The works of Edgar Allan Poe; newly collected and edited, with a memoir, critical introductions, and notes, by Edmund Clarence Stedman and George Edward Woodberry; the illustrations by Albert Edward Sterner.

TALES OF PSEUDO-SCIENCE

in meditation. Arising early in the morning, I repaired eagerly to the bookseller's stall, and laid out
what little ready money I possessed, in the purchase
of some volumes of Mechanics and Practical Astronomy. Having arrived at home safely with these, I
devoted every spare moment to their perusal, and soon
made such proficiency in studies of this nature as I
thought sufficient for the execution of a certain design
with which either the devil or my better genius had
inspired me. In the intervals of this period, I made
every endeavor to conciliate the three creditors who
had given me so much annoyance. In this I finally
succeeded-partly by selling enough of my household furniture to satisfy a moiety of their claim, and
partly by a promise of paying the balance upon completion of a little project which I told them I had in
view, and for assistance in which I solicited their services. By these means (for they were ignorant men)
I found little difficulty in gaining them over to my
purpose.
Matters being thus arranged, I contrived, by the aid
of my wife, and with the greatest secrecy and caution,
to dispose of what property I had remaining, and to
borrow in small sums, under various pretences, and
without giving any attention (I am ashamed to say)
to my future means of repayment, no inconsiderable
quantity of ready money. With the means thus accruing I proceeded to procure, at intervals, cambric muslin, very fine, in pieces of twelve yards each; twine; a
lot of the varnish of caoutchouc; a large and deep
basket of wicker-work, made to order; and severai
other articles necessary in the construction and equipment of a balloon of extraordinary dimensions. This
I directed my wife to make up as soon as possible,
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