The verb (Learn English)

The verb
A part of speech that expresses existence, action, or occurrence.
Remember question one for identifying subjects? "What's going on (or being described)?" Answer that
and you've found your verb. And like a subject, a sentence has got to have one!
Let's look at a few more examples:
Lassie ran into the burning building.
The beagle stepped on its ears.
What's going on in these sentences? A couple of dogs are doing stupid things; but what they are doing
is the verb--in this case, Lassie ran and the beagle stepped . Both show action.
Got the idea? Now let's look at verbs that are a little different. Some verbs don't show action. Instead,
they link the subject to some other information: these are called, big surprise, linking verbs . Common
linking verbs are "to be" forms--such as, is, am, are, was, were--and the verbs appear, become, feel,
look, seem. Examples are:
She was fond of her animals.
Pierre is a fine beast.
She looks like she has been in a fight with a cat.
It feels damp in the grass.
In identifying the verb, you also need to look for the helpers, since they are considered part of the
verb. The helpers (aka auxiliaries) include: is, am, are, was, were, been, has, have, had, do, does, did,
may, can, might, shall, will, should, could, would.
I've marked the complete verb in the following:
I was barking before breakfast.
He should have let me out of the house.
I tried to wait for him to get up.
He should not have stayed in bed so long.
I barked and waited until. . . .
I guess you can figure out what happened at the end of this little story. It's an all-too-frequent part of a
dog's life. . . . But about the verbs.
Notice what is not included in the verb in numbers 3 and 4: to wait and not. Words with to in front of
them are never a part of the verb, even though they look suspiciously like verbs. Words like not,
always, just, never, and only are not part of the verb.

Remember how a sentence can have more than one subject? It can also have more than one verb, as
you see in number 5. One other thing: no word with an "-ing" ending can ever be the verb without a
helper: I barking; she running? No way!

Pronouns


Subjects and objects
First let's look at case--that is, the difference between the subject and object forms of the pronouns.
We know what subjects are, and objects are those words that come at the end of prepositional
phrases (among other things). You probably already know the differences, but just in case, here's a list
of the forms:
Subject
I
you
he
she
it
we
they

Object
me
you
him
her
it
us
them

The only thing you need to know is that these forms can't be switched around. If the word is a subject,
it must be a subject form; if it's an object . . . well, you get the idea. Consider the following:
o
o

Peggy and me barked at the garbage truck.
Her and me fought over the bone.

Some of you are probably thinking, "What's wrong with these?" In spoken English, you'll hear things
like this every day. But in written English, you need to make sure your forms aren't mixed up. The
correct versions are "Peggy and I" and "She and I," since the words are the subject of the sentence.
Nothing in the object list can be a subject--ever! You wouldn't say, "Me barked" or "me fought"--unless
you were trying out for a Tarzan movie.
The same goes for objects of prepositions. You can't use a subject form in a prepositional phrase.
o
o

Small Cat fetched the paper for her and I.
Peggy ran after John and she.

"For I"? "After she"? These can't be right, since both are in the subject list; but, they're used as objects
of the preposition. The correct versions are "for me" and "after her." You shouldn't have as much
trouble with these because you don't hear them misused quite as often in this way. But watch out for
"just between you and I." That phrase gets a lot of use--even though "I" can't be an object. It's "just
between you and me"!
With "to be" verbs
Now we get to the stuff that will sound odd to you. Remember when we talked about "to be" verb
forms? Any time a pronoun comes after one of these verbs, the subject form is required.
o
o

o

It is I.
It was they.
It is he.

I told you this would sound funny--but it's correct! So, all these years you've been saying, "It's me" and
"It's them," and you've been wrong. Right or wrong, I can't bring myself to say, "It is I." "It's me" sounds
more natural. The best thing to do when you write yourself into a construction like this is to rethink and
rewrite in a different way. (If anyone tells you otherwise, just say "it was I" who told you.)
With "than" or "as"


Another common pronoun mistake happens in sentences where you use "than" or "as" to compare
people or things:
o
o
o

Peggy is smaller than I.
The cat down the street is meaner than she.
Cats are as smart as they.

You want to use "me," "her," and "them," don't you? You could, but that wouldn't be right. The subject
form of the pronoun always comes after "than" or "as." Why? There's an understood verb in the
construction.
o
o
o

Peggy is smaller than I (am).
The cat down the street is meaner than she (is).
Cats are as smart as they (are).

You can see why the object form won't work: "me am," "her is," and "them are" are just plain wrong!
Even though you probably hear these kinds of sentences used incorrectly, when you're writing you can
get them right if you remember that understood verb.
Relative pronouns: who, whom, whose, that, and which
In addition to renaming another word (like all pronouns), relative pronouns often introduce added
details in your sentences. They can also be used to ask questions. Look at the following:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Small Cat is the one who is a true grammar hound.
Peggy is the cat whom everyone loves to pet.
Whose ball is that?
She is the one that I like.
I want to know which cat trampled the flowers.

These won't cause you too much trouble most of the time. Just remember: when you write about
people, use "who," "whom," and "whose." When you write about things, use "which." "That" can be
used in either case.
You may, however, have trouble with who and whom. Who is a subject form, and whom is an object.
Like the subject and object forms we talked about earlier, you can't switch these around. Let's take a
closer look at two of the sentences you just read:

1. Small Cat is the one who is a true grammar hound.
2. Peggy is the cat whom everyone loves to pet.
In number 1, "who" is the subject of the relative clause; in number two, "whom" is the object. "Fine,"
you're thinking, "but how do I know when to use 'who' or 'whom?'" You've got a 50/50 chance of
getting it right, but you can better the odds if you'll do the following when you find a sentence like one
of those above:

1. Mark the spot where "who" or "whom" should go.
2. Look at the group of words to the right of that mark.
Small Cat is the one _____is a true grammar hound.
Peggy is the cat _____ everyone loves to pet.

3. Since "who" or "whom" introduces a relative clause, there should be a subject and a verb in
that group of words.


_____is a true grammar hound.
_____everyone loves to pet.

4. If there is no subject, "who" is the right choice. It is the subject form and becomes the
subject of the clause.
. . . who is a true grammar hound.

5. If there is a subject, "whom" is the right choice. It is the object form.
. . . whom everyone loves to pet.
Now that's not so hard, is it?
Reflexives
Reflexive pronouns are intensifiers that refer back to the doer of the action (the subject). You know
the words: myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves.
We often say things like, I'll do it myself, "She'll fix it herself," etc. There's really no problem--except

when you use a reflexive in place of a subject or object form. Never write (or say) something like,
"Send it either to my secretary or myself." Keep that in mind, and you should be okay.
Pronouns are little words, but they're often troublesome. That's why we've spent so much time on
them. But enough, already!

