Oliver Wendell Holmes.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5631, 29 May 1886, Page 3

Oliver Wendell Holmes.

— ♦ — ; " THE LAST LEAF." \ The^ genial " Autocrat of tho Breakfast i Table " has just given his American publisher an account of the origin of the most charming and pathetic of his shorter poemß. Everyone whose eyes have glistened over the " Last Leaf," will be glad to learn ; who was the original of a picture which evidently was drawn from real life. Dr , Holmes states that he wrote the famous little poemabouttheyparlß3l, when hewas twenty-two. It waa suggested by the sight of a figure well known to Bostonians of that period— Major Thomas Melville-tfhe " last of the Cocked Hats," as he was sometimes called. The Major was a man of fourscore years when the young poet's attention was drawn to him ; and he was a survivor of the old Revolutionary struggle which resulted in American independence. His aspect among the crowds of a later generation reminded me," adds Dr Holmes, "of a withered leaf which has held to its stem through the storms of autumn and winter, and finds itself still clinging to its bough while the new growths of spring are bursting their buds and spreading their foliage all around it." Oliver Wendell Holmes " hopes to be forgiven " for the modest mention' of three tributes of praise which the "Last Leaf " has won. President Lincoln greatly admired the poem, and used to repeat it to his friends. A second tribute, which haa greatly cheered the humane heart of the poet-physician, iB that his verses have given pleasure to the blind of America — having been printed in raised letters for their use. md last, but not least, Edgar Allan Poe — whose genius Dr Holmes admires, and whose judgment he respects — wrote a high eulogium upon the "Last Leaf" fifty years ago. Poe's generous praise has only just been published, and Dr Holmes (who is now in his seventyseventh year) intimates, with a touch of deep pathos, that the announcement comes rather too late, since the " morning dew means little to the withered leaf."