The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-11-13
HOLMES HIS THEME
Continued From Eighth Page

| tiers. In his eightieth year he commenced
a series of papers which were not con-
| cluded until he was past 50 and form that
volume so well named over the Tea
cups" splendid evidence Of e virility
Of his genius.
Holmes said most happily 'Tea-Cups"
are not coffee-cups, they do not hold so
much: their pallid infusion is but a feeble
stimuiant compared with the black de-
coction served at the morning board
In the twilight which lasted so long
before the darkness OF death. how he
enjoyed those confidential talks as the
tea was poured. sugared and tasted; the
rattle Of the spoons was soothing music.
After half century he made a second
trip 10 Europe and he gives a most de-
lightfuI account Of it in "One Hundred
Days in Europe" II time permitted
would ike If we could follow him and
witness the honors paid 10 him wherever
we went by the highest digritaries OF
church and state and literary compeers.
He was entertained by Carlisle and Ten
nyson and the universities of Edinburgh,
oxford and Cambridge. all conferred their
honary degrees upon him.
But we must hasten home with him
and see the glad welcome which awaited
him in his dear old Boston. At the Satur-
day club again, where he once was won't
to meet the distinguished company that
has given TO our country a high place
in the literary world. He walks again
beneath the famous elms OF his beloved
Harvard, where for thirty-five years he
l. -
partment
He once said in speaking OF these
scenes which he loved so well: And over
all this region rise the tall landmarks
which tell the jewellers in our streets
and the traveller as he approaches. that
in the home of science. arts and letters,
the God of our fathers is never forgotten.
but that high above these shrines of
earthly knowledge and beauty, are lifted
the towers and spires which are the SYM
bols OF human aspiration ever looking
up to Him, the Eternal, Immortal, IN
visible
In view of the beautiful faith and
hope expressed so well can not desist
a brief reference to some criticism pro-
voked by certain expressions found in
the earlier writings Of DR.. Holmes. While
he attacked religious bigotry and laid
bare some ancient dogmas. some preju-
dice against him was engendered which
may yet exist though without justiaca-
ton.
What he said fifty years ago. II said
now, instead OF provoking criticism,
would be applauded. AS Whittier and
Lowell along political lines exposed and
exploded error. so did Holmes improve
the theological thought of his time.
He looked forward to the time with
hope when creed and tenets would
not engender strife and contention and
churches would unite in harmonious &C
ton TO make the world better and add TO
the sum of human happiness.
'IIe lived to see this hope realized.
When we pause and apply to DR.. Holmes
correct test or standard OF human
greatness, he will be found 70 measure
far higher than most of those who are
ever in the publ ceye. We arc very apt
TO jim in tie homage which is paid 10
those high in official and political life
and to those who have accumulated
riches. but after all our better 1udg
ments and our sober second thought tells
us that TO Holmes, and his compeers,
men of the highest moral and intellectual
qualities, the brightest laurels should be
awarded.
He had a mellow evening OF life. As
ono after another Of his comrades left
the world. he bade them goodbye with
a song. Thus in his old age. he SANG
after Lowell and Whittier. and Haw-
thorne: at last his own voice was silent
and there was no one left in his gener-
alton to sing his farewell. fer he it was.
who brought ND the rear Of the process /
sion of American writer's Of the great
period. as one by one passed into the
firm assent OF fame.
1T is true that really great man Is
the grandest object which the world exer
exhibits. The heavens in their magnifi-
cence-tho ocean in its sublime immen-
sity-the mountains standing firm upon
their granite foundstions-all are less inn
posing than a living man in the pos
session of his highest faculties