Lesson no. 1
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1. Quiz test
2. Vocbulary
3. Student Essay

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4. Comments

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• 5. Word Forms
6. Metric conversion
7. Interesting Facts
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8. Qu Answers


1 - Quiz

Select the best word to complete the sentence. Answers in section 8.
NOTE: Study the Word Forms in section 5. It will help with this exercise.
a) Al Gore has a lot of __________ experience.
b) George W. Bush and Al Gore are both __________.
c) He is not __________ active. He prefers a low profile.
d) I don't follow ________. Who is running for president?
politically

political

politics

politicians

e) What is your __________ to him?
f) That is a very __________ dress.
g) Did you know that honey will __________ bears?
h) That house is __________ decorated for Christmas.
attractive

attractively

attraction

attract

2 - New Words From The Vocab Club
Our Daily Vocab Club has learned seven new words this week. Here are the seven new
words:
Yammer = to talk persistently and loudly. (verb)

Abloom = to be abounding with blooms (flowers). (adjective)
Blindside = to hit unexpectedly from or as if from a blind side (verb)
Cease = to bring an activity to an end (verb)
Disinfectant = a chemical that destroys harmful organisms (noun)
Elegy = a song or poem expressing sorrow, especially for one who has died (noun)
Fastidious = to show or demand excessive delicacy or care. (adjective)
3 - Student Essay
We would like to encourage you to begin discussions and make suggestions about
student essays. This first essay
was submitted by Mihai.
The most embarrassing that i have had I made break wind in front of my boyfriend. It was
very special because that the first date. But my boyfriend so nice he pretend like he didn't
heard and small anything. But I quite sure he
can heard that because it very lound. Ok. If he didn't heard that but smell can't pretend.
And I felt how hot on my face.
That reason why I love my boyfriend very much. How nice is her?
Sometime he break wind too. But I don't mind because I done it before.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The second essay was submitted by Catalin.
One of the most embarrassing moments in my life was during high school. It
was in a Biology lab. I was in front of the class talking about frogs, having one
in a container. The problem is that I am scared of them. Suddenly the frog jumped in my
face. I started to run around the class and screaming at the
same time.
It was embarrassing for me, because I was talking about them, telling the students that
they are good, and interesting. Describing their Physiology and then this happened to me.
I felt really embarrassed and stupid in front of the teacher and the students too.


Lesson no. 2
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1. Quiz test
2. Vocbulary
3. Student Essay

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4. Comments

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• 5. Borrow & Lend
6. The American Thanksgiving
• 7. Interesting Facts
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8. Quiz Answers


1 - Quiz
Select the best preposition to complete the sentence. Answers in section 8.
a) This jacket was made _____ hand _____ Paris.
b) They saw the job advertisement _____ the newspaper_____ Saturday.
c) I got _____ the bus _____ 8:45pm.
d) Russia is the largest country _____ the world.
e) Does she live _____ Maple Street or _____ 525 Pine Avenue?
f) The new Italian restaurant is _____ that old movie cinema.
g) He usually pays for dinner _____ his company credit card.

h) I am traveling _____ Hungary _____ April.
Some prepositions will be used more than once:
on, by, on, in, with, at, to

2 - New Words From The Vocab Club
Our Daily Vocab Club has learned seven new words this week. Here are the seven new
words:
Gibe = to utter taunting words. (verb)
Hive = a container for housing a colony of honeybees or a place swarming with busy
occupants. (noun)
Inducement = a motive or consideration that leads one to action or to addition or more
effective actions. (noun)
Junker = something of such age and condition as to be ready for scrapping, putting in the
garbage. (noun)
Key = to be of basic importance. (adjective)
Lollygag = to do very little or work very slowly. ( verb)
Menagerie = a collection of wild or foreign animals kept especially for exhibition.
(noun)
3 - Student Essay
This essay was submitted by Paula.
I do believe in Aliens as much as I don’t believe in it.
What I mean is, why or why not believe in it? I suppose it is possible to exist life in another
corner of the Universe, the same way it exist here on Hearth. If we see it for that point of
view, we are aliens; we would be aliens for someone or something living in the outer
space. The Universe seems to be so vast, therefore why isn’t it possible that the miracle
of life hasn’t occur somewhere else too?
On the other hand, it’s hard to believe that something so incredible could happen twice.
And the biggest problem is to believe in something one never saw before. I don’t believe
in people saying they saw a flying sauce or a green been. There’s a lot of speculation
around it and there’s always people ready to say anything to call attention. I believe if they

exist and could, they would appear and try to contact with the whole human kind.

4 - Comments about the Essay
You make some very good points in your essay, Paula. Your ideas about us also being
considered aliens and the vastness of our universe really makes us think. You also stated
that it's difficult for us to believe in something we have never seen and question why
aliens have never visited us. These are great thought provoking questions. Thanks for


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Lesson no. 3
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1. Quiz test
2. Vocbulary
3. Student Essay

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4. Comments

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5. Say and Tell

6. Chocolate recipe
7. Interesting Facts
8. Quiz Answers


1 - Quiz
Use a form of Say or Tell to complete the following sentences. Answers are in section 8.
Studying Part 5 will help with this exercise.
a) The young woman _____ me that she was feeling sick.
b) The police officer _____ that he was giving me a ticket.
c) Johan _____ where the movie was playing.
d) The surgeon _____ the patient that he had to alter his diet.
e) The sun _____ us if it is night or day.
f) The pirate _____ where the hidden treasure was.
g) The boy _____ his mother that he had been stung by a bee.
h) Ali _____ that he was going away for the weekend.

2 - New Words From The Vocab Club
Our Daily Vocab Club has learned seven new words this week. Here are the seven new
words:
Needle = to tease or to incite to action by repeated gibes. (verb)
Offhand = casual or in a relaxed manner. (adjective)
Paragon = a model of excellence or perfection. (noun)
Quagmire = soft, miry land or a difficult predicament. (noun)
Rumble = to make a low, heavy rolling sound. (verb)
Scald = to burn with hot liquid or steam. (verb)
Troop = a group of people, things or animals. (noun)

3 - Student Essay
This essay was submitted by Ionut.

