The Portland daily press., 1881-11-17
THURSDAY MORNING. NOV. IL.
A Visit 10 DR.. o. w. Holmes.

a v 1911 " IA
Lady Duffus Hardy, in her recently pub
lished work, Through Cities and Prairie
Lands. gives the following account of visit 10
the genial poet:
We reached Beverly Farms about noon-the
fiercest, hottest part of the day. we had no
idea how far the doctors residence might be
from the station, but trusted to lind some con-
veyance to take us there feeling that it would
be an effort TO walk even hundred yards in
the heat of the blazing sun. The train steamed
aray from the platform and we looked around
in search Of some one of whom we might en-
ouire our road, and then looked blankly at one
another. We had no idea which way to turn
and there was not living creature in sight to
tell us. We walked through the empty station;
the ticket Office was closed, and not railway
official was in sight. Only big DlacK DOG was
living curled up under one OF the Dencnes; ev-
erv other living thing had mysteriously van
isbed Some laborers were working in field
mt far from the station, and we noticed
nrattv white cottage close to the road
way on the opposite side = scarcely
stones throw from as. A gentleman in a linen
suit. a straw hat and carrying green umbrel
la. came out of the gate and walked quickly
toward the station; we advanced to meet him
and inquired If he could tell us where DIR.
Holmes lived.
al am DIR. Holiness" he answered, "and you,
1 presume, are the ladies | was hurrying to
Il
were He turned back with us, and IN anoth-
er moment we all three entered the garden
which we had seen him leave a moment De-
FORE 1t was pleasant first Introduction, and
here we scored another delightful day. we
found DIR. Holmes most genial and agreeable
companion-exactlya as, from reading his books,
we had expected he would be- He is neither
tall nor short but of medium height; thin,
wiry man, with iron-gray hair and eyes twink
ling with humor and philosophy. Age has
IL taken the SnrInV
from his elastic spirit; he is as brisk in his
movements as many man at Internationally.
Mrs. Holmes, gentle manered lady, just tne
wife necessary for such a man-one who would
make his home harbur OF rest and peace
came out to meet and welcome us. 1t is always
nleasaut to see genius and aphilosopher we'll
matched in his life's companlonship; unfortu-
uately we have SO often to look on the reverse
picture. The right woman is an inspiration to
the one, a study for the other; but the wrong
acts like an irritant and blister his whole life
through We were presently Joined by his
daughter-a brilliant young widow, feminine
edition Of himself. Altogether we made a very
pleasant party and soon hoated off into a brisk
conversation. l wish j could reproduce his
spirited, uuaintly-turned phrases and quick re-
partee, to which the expression of his face gave
additional point and high flavor. l think the
most dry-as-dust doctrine would quicken into
life il passed through the alembc of his spark
ling philosophy
hand in hand together, as in this case it does.
DR. Holmes seems surprised to find himself so
much more famous in this country for his prose
works and philosophical studies than for his
poetical productions, Scientific research and
semi-philosophical lectures and literature are
the occupations of his daily life, but poetry is
the darling of his heart, the beloved compan-
ion of his holiday hours, the airy architect who
builds for his spirit home we know not OF.
We retired to luncheon in pretty paror look
lug out into the flower garden, where the bees
were droning and the tall lilies and roses nod
ding sleepily in the sunshine. He seemed very
much interested in our information and frequent
ly called attention to our mode of pronouncing
certain words. He afterwards read to us some
scraps and snatches of his new poems, which
was great treat to us, for he has melodious
voice and reads with great emphasis and spirit;
indeed, we were so deeply engrossed by his
brilliant conversation that we almost lost our
train. With much regret we babe him and his
family cordial adieu.