The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-07-07
DIR. HOLMES IN HIS LIBRARY.

Although within the short period Of two
months DIR. Holmes will enter upon his
eightieth year, says the June Book Buyer,
each day finds him at his desk in the lux
urious library Of his Beacon Hill home.
His daily life is systematically divided.
The morning is given to his extensive
correspondence. The amiability of DR..
Holmes is proverbial, and this reputation
for gond nature has led many persons
who have no claim whatever to his atten-
ton to impose upon him through the
mail. OF late, however, he has had an
amanuensis for an assistant, and letters
to strangers in his own handwriting are
becoming fewer. The afternoon is the
part OF the day which the poet devotes
to receiving his friends. In the evening
the lamp is lighted, and DIR. Holmes looks
over the latest books, nearly all of which
are sent to him. Books, like letters, come
to him by every mail, some for perusal,
others for critical opinions.
DR.. Holmes books are scattered
throughout the house. There is not q
floor but has its separate range of book
shelves. Between the front basement
room, where are stored works in foreign
languages. up to the attic with it's innum-
cradle pamphlets and smaller books
ranged on shelves, is distributed a library
OF nearly six thousand volumes. or these,
six or eight hundred medical works ERE
recently given to the Boston Medical
Library, while another package of be-
tween three and four hundred books was
sent to the Boston Public Library.
About one-half of DIR. Holmes books
are in his study, the room on the second
floor SO often described, with its spacious
bay window, from which one has fine
view of the Charles river. In the center
OF the room is the poets desk at which
his literary work is performed. It is moi
the typical literary "den" that the visitor
finds, but large room, luxurious in its
furnishings, with evidence of scrupuloue
care and neatness on every hand. DR.
Holmes is one of the most methodical
and careful OF men. The gold pen with
its swans quill holder, with which "Elsie
Venner," the "Autocrat" papers, and the
most famous of the authors other works
were written. lies, carefully wiped, on G
FURNISHED rest beside crystal inkstand
Books are ranged on every side along the
walls, while three movable cases stanc
within easy reach. In one of these stanc
the books most frequently consulted. a
glance at them discloses the Bible, the
Concordance to the Bible, copy of the
Revised New Testament, Shakespeare
Familiar Quo ations,' a glossary o.
Milton, Encyclop@ 1ias of American ani
English Literature, and Indexes to the
Atlantic Monthly and other periodicals
Carlyle and Scott rest on adjoining
shelves. while Longfellow and Thackeray
are close by. All the great encyclop@
dias published here and abroad are il
shelves near by OF the library proper
The American and English poets are al
fully represented in rich bindings, while
here and there in hooks and corners are
hidden rare and old editions. 81 have {
few" explains DR.. Holmes, "but do mo-
indulge my fancy in them A complete
set of the poets own works is modestly
turned to the wall in one OF the revolving
book cases.