utocrat of the Breakfast Table.'" He practiced
medicine in Boston and taught Anatomy and Physiology in Harvard until
1882. The latter years of his life were spent happily in Boston, where
he died.

The poems by Holmes are used by permission of, and by special arrangement
with, Houghton Mifflin Company, authorized publishers of his works.

OLD IRONSIDES

The frigate Constitution was popularly known as "Old Ironsides" and this
poem was written when the naval authorities proposed to break it up as
unfit for service.

THE LAST LEAF

Holmes says this poem was suggested by the appearance in Boston of an old
man said to be a Revolutionary soldier.

THE CHAMBERED NAUTILUS

14. irised: having colors like those in a rainbow.

14. crypt: secret recess.

CONTENTMENT

3. In 1857-1858, when this poem was written, the ideal of elegance in
eastern cities of America was a "brown stone front" house. The
possession of such a mansion indicated large wealth. In the light of
this fact the humor of the verse is evident. The same principle is used
throughout.

22. The position of Minister Plenipotentiary to the court of St. James--
England--was considered the highest diplomatic position in the disposal
of the United States. How would such a position compare with filling the
governor's chair of any state?

35. marrowy: rich.

48. The paintings of Raphael and Titian are beyond purchase price now.
Most of them belong to the great galleries of Europe. Turner is a modern
painter whose work is greatly admired and held almost above price.

64. vellum: fine parchment made of the skin of calves and used for
manuscripts. It turns cream-color with age.

59. Stradivarius: a violin made by Antonio Stradivari, who lived (1644-
1737) in Cremona, Italy. These instruments created a standard so that
they are now the most highly prized violins in existence.

64. buhl: brass, white metal, or tortoise shell inlaid in patterns is
the wood of furniture. So named from the French woodworker who perfected
it.

THE DEACON'S MASTERPIECE

10. Georgius Secundus: King George II of England. He was the son of
George I, who was elector of Hanover, as well as king of England.

20, felloe: a part of the rim of a wooden wheel in which the spokes are
inserted.

92. encore: we can say the same thing about their strength.

THOMAS BUCHANAN READ (1822-1872)

Born in Pennsylvania, he was early apprenticed to a tailor. He