numbers
together. In the fourth issue appeared, perhaps, the best poem written
by Holmes--_The Chambered Nautilus_. This was a favorite with him and
was one of those poems of which he said: "I did not write it, but it was
written through me," for he believed it to be a work of inspiration.

_The Autocrat_, which is Holmes' greatest work, was followed by two
similar but inferior series, _The Professor at the Breakfast Table_ and
_The Poet at the Breakfast Table_. Between the last two series he had
published in 1861 his novel _Elsie Venner_, followed in 1867 by _The
Guardian Angel_, and in 1885 by _A Mortal Antipathy_. The first of these
novels is considerably the best, but none of them ranks high, for they
all deal with unusual people who because of weird inherited traits of
mind are forced to go through strange if not impossible experiences.

Still another kind of writing was attempted by Holmes. In 1878 he
completed a biography of his intimate friend, the historian Motley, and
in 1884 wrote a life of Emerson. These are not, however, among his best
productions. _Over the Teacups_, similar to the _Breakfast Table_
papers, appeared in 1890, and was his last important work.

In 1886, accompanied by his daughter, he spent four months in Europe,
chiefly in England. The warm welcome and high honor given him by the
English people were very gratifying to the aged professor. He was always
at his best when talking, and so brilliant and easy was his wit that had
not politeness forbidden he could have entertained a roomful of people
during a whole evening. This fact as well as his literary achievements
made him popular everywhere.

On the occasion when he received a degree of honor from Cambridge
University, the young collegemen greeted him by singing at the tops of
their voices a song of "Holmes, sweet Holmes;" and on a similar occasion
at Oxford one of the students, making good use of the title of a poem
especially known to Holmes' young readers, asked from the gallery
whether the Doctor had come in the "One-Hoss Shay." It is likely that
the worthy old gentleman was quite as pleased with this hearty good will
as with the more dignified tributes received during his memorable visit.

After 1890, Holmes wrote only occasionally. Yet he continued to take his
usual walks and to answer a part of his large correspondence, leaving
the rest to a secretary. Now and then he would go to a concert or to a
dinner among friends, and in other