Poe, Edgar Allen / 2008-09-16 00:00:00
1844-49
MARGINALIA
by Edgar Allan Poe
MARGINALIA
DEMOCRATIC REVIEW, November, 1844
In getting my books, I have been always solicitous of an ample
margin; this not so much through any love of the thing in itself,
however agreeable, as for the facility it affords me of pencilling
suggested thoughts, agreements, and differences of opinion, or brief
critical comments in general. Where what I have to note is too much to
be included within the narrow limits of a margin, I commit it to a
slip of paper, and deposit it between the leaves; taking care to
secure it by an imperceptible portion of gum tragacanth paste.
All this may be whim; it may be not only a very hackneyed, but a
very idle practice;- yet I persist in it still; and it affords me
pleasure; which is profit, in despite of Mr. Bentham, with Mr. Mill on
his back.
This making of notes, however, is by no means the making of mere
memorandum- a custom which has its disadvantages, beyond doubt "Ce que
je mets sur papier," says Bernadine de St. Pierre, "je remets de ma
memoire et par consequence je l'oublie;"- and, in fact, if you wish to
forget anything upon the spot, make a note that this thing is to be
remembered.
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