the same manner if he caught him. (Dict. Nat. Biog, vol. xxix. p. 306.) I could, if God please. lay my head back and die without terror this afternoon.

Dr. ISAAC WATTS (1674-1748) -Last words. Preceded by: "It is a great mercy to me that I have no manner of fear or dread of death."

I could wish this tragic scene were over, but I hope to go through it with becoming dignity.

JAMES QUIN (1693-1766)— Last words.

I die happy.

CHARLES JAMES FOX (17491806)-Last words. Another account gives: "Trotter will tell you," said to Mrs. Fox. See Now God be praised! I die happy. I die not only a Protestant, but

with a heart-hatred of popery, prelacy, and all superstition whatever.

the

ARCHIBALD, 8th EARL OF ARGYLE (1598-1661)-on scaffold.

I do forgive you.

WILLIAM HOWARD, VISCOUNT STAFFORD (1612-80)-to the executioner, who asked his forgiveness. (Bell's Chapel and Tower.)

Another version is: This block will be my pillow, and I shall repose there well, without pain, grief or fear"; and a further: "I thank God I am no more afraid of death, but as cheerfully put off my doublet at this time as ever I did when I went to bed." His only exclamation on hearing his sentence was "God's holy name be Fraised!" (Hume, Hist of Engl.) George Wishart also forgave the executioner in a similar way: See I fear not this fire.

I do not believe that state can last in which Jesus and Judas have equal weight in public affairs. THOMAS CARLYLE

(1795-1881) -to an American clergyman who defended universal suffrage.

I do not fear death.

THOMAS BLOOD (1628-80)Last words. See I am not in the least afraid to die; My Lord, why do you not go on ?

I do not know a method of drawing up an indictment against a whole people. EDMUND BURKE

(1729-97)in a speech on conciliation with America, Mar. 22, 1775.

I do not like giving advice, because it is an unnecessary responsibility under any circumstances.

BENJAMIN DISRAELI [Earl of Beaconsfield] (1804-81)—in a speech at Aylesbury, Sep. 21, 1865.

I don't think much of a man who is not wiser to-day than he was yesterday.

PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN (1809-65)-when taxed with having changed his mind on some subject. Cf. L'homme absurde est celui qui ne change jamais stupid man he who alters.) (Barthélemy, Ma Justification, 1832)

(The

never

I drink with pleasure the health of all unfortunate princes. GEORGE II (1683-1760)—when challenged at a masked ball by a Jacobite lady to drink to the health of the Pretender.

If all our wishes were gratified, most of our pleasures would be destroyed. ARCHBISHOP WHATELY (1787

1863).

If all the swords in England were brandishing over my head, your terrors would not

move me.

THOMAS à BECKET (1117-70), Archbishop of Canterbury-to his murderers.

If anyone attempts to haul down the American flag, shoot him on the spot.

JOHN A. DIX (1798-1879)—Telegraphic order dated from Washington, Jan. 29, 1861, regarding the arrest of Capt. Breshwood, commander of the revenne cutter, McClennand, at New Orleans.

I fear not this fire.

GEORGE WISHART (1502-46), burned at the stake-Last words. Preceded by: "For the sake of the true Gospel, given one by the grace of God, I suffer this day with a glad heart. Behold and consider my visage. Ye shall not see me change colour." The executioner had asked for and obtained his forgiveness.

I feel now that I am dying.

JEREMY BENTHAM (1748-1832)— Last words.

I feel the flowers growing over

me.

JOHN KEATS (1796-1821)-Last words. Another version is: "I die of a broken heart."

If I am alive, I shall be glad to

see him; if I am dead, he'll be glad to see me.

LORD HOLLAND (1705-74)when told by his physicians that he had scarcely half-an-hour to live. Preceded by "Should Mr. Selwyn call within the next half-hour, show him in at once."

If I die, I die unto the Lord. Amen.

REV. EDWARD IRVING (1792

1834)-Last words. Another version is: "In life and in death, I am the Lord's."

