154 Naturalist at Large 



made me very happy. You and Tom are both dear to 

 us, and thank you for this evidence that you remem- 

 ber me. 



Ever aifectionately yours, 



O. W. Holmes 



That was the summer we became next-door neighbors at 

 Beverly Farms. 



On January 29, 1932, he answered my wife, who had 

 written begging him, as she often did, to put his reminis- 

 cences, particularly his war experiences, on paper. He re- 

 plied: — 



My dear Rosamond: 



If any magnet could draw me from the mud of 

 silence, you would do the trick, but I should no more 

 think of writing an autobiography than of writing an 

 epic. I suppose you know it and that your letter is 

 quasi-chaff . It was a delight to see you the other day. 

 It always is. I am a pretty well preserved old cove 

 and I still know a charmer when I see her. My love 

 to Thomas. 



Your affectionate, 



O. W. Holmes 



During the last few years of his life there were times 

 when correspondence went through his secretaries, as 

 writing became difficult for him. In January 1933, I sent 

 him a copy of a little notice which I had privately printed 

 after my colleague Outram Bangs's death. I thought it had 

 a flavor which possibly might please the Justice, as he had 



