first of geniuses who had written legibly.”  Not another MS. was unfolded.  Immediately the “confidential envelope” was opened, and the successful competitor was found to bear the scarcely-known name of Poe.  The committee indeed awarded to him the premiums for both the tale and the poem, but subsequently altered their decision, so as to exclude him from the second premium, in consideration of his having obtained the higher one.  The prize tale was the “MS. found in a Bottle.”  This award was published on the twelfth of October, 1833.  The next day the publisher called to see Mr. Kennedy, and gave him an account of the author, which excited his curiosity and sympathy, and caused him to request that he should be brought to his office.  Accordingly he was introduced.  The prize-money had not yet been paid, and he was in the costume in which he had answered the advertisement of his good fortune.  Thin, and pale even to ghastliness, his whole appearance indicated sickness and the utmost destitution.  A well-worn frock-coat concealed the absence of a shirt, and imperfect boots disclosed the want of hose.  But the eyes of the young man were luminous with intelligence and feeling, and his voice and conversation and manner, all won upon the lawyer’s regard.  Poe told his history, and his ambition, and it was determined that he should not want means for a suitable appearance in society, nor opportunities for just display of his abilities in literature.  Mr. Kennedy accompanied him to a clothing-store, and purchased for him a respectable suit, with changes of linen, and sent him to a bath, from which he returned with the suddenly regained style of a gentleman.

His new friends were very kind to him, and availed themselves of every Opportunity to serve him.  Near the close of the year 1834 the late Mr. T.W.  White established in Richmond the Southern Literary Messenger.  He was a man of much simplicity, purity, and energy of character, but not a writer, and he frequently solicited his acquaintances’ literary assistance.  On receiving from him an application for an article, early in 1835, Mr. Kennedy, who was busy with the duties of his profession, advised Poe to send one, and in a few weeks he had occasion to inclose the following answer to a letter from Mr. White: 

“BALTIMORE, April 13, 1835.

“Dear Sir:  Poe did right in referring to me.  He is very clever with his pen—­classical and scholarlike.  He wants experience and direction, but I have no doubt he can be made very useful to you.  And, poor fellow! he is very poor.  I told him to write something for every number of your magazine, and that you might find it to your advantage to give him some permanent employ.  He has a volume of very bizarre tales in the hands of ——­, in Philadelphia, who for a year past has been promising to publish them.  This young fellow is highly imaginative, and a little given to the terrific.  He is at work upon a tragedy, but I have turned him to drudging upon whatever may make money, and I have no doubt you and he will find your account in each other.”