The Portland daily press., 1882-12-08
DR.. Oliver Wendell Holmes.
Characteristic Letter Acknowledging
the Gnvo the Senior Medical Glass.

a week ago DR.. Oliver Wendell Holmes
gave his farewell lecture to the students of the
first class In the Harvard medical school.
Many mem bers of the medical faculty and Of
the upper classes, besides number of outsid-
ess were present. The occasion of the final
bow of SO distinguished professor was full Of
interest. bat a. 1r Holiness special request
no report OF 1t was made. The fTst-Fear atu.
dents wishing to give their teacher some tan
gible proof of their esteem, LGssented him,
through Mr. George 81. Washburn of Middle
boro loving CUP with the inscription:
"Joy crown thee, love hsss thss, God speed thy
career"
10
OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES.
FROM
HIs LAST cLAsA
IN THE
HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL.
Novsnbsr IS. 1889.
At she tims, DR. Hslmes expressed his
thanks with dep eDotios. and said that il
were best nor klm, ike tie character in the
5reek tragedy, 10 veil his face and be silent
Monday he ssnt the following letter to his
pupils:
TO The First Glass i. the Asdical School Of Harvard
LniuerSi5g:
My fIienas. lately my pupils--Yssr beautiful gift
a sudden attack of speschleesne-s; L st nv whole
vocabulary of gratitude. ut feel sure you did
NOT mistake ap1as,s for ocarasa NV heart was il
its right pace though my toL gus forgot its Office.
1t throb- warmly as tia = you r this precious
and LASH tukes Of your kind feelings towards me
TIE cup seemed empty To those ooked in o its
glittef ing hulles but i was full for Of richer
cor.ial than the wine-presses OF royal vineyards
could express, than the slsmbcs Of the Grande
This aift, Of pricel,ss value to me- and to those
who come after me, will meet another and similar
enc Of ancient date, VII oh has come d wn t. me a.
heirloom in he fifth gene Alton from ginal
owner. he silver tsspot which serves the temper
ate needs Of my noontide r lection has engraved
upon It, for arm criai bsa ings three nodules, sup.
pc ed to represent the mine al suggesting the name
Of the recipient; the three vrds ET Dono Pupiio-
gwen by his Harvard College pupils to the fame US
tutor. Henry flsnt whose term OF scrvce my i've
Flynt was bschslor, and this memorial lift passed
ter his death TO njece. Dorothy Quincy, who
did me The elgh honor Of becoming my great grand
mo her Through her dsus htsr and ksr daughters
daughter it came down 10 ME, and hos ALWAYS been
he by me as toe most loved and yenerated relic
which time has ,bequeathed me 1t will never lose
its hold my affections, for it is part of my
lies asso iatiops and dear st remembrsnces.
But this loviug-cup, which comes 10 me 10 by de-
scent bu teSIimu my nat nv ow4 life teach
er has not been lued, but tn ugh deserving #
such an endr ring memorial, must hereafter calm
an equal place in my affections wi that most priz
ed and cherished of ali my Household possessions.
hope that when another hund ed and fifty years
have passed away some dssce dant Of mine viii say
ss he lifts this cup, and re ds h name it bears He
too loved his alb and those for whom he lsbored.
and he students of he dead nineteenth century
msnbered their I'D teacher kindly grace uliy,
as generously, The youth of the earlier eighteen
century enbered old Father lynt, the patriarch
of all cur Harvard tutors
Fsresell, MY dear young friends, and may the
BILE sings INVOKE for one VIII m loved, and which
you have asked for me in my own words be upon
you al. in he path you entering until it
The open portals ~ brighter and happier world!
Thankfully and faithfully.
49, Your friend and late instructor,
Dec i, 1882. OLIVER WEsDELL HOLMES.