If I granted your demands, I should be no more than the mere phantom of a king. CHARLES I (1600-49)-Reply to the demand of the Long Parliament for the control of military, civil, and religious appointments.

If I had a son, I should endeavour to make him familiar with French and German authors. Greek and Latin are only luxuries.

DR. RICHARD PORSON, the Greek scholar, (1759-1808). If I had strength enough to hold a pen, I would write down how easy and pleasant a thing it is to die.

DR. WILLIAM HUNTER (171783-Last words.

If I have been deceived, doubtless it was the work of a spirit; whether that spirit was good or bad I do not know. JOANNA SOUTHCOTT (1750-1814) -Last recorded words.

If I have done the public any service, it is due to nothing but industry and patient thought.

SIR ISAAC NEWTON (1642-1727) -to Dr. Richard Bentley.

I firmly believe that if the whole materia medica could be sunk to the bottom of the sea, it would be all the better for mankind and all the worse for the sea.

OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES (1809-94)-in a lecture before the Harvard Medical School.

If I tremble with cold, my enemies will say it was from

fear I will not expose myself to such reproaches.

By CHARLES I (1600-49)-Remark when asking for two shirts, the morning of his execution, Jan. 30, 1649. (Lingard, Hist. of Engl., x, ch. 5.) See Tu trembles, Bailly. Drake, when a midshipman, was observed to tremble very much on the eve of an engagement, and, on being asked the cause, replied, "My flesh trembles at the anticipation of the many and great dangers into which my resolute and undaunted heart will lead me." (Percy Anecdotes, vol. i., p. 203.) Cf.

"Why dost thou quiver man?" (Dick). "The palsy, and not fear, provoketh me." (Lord Say.)

(Shakspere, King Henry VI, 2nd Part, act iv, sc. 7, 11. 95-6).

If I were an American, as I am Englishman, while

an

a

foreign troop was landed in my country, I never would lay down my arms-never! never! never!

WILLIAM PIIT, 1st Earl of Chatham (1708-78) - in a speech Nov. 18, 1777, referring to the employment of German soldiers. If learning could have kept a man alive, our brother had not died.

RICHARD JOHNSON Master of the Temple, (d. 1674)—over the grave of John Selden in the Temple Church, London. Cf. "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." (St. John xi. 32) If my head would win him a castle in France, it should not fail to go.

SIR THOMAS MORE (1480-1535) -of Henry VIII.

I forgive him, and I hope I shall as easily forget the wrongs he has done me, as he will forget my pardon.

RICHARD I (1157-99)—of his brother, John, who had endeavoured to prevent Richard's release by Henry VI. Emperor of Germany. I found there was nothing for it but to take off my flesh and sit in my bones.

REV. SYDNEY SMITH (17711845)-alluding to the heat.

If this be treason, make the most of it.

PATRICK HENRY (1736-99) — in a speech in the Virginia House of Burgesses against the Stamp Act, May, 1765 (Wirt, Life). Preceded by "Cæsar had his Brutus-Charles the First, his Cromwell-and George the Third (Treason!' cried the Speaker) may profit by their example. If &c."

If you like the terms of the loan, down with the dust!

DEAN JONATHAN SWIFT (16671745)-in a short charity-sermon on the text "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord" (Prov. ch. xix., v. 17).

If you love my soul, away with it!

JOHN HOOPER, Bishop of Gloucester and afterwards Bishop of Worcester (c. 1495-1555) Last words. Other versions are: "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit," and “Good people, give me more fire." (The faggots were green, and had to be rekindled three times.)

I give Thee thanks, O God, for all Thy benefits, and with all the pains of my soul I humbly beseech Thy mercy to give me remission of those sins I have wickedly committed against Thee; and of all mortal men whom willingly or ignorantly I have offended, with all my heart I desire forgiveness.

EDWARD, THE BLACK PRINCE (1330-76)-Last words.

Ignorance never settles a question.

BENJAMIN DISRAELI [Earl of Beaconsfield] (1804-81)—in a speech in the House of Commons, May 14, 1866.

I go from a corruptible to an incorruptible crown.

