As year by year his tapestry unrolled, What varied wealth its growing length displayed! What long processions flamed in cloth of gold! What stately forms their glowing robes arrayed!" Contrasting with Prescott's and Motley's the subject of Parkman's histories, the poet says, "Not such the scenes our later craftsman drew, Not such the shapes his darker pattern held; A deeper shadow lent its sombre hue, A sadder tale his tragic task compelled. He told the red man's story; far and wide He searched the unwritten records of his race; He sat a listener at the sachem's side, He tracked the hunter through his wildwood chase. * * * * * Soon o'er the horizon rose the cloud of strife, Two proud, strong nations battling for the prize; Which swarming host should mould a nation's life, Which royal banner flout the western skies. Long raged the conflict; on the crimson sod Native and alien joined their hosts in vain; The lilies withered where the lion trod, Till peace lay panting on the ravaged plain." In the extracts given from this fine poem, with its stately, majestic rhythm, it is plain to see that, even at the age of eighty-four, our autocrat poet had lost none of the vigor and fire of youth. In the closing verses he speaks most tenderly of Parkman's patient, untiring energy, "While through long years his burdening cross he bore," and concludes with this fine eulogy: "A brave, bright memory! his the stainless shield No shame defaces and no envy mars! When our far future's record is unsealed His name will shine among its morning stars." It was in January, 1889, that Doctor Holmes sent to Doctor Richard M. Hodges, who was at that time president of the Boston Medical Library Association, the following characteristic letter: MY DEAR SIR: I have transferred my medical library to the hall of the Boston Medical Library Association. Please accept it as a gift from its late president. As there is no provision for its reception, and as I liked the idea of keeping together the books which had been so long together, I have provided a new set of shelves in which they can be properly and conveniently arranged. Your very truly, O.W. HOLMES.