these articles to read during the preceding month as much as possible of the writings of the author he is to consider, saturating himself with the author's thought and style. To turn from Mark Twain's books to those of Col. Higginson is like emerging from the fetid atmosphere and ribald songs of Thackeray's Cave of Harmony to breathe the pure air of heaven in company with Col. Newcome. "In his heart of hearts no man really respects himself," grins Mark Twain.* Col. Higginson is one of the best types in literature of the gentleman, whose characteristics he has so well epitomized: "selfrespect, self-control, kind feelings, refined habits5." II He comes from excellent stock, both the Wentworth and the Higginson in his name standing for ancestors of character and of accomplishment. His father was bursar of Harvard college, and planted the elms in the yard. William Henry Channing was his uncle. His boyhood was passed in the midst. of the well-known families of Cambridge. His birthplace adjoined that of Oliver Wendell Holmes, and the house his mother moved to is now occupied by Radcliffe college1. His elder brother was a classmate of Lowell and Story. One of his sisters was among the first pianists in Cambridge to play Beethoven1, and among frequent visitors *See page 332. A Gentelman in Literature 351 were John Dwight and Christopher Pearse Cranch. III At fourteen he was six feet tall, and like all overgrown boys was bashful. He tells how he overcame it: 6 "I said to myself, thinking of other young men who made themselves quite agreeable: These lads are not your superiors-perhaps in the recitation room or on the playground hardly your equals; why not cope with them elsewhere? Thus influenced I conquered myself in a single evening and lost my shyness forever. The process was unique so far as I know, and I have often recommended it to shy young men. Being invited to a small party I considered beforehand what young ladies would probably be there. With each one I had of course something in common-kinship or neighborhood, or a favorite pastime. This would do I reasoned for a starting point; so I put down on a small sheet of paper what I would say to each if I happened to be near her. It worked like a charm; I found myself chatting away the whole evening, and |