The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-12-10
For the Democratic AdrOcate.
OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES.

When, nearly fifty years ago, Sydney
Smith slightingly inquired 'Who reads an
American book p he spoke to his own and
not to the present generation. He scarcely
thought of the literary possibilities which
the youthful Republic contained, and which
only time was necessary to developc and
mature. Gradually but surely American
talent has built up literary reputation that
has won warm acknowledgements wherever
its influence has been felt. Among those
authors to whom this fame is chiefly due
none, perhaps, enjoys a more widespread
distinction than DIR. Oliver Wendell Holmes;
and the estimation in which his books are
held by an admiring public is the strongest
possible evidence of his genius and origl-
nality He was born at Cambridge, Mass,
in 1909, where his father was man OF
considerable prominence He underwenta
collegiate education at Harvard, and upon
graduation in 1929, began the study of law.
lie soon abandoned this for medicine, and
spent several years in Europe, prosecuting
his studies in Paris and other large CONT
mental cities. The degree Of NJ. ID. was
conferred upon him in 1886, and few
years afterwards he received the appoint
ment of Professor of Anatomy and Physi-
ology in Dartmouth College. In 1847 he
was elected to fill the same chair in the
medical college of Harvard University,
position which he has held without inter
ruptiOn ever since.
But it is as the author Of sixteen de
lightful volumes that he is known to us all,
and especially as poet and essaylst. we
know him as the compounder OF literary
pills that cure the blues and purify the tenn
per. not as the doctor who administers
physic to complaining patients or explains
the anatomical structure of the human body
to Il class of students. He is one of the
greatest of our writer's, and although he has
not made literature the stern mistress upon
whom to depend for sustenance, yet as the
gay companion of his leisure hours she has
prospered under the light Of his genius.
His first poems were published while at
college and they include some Of the
brightest and gayest of his verses. He has
been writing intermittingly for over fifty
years, and during that period has produced
his book of Poems" "Urania, " "Astraea,
The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table"
The Professor at the Breakfast Table,
THE Poet at the Breakfast Table, Elsie
Venner," several scientific works and other
books equally we'll known; besides beinga
FREQUENT contributor to the 4itldntic and a
popular lyceum lecturer With this record
we need no further assurance that his life
has been a busy one. Most Of his best
verses have been prepared for public din
ners, social meetings and college reunions.
On such occasions his poems are the very
life Of the festivities. So exquisitely adap-
ted, their fitness shows the genius and YER
satiity of the author and charm no less by
their sprightliness than by their poetic
moderation and artistic finish.
DIR, Holmes is universally popular He
has touched our hearts with the sweet and
gladstone melody of his thoughts, and put
into play that cheerful and delicate machi-
merry of our nature which elevates every
sentiment, purifes every hope, and emo
bes every impulse. We like him because
he speaks from his own great heart to our
hearts; because he looks on the bright side
and endeayors to put as much sunshine in
this vale of tears as he can. 1t Is true that
his muse deals not in passion, nor does his
genius tread the snowy SUBMITS of lofty i'm
aeination, bit in the realm of graceful and
sportive fancy, of delicate humor, of tender
and generous emotion his spirit talks delight
to dwell and to
okro dom tnn'
Through all his poems speaks great
ness of soul, freshness of imagination,
depth and delicacy of flavor, and force of
poetic expression that flows with such nat
ural simplicity and so melodious a rhythm
as wins its way to the heart and takes us
willing captives. His verses are filled with
brightness and every line seems redolent
with the sweet perfume of a gentle nature.
His poetry is not the melancholy signing of
the pines-it is the joyous murmur OF
babbling brook, or the sweet serenity of
cool flowing river, or the gentle music OF
the breezes of spring, fragrant with the
odOrs of violet and arbutus. No situation
is too grotesque but that his pen can depict
it.; no occasion too joyous but that his
rhyming cheerfulness can increase its pleas
IRE.
DR.. Holmes has performed an iRestimable
part in raising the standard of our wit and
humor and in this age of sensuOus art and
corrupt literary taste, it is an h0aor to him
and to American literature that in all his
writings not one line is married by the least
faint of impurity. His humor is always
amiable, manly and just. He runs each
Joke through thesmelting furnace of his own
good Judgment until it comes forth as chaste
as yestal virgin and as bright as new
made coin. His pen seems to be disin-
fectant for all EMBELLISHMENTS and
smoothing iron that removes many of the
kinks and ruffies of life. y Sa ~ X
Harsh reason, as clear as day, as Smoota Is sleep
Glides here like rivers, ever still though deep
Discords grow music; grief itself delight;
Horror when he describes leaves off tn alright"
His style is ever as pure as running wa
ter, and he seems to use words as stepping
stones to higher thoughts. He is every
body's favorite, always full of fresh, spark
ling ideas, with "a plenty of good warm
words to dress them in" Who has not
heard of the Wonderful One Hoss Shay
that was built in such logical way or
what schoolboy is there who has potlisped
nThe Last Leaf" dozen times over ?
These have become classics and make
climax of humor unequalled in the litera
ture of America and unexcelled in that of
England. His descriptive pieces, spiced
with wit, are among the most enjoyable Of
his writings. With what felicity does ne
depict himself, now grown old, as he visits
tba ,ur,I haunts Of sboyhood days