this effort or, more properly, 

 in its adaptation to the eyes, which were to behold it on earth 

 he perceived that he should be employing the best means 

 labouring to the greatest advantage in the fulfilment, not only 

 of his own destiny as poet, but of the august purposes for which 

 the Deity had implanted the poetic sentiment in man. The 

 Domain of Arnheim. 



I A Chenaie is a sort of oasis in the midst of the steppes of MAURICE 

 *-' Brittany. In front of the chateau stretches a very large QUERIN 

 garden cut in two by a terrace with a lime avenue, at the end of (1811-1839). 

 which is a tiny chapel. I am extremely fond of this little oratory, 

 where one breathes a two-fold peace, the peace of solitude and 

 the peace of the Lord. When Spring comes we shall walk to 

 prayers between two borders of flowers. On the east side, and 

 only a few yards from the chateau, sleeps a small mere between ' 



