The Monticellonian., 1894-10-12
OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES. Sudden Demise of the Famous Poet and Essayist in Boston. Ho Had Been in Feeble Health for Long Time. and Succumbed at Last to an
 Asthmatlc Difficulty Bio
 graphical Sketch.

BosToN, Oct 7.-Oliyer Wendell Holmes, famous as a poet and author, died at his residence in Beacon street at 12;15 p. m. to-day from compliea- tion of diseases Dr. Holmes had been in feeble health for a long time, and, although an iron constitution had long batlled disease, it was at last shattered, The last hours of Dr. Holmes were passed quietly with his family by his bedside.
 Heart failure was the immediate cause of his death. An asthmatie diff eulty also assisted in the final breaking down of the aged "Autoerat Ten days ago Br. Holmes returned to his Beacon street residence from his sum mer home at Beverly Farms Before that time slight symptoms of improve ment in his condition were noted and the removal was thought desira ble This proved very fatiguing, and the doctor did not regain his former condi- tion Last Friday sudden attack of heart failure seized him. which, with the lopg-standing asthmatic trouble, prostrated him. but this morning he had apparently recovered. After the physi- cians had gone, however. the doctor was seized with q severe spasm, and before medical aid could be called he had passed away. He was unconscious for short time previous to his death. Around his beside were gathered the members of his family Judge Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., the only sur viving son Mrs. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., and Edward J. Holmes, nephew of the poet.
 Oliver Wendell Holmes was born in Cam bridge, Mass4 August % 1909 was the son of Rev. Ahiel and Sarah tWcudclD Holmes His father was Congregational minister the au- thor of Annals of America" and other works; his mother descended from Dutch ancestor, and was related to many weIl-known families in New England and New York. He entered Harvard college at the age Of 16, and graduated in what became famous class in ls29 He began the study of law, and after year gave it up, and entered upon the study of medicine, After the customary course at the medical school of Harvard he spent over two years in the hospitals and schools Of Europe chiefly iu Paris, and after his return home took the de- gree of NJ. b in 1886. Three years later he was professor of anatomy and physiology at Dartmouth college but after two years sery- ice he resigned and engaged in general prac- tiee in Boston He married in 1si0 Amelia Lee Jackson. daughter Of justice of the supreme court of Massachusetts. Three children were born of the marriage, of whom one 0. N. Holmes Jr., served as captain in the civil war and K judge and eminent writer upon legal subjects In lS45 be appointed professor of anatomy at Harvard, which place he held until lss2. He Was highly respected as Il 1Ean of science. and beloved as an instructor: but aS time went on his literary genius quite over bore his professional zeal and it is as a poet and essayi>t that he will be remembered.
 He began writing verse while an uuder- graduate. but his first efforts were not remark able. While in the law school he contributed to the 4Golegian few poems of light and humorous character which first gave lndlea- tionS of his future power; among these are Evening by Tailor and the Height of the Ridiculous There is a reminiscence of his life in Paris in the tender poem. An, Clem- entS! When I Saw Thee Last" A little later was written The Last Leaf" Twenty wears passed with desultory efforts and slowly growing power, when, by the publication of the "Autocrat of the Breakfast Table" he became famous. Ne literary efforts since the NocteS'' had more strongly affected the reading world. This success was due to it's fresh and conyen- tlonal tone, its playful wit and wisdom and to the lively Vigncttes of verse. By his own generation he will be remembered as q great talker in the high est sense. His intellect was keen and poWer- ful. his observation inStnctive, and his en- thusiasm and energy would have carried through man of less brilliant parts. He was man of his own century, and among the most advanced. Among specimens ef his varied powers may be cited the Last Leaf already mentioned, the "Ghambered Nautilus. ' "Grandmothers Story" (of the battle of Bum ker HilD, sun and Shadow For the Burns Centennial. "On Lending Punch Bowl. and The One-HoSS shay. He was especially happy in his tributes to brother poets, as to Longfeliow, as to Lowell and as to Whittier on his seventieth birthday.
 During the civil war he wrote many passlon- ate lyrics on the defense of the union -proba- bly the best patriotic songs of the time.
 But il appears that his fame will rest chiefly upon the eAutoerat,n the Professor and certain of his poems Of his writings in gen eral it has been said that his sparkling wit al flowing humor are evident to the nest caSu,. reader, while 8 closer study reveals other and more stately qualities which gavc him place among the great writers of the time.
 Of his other works may he mentioned: "Astraea. 1850: Currents and Counter currents" 1881 Elsie Venner, Romance of Destiny" 1881; "Boedcr Lands in Some Provinces of Medical Science 1862. Songs on Many Keys, 1861, "Soundings From the Att lantic. ls6f Humorous Poems" 1865; The GuaFutdu Angel lobN, MecndhlSm Tn Thought and Morals. 1870. Songs of Many Seasons, 1874; John l.. Mot ley a Memoir 1873: Medical Essays 1883; Pages From an Old Volume of Life :. 1883: Ralph Waldo Emerson, fSS6 "A Morta Antipathy "Our Hundred Days in Europe
 1887; Before the Curfew, 1888, and numerous poems recited at various reunions and dinners As a writer of songs, lyrics and poems foi festive occasions, he long occupied the first place
 In 1886 he visited England where he was re- eeived with great cerdiality Editions of his collective poems have appeared from time tC time, the first in lS3G He had contributed largely to current medical literature, as well q, to literary journals and reviews, and for a long time held warm place in the hearts of tht | people as lecturer. series of genial paper, l from his pen entitled over the Tea Cups ap- peared in the Atlantic Monthly during 1890 The latter years of his life have been speni | in quiet retirement at Beverly Falls Farm i broken occasionally by lecture to the liar yard students.
 With Dr. Holmes demise the last of the noted men of the year that pro duced Gladstone, Poe, Lincoln and ! others has passed away except Eng i lands Grand Gid Man.
 AFTER BIG MONEY.