CHARLES I (1600-49) on the scaffold. He added "where no disturbance can have place" (Hume, Hist. of Engl.)

I hate all Boets and Bainters.

GEORGE I (1660-1727)-when refusing to allow a poem to be dedicated to him. (Campbell, Life of Lord Mansfield, ch. 30 note.) I have always endeavoured, to

the best of my ability, to serve God, my king and my country. I go to the place God has designed for those who love him.

ANTHONY COLLINS (1676-1729) -Last words.

I have been nearer you when

you have missed me.

SIR GEORGE LISLE (Aug. 28, 1648)-Last words, to one of the soldiers appointed to shoot him. (Percy Anecdotes, vol. ii, p. 114.) I have desired to have the obedience of my subjects by love, and not by compulsion. QUEEN ELIZABETH (1533-1603) -to her parliament. See Nothing, no worldly thing.

I have done England little good, but I should be sorry to do it any harm.

KATHARINE OF ARAGON (14861536)-to the commissioners, after her divorce by Henry VIII (1491

I have ever cherished an honest pride; never have I stooped to friendship with Jonathan Wild, or with any of his detestable thief-takers; and, though an undutiful son, Í never damned my mother's eyes.

JACK SHEPPARD (1701-24), noted highwayman and burglar, hanged at Tyburn-Last words.

I have given my life to law and politics; law is uncertain, and politics are utterly vain. DANIEL WEBSTER (1782-1852) -to Professor Silliman (1772-1864). I have had wealth, rank, and power, but, if these were all had, how wretched I should be!

PRINCE ALBERT (1819-61)— Dying words.

I have heard, indeed, that two negatives make an affirmative; but I never heard before that two nothings ever made anything.

DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM (162788)-in a speech in the House of Lords.

I have known thee all the time.

JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER (1807-92)—Last words, to his niece, who asked whether he knew her. Another version is: "Give my love to the world."

I have learnt again what I have often learnt before, that you should never take anything for granted.

BENJAMIN DISRAELI [Earl of Beaconsfield] 1804-81)-in a speech at Salthill, Oct. 5, 1864.

I have long been of the opinion that a British army could

bear neither success nor failure.

DUKE OF WELLINGTON (17691852)-written from Coimbra, May 31, 1809, to the Rt. Hon. J. Villiers. See The English nation is never so great as in adversity.

I have long been of the opinion that the foundations of the future grandeur and stability of the British Empire lie in America.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (1706-90) -written in 1761 to Lord Kames. I have neither eyes to see, nor cars to hear, save as the Commons of England do direct.

SPEAKER LENTHALL (1591-1662) --reply, Jan. 4, 1642, to Charles I (16c0-49), who had entered the House for the purpose of arresting Pym, Hampden, Holles, Hazlerig and Strode. Hume (Hist. of Engl.) has it: "I have, sir, neither eyes to see, nor tongue to speak, in this place, but as the House is pleased to direct me, whose servant I am; and I humbly ask pardon that I cannot give any other answer to what your majesty is pleased to demand of me.

I have no patience whatever with these gorilla damnifications of humanity.

THOMAS CARLYLE (1795-81)— referring to the Darwinian theory of development. See I am on the side of the angels.

I have not yet begun to fight.

PAUL JONES, Naval Commander (1747-92)-to the captain of the Serapis, who asked if he had struck his colours, during a lull in the engagement.

I have no wish to believe on that subject.

THOMAS PAINE, author of The Rights of Man, &c. (1737-1809)— Last words, in reply to his physician's question, "Do you wish to believe that Jesus is the Son of God?” I have often read and thought of that scripture, but never till this moment did I feel its full power, and now I die happy.

BISHOP JOSEPH BUTLER (16921752) Last words, to his chaplain who read to him chapter vi. of St. John, calling his attention to the 37th verse: "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

I have Old England set against me, and do you think I will have New England also? SIR ROBERT WALPOLE (16761745)-in 1739, when sounded by Lord Chesterfield as to a project for the taxation of America. The Dict. Nat. Biog. (vol. lix, p. 202) gives the last word as "likewise."