The Angel of Tears" [in] The United States Magazine and Democratic Review vol. XI, no. LI [September 1842]

New York: J. & H. G. Langley, 1842. First Edition. First printing. Octavo (24cm). Tan printed paper wrappers; [223]-334; ads to wrappers; frontispiece. Ownership inscription of R. E. Temple, Esq. to front. LIghtly rubbed and dustsoiled, minor chips to spine ends, but generally sound and whole: Very Good.

Contains the first appearance of "The Angel of Tears," a short prose piece by Whitman (pp282-4). The story "focuses on a man who has been imprisoned for killing his brother. The prisoner recounts his crime and recalls the happier times the brothers had...while he waits for his own death sentence to be carried out. God sends Alza, the angel (truncated) of tears, to comfort him...The story reveals Whitman's sympathy for the criminal...and seems to imply Whitman's opposition to capital punishment" (Stephanie Blalock, The Walt Whitman Archive). MYERSON E157. (Inventory #: 59308)