The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-04
OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES
Brilliant Celebration Of His
SeVentieth Birthday.
New Poems by the "Autocrat" Whittier
and Stedman
GUESTS AT THE BANQUET.
(BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.l

Autocrat to-day. He had around him the most
notable gathering of literary men and women ever
witnessed in Boston. Added to these were the
wealth and culture of the club" and other
centres of literature all eager and anxious to pay the
homage due to Oliver Wendell Holmes. Emerson.
Whittier Longfellow. Helen Hunt. Rose Terry
Cooke. Julia Ward Howe and other brilliant men
and women whose fame has penetrated into every
civilized country in the world. fastened to lay their
tributes at the feet of the genial old poet and phos
opher who has been making the world brighter and
more cheerful for the last half century. The
original founders Of the atlantic were
ali present except Professor James Rus
sell Lowell. and many the kindly expressions
uttered for the first editor. 1t was notable gath
ering in every of the word and one that will
be long treasured in the memories OF those who had
The privilege of participating. The banquet hall
was richly decorated with flowers and evergreens.
md the tables were laden with tasteful bouquets
The following was the order in which the guests
sat-
ROWS OF LITERARY CELEBRITIES.
At the first table Mr.. II. O. Houghton. president Of
the occasion. occupied the chair. with DR.. Oliver
Wendell Holmes his right and Mrs. Harriet
Beecher Stowe on his left. Next to the latter was
President Eliot. of Harvard College, and Mrs. Wiser
held the position. On DR.. Holmes right
were Mrs. II. o. Houghton. J. G.. Whittier
md Mrs. Jackson. At the ends OF the
able were Mr.. Charles Dudley Warner and
Mrs. Whitney. Rev. Phillips Brooks and Mrs. James
+. Fields. The table at the other end Of the room
occupied by Mr. w. u. Howells. editor of the
Atlantic. who had his right II. W. Lonfellow.
Mrs. Howells. Ralph Waldo Emerson. Mrs. Rose
Terry Cook. F. H. Underwood and Mrs.
Sargent. and on his left were Mrs. Julia
Ward Howe Thomas Bailey Aldrich and Mrs.
Miffen. The other guests present were Mr.. s. d.
Warren, Mrs. Sherwood. Governor Rice. Miss
George L. Warning. Mrs. Anthony, Mr.. Harper. Mrs.
Fairchild. Professor Gray. Mr. Agassiz, Mr.. G. +.
Ellis. Mr. Fiara. Mr.. Croker. Mr. Coffin. Rev ".
Joseph Cook. Rev. ]. +. Clarke DR.. H. l. Bowditch.
Mr.. Dyer. Mr. w: T. P. Longfelow. Mr.. Van Brunt.
Mr.. h i. Haskell, Mr.. II. g. Lodge. Mr.. Edward L.
Buringame. Mr.. Anthony. Mr.. James M. Bugbee,
Mrs. Moulton. Mr.: Horace Z. scudder. Miss Lucy
I. Trowbridge. Mrs Diax. Mr.. Burroughs.
Mr.. William parton Mrs. Wells, Rev. DR.. Bellows,
Mrs. Thomas Bailey Aldrich. Mr.. c. E. Norton. Miss
Curtis. Mr.. George Parsons Lathrop: Miss CARING
ton, Rev. Dr. Wharton. Mr.. Bgelow. DR.. Brewer. Mr..
Foxcroft. Mr.. Fawcett. DR.. Warren. Mr. w. A. Hovey.
Mr.. Gilman Mr.. F: b. Sanborn. Mr.. Edward Atkin-
son, Mr.. A. Smith. Mr.. Edward Eggleston. Mr..
Dwight Mr.. F. d. Millet. DR.. Angel. Mr.. Andrews.
Mr.. Deming. Rev. julius d. Ward, Mr.. Davis. Mr..
Mr.. ParRman. Mrs. Walker. MT Samuel L. Clemens
Mark Twain) Miss Preston, Mr. Mifiin, Mrs. George
P. Lathrop. Mr.. E. G. stedman. Mrs. Julia r. G.
Dorr. Mr.. G. p. Crsnch.
GUESTS AT A DISTANCE.
large number OF letters of regret were received
and read Among others the following
EXECUTIVE MANSION. WASHINGTON Nov. 25 1879.
reas IN Of % Sraasy me
Holmes Nobody enjoyed his breakfast table talk some
fd Of % IS %
am sorry can't enjoy the breakfast with him. May he
happy HIVES
es FIFTH , nTrsUr NT ,S fGnk Mcy 1879
accept kind Invitation; il would
seres pleasure to JON in the honors the beloved poet
teacher high school life would fain add leaf
de6i for ths smiling wisdom the exquisite Iamor
s hs s of a
old but yaw with Ss % as.
his eventide long shine with the morning beauty
yours, GEORGE RIPLEY.
WEST New BRIGHTON, Staten Island. n. ",
sss1tnrrs ,s possible for I'll 6 ii: friends
as She leaves when forests are rended; and
sa As
sincerely eloquent speech and song he will see behind
OF
al or w.t. Or e sf OF
W or for or ianey On, winch ~ n0'
Tol%es the one of whom twill be said he ,oushd
iry ali ihs, grateful hear, To- him
one thing he could not do until this year Never before
:oao he show that seventy the heart OF the
.
aud rs we ST around the Tablet you will allow me to be-
heve my sei among youEaha LOOK ~ MN anu listen 20
Nv, 49, i na a v"n a nxsr W,naaIi Ii ssA W
Most truly. his friend and yours
GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS.
No l,623 II srRkET.
- ,WAsniNcroN ~ O., Nov w, 1873
80 f. W. 1857 has ay"r hsan s ras p ~, ~. ,no,n
ME wbat H. In others that he has twice ovr
the right to DO mastery great
instruments of thought poetry and and both
Tue most excellent moods af human NE the Joyous and
gay and the serious ana serene But AS TO beiev
shoa ina" him S .nS shau con.nna hold INN
In my mind and Ia my affections as having
nalenabe right to all the freshness and sincerity
vacy OF youth with gravity struggling hard to keep do
,non over ns aug laugn.sr eseapng LOT
'ri.nJs ~ ,u, ~ NJ .annsrx az sny cns, ~ " "'
Give hin, nv best wishes for his happiness as they rise
from my heart may longer time to
hell his years
Your own we'll wisher and friend; ......4
GEORGE BANCROFT.
Letters OF regret at enforced absence were also
celved from Carl Schurz, j. ". DE Forest, Richard
Frederick Douglass. George W. Chds. President