I would rather be a poor beggar's wife and be sure of heaven than queen of all the world and stand in doubt thereof by reason of my own consