New-York tribune., 1886-07-05
DIR. HOLMES IN ENGLAND.

The very walm and appreciative welcome
given to DR.. Oliver Wendell Holmes In England
must be regarded as n generous recognition vi
a peculiarly representative American man OF let,
ters. The literary work of DR.. Holmes indeed
combines several qualities which are the prou-
net of conditions existing only in this country
and even here only in certain regions. Inc ",.io,,
of delicate poetical sense with q prac.'o.,
philosophy the robustness OF which is marheu
by the scholarly elegance OF its oxpressoh' Is
70 rare In any country as to be 1ghty Vicwou
as phenomenal. The muse OF Dr. hoilnes LID,
never been dreamy, it Is true. Luciuty' neA'
to melody. is always sought by her. But the
Doctors poetica vein reaches into mentai
stratum ouite distinct from that which supplies
the drv. quaint. subtle observation informing
b;s nrose writings. and in this duality OF ca
n.cities consists one of the most remarkapie
facts in his composition. There can, we pre-
sume he no doubt that the intellectual atmos-
nhore Of Boston Is responsible for part OF che
nbilosoper-poets scope and freedom OF produc-
tiop. as also for the especial flavor which We try
TO distinguish, though imperfectly, by calling
it American.
Probably-perlmps certainly-his profession
too mnst be credited with some Of the tolerance
breadth of view, and understanding OF human
nature which characterize and give so much
charm and interest to his prose works. but
again we cannot fail to perceive in the occasion
al audacity of his researches, i'll the franknesS
of his ;ntrosnective reports, In the originality
of his reflections. the influence Of the democrat
ic spirit upon an active and rlpely cul'''"'ou
mind To the thoIoughness OF his culture oi
the one hand and to his inheritch Iurl'il 'eh-
denotes on the other, may be attributed tne
instructive skill and good taste with WHICH lie
avoids irreyercnce without sacrificing innocent
mi,th. and continues to strip away hoary shams
without suggesting contempt for anything
worthy of yeneration. Never perhaps has the
suaviter in n,odo, sed Jortiter IN re been more
clearly illustrated than in the winnings OF III.
Holmes. 1t may not indeed be said OF MN, as
il WIS of another, that in words light as ar ne
conveyed truths deep ast the centre, for Ms "orus
are not ftly described by the term Light
They are always singularly teGcltous chosen
with the art which cOncealS art; and their appo-
siteress adds much to the impiessiveness OF
the thoughts whose vehicle they are
There is nothing in English literature to COM
pare with the Autocrat, the Professor, and the
ciSely mean that the books named are lncom-
parabe in the conventional sgnitcaton OF that
word but that they are unique, and stand by
Themselves. They are literally packed with
thought. and not with embIyotic conceptions,
but ideas which have been laid away, and taken
out again, and worked at, and 80 by slow de-
erees polished and rounded Oft and perfected.
That is one of the special delights OF DiHolmes.
He is never crude. What he says Is very often
surprising not seldom it provokes dissent out
II is invariably mature and honestly thought out
10 the end Perhaps the nearest English parallel
10 our wise and witty doctor Is that other mem
her of his profession named Riccabocca whose
sponsor was Lord Lytton. But IN Dr. Holmes
there is n pride of country which the Italian
could scarcely nouIish, and it is not Ill any
sense a provincial pride. 1t is the best culture
and worldly wisdom and imagination and wit
OF New-England that find expression Ill those
genial pages and doubtless it Is these quail
itles. and not a title this representative func-
ton. which England has welcomed so heartily
in DIR. Holmes We may have philosophers OF
graver mien, and poets of more soaring ambi-
tion and more serious genus, but the sunniest
side of American character, its subtler humor,
and the touch OF Imagination which redeems
its practically from barrenness, have never
been and probably never will be so faithfully
and fully translated into literary form as III the
works of this distinguished citizen, of whom
our cousins are rightly making much just now.