Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1826-06-24
GIEHHAGY oADMgs
SATURDAY EVENING, JUNE "a.
poRraA1r OF THE OPPOSITION
JOHN HOLMES.

JOHN HOLMES.
II we ever deplored any circumstance in our
life, it is that ofhaving found ourselves compelled
TO lay before the gaze ofthe world the character Of
such man as JoHy HOLMES, of Maine, gentle
man, the richness Of whose talents we have been
among the first to extol-a man who, with &C.
MUS, united to the attributes Of finished education,
might. but for certain constitutional weaknesses,
lived in the affections of the American people-a
man who, if he preserved the least consistency oi
character, might have descended to the grave,
honored by his conntrymen, beloved by his friends,
and lamented by the lovers Of eloqrence, wit and
learning.
- Mr.. JOHN HOLMES was born in Kingston Mas
sachusett of respectable parents, and his iather'
who was by profession forgeman. possessed con-
siderable estate, but as he one of those close
calculating men, who consider the wealth OF this
world far more valuable than its honors, and as he
was not disposed to bring his up in dlene's, he
refused to afford him any other education, than
what is acquired under the tuition Of country
school master. Young HOLMES, however, differed
with his parent about the relative value OF learn
ing, and as he thought he had that within him,
which, if properly cultivated, would lead him on
to the attainment of civic honors, he determined to
afford himself classical education.
Young and ambitious, he knew not exactly how
to carry into execution the designs he had conceiv-
ed, but forming on acquaintance with the Rev.
Mr.. WILLIS, pastor Of the Church Of Kingston, he
discovered to him his projectand that venerable d.
vine distinguished alike in his parish, for his pety
and learning, undertook to prepare him for the
University. When the preliminary studies were
concluded, young HOLMES was entered a student
at Brown University, and graduated with the Sc
nior class of 1864 class to which belonged the
Hon. TRISTAN BuRGEs, and several others, who
have subsequently been distinguished in the coun'
Gil. Of the country, and inthe circles Of literature
and science.
Whilst ut College, he wa. not known as supe-
rior genius, but was considered common pioddins
scholar, and esteemed as one who would wade thro'
life without acquiring any considerable honor or
distinction. He, however, disappointed the expec-
tatons of his school mates, and arrived at post OF
honor, which, if he had sustained, would have re-
bounded to his everlasting credit.
BY the way Of episode, however, we will re-
mark in this place, lestwe forget TO do so, that Mr.
HOLMES is entitled to great credit, for his pcrseve-
ring industry in preparing hmsefor useful life and
for acquiring classical education, under the most
unpropitious circumstances, and at time when he
bad neither patronage friends to encourage him In
completing the task he had undertaken. Industry
like this is entitled to the warmest encomium, and Is
set down as redeeming virtue for many vices and
offences.
But to return. In the year 1900, soon after MIR.
HOLMES babe adieu to the halls of our University,
he became a student in the office of the Hon. Is.
WHITMAN, where he completed his legal studies,
and was admitted Counsellor at Law in the
Courts Of Massachusetts. His early career as a
Lawyer was not marked by any extraordinary
circumstances; nor was it thought he would ever
become eminent in his profession. He aimed at
eloqucnce, bat mistaking the true examples Of the
art, he chose to become the humble imitator Of
CURnAN, GRArTAN and BURKE, rather than TO
follow the rules OF QuINTILLIAN, or the the exam
pies Of FULLY and DEMosTHEEEs. Oratory
was the idol he worshipped, and choosing rather to
become famous as decIamatory speaker, than as
logician he studied in the Delia Ctuscan school,
and culled honey suckles and rosemary from the
regions of fancy, to bewilder the senses of the jury
instead Of persuading or convincing them from the
abstract resources of legal augmentation, and
scollastic lore.
Thus wandered the Honorable JOHN HoLMRs
through the drudgery Of a county Court practice
for some ten or twelve years, when he wisely con-
cluded that there were honors in waiting for him,
which were attainable only by pursuing the butter
Ay of political life; and he at came forward as
the very Robespiere Of political revolutions. Al
this time the federal party by fur the most nu-
merous 10 New England; indeed, it was almost
dangerous for democratic republican TO show his
head in this region; aud as Mr. HOLMES was aware
that no office under the government Of Massachu-
setts was attainable, unless it came through the
hands and immediate influence Of the federal lead
ers, he came out as the Hotspur-tbe .Magnus 8pol-
10 Of that party. lie improved every opportunity
that presented ITSELF to bring himself before the
people, and at last succeeded by straiagem, in gain
ing a seat in the Assembly Of Massachusetts,. He
had long struggled for the hOnors Of Office, without