7 NOVEMBER 1908, Page 43

The Complete Poems of Edgar Allan Poe. With Critical Intro-

duction by Charles F. Richardson. (G. P. Putnam's Sons. 7s. 6d. net.)—We are glad to get a complete edition of Poe's poems. This, too, is set off by a portrait and various illustrations. We have also an introduction, adding to the value of the volume. We cannot agree with Professor Richardson when he Maintains that "Poe is the American world-author." His poems do not give us human life in its broadest aspects. Can we say that Poe is a " world-author " in the sense that Shakespeare is such ?