Some people believe that we experience wars due to the existene of soldiers, while others
think we can live in peace due to the same reason. In my opinion, we should have armies
or national defense groups for the following reasons.
First, we couldn't maintain the freedom and staiblity of the world without them. In 1950,
Korean War took place because South Korea had no army to say they could prevent from
breaking of war, so couldn't escape the Korean War.
Second, As long as the conflicts among the countries exist and they are not resoulved by
natural communication, we can't run away from a war. So, most countries have their own
armies to be ready for the crisis like that. Without them, we can lose our country to live in
peace.
Finally, without the troops, no country or its people are not safe form the danger of armed
revolt of guerilla. There are so many conflicts in the world due to some reasons, such as
political confrontation, economic issue, or nationalism.
In summary, I strongly maintain that each country should have its own army or something
to maintain peace, to defense the nation from the poes, and to defeat the armed guerilla or
revolts. Of course, armies can cause some problems, such as rising taxes or time
consuming of young people, yet we can't exist without peace because peace can't remain
witout armies.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


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Lesson no. 4
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1. Quiz test

2. Vocbulary
3. Student Essay

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4. Comments

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5. Conjunctions
• 6. Recipe
7. Interesting Facts

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8. Quiz Answers

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1 - Quiz
Complete the following sentences using a correct coordinating conjunction. Answers are
in section 8. Studying Part 5 will help with this exercise.
a) Did you go see a horror _____ an action movie?
b) I wanted to talk to her _____ she wasn't home. I'll call again later.
c) He is able to repair wiring _____ plumbing.
d) I have diabetes, _____ I can't eat too much sugar.
e) Does she enjoy listening to jazz _____ classical music?
f) Ali wanted to go shopping _____ he lost his wallet.
g) Bodhan likes skiing _____ scuba diving.

h) It is snowing very hard, _____ I'm not going to work today.
Use one of the following words:
but

and

or

so

2 - New Words From The Vocab Club
Our Daily Vocab Club has learned seven new words this week. Here are the seven new
words:
Underscore = to emphasize. (verb)
Vilify = to make bad comments or abusive statements against someone. (verb)
Wholesome = promoting health of body, mind and spirit. (adjective)
Yowl = to cry out in grief, pain or distress. (verb)
Adapt = to make fit, often by modification. (verb)
Bon vivant = a French term commonly used in English. It means literally 'good living'.
(noun)
Certificate = a document containing a certified statement as to the truth of something.
(noun)
3 - Student Essay
This essay was submitted by Maria.
Nations and people are all time concerned about peace and war, nevertheless concerning
about security many horrible things have been done, people die, places are devasted and
so on.
Have u ever wondered about the real necessity of an army????? I can't find any good
reason for it existence, at least a real reason... if people want to leave in peace why they
do not rely in each other????? Can you find a good reason? Well, I can! People are

always afraid of beeing less than someone or that someone take advantege of them... but,
how many times they have taken advantage of someone? So it's reciprocal... you do
something to someone and you know it wasn't any good, then you become afraid that
someone would be able to do the same with you, how can you trust somebody then? You
can't.
So you can't leave your house alone, you can't park your car safetely, you can't rely other
countries,cause you can't even rely your neighbor...
Now, in such a place, a place that you can't rely anyone, you must need something to
prevent you from violence, from being stolen, cause you have RIGHTS but not
obligations...
Most of at all, there's no real risk, but we are always afraid... we never know what can


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Lesson no. 5
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1. Quiz test
2. Vocbulary
3. Student Essay

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4. Comments

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5. Conjunctions
6. Christmas article
7. Interesting Facts

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8. Quiz Answers

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•


1 - Quiz
Complete the following sentences using the correct correlative conjunction. Answers are
in section 8. Studying Part 5 will help with this exercise.
a) I like _____ candy _____ chocolate. I hate sweet food!
b) Robert _____ drinks tea _____ coffee.
c) They enjoy _____ traveling _____ spending money.
d) I would like _____ a sweater _____ a wallet for Christmas. Just one thing.
e) _____ cats _____ dogs can speak.
f) _____ rock music _____ folk music sound good.
g) _____ Christians _____ other people celebrate Christmas.
h) We should go to _____ Brazil _____ Mexico for our vacation.
Complete these sentences with:
Both...and

Not only...but also

Either...or

Neither...nor

2 - New Words From The Vocab Club
Our Daily Vocab Club has learned seven new words this week. Here are the seven new
words:
Damp = slightly wet. (adjective)
Extinguish = to cause to stop burning. (verb)
Fierce = violently hostile. (adjective)
Global = to involve the entire world. (adjective)
Hoard = a hidden supply, to keep a hidden supply. (noun/verb)
Itinerary = a route or plan. (noun)
Justice = the administration of what is lawful. (noun)
3 - Student Essay
This essay was submitted by Silvia.
Learnig by doing and learning at school are two different forms of education.
To some extent it is true, but I think that they depend on each other.
To learn something at school is not the most certain way that you know that.
It would be better if you could use this thing in the real life. Then you will realise and reveal
the prise of knowege, that you have recieved.
In my opinion learning at school is very useful for improving your culture and formating as
a person, but it is good to know that not everything, that is learnt there, is the same in the
practice.
Person could be good student and know a lot of thing of subjects, learnig at school, but he
or she couldn't know how to use them.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4 - Comments about the Essay
You really present some great ideas in this essay! As a teacher, I can honestly say that
this is one point I often consider. I agree that the best way to "learn" is by doing - by using
what you have learned in a real and natural way. This is also true with learning English!

My students sometimes ask me what the benefits are of studying in an English speaking
country. The most important thing is the ability to use the language in a real setting. This
can never be duplicated in a classroom. As you point out in this essay, this is how we


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Lesson no. 6
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1. Quiz test
2. Vocbulary
3. Student Essay

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4. Comments

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5. Adjectives & Adverbs
• 6. Christmas Article
• 7. Interesting Facts
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8. Quiz Answers

1 - Quiz
Are the underlined words in the following sentences adjectives or adverbs? Identify each
as either adjective or adverb. Answers are in section 8. Studying Part 5 will help with this
exercise.
a) She is a kind and understanding person.
b) Paula is an interesting speaker and a hard worker.
c) Tanya is a really exciting member of our team.
d) Robert usually eats junk food on the weekend.
e) I witnessed a horrific traffic accident near my house.
f) Kumiko will probably drive to Kyoto for her vacation.
g) My car is an eyesore.
h) She is an incredibly beautiful woman.

2 - New Words From The Vocab Club
Our Daily Vocab Club has learned seven new words this week. Here are the seven new
words:
Knowledgeable = having knowledge or intelligence. (adjective)
Lesson = an instructive example or a division of a course of study. (noun)
Mechanic = a manual worker, one who repairs machines. (noun)
Nuance = a small distinction or variation. (noun)
Ornamental = to add beauty to something. (adjective)
Petal = a leaf of a flower. (noun)
Quote = to speak or write words that originated from another person. (verb)
3 - Student Essay
This essay was submitted by Andrei.

