was answered by Hon. Wm. M. Evarts, in a witty and characteristic address.
Doctor T. Gaillard Thomas responded to the toast, "The Medical Profession"—
She honors herself in honoring a favorite son,—
and George William Curtis followed in an address, answering to the toast "Literature"—
A kind of medicine in itself.
—Measure for Measure.
All factions, he declared, claimed Oliver Wendell Holmes, and all peoples spoke of him in praise. He then mentioned many of the poet's songs, reciting a stanza occasionally and commenting on them in a touching manner. The next toast was "The Press"—
But words are things, and a small drop of ink
Falling like dew upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.
—Byron.
This was responded to by Whitelaw Reid in a humorous address in which he closely connected Doctor Holmes with the profession of journalism. It was a late hour when the company separated, and the last toast given, found a hearty, though silent response from all present—
Good-night, good-night! Parting is such sweet sorrow,
That I shall say good-night till it be to-morrow.
—Romeo and Juliet.