New-York tribune., 1879-05-06
THE AUTOCRAT or THE BRE4KFAST-
TiBLE.
DR. PoTrER's BREARFAsT-THE GUESTS AND III
sPFECHEs.
DIR. HOLMES AT THE CENTURY.

SPEECHES.
The breakfast given by the Rev. DIR. Henry
C. Potter 20 Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, at the Century
Club last Saturday morning, intended TO be entirely
private. Some account Of It having, however. crept
INTO the papers, it better to give the
details The occasion OF the breakfast was Dr.
Holiness presence IN New-York read paper before
the Thursday Evening Club" association Of ladies
and gentlemen for literary and scientific culture. which
meets semmOltIiyi and it was intended by the mem
Der OF the club whose invitation ne came as an ex-
preston Of his appreciation Of DR.. Holiness courtesy
and kindness in coming Dr. Holmes sat between his
host and Mr. George william Curtis. The guests
AT the table were the Rev Dr. Richard e. st0rrs. DR..
George A. Peters the Rev. Dr. Chaplin, General Gilmore.
the Rev Dr. Washburn, Mr. Parke Goodwin. Dr. Barker,
Mr.. Carey, the Rev Dr. william Adams, the Rev Dr.
Henry W. Bellows Mr. John jay, Professor Sumner, Mr.
Eastman Johnson Mr.. Joseph H. ChOate Mr.. r. II.
stoddard Mr. Pelew, President Henry Morton. Mr. E.
c. stedman. the Hon Clarkson n. Potter, Mr.. r. NJ
Hunt, Mr. George william Curtis, ChefJustoe DAILY
Mr. Whtellw Reid DIr c. L. Brace, the Rev. Dr. Samuel
Osgood Dr. H. B. Sands, Mr.. W. j. Hoppin. Mr. O'Conor,
the Rev. Dr. Henry c. Potter and DR.. Holmes.
Dr. Potter read from Secretary Eyarts express
ing his regret inability to be present, and then
added:
A friend who Is here tIis morning repeated 10 me,
few moments ago. the ejaculation OF host on recent
table exclaimed, with a sigh OF relief Thank Heaven,
there isn't man at @ TINS tapis Bic NaT,es VINO can
realize that at this tabe there isn't man who can
But am only sure ma nobody wants TO- ana ieast
the penalties Of his position He mas read Dr J0hns0n
cssay In the Rambler On the Dangers and Misery Of
Tiferarv FpIpeuce and though II is nearly forty
snce he wrote the lines at the foot Of this menu ne
ts he mindful that no one can with less reason than
himself expect escape such penalties as they describe
HIS visit NevYOrk at this time may seem 20 DE III
vo.ved in something Of mystery. But whether
or mo we can successfully solve that mystery, and
plain why ne has come here we are al csar am very
sure. as 10 why We have come. We have come TO Tel
him that whoever may be the
&C. doctor (once) tender and young"
we repudate that line far implies that he has
ceased bs either II true that ne mas come 10 wear
the silvered crown, but II you
Look close, you VIII see not q sign Of flake"
which beiokens the frosts Of age for
''There are white roses in place OF the red ="
m IA for his having been " once" tender one OF
~ who has been permitted to approach hun can be IN
any doubt that the vintage Of ms genius becomes rper
and sweeter and knder with every sun that rises ana
is this humane and bent gnant quality him that
come min to-day We honor him for his long and DIS
tngushed professional career; we admire him for his
afuent and versatile gift Of song Dut We greet him
most heartily and most afect!onately for his warmth
and tenderness OF feeling. In his words, as long
-e' - We love him. praise hIm just for this,
In every form and feature.
In wealth and want. in woe and bliss,
lie sees a fellow w-creaturel'
DR. Holmes responded with a few words Of thanks and
a poem which Will be published hereafter II was not
intended to have any speechmakDg, and nobody
gwen time Dut 70" VI -uNo'
who were called up successfully responded as follows;
ADDRESS OF GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS.
81 know 1t Is a sin
For sit and grin
At him here -
But how can help iti How any Of US help IL !
We have all bAn srnning FOR generation, and my only
comfort is that the whole English reading world are
our feow-snners. Indeed, Tor many year at
happy little easts Ike this, the chief dlsh-whst the
French. win their Incompatible and incomprehensble
felicity, call the piece ot ressahce DeG'use %
nobody can resist lt-Las been poem OF MS own,
read by your distinguished guest. so when our our
gracious and accomplished host iuumated TO me that
or two might be expected from me- smiled ut MS
humorous fancy OF feast al which the golden phenlx
stepped IN attc sauce should De IOlONed Df Isn Oh
peanuts have heard Of the man who told hs boy 20
Smells" but l certainly never heard OF
man who had secured his cake sery-
may Do ono reason that should word OF graft
tude and admratOn for a. look around tho Iabie
be sure, but Dr. Bellows is always suggestng
doubts to orthodox minds Ike yours sir. and mine
arst heard Dr Holmes recits poem. It was,
indeed, several years In the old Bap.
list meeunE house In Providence, and the young
tories tue fields OF science in Europe, was about
extending bis trumphs 10 the realm OF literature at
home He had read poem at his alma mster-and
now probably Mr. Choate and every Harvard boy at
table win insist hat he heard 1t hrs Harvard boys
have way o thinking themselves hIst at every thing
and be came 10 repeat befors the Rhode Island Alpha
of the Pm Beta Kappa recall the day, the place, the
open windows IN the summer weather, the hushed at
tentOn Of the great throng. aud the meas
ured music OF the metriosl essay-iis gay and
pensiye melodies, chasing each other Ike sun and
shadow over a murmuring Held OF wheat; and AS see
the poet aud here at my side, salute him in his
own lines. be sang to the vision OF G assInate
q Thou calm, chaste scholar l can see thee now,
The nrst young iaureis on thy palld brow;
O'er thy slight figure lightly nnatIng down
In graceful folds, the academic gown;
ON thy curved lip the classic llBes that taught
How pure the mind that sculptured them with thought
1t was many years He has been constantly ris-
ing and higner more widely seen farther heard