Education has been always discussed all over the world, and learning by doing and
learning at school has been considered as two different forms of education.
Learning by doing allow people to learn by correcting their own mistakes or by observing
what they are doing . For instance, if a child is curious about Science and he can make an

experiment by himself he can observe everything that is happening during that step by
step, and it will gave him an opportunity to keep what he has learned in his mind easier. In
addition when a child tries to assemble a puzzle math , for example, and he makes some
mistakes trying to figure out what piece he should use, and which one maths, he is puting
his mind to work and correcting his own mistakes until get the solution for the problem.
On the other hand learning at school is a good way to learn how to organize his mind in
order to know the best way to resolve problems, and to follow rules, and to socialize.
Teachers are good instructors and they must have in mind that they are supposed to help
their students to learn methodically and logically.
I personally disagree that one kind of learning is better than other. In my opinion learning
by doing is as important as learning at school. For me children need to learn at school
because its good for them to have someone who can help them when they have doubts,
and showing them the directions; and at the same time the school should give them
chances to learn by doing always as possible by doing experiments, observations and
working with real situation.

4 - Comments about the Essay


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Lesson no. 7
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1. Quiz test
2. Vocbulary
3. Student Essay

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4. Comments

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5. Using few, a few, little, a little
• 6. New Year Traditions
• 7. Interesting Facts
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8. Quiz Answers


1 - Quiz
Complete the following sentences using Few, A Few, Little or A Little. Answers are in
section 8. Studying Part 5 will help with this exercise.
a) She has ______ money in the bank. She is very poor.
b) There are ______ countries in the world smaller than Andorra.
c) I'm hungry. Could I have ______ chocolate?
d) She bought ______ books at the bookstore.
e) This coffee is bitter. It needs ______ sugar.
f) Are you finished the test? No, I need ______ more minutes.
g) I'm going to the library. I need ______ information for my report.
h) I traveled to Brazil ______ months ago.

2 - New Words From The Vocab Club
Our Daily Vocab Club has learned seven new words this week. Here are the seven new
words:
reasonable = not extreme or excessive. (adjective)

sink = to go to the bottom. (verb)
thirsty = deficient in moisture. (adjective)
unite = to form a single unit. (verb)
virus = an infective agent. (noun)
wink = to shut one eye briefly. (verb/noun)
authentic = conforming to fact or reality. (adjective)
3 - Student Essay
This essay was submitted by Anca.
That is a interesting question. Now I am a mother of a ten years boy. According to my
experience a child should become independent
at age eighteen. Firstly at age eighteen it is a important for
a child transfering into a teengeras well as they finish high school edcation. Most people
will entrance college for farther education. They may choose a college near their home.
So they still can stay with their family. But many
people choose a college far away their home. So they have to be apart from their family.
Secondly they must keep their budget. That is very important thing for them to manage
their daily expense. If they spend money as water
their parents will be worried about their affording. In my opinion the earlier a child is
independent the more benifets for both of them. A child will
understand to know how it is hard to make a live.

4 - Comments about the Essay
This is a good essay. In this writing we can read a mother's perspective on a child's
independence. The writer expresses some personal ideas and important arguments for
us to consider on the topic such as the child's
moving away, understanding finances, and learning about the difficulties life presents us
with. This essay is well done and contains many important
points on this topic that we can relate to and appreciate.
There are some points which we should consider in order to improve the structure of this
writing. In the beginning you should say "I am the mother

of a ten year old boy...". This is how we usually express age. You use
a great English idiom in this essay. You should say "If they spend money
like water..." or something like this. "Money as water" is a little different.
Also, be careful of spelling: transferring, teenagers, education, and benefits. Apart from
these points, this essay is well done and an interesting read.


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The Olt And Mures Legend
Once upon the time,when the stories were reality,on the top of the Eastern Carpathians,there was a
fortress with two towers.The prince and the princess had twins.The boys were alike;only their faces
were,not their nature.They were fighting to blood from nothing.The boys grew.One day the prince went
to a battle and didn't return.The princess sent messengers to find her husband.The truth was that the
prince was dead ,but the princess didn't know this thing."What am i going to do with my boys?"she
said."They are fighting and fighting allover again.I built for them two different towers.In the northern
one leaves
Mures,and in the southest leaves Olt.Soon they will have to marry,but still don't understand each
other.
"Olt,my brother ,Mures said.Mother is still crying after our dad.What are we going to do?"
"Mures,my brother,let's forget our argues and let's go to find the prince.Maybe he's somewhere into
some prison and he needs our help to rescue him."
The twins went totheir mother,the princess,and spoke to her about their decision.When she heard ,she
burst into tears.She was weeping because her sons became wiser,but she was afraid not to lose
them.
"OK,my boys,the princess said.Go and find your dad.I advise you to stay together as horses on
carriage. And the
boys left. But as soon as they came out the fortress they were already argueing which way to go.
"Let's go to the north,Mures said."
"No,let's go to the south,Olt said.And ,like in their childhood,they started to fight"

"Because i grew into the northern tower,i will go in this direction",Mures said. "And i will go to the
south, Olt said ,cause i grew into the southest one."
Like this,they separated each other.After a whileMures was thinking: "With all our argues,we are still
loving each other.Also our mother asked us not to separate.Can i find again my brother?" On a valley
he turned to the south,but Olt wasn't anywhere.Mures was lost and went to the west through plains
which were so beautiful that he forgot his brother.The princess found out what was happened ,and
angry ran to return his sons,but never caught up them cause they were running as fast as their legs
carried them.She was praying then: "Dear Lord, please take care of my sons. Make them immortals."
God heard and transformed then the sons to immortals rivers.And rivers they are even today
mentaining their names: MURES and OLT.Nowadays,in our places wanderred by the Mures
river,every children must know the tale of Mures and Olt rivers ,beeing proud to leave such a
wonderful place.

The Legend of the bee and of the spider


Once upon a time there was a woman and she had two children: a boy and a girl. They set out for
the world to earn their living. The boy became an apprentice at a cloth weaver and the girl carried
stons for a waller. When she felt her end was near the mother called her children by her side. The girl
came immediately but the boy didn't want to. His mother forgave him but, after her death, the girl
turned into a bee and the boy into a spider. The spider has lived alone ever since, without any brothers
or sisters, without parents. He hides from light and forever weaves his web in dark corners. He is sad
and people always tear his web and kill him. Where as the bee is happy all day long, flying from flower
to flower and lives with her huge family, brothers and sisters together in a hive. Everybody loves her
because she is industrions and her honey is sweet and healing and we all benefit from her work.

The legend of the enchanted horse
On a stormy night an old lady came to the prince's palace to ask for shelter. The prince saw her and
told her to leave. If she wanted to work she could get a shelter. The old lady changed into a princess
and told him ' You have no mercy and you have no soul. You'll turn into a horse. The spell will be

broken only if a maiden will give you a gift.' Many years passed and the prince was unhappy and he
was sorry for what he'd done. Al these years many princesses came to bring him gifts in vain. One day
a young shepherdess called Giralda, who was in love with the prince, picked a snowdrop and she
wrapped it in a white paper. On the back she wrote with white and red letter 'martisor'. When she
came to the prince he was wandering when he had seen those clear honest eyes? The girl said her
gift was a symbol of her love for the prince. She gave him the 'Martisor'. When the prince touched her
gift he changed back into a human being, the prince. They got married and they lived happily ever
after. The prince decided that from that year on everybody had to remember the 1st of March and
boys were to give the girls a Martisor as a sign of gratitude and love.

