Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 January 1893 — They Quoted His Own Poetry to Him. [ARTICLE]

They Quoted His Own Poetry to Him.

The Rev. Mr. Haweis tells a good story of Oliver Wendell Holmes. He says: “At a reception given to Canon Farrar at the Hotel Brunswick, Boston, I found myself close to Oliver Wendell Holmes. ‘Who is that Bishop,’ I asked, ‘who just spoke to me?’ ‘Oh,’ said Mr. Holmes, ‘that is the well-known Bishop of , and not at all a bad fellow, either. I will tell you why I have a good opinion of him. I once saw him go up to two ladies in the street in the rain. He had on a brand new hat. I happened to know those ladled. They were total strangers to him, but he offered them his umbrella and walked on in the rain, and quietly spoiled his hat. ‘Now’ said Mr. Holmes, ‘a man loves his hat, and a Bishop’s hat ’ He paused. It was an awe-inspiring taught. ‘Yes,’ I cut in, laying my hand gently on the poet’s arm, and holding him with my glittering eye, Wear a go d hat—the secret of good looks Lives with the beavers in Canadian brooks; Virtue may flourish in an old cravat, Both man and Nature scorn the shocking hah I saw the author’s eye kindle. ‘Well,’ said he, ‘I had better be off now. I shall hear nothing better than that. I am in luck to-day. This is the second time since I entered this room that I I have had my own poetry quoted to me.’ ”