"Oh, hearts that break and give no sign Save whitening lip and fading tresses, Till Death pours out his cordial wine,

Slow dropped from Misery's crushing pressesIf singing breath or echoing chord To every hidden pang were given, What endless melodies were poured,

As sad as earth, as sweet as heaven!"

The

Here we have yet another example of the "allcomprehensive tenderness" of Dr. Holmes. "surface-thought" only laughs at the bare attempts made by the Unloved to attract attention; the "depth of tenderness" in his nature pities them with infinite pity, and is unwilling to believe aught but that "somewhere love is in store for them."

CHAPTER XI.

WIT AND HUMOR.

MR. SALA, in his meagre introduction to the Golden Library edition of the "Autocrat," says "Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes is essentially what is termed a 'funny fellow.'" We are sorry to differ from so eminent an authority; but we can only say from our experience of Dr. Holmes and his writings, Mr. Sala is essentially wrong in his opinion. He sins, however, with many others, to whom Dr. Holmes has given a gentle reproof. He says, with evident surprise himself that the fact should be so, "I have gone to a town with a a sober literary essay in my pocket, and seen myself everywhere announced as the most desperate of buffos-one who was obliged to restrain himself in the full exercise of his powers, from prudential considerations" and he hints that such a description in no way applies to him.

The fact is, Dr. Holmes has a strong current of humor and a ready flow of wit, which he often employs with happy effect; but essentially-and, in

deed, from the very character of his profession-he is made of sterner and graver stuff. Indeed, taking his works all round, it is a question whether they will not be found really far more serious than gay. It is true they are everywhere brightened by genial expression and brilliancy of touch, even when most grave; but it is certainly a mistake to say that our author is essentially funny.

We purpose, nevertheless, to collect in this chapter a few examples of the wit and humor of Oliver Wendell Holmes: and perhaps the following, extracted from "A Prologue" in the "Autocrat," will amuse the reader:

"Rudolph, professor of the headsman's trade,
Alike was famous for his arm and blade.

One day a prisoner Justice had to kill,
Knelt at the block to test the artist's skill.

Bare-armed, swart-visaged, gaunt, and shaggy-browed,
Rudolph the headsman rose above the crowd.
His falchion lightened with a sudden gleam,
As the pike's armour flashes in the stream.
He sheathed his blade; he turned as if to go;
The victim knelt, still waiting for the blow.
'Why strikest not? perform thy murderous act,'

The prisoner said. (His voice was slightly cracked.) 'Friend, I have struck,' the artist straight replied; 'Wait but one moment, and yourself decide.'

L

"He held his snuff-box-' now, then, if you please!' The prisoner sniffed, and with a crashing sneeze, Off his head tumbled-bowled along the floorBounced down the steps-the prisoner said no more! "Woman! thy falchion is a glittering eye;

If death lurks in it, oh, how sweet to die!
Thou takest hearts as Rudolph took the head:
We die with love, and never dream we're dead!"

We must not fail to mention the two humorous ballads in the "Autocrat," entitled respectively, "The Deacon's Masterpiece," and "Parson Turrell's Legacy." The former is an admirable satire upon logic, showing even its insufficiency. It must be read to be enjoyed. The latter ballad is a satire upon wills, showing the folly of giving legacies subject to whimsical and hampering conditions. The prelude is laughable :

"I'm the fellah that tole one day

The tale of the won'erful one-hoss shay.*
Wan' to hear another? Say-

Funny, wasn't it? Made me laugh

I'm too modest, I am, by half—
Made me laugh's though I sh'd split-

Cahn' a fellah like fellah's own wit?—

Fellahs keep sayin', 'Well, now that's nice;

Did it once, but cahn' do it twice.'

* This was "The Deacon's Masterpiece."

Don' you b'lieve the'z no more fat;
Lots in the kitch'n 'z good 'z that.
Fus'-rate throw, 'n' no mistake—
Han' us the props for another shake;
Know I'll try, 'n' guess I'll win ;

Here sh' goes for hit'n ag’in !”

The "second throw" showed certainly that there was as good "fat" in the kitchen as that which had been given out, and the story of the botheration caused by parson Turrell's legacy to the college of an old arm-chair with a condition, is most amusing. Lawyers may, perhaps, think there is a little too much caustic in the "moral," which is as follows:

"God bless you, Gentlemen! Learn to give Money to colleges while you live.

Don't be silly and think you'll try

To bother the colleges when you die,
With codicil this, and codicil that,

That knowledge may starve while Law grows fat;
For there never was pitcher that wouldn't spill,
And there's always a flaw in a donkey's will!"

However, even lawyers will admit that the lastquoted line contains a very large part of a frequently illustrated truth: otherwise the legal profession would be still more unprofitable than-according to some of its members—it already is.

Another amusing incident is the following. The