Check out The Miths and Legends @ Scoala Online !
Edgar Allan Poe's Biography
By Hervey Allen.
August, 1927.
Edgar Allan Poe was born at 33 Hollis Street, Boston, Mass., on January 19, 1809, the son of poverty
stricken actors, David, and Elizabeth (born Arnold) Poe. His parents were then filling an engagement
in a Boston theatre, and the appearances of both, together with their sojourns in various places during
their wandering careers, are to be plainly traced in the play bills of the time.
Paternal Ancestry
The father of the poet was one David Poe of Baltimore, Maryland, who had left the study of the law in
that city to take up a stage career contrary to the desire of his family. The Poes had settled in America
some two or three generations prior to the birth of Edgar. Their line is distinctly traced back to Dring in
the Parish of Kildallen, County Cavan, Ireland, and thence into the Parish of Fenwick in Ayrshire,
Scotland. Hence they derived from Scotch-Irish stock, with what trace of the Celtic is doubtful. The first
Poes came to America about 1739. The immediate paternal ancestors of the poet landed at
Newcastle, Delaware, in 1748 or a little earlier. These were John Poe and his wife Jane McBride Poe
who went to settle in eastern Pennsylvania. This couple had ten children in their family, among them
one David who was the grandfather of the poet. David Poe married Elizabeth Cairnes, also of ScotchIrish ancestry, then living in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, whence, sometime prior to the outbreak of the
American Revolution they moved to Baltimore, Maryland.
David Poe and his wife, Elizabeth Cairnes Poe, took the patriot side in the Revolution. David was

active in driving the Tories out of Baltimore and was appointed "Assistant Deputy Quartermaster,"
which meant that he was a local purchasing agent of military supplies for the Revolutionary Army. He
is said to have been of considerable aid to Lafayette during the Virginia and Southern campaigns, and
for this patriotic activity he received the courtesy title of "General." His wife Elizabeth took an active
part in making clothes for the Continental Army. David and Elizabeth Poe (Sr.) had seven children
David, the eldest son, becoming the father of the poet. Two sisters of David, Eliza Poe (afterward Mrs.
Henry Herring) and Maria Poe (later Mrs. William Clemm) enter into the story of the poet's life, the
latter particularly, as she became his mother-in-law in addition to being his aunt. With her he lived from
1835 to 1849.
Young David Poe was destined for the law, but as previously mentioned, he finally left his native city to
go on the stage. His first professional appearance took place at Charleston, S. C., in December, 1803.
A dramatic notice of this performance in a local paper describes David Poe as being extremely
diffident while—
". . .His voice seems to be clear, melodious and variable; what its compass may be can only be shown
when he acts unrestrained by timidity. His enunciation seemed to be very distinct and articulate; and
his face and person are much in his favor. His size is of that pitch well fitted for general action if his
talents should be suited to sock and buskin. . . ."
This is perhaps the only direct evidence extant of the physical appearance of the poet's father. No
pictures of him are known to exist. His histrionic powers were at best very limited. He continued to play
in minor parts in various Southern cities and in January, 1806, married Elizabeth Arnold Hopkins, a
young childless widow, also an actress, whose husband had died but a few months before. Elizabeth
Arnold Poe became mother of Edgar Allan Poe.
Maternal Ancestry
The young widow whom David Poe married in 1806 had been born in England in the spring of 1787.
She was the daughter of Henry Arnold, and Elizabeth Arnold (born Smith) both actors at the Covent
Garden Theatre Royal, London. Henry Arnold died apparently about 1773. His widow continued to
support herself and her child by acting and singing, and in 1796, taking her young daughter with her,
she came to America and landed in Boston. Mrs. Arnold continued her professional career in America

at first with considerable minor success. Either immediately before, or just after arriving in the United
States, however, she married a second time, one Charles Tubbs, an Englishman of minor parts and
character. The couple continued to act, sing, and dance in various cities throughout the eastern
seaboard and the young Miss Arnold was soon noticed on the play bills appearing in childish roles as
a member of the various troupes to which her family belonged. Mr. and Mrs. Tubbs disappeared from
view about 1798 but the career of Elizabeth Arnold, Poe's mother, can be traced accurately by various
show bills and notices in the newspapers of the different cities in which she played until her death in
1811. It was during her wanderings as an actress that she married C. D. Hopkins, himself an actor, in
August, 1802. There were no children by this union. Hopkins died three years later, and in 1806, as
previously noted, his widow was married to David Poe.
The couple continued to play together but with very minor success. They had three children. William
Henry Leonard born in Boston in 1807, Edgar born in Boston in 1809, and Rosalie at Norfolk, Va.,
probably in December, 1810. Due to their poverty, which was always extreme, the first child, Henry,
had been left in the care of his grandparents in Baltimore shortly after his birth. Edgar was born while
his parents were filling an engagement at the Boston Theatre. In the summer of 1809 the Poes went to
New York where David Poe either died or deserted his wife, probably the former. Mrs. Poe was left
with the infant Edgar and some time afterward gave birth to a daughter. A suspicion was afterwards
thrown on the paternity of this last child and on the reputation of Mrs. Poe, which played an
unfortunate part in the lives of her children. It is safe to say that it was unjust.
From 1810 on, Mrs. Poe continued, although in failing health, to appear in various roles in Norfolk, Va.,
Charleston, S. C., and Richmond. In the winter of 1811 she was overtaken by a fatal illness and died
on December 8th in circumstances of great misery and poverty at the house of a Scotch milliner in
Richmond. She was buried in the churchyard of St. John's Episcopal Church in that city two days later,
but not without some pious opposition.
Mrs. Poe was survived by three orphaned children. Two of these, Edgar and Rosalie, were with her at


the time of her death and were cared for by charitable persons. Edgar, then about two years old, was
taken into the home of John Allan, a Scotch merchant in fairly prosperous circumstances, while the
infant Rosalie was given shelter by a Mr. and Mrs. William Mackenzie. The Allans and Mackenzies

