The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-17
OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES.
"Reminiscences of the AutOcrat by
Mrs. Annie Fields.


Century Magazine.
DIR. Holiness social nature as expressed
in conversation and in his books, drew him
into communication with a very large num-
per OF people. 1t cannot be said, however
in this age marked by altruisms, that ne
was altruistic; on the contrary he loved
hlmself, and made himself Jlis prime study
but as a member of the human race He
had his own purposes to fulfill. his own
self-appointed tasks and he preferred to
take men only. on his own terms. He was
niied with righteous Indignation, in read
ing Carlyle, to find Il passage where, hear
Ing the doorbell ring one morning when he
was very busy, he explained that he was
afraid that it was 1.-The man Emerson
Yet DR.. Holmes was himself one of the
most carefully guarded men. through his
years of actual production, who ever lived
his, and mounted guard to make sure
that interruption impossible. Never
sheiess he was lover of men. or he could
not have drawn them perpetually to his
side. His writings were never aimed
too high; his sole wish was to hit the
mark, if possible; but if shot hit the head
achievement. When the moment came to
meet men face to face what unrivaled
was king of the dinner table during a large
part OF the century. He loved to talk but
he was eager to be quckened by the con-
versation of others, and reverence was new
er absent from his nature. How incompar-
able his gift of conversation was, it will be
dlff1cult, probably impossible, for any one
1t was not that he was wiser, or wittier,
or more profound, or more radiant with
Of Macaulay, Sidney Smith, De Quincy and
Colerfdge rise up before us from the past,
and among his contemporaries many men
must still recall the sallies of Tom Apple
ton, the charm of Agassiz, and of Cor
neIus FELTON, and others of the Saturday
Club; but with DR.; Holmes sunshine and
gayety came into the room. 1t was not a
denomination to be cheerful, or witty or
profound; but it was natural expression.
ana sometimes purely gay, but always as
open as a child to the influences around
him, and ready for "a good time
His power of Self-eXcitement seemed in
exhaustible. Given a dinner table, with
light and color, and somebody occasionally
TO throw the ball, his spirits would rise
unaware II men whom he considered his
superiors We're present; he meant to sit at
talked too much,' he often said with a
ffeenng of sincere penitence as he rose
our guest had to say" But the wise guest,
SEEING the opportunity, usually led DR..
Holmes on until he forgot that he was NOT
listening and replying. 1t was this sensi-
tiveness. perhaps. which made his greatest
ebh ,Ia n power Of sympathy which led
would say if he should speak, and made II
possible for him to talk in mea sure for
ot Nefhia as well e,ra as to express himself.
and beautiful than such a gift nor any
more purely his own. His conversat ton re-
minded one of those beautiful danseuses
OF the South upon whom every eye is fas-
tened, by whom every sense is fascinated
put who dance UP to their companions
and lead them out. and make them feel
all the exhilaration of the occasion,
while the leader alone possesses all the
enchantment and all the inspiration. OF
course, conversation Of this kind is an out
growth or character. His reverence was
one source Of his inspiration, and a desire
to do well everything he undertook. He
was faithful friend and a keen appre-
GATOR, and he disliked to hear .leprecIa-
ton of others His character was clear cut
and defined. like his small. erect figure:
perfect Of its kind and possessed of great
innate dignity, which yelled only bv
delightful, Incompatible gifts and charms
My acquaintance and friendship with him
lasted through many years, beginning with
my husbands early association I think
their acquaintance began about the time
when the Doctor threatened TO hang out a
sign, The smallest favors gratefully re-
ceived.' and when the young publishers
literary enthusiasm led MIN to rake some
excuse for asking medical advice