by Edgar Allan Poe

What song the Syrens sang, or what name Achilles assumed when he hid himself among women, although puzzling questions, beyond _all conjecture

--_Sir Thomas Browne

The mental features discoursed of analytical, are, in themselves, but little susceptible of analysis We appreciate them only in their effects , among other things, always possessor, when inordinately possessed, source liveliest enjoyment strong man exults physical ability, delighting exercises as call his muscles into action, so glories the analyst moral activity which _disentangles He derives pleasure from even the most trivial occupations bringing his talent into play fond of enigmas, of conundrums, of hieroglyphics; exhibiting solutions of each degree of acumen which appears ordinary apprehension prternatural His results, brought about very soul and essence of method, have, in truth, the whole air of intuition

The faculty of re-solution is possibly much invigorated by mathematical study, and especially highest branch of it which, unjustly, and merely on account retrograde operations, called, par excellence_, analysis Yet to calculate in itself to analyse chess-player, for example, does the one without effort other It follows game of chess, in its effects upon mental character, is greatly misunderstood not now writing treatise, but simply prefacing somewhat peculiar narrative by observations at random; , therefore, take occasion to assert higher powers reflective intellect are more decidedly and more usefully tasked unostentatious game of draughts than by the elaborate frivolity of chess latter, where the pieces have different and bizarre_ motions, with various and variable values, only complex is mistaken (a not unusual error) for profound The attention_ is here called powerfully into play flag for an instant, an oversight is committed resulting in injury or defeat The possible moves being manifold but involute, the chances oversights are multiplied; and in nine cases out of ten more concentrative rather more acute player who conquers In draughts, contrary, where the moves are unique but little variation, the probabilities of inadvertence are diminished, mere attention being left comparatively unemployed, what advantages are obtained by either party are obtained by superior _acumen less abstract - suppose game of draughts where the pieces are reduced to four kings, and where, , no oversight expected obvious that here the victory decided (the players being at all equal) only by some recherch_ movement, the result of some strong exertion intellect Deprived of ordinary resources, the analyst throws himself spirit opponent, identifies himself therewith, and not unfrequently sees thus, at glance, the sole methods (sometime indeed absurdly simple ones) seduce into error or hurry into miscalculation

Whist has long been noted for its influence upon termed the calculating power; and men highest order of intellect known an apparently unaccountable delight , while eschewing chess as frivolous Beyond doubt nothing of similar nature so greatly tasking the faculty of analysis The best chess-player in Christendom little more best player of chess; but proficiency in whist implies capacity for success in all those more important undertakings where mind struggles with mind When proficiency, I mean that perfection game which includes comprehension of all the sources whence legitimate advantage derived These are manifold but multiform, and lie frequently among recesses of thought altogether inaccessible ordinary understanding To observe attentively is to remember distinctly; and, , the concentrative chess-player will do at whist; while the rules of Hoyle (themselves based mere mechanism game) are sufficiently and generally comprehensible Thus retentive memory, and by "the book," are points commonly regarded sum total of good playing But in matters beyond the limits of mere rule skill analyst is evinced He makes, in silence, host of observations and inferences So, perhaps, do his companions; difference extent information obtained, lies not validity inference as quality observation The necessary knowledge of what to observe Our player confines himself not at all; nor, because the game object, does he reject deductions from things external game He examines the countenance partner, comparing it carefully of each opponents He considers the mode of assorting the cards in each hand; often counting trump by trump, and honor by honor, glances bestowed by their holders upon each He notes every variation of face play progresses, gathering fund of thought differences expression of certainty, of surprise, of triumph, or of chagrin manner of gathering up trick he judges whether the person taking it can make another suit He recognises played through feint, air thrown table casual or inadvertent word; the accidental dropping or turning of card, accompanying anxiety or carelessness in regard to its concealment; the counting tricks, order arrangement; embarrassment, hesitation, eagerness or trepidation - all afford, apparently intuitive perception, indications true state of affairs The first rounds having been played, in full possession contents of each hand, and thenceforward puts down his cards with as absolute precision of purpose as rest party had turned outward the faces own

The analytical power confounded with ample ingenuity; for while the analyst is necessarily ingenious, the ingenious man is often remarkably incapable of analysis The constructive or combining power, ingenuity is usually manifested, and phrenologists (I believe erroneously) have assigned separate organ, supposing it primitive faculty, so frequently seen in those whose intellect bordered otherwise upon idiocy, as attracted general observation among writers on morals Between ingenuity analytic ability there exists difference far greater, indeed, than that fancy imagination, but of character very strictly analogous found, , ingenious are always fanciful, truly imaginative never otherwise than analytic

The narrative which follows will appear reader somewhat light of commentary propositions just advanced

Residing in Paris during the spring and part summer of 18--, I there became acquainted with Monsieur C Auguste Dupin This young gentleman was of an excellent - indeed of an illustrious family, but, by variety of untoward events, reduced to such poverty energy character succumbed beneath it, and he ceased to bestir himself , or to care retrieval fortunes By courtesy creditors, there still remained possession small remnant patrimony; and, income arising , he managed, of rigorous economy, to procure the necessaries of life, without troubling himself about its superfluities Books, indeed, were his sole luxuries, and in Paris these are easily obtained

Our first meeting was at an obscure library Rue Montmartre, where the accident both being in search same very rare and very remarkable volume, brought us into closer communion We saw again and again deeply interested little family history which he detailed with all that candor which Frenchman indulges whenever mere self is his theme astonished, too, vast extent reading; and, above all, my soul enkindled within me wild fervor, vivid freshness imagination Seeking in Paris the objects I then sought, societyof such man treasure beyond price; and this feeling I frankly confided to him arranged that live together during my stay city; and as my worldly circumstances were somewhat less embarrassed than his own, permitted expense of renting, and furnishing in style which suited the rather fantastic gloom common temper, time-eaten and grotesque mansion, long deserted through superstitions into which inquire, and tottering to its fall in retired and desolate portion Faubourg St Germain

Had the routine life place been known world, we regarded as madmen - although, perhaps, as madmen of harmless nature Our seclusion was perfect We admitted no visitors Indeed the locality retirement carefully kept secret from my own former associates; and it many years since Dupin had ceased or be known in Paris We existed within ourselves alone

freak of fancy in my friend (for what else shall I call it ? ) enamored Night for her own sake; and _bizarrerie_, as into all his others, I quietly fell; giving myself up wild whims with perfect abandon The sable divinity herself dwell always; but counterfeit her presence first dawn morning we closed all the messy shutters old building; lighting couple of tapers which, strongly perfumed, threw out only the ghastliest and feeblest of rays aid we then busied our souls in dreams - reading, writing, or conversing, until warned clock advent true Darkness Then we sallied forth streets arm in arm, continuing the topics day, or roaming far and wide until late hour, seeking, amid the wild lights and shadows populous city, that infinity of mental excitement which quiet observation can afford