were close friends and neighbors. The children remained in these households, and the circumstances
of their fostering were, as time went on, equivalent to adoption.
Frances Keeling Valentine Allan, the wife of the Scotch merchant who had given shelter to the "infant
orphan Edgar Poe," was a childless woman who had been married for some years. The child Edgar
appears to have been a bright and attractive little boy, and despite some reluctance on the part of Mr.
Allan, he was soon ensconced as a permanent member of the household. Although there is some
evidence of an attempt on the part of paternal relatives in Baltimore to assert their interest in the child,
the young boy remained as the foster-son of John Allan in Richmond, where he was early put to a
school kept by a Scotch dame and apparently later to one William Irwin, a local schoolmaster. There is
every evidence that his early years of childhood were spent in happy and comfortable surroundings.
Mrs. Allan and her maiden sister, Nancy Valentine, who resided in the same household, were
peculiarly fond of their "pet." He seems, indeed, to have been somewhat overdressed and spoiled as a
very little boy, a propensity on the part of the women which the foster-father tried to offset by
occasional but probably welltimed severity.
In 1815 the family sailed for England on the Ship "Lothair," taking Edgar with them, After a brief stay in
London they visited Scotch relatives, the Galts, Allans, and Fowlds, at Kilmarnock, Irvine, and other
places about Ayrshire. A journey was made to Glasgow and then back to London in the late fall of
1815 when Edgar was sent back to Scotland at Irvine. There for a short time he attended the
Grammar School. By 1816, however, he was back in London where his foster-father was endeavoring
to build up a branch of his Richmond firm, Ellis and Allan, by trading in tobacco and general
merchandise. The family resided at Southampton Row, Russell Square, while the young Edgar was
sent to a boarding school kept by the Misses Dubourgs at 146 Sloane Street, Chelsea. He remained
there until the summer of 1817. In the fall of that year he was entered at the Manor House School of
the Rev. Mr. John Bransby at Stoke Newington, then a suburb of London. At this place be remained
until some time in the spring of 1820 when he was withdrawn to return to America. The young Poe's
memories of his five years' stay in Scotland and England were exceedingly vivid and continued to
furnish him recollections for the remainder of his life. He seems to have been a precocious and
somewhat lordly young gentleman. A curious and vivid reminiscence of these early school days in
England remains in his story of "William Wilson." It is significant of his relations with his foster-parents
that the bills for his English schooling are rendered for Master Allan. There can be little doubt that at

this time Mr. Allan regarded him as a son. Other evidence is not lacking.
John Allan's business ventures in London had been unfortunate. He returned to the United States,
arriving in Richmond in August, 1820, considerably embarrassed, a condition in which his partner
Charles Ellis was also involved. Assignments of real estate were eventually made to satisfy creditors.
The life of the Allan family, however, continued to be comfortable. Edgar was sent to an Academy kept
by William Burke, later by Joseph H. Clarke, and attended by the sons of the best families in
Richmond. At school the young Poe excelled in languages, oratory, amateur theatricals, and attained
a notable prowess in swimming. He appears to have attracted the attention of his masters and elders
by his brilliance and to have been well liked but somewhat aloof from most of his playmates. At a very
youthful age he began to write poetry, his first verses dating from his early teens. About 1823 he
became intimate in the home of a schoolmate, Robert Stanard, whose mother, Jane Stith Stanard,
took a tender interest in the brilliant young boy, an affection which was ardently and romantically
returned. It was to this lady that Poe afterwards addressed his poem "To Helen," beginning...
"Helen, thy beauty is to me"
Mrs. Stanard soon went mad and died. The tragedy was undoubtedly taken to heart by Poe to whom it
came as a great blow shocking him significantly. He is said on somewhat questionable authority to
have haunted her grave in the lonely cemetery by night. There is no doubt that he continued to cherish
her memory as long as be lived.
Be that as it may, however, by 1824 the young poet who had been addressing the girls of a
neighboring female academy in juvenile lyrics found himself fully embarked upon the troubled waters
of a more adult life. Mrs. Stanard had died; his foster-father John Allan was in precarious financial


straits; Mrs. Allan's health was rapidly failing; and there was domestic dissension of the most serious
kind in the household. John Allan had from time to time indulged in extra-marital relations. Some of his
natural children were then living in Richmond and the knowledge of this in one way or another seems
to have become known to his wife. Her sorrow was great. During the visit of Lafayette to Richmond in
1824 young Poe, who was an officer in a cadet company, acted as an escort to the old General. This
gave him a new sense of his own dignity and importance and at the same time he appears in some of
his contacts about the town with more adult companions to have learned of his foster-father's mode of

life. At home Edgar took the part of his mother, and a quarrel, which through various ramifications
lasted for upwards of a decade, now took place between Poe and John Allan.
The situation was peculiarly exasperating to all concerned and the conflict dramatic.
Mr. Allan, it appears, had at the time of the death of Mrs. David Poe come into the possession of some
of her correspondence. What was in these letters no one will ever know as they were afterwards
destroyed by Mrs. Clemm at the request of Poe himself. There may have been some compromising
matter in them. At any rate, in order to insure Edgar's silence as to his own affairs, Mr. Allan wrote a
letter to William Henry Leonard Poe in Baltimore, complaining of Edgar in vague terms accusing him of
ingratitude, and attacking the legitimacy of the boy's sister Rosalie. The effect of this letter, and there
may have been others, was evidently very disturbing to both the sons of Elizabeth Poe. Certainly it
must have drawn the lines much tighter in the Allan household in Richmond. Three years later we find
Henry in Baltimore publishing a poem entitled "In a Pocket Book," which shows every indication that
the doubts about his sister's legitimacy had gone home.
Rosalie Poe about this time began to show distinct signs of arrested development. She never fully
matured, and though she continued to be cherished as a daughter by the Mackenzies who had first
sheltered her, she remained at best a sorrowful reminder of the past to her brother Edgar. She outlived
him by many years, finally dying in a charitable institution in Washington, D. C.
The death of Mrs. Stanard, the financial troubles and consequent irritability of John Allan, the disputes
and counter charges in the household, and his own doubtful position there— for he had never been
adopted and his dependence on charity was constantly reiterated— all of this proved an uneasy
background for a young and ambitious poet. In addition there are indications that Mr. Allan as a
practical Scotchman bad little or no sympathy for his foster-son's ambitions in the realm of literature.
In 1825 Mr. Allan's financial straits were amply relieved by the inheritance from his uncle William Galt
of a large fortune. He found himself in short, a very wealthy man. The whole scale of living of the
family now changed to a method of life consonant with their better condition. A new house of
considerable pretension was purchased, and in this large and comfortable mansion, situated at Fifth
and Main Streets in the City of Richmond, a round of entertainments and social functions began
despite the failing health of its mistress. Poe accompanied the family to the new house. His fosterfather withdrew him from Mr. Clarke's Academy and had him prepared for the University of Virginia
which under the patronage of Thomas Jefferson had but recently opened its doors.
On a street nearby lived a little girl by the name of Sarah Elmira Royster. Poe frequented her parlor

where they sang, and drew pictures. Elmira played the piano while Edgar accompanied her on the
flute, or they walked in the gardens close at hand. Henry Poe is known to have visited his brother in
Richmond about this time and to have accompanied Edgar to the Roysters. Before Edgar left for the
University he was engaged to Elmira. The affair, however, was not made known to the adults of either
household.
In February, 1826, Edgar A. Poe matriculated at the University of Virginia. He was then only a little
more than seventeen, but his manhood may be said to have begun.
His position at the University was a precarious one. As the "son" of a wealthy man he had a great deal
of credit and Poe himself was prone to live up to the reputation. On the other hand his foster-father
appears even at this time to have been so alienated from his ward that he provided him with
considerably less than the amount necessary to pay his way. The young student made a rather
brilliant record in his studies but also fell in with a somewhat fast set of youths. In order to maintain his
position he began to play heavily; lost, and used his credit with local shopkeepers recklessly. It is at
this time also that we first hear of his drinking. The effects of a very little alcohol on Poe's constitution


were devastating. He appears to have been a brilliant, but rather eccentric and decidedly nervous
youth. Another cause of strain at this period was the unhappy "progress" of his love affair. Mr. and
Mrs. Royster were evidently aware of the fact that young Poe was no longer regarded as an heir by his
foster-father. They had, of course, soon learned of his love affair with their daughter and now brought
pressure to break off the match. Poe's letters to his sweetheart were intercepted; Elmira was forbidden
to write; the attentions of an eligible young bachelor, A. Barrett Shelton, were pressed upon her, and
she was finally sent away for a while into safe keeping. In the meantime Mr. Allan was informed of the
financial difficulties of his ward whose indebtedness is said to have totalled $2500. His anger became
extreme, and upon the return of Poe to Richmond to spend the Christmas holidays of 1826, he was
advised by his guardian that he could not return to the University.
The opening weeks of 1827 were spent in Richmond in the most strained relation between young Poe
and Mr. Allan. Poe's career at the University had no doubt been very unsatisfactory. On the other hand
Mr. Allan's anger was implacable and extreme. He refused to pay any of his ward's debts of honor, or
any other debts, thereby reducing the proud spirit of the youngster whom he had raised as his son to

despair. The young Poe was pressed by warrants. His foster-father used the opportunity to insist upon
his reading law and abandoning all literary ambitions. On this rock apparently they finally split. A
violent quarrel took place between them in March, 1827, at the conclusion of which the young poet
dashed into the street and went to an inn whence he wrote demanding his trunk, personal belongings
and clothes. Several letters passed between the two without a reconciliation being effected. Their
mutual grievances were rehearsed and Poe finally concluded, despite his utter destitution, to work his
way North to Boston, then the literary capital of the United States. Mr. Allan it appears tried to
interfere, but his wife and her sister seem to have supplied Poe secretly with a small sum of money by
means of one of the slaves before the young man set out on his travels.
Under the assumed name of Henri Le Rennet he left Richmond with one companion, Ebenezer
Burling, and reached Norfolk, Va. Here Burling left him while Poe went by ship to Boston where he
arrived almost penniless some time in April, 1827. He did not, as has so often been asserted, even by
himself, go abroad. The dates of his known whereabouts taken from letters and documents at this time
definitely preclude even the possibility of a European trip.
In Boston there is some obscure evidence that Poe attempted to support himself by writing for a
newspaper. It is certain, however, that while in Boston during the spring and summer of 1827 he made
friends with a young printer, one Calvin F. S. Thomas then newly embarked in the trade, and prevailed
on him to print a volume of verse, Tamerlane and Other Poems. The printer does not appear to have
known Poe by any but an assumed name. The title page of the little volume proclaimed the work to be
"By A Bostonian." The bulk of it, probably due to Poe's inability to recompense the printer, was
apparently destroyed or suffered to lie in neglect. Only a few copies of it got into circulation and only
two obscure notices appeared. Poe himself seems to have secured scarcely some for personal use. In
the meantime the author of this unknown but now famous little volume was reduced to the greatest
extremity. Totally without means and too proud or unable to appeal to Richmond, he finally as a
desperate measure enlisted in the United States Army on May 26, 1827, under the assumed name of
Edgar A. Perry. He was assigned to Battery "H" of the First U. S. Artillery and spent the summer of
1827 in the barracks of Fort Independence, Boston Harbor. At the end of October his regiment was
ordered to Fort Moultrie, Charleston, S. C.
The ensuing two and a half years form a curious interlude in the life of a poet. Poe spent the time
between November, 1827, and December, 1829, doing garrison duty as an enlisted man at Ft.

Moultrie, S. C. The fort was located on Sullivan's Island at the mouth of the harbor. The young soldier
had a good deal of spare time on his hands which was evidently spent in wandering along the
beaches, writing poetry, and reading. His military duties were light and wholly clerical, as he had soon
been noticed by his officers better fitted for office work than for practice at the great-guns. Of this
period, and of his doings and imaginings, the best record is the "Gold Bug," written many years later,
but replete with exact local color and scenes. Poe's duties evidently brought him into close contact
with his officers. He was steady, sober, and intelligent; and promotion ensued. We soon find him listed
as an "artificer," the first step out of the ranks. He himself, however, felt that his life was being wasted
and some time in 1828 correspondence was resumed with his foster-father in Richmond, the purport
of which was a request for reconciliation and a return to civil life. Although Poe's letters were touching,
appealing, and penitent, his guardian was obstinate and the youth remained at his post until
December, 1828, when his regiment was ordered to Fortress Monroe, Virginia.


Seeing that his guardian would not consent to having him return home, he now conceived the idea of
entering West Point. Some of the officers of his regiment, a surgeon in particular, became interested,
and influence was brought to bear on John Allan. On January 1, 1829, Poe, still serving under the
name of Perry, was promoted to Sergeant-Major of his regiment, the highest rank open to an enlisted
man. His letters home became more insistent and to them were now added the prayers of Mrs. Allan,
who was dying. She desired to see her "dear boy" before she expired. Strange as it may seem, John
Allan remained firm until the very last. He finally sent for his foster-son, then only a few miles away
from Richmond, but it was too late. Mrs. Allan died before Poe arrived home, and despite her dying
request not to be buried until her foster-son returned, her husband proceeded with the funeral. When
Poe arrived at the house a few hours later all that he loved most was in the ground. His agony at the
grave is said to have been extreme.
Mrs. Allan had extracted a promise from her husband nevertheless, not to abandon Poe. A partial
reconciliation now took place and Mr. Allan consented to help Poe in his plan to enter West Point.
Letters were written to the Colonel of his regiment, a substitute was secured, and the young poet
found himself discharged from the army on April 15, 1829. He returned for a short period to
Richmond.

Poe remained only a short time at "home." He secured, largely through his own solicitation, a number
of letters of influence to the War Department. Armed with these, and a very cold letter from his
guardian who averred, "Frankly, sir, do I declare that he is no relation to me whatever"— he set out
about May 7th for Washington where he presented his credentials, including a number of
recommendations of his officers couched in the highest terms, to the Secretary of War, Mr. Eaton. A
long delay of almost a year occurred, during which his appointment to West Point was in doubt.
During most of this period, May, 1829, to the end of that year, he resided in Baltimore. His foster-father
supplied him from time to time with small sums just sufficient to keep him alive, and remained cold and
suspicious of his good intentions as to West Point. In the meantime young Poe, after being robbed by
a cousin at a hotel, sought shelter with his Aunt Maria Clemm, the sister of his father. In the household
of this good woman, who was from the first his guardian angel, Poe found his grandmother, Mrs. David
Poe, Sr., then an aged and paralyzed woman, his brother Henry, and his first cousin Virginia Clemm, a
little girl about seven years old. She later became the poet's wife. During this stay in Baltimore Poe
exerted himself to further his literary name. Shortly after his arrival we find him calling on William Wirt,
just retired from active political life in Washington, author of "Letters of a British Spy," and a man of
considerable literary reputation. Poe left with Wirt the manuscript of "Al Aaraaf" and received from him
a letter of advice rather than recommendation. The incident, however, shows that he had then on hand
the manuscript for a second volume of poems. These consisted of several which had appeared in his
first volume, much revised, and some new ones.
He now went to Philadelphia and left the manuscript with Carey, Lea and Carey, a then famous
publishing firm, who demanded a guarantee before they would print it. Poe wrote to his guardian
asking him to support the little volume to the extent of $100, but received an angry denial and strict
censure for contemplating such an action. By July 28th he bad, however, apparently arranged for
publication of the volume in Baltimore and wrote to Carey, Lea and Carey withdrawing the manuscript.
Through Baltimore friends and relatives he was enabled to reach the ear of John Neal, then an
influential Boston editor, and the forthcoming work received some helpful notices in the September
and December issues of the Yankee for 1829. The book itself, entitled Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane and Minor
Poems, was published by Hatch and Dunning in Baltimore in December, 1829. Somewhat mollified by
this success and the notice it attracted, but much more so by the assurance that his foster-son was
about to receive his long delayed appointment to the Military Academy, Mr. Allan permitted Edgar to

return to Richmond where fie stayed from January to May, 1830, at the "big mansion." His life in
Baltimore had been a poverty-haunted one, and the return to his former mode of existence was
undoubtfully a welcome one to Poe.
Mr. Allan, however, had his own private reasons for desiring to have his ward out of Richmond as
soon as possible. He had resumed intimate relations with a former companion after the death of his
wife and was now expecting an unwelcome addition to his natural children. Quarrels with Poe were
renewed. After a peculiarly bitter one Poe wrote a letter to a former acquaintance in the army, a
sergeant to whom he owed a small sum of money. In this he permitted himself to make an unfortunate


statement about his guardian. The letter was later used by the man to collect from Mr. Allan the
amount due him and was the final cause of Poe's being cast off.
The appointment to the Military Academy was received at the end of March. The examinations for
entrance were held at West Point at the end of June, and in May Poe bade farewell to his guardian
and left for the Military Academy, visiting his Baltimore relatives on the way. On July 1, 1830, he took
the oath and was admitted as cadet at West Point.
Poe' remained at the United States Military Academy from June 25, 1830, to February 19, 1831. There
can be no doubt that the military career was distasteful to him and that be had been forced into it by
his guardian in whose fortune he might still hope to share. Mr. Allan, however, regarded his duties as
fulfilled, with Edgar provided for at the public charge, and was glad to have him away from Richmond.
On the day that Poe entered West Point, his guardian was presented with a pair of natural twins for
whom he later on arranged in his will. This did not prevent his marrying a second time, nevertheless,
and the new relation made him more than ever inimical to his foster son.
Edgar Poe continued to perform his duties creditably at the Military Academy when all hope of any
help in the future from Mr. Allan was shattered by a letter from Richmond which disowned him. The
soldier had presented to his guardian the letter written by Poe a year before, and the rage of Mr. Allan
was extreme. Realizing that all hope of a competence from Richmond was now at an end, Poe
decided to take things in to his own hands and leave the army forever. As he could not obtain Mr.
Allan's consent to resign he went on strike and neglected to attend formations, classes, or church. He
was court martialled and dismissed for being disobedient. While at the Military Academy he had

arranged with Elam Bliss, a New York publisher, to bring out a third volume of poems to which the
student body at the Academy had subscribed.
In February, 1831, he went to New York. He was penniless, illy clad, and nearly died of a "cold"
complicated by internal ear trouble, after reaching the city.
Forced to eat humble pie he again appealed to his guardian, but in vain. He remained in New York
long enough to see his third volume off the press. It was entitled Poems, Second Edition, and
contained a preface addressed to "Dear B.," a person unknown, in which some of the young author's
critical opinions, largely 'taken from Coleridge, were first set forth.
After attempting abortively to obtain letters of introduction to Lafayette from Col. Thayer, the
Superintendent at West Point, in order to join the Polish patriots then revolting against Russia, Poe left
New York and journeyed by way of Philadelphia to Baltimore. He arrived in the latter city some time
about the end of March, 1831, and again took up his residence at Mechanics Row, Milk Street, with his
aunt Maria Clemm and her daughter Virginia. His brother Henry was then in ill health, "given over to
drink," and dying. The next four years were spent in Baltimore under conditions of extreme poverty.
Poe was still obscure and his doings for much of the time are very vague. A few facts, however, can
be certainly glimpsed.
During most of the Baltimore period Poe must have followed the life of a recluse. He now began to
turn his attention to prose and was able to place a few stories with a Philadelphia publication. His
brother Henry died in August, 1831. Edgar continued to live with the Clemms. The household was
poverty stricken, he himself was not in very good health part of the time. What the family lived on is not
clear. Attempts were made to interest Mr. Allan once more in his behalf but in vain. No relief came
from Richmond except upon one occasion when on account of a debt contracted by his brother Henry,
Edgar was in danger of being imprisoned. Mr. Allan sent a belated response which was the last that
Poe ever received from him. Poe is known to have paid ardent attention to Mary Devereaux, a young
girl who lived close by. He was refused, and horsewhipped the girl's uncle. At this time he also
frequented the houses of his relatives, the Poes, and Herrings, especially the latter, It was then, too
that he was hard at work perfecting his art as a writer of short stories, and upon his only drama,
"Politian."
In October, 1833, he competed for a prize of $50 offered for the best short story submitted to a
Baltimore paper, The Saturday Visitor. The prize was awarded by a committee of well known citizens

to Poe's "The Manuscript Found in a Bottle." It was his first notable success and marks his emergence
into fame. The cash was grateful to his necessity, but a more important effect of the contest was the