For a' that, and a' that, Their dignities, and a' that, The pith o' sense, and pride o' worth, Then let us pray that come it may, As come it will for a' that; That sense and worth, o'er a' the earth, It's coming yet, for a' that, That man to man, the warld o'er, HIGHLAND MARY YE banks, and braes, and streams around The castle o' Montgomery, Green be your woods, and fair your flowers, Your waters never drumlie ! There sinner first unfauld her robes, And there the langest tarry; For there I took the last fareweel O' my sweet Highland Mary. Where is thy place of blissful rest? Seest thou thy lover lowly laid? Hear'st thou the groans that rend his breast? That sacred hour can I forget? Can I forget the hallow'd grove, Where by the winding Ayr we met, 5 ΤΟ Eternity will not efface Those records dear of transports past; Thy image at our last embrace; Ah! little thought we 'twas our last! Ayr gurgling kiss'd his pebbled shore, O'erhung with wild woods, thick'ning green; Twin'd am'rous round the raptur'd scene. Proclaim'd the speed of wingèd day. Still o'er these scenes my memory wakes, As streams their channels deeper wear. My Mary, dear departed shade! Where is thy place of blissful rest? Seest thou thy lover lowly laid? Hear'st thou the groans that rend his breast? 15 20 25 30 CHAPTER XV OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES, 1809-1894 · "Long may he live to make broader the face of our care-ridden generation, and to realize for himself the truth of the wise man's declaration, that a merry heart is a continual feast.'"— JOHN G. WHITTIER. OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES, one of the wittiest and wisest of American authors, was born in Cambridge, Mass., in 1809. He graduated at Harvard College in 1829. He began to study law, but soon gave up the idea for the study of medicine. After several years of study, both at home and abroad, he began the practice of medicine in Boston. He was chosen professor of anatomy and physiology in Dartmouth College in 1838, and was called to the same chair in Harvard Medical College in 1847. His first literary effort of any note was a poem delivered at Harvard College in 1836. The warm praise with which this poem was received doubtless stimulated the young physician to other literary work. His first volume of collected poems was published in 1836. For over fifty years Dr. Holmes made every year a great variety of contributions to our literature, poems, novels, essays, and medical writings. When the Atlantic Monthly was founded in 1857, Dr. Holmes began a series of papers called "The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table," which did much to increase the fame of the genial doctor. For thirty years he was a regular and favorite contributor to the Atlantic. Two other volumes have since been added to the "BreakfastTable" series. This delightful series of papers is unique in our literature; abounding in delicate fancies, genial wit, and good-natured satire. These papers are bright, sharp, and witty, and we rarely tire of them. OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES His first novel, "Elsie Venner," appeared in 1861, and "The Guardian Angel" in 1867. Dr. Holmes also made many and notable contributions to medical literature. He wrote prose and verse with equal success. His style is marked by certain original and characteristic traits,-genial humor, mirthful satire, brilliant wit, and tender sentiment. Personally, Dr. Holmes was a man of slight build, neat He lectured every year and precise in all of his actions. for nearly forty years on anatomy at the Harvard Medical College. No man was ever more admired by his students. There seemed no end to the witty sayings, sharp repartees, and funny stories with which he made this dry subject attractive to thousands of medical students. Even during the last days of his long life Dr. Holmes was still busy with his pen. No one ever thought of him as an old man. |