The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1889-05-18 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

EVENING WITH OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES."  Under the auspices of the branch of the League of the Cross a lectors was given in the schoolroom of St. Anne's, Rock Ferry, on Monday evening, by Mr. David Donnelly, who took as his subjoct " An Even• log with Oliver Wendell Holmes," " The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table," ..te• There was a crowded attendance, principally ladies, and the chair was occupied by the Rev. Father Dawson, CULL There were also present the Rev. Father Gibney, Messrs. Caton, Kevin Byrne, R. Tickle, J. Ellis, Kelly, Thos. Byrne, Coughlan, Lovett (president and hon. sec. Sescombe branch), and others. _ .... •  In opening the meeting the Rev. Chairman remarked that they did not want all their lecture, to be delivered on temperance, as probably the majority of the persons attending these meetings were members of the League, and he thought it would be as well to hear • discourse upon • subject of general interest. (Applause.) Through the effort, of their indefatigable secretary Mr. Seagrue, and at hie (this chairman's) request, Mr. Donnelly had kindly con. tented to come that evening. (Applause.) The lecturer prefaced his discourse by a few words on the books of Holmes, whom he said lived near to Boston, U.S ,at the present time. It was afar more difficult matter to, talk of a living author than of one who had passed away, bulbs would reada number of extracts from Holmes works. Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, a son of Abiel Holmes, D.D., was born at Cambridge, ildassachnsetts, on 29th August, 189; be graduated at Harvard University in 1829, and lobes. quentiv devoted about a year to the study of law. He visited Europe in 1833, and, having resolved to exchange Coke and Blackstone for Galen and .Esculapin, employed between two or three years in the hospitallof Paris, and other laborious researches connected with the duties of his new profession. Iu 1835 he returned to Boston, and took his medical degree at Cambridge, U.S., in 18.36, was elected Professor of Anatomy and Physiology in 1838, and succeeded Dr. Warren as Pre tenor Of Anatomy in the medical department of Harvard University in 1847. In 1849 Dr. 'Holmes relingnished general practice. He resided daring the winter principally in Boston, and spent the remainder of the year on an estate which belonged • to his great grandfather, the honourable Jacob Wendell, situated on the banks of the Ilonatomie, in Pittsfield, 13erkehire County, Mass., U.S. Following the above introduction the lecturer proceeded to read Holme's opinion of Mutual admiration societies, temperance, woman and what good work she could do, and other matters, all of which proved to be of a highly interesting, and, at times, amusing nature. . .  On the motion of Mr. Kevin Byrne, seconded by Mr. Seagrue, supported by the Rev. Father Gibney, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the lecturer. During the evening a number of pianoforte selections were played in admirable style by Miss Taylor. The pledge was administnred after the meeting closed.  A Bombay native rai!way official thug keeps his head office informed—" Great danger last night, both pointsmen treacherously quarrelled and beat each other. Varndiah—was to 136 murdered by throw of a big stone from Mahomed— Fortunately it fell on back of Varudiab wife. Blr. augers; I tried to pacify both, but all of no avail. So I walked op Varudiah— forcibly. Mahomed—then came with a aword and a large bange (pestile) to kill the pointaman inside and suicide him. With great request I watched them both. Please kindly scatter both to different sides by train to day, otherwise murder happen, including to myself." 'Don't my room look almost like a bower?' she asked am she moved a poodle from one chair, and a pug from another. 'Yes, dear,' anawered her friend, a regular bow.wow.er.' Blatherly—, Just think. I am almost at the age when man anapests himself a fool ' Jones—' How's that 2 Motherly—, lam 39" Jones— Why, I always had en i:laa :1;a:to were 40 long ago.'