by Edgar Allan Poe

very minute and elaborate paper by Arago, nothing summary in 'Silliman's Journal,' detailed statement just published by Lieutenant Maury, supposed, , that in offering few hurried remarks in reference to Von Kempelen's discovery, any design to look subject in scientific point of view My object is simply, first place, few words of Von Kempelen himself ( , , I had the honor of slight personal acquaintance), since every thing which concerns him must necessarily, moment, be of interest; and, second place, to look in general way, and speculatively, results discovery

It , however, to premise the cursory observations which to offer, by denying, very decidedly, what general impression (gleaned, as usual in case kind, newspapers), viz : discovery, astounding as it unquestionably is, is unanticipated

By reference 'Diary of Sir Humphrey Davy' (Cottle and Munroe, London, pp 150), seen at pp 53 and 82, illustrious chemist had conceived the idea now , but had actually made no inconsiderable progress, experimentally, very identical analysis now so triumphantly brought to an issue by Von Kempelen, who although he makes not the slightest allusion , is, without doubt ( it unhesitatingly, and can prove it, if required), indebted 'Diary' for the first hint own undertaking

The paragraph 'Courier and Enquirer,' now going the rounds press, and which purports to claim the invention for Mr Kissam, of Brunswick, Maine, appears , I confess, little apocryphal, for several reasons; although nothing either impossible or very improbable statement made not go into details My opinion paragraph is founded principally upon its manner It look true Persons narrating facts, are seldom so particular as Mr Kissam , about day and date and precise location Besides, if Mr Kissam actually did come discovery , period designated -- nearly eight -- how happens it that no steps, instant, to reap the immense benefits which the merest bumpkin known resulted to him individually, world at large, discovery ? It seems quite incredible that any man of common understanding discovered what Mr Kissam says , and yet have subsequently acted so like baby -- so like an owl -- as Mr Kissam admits that By-the-way, Mr Kissam ? and the whole paragraph 'Courier and Enquirer' fabrication got 'make talk' ? It confessed has an amazingly moon-hoaxy-air Very little dependence placed upon it, in my humble opinion; and if I well aware, from experience, how very easily men of science are mystified, on points out usual range of inquiry, profoundly astonished at finding so eminent chemist as Professor Draper, discussing Mr Kissam's (or Mr Quizzem's ? ) pretensions discovery, in so serious tone

But to return 'Diary' of Sir Humphrey Davy This pamphlet was not designed public eye, even decease writer, as any person at all conversant with authorship may satisfy himself at once slightest inspection style At page 13, for example, near the middle, we read, in reference researches protoxide of azote: 'In half minute the respiration being continued, diminished gradually and were succeeded by analogous to gentle pressure on all the muscles ' respiration was not 'diminished,' is clear subsequent context, but use plural, 'were ' The sentence, , was thus intended: 'In half minute, the respiration [being continued, these feelings] diminished gradually, and were succeeded by [a sensation] analogous to gentle pressure on all the muscles ' hundred similar instances go to show MS so inconsiderately published, was merely rough note-book, meant only writer's own eye, but an inspection pamphlet will convince almost any thinking person truth suggestion The fact is, Sir Humphrey Davy was last man to commit himself on scientific topics had he more than ordinary dislike to quackery, but morbidly afraid of appearing empirical; , however fully convinced that right track matter now , never have spoken out, until he had every thing ready most practical demonstration I verily believe that his last moments rendered wretched, could he have suspected that his wishes in regard to burning this 'Diary' (full of crude speculations) unattended to; as, it seems, they were 'his wishes,' he meant to include this note-book miscellaneous papers directed ' burnt,' there no manner of doubt Whether it escaped the flames by good fortune or by bad, yet remains seen passages quoted above, other similar ones referred to, gave Von Kempelen the hint, slightest degree question; but I repeat, it yet remains seen whether this momentous discovery itself (momentous under any circumstances) of service or disservice to mankind at large That Von Kempelen immediate friends will reap rich harvest, it folly to doubt for moment scarcely be so weak as not to 'realize,' , by large purchases of houses and land, with other property of intrinsic value

brief account of Von Kempelen which appeared 'Home Journal,' and has since been extensively copied, several misapprehensions German original seem made translator, who professes taken the passage from late number Presburg 'Schnellpost ' 'Viele' has evidently been misconceived (as it often is), and what the translator renders by 'sorrows,' is probably 'lieden,' which, in its true version, 'sufferings,' would give totally different complexion whole account; but, , much of merely guess, on my part

Von Kempelen, however, is by no means 'a misanthrope,' in appearance, , whatever My acquaintance was casual altogether; and scarcely warranted in saying that him at all; but seen and conversed with man of so prodigious notoriety as he has attained, or will attain , small matter, as times go

'The Literary World' speaks of him, confidently, as native of Presburg (misled, perhaps, account in 'The Home Journal') but pleased in being able to state positively, since it own lips, that born in Utica, State of New York, although both his parents, I believe, are of Presburg descent The family is connected, in some way, with Maelzel, of Automaton-chess-player memory In person, short and stout, with large, fat, blue eyes, sandy hair and whiskers, wide but pleasing mouth, fine teeth, and Roman nose some defect in one feet His address is frank, whole manner noticeable for bonhomie Altogether, he looks, speaks, and acts as little like 'a misanthrope' as any man I ever saw We were fellow-sojouners for week about six , at Earl's Hotel, in Providence, Rhode Island; and I presume that I conversed , at various times, for some three or four hours altogether His principal topics were those day, and nothing that fell led me to suspect his scientific attainments He left the hotel before me, intending to New York, and thence to Bremen; latter city that his great discovery was first made public; or, rather, there that first suspected of having made it about all that I personally know now immortal Von Kempelen; but thought that even these few details interest public

There little question that most marvellous rumors afloat affair are pure inventions, entitled to about credit story of Aladdin's lamp; and yet, in case kind, as case discoveries in California, clear truth stranger than fiction The following anecdote, , is authenticated, that receive it implicitly

Von Kempelen had never been even tolerably well off during his residence at Bremen; and often, well known, he put to extreme shifts to raise trifling sums great excitement occurred forgery house of Gutsmuth & Co , suspicion was directed toward Von Kempelen, on account having purchased considerable property in Gasperitch Lane, refusing, when questioned, to explain how he became possessed purchase money arrested, but nothing decisive appearing against him, was end set at liberty The police, however, kept strict watch upon his movements, and thus discovered that he left home frequently, taking always the same road, and invariably giving his watchers the slip neighborhood labyrinth of narrow and crooked passages known flash name 'Dondergat ' Finally, by dint of great perseverance, they traced him to garret in an old house of seven stories, in an alley called Flatzplatz, -- and, coming upon him suddenly, found him, imagined, midst counterfeiting operations His agitation is represented as so excessive officers the slightest doubt guilt After hand-cuffing him, they searched his room, or rather rooms, appears he occupied all the mansarde