Judge Holmes' Lecture.

A large and enthusiastic audience greeted Mr. O. W. Holmes, Jr., last evening. The hall was crowded and very many would be listeners were turned away. Judge Holmes spoke for an hour most eloquently and wittily. He said that he feared that he would be too enthusiastic in praise of his chosen profession. The first platitude of his discourse was that the law is a very good profession to go from. It has many doors, leading into politics, commerce, and the ministry even. It is the art or subject matter of science, or of several sciences. It is the art of persuasion and of advising. As a science, it is not an accident. It is the deadwood in the tree of life, without which the tree could not stand. The study of history is necessary for that of law, because one cannot understand the present without a knowledge of the past.

In regard to the requisites and chances of success, every man may have pretty much what he wants if he wants it hard enough, and every man will stop in his place when he gets there. Good physical qualifications are necessary. Nearly every successful lawyer breaks down in middle life. Intellectual effort alone will rarely kill. It is anxiety that kills. The law is not infinite. An enlightened understanding and command of it is possible. Charm of voice and manner is desirable, but not necessary to success. A soothing and composed manner, tack, and good judgment especially, are desirable. Successful lawyers are, as a rule, honest men. Great chances don't announce themselves before hand. You must have the thing on your mind all the time if you would succeed. The law is the place of thinkers, not often of poets or artists. To think great thoughts you must be heroes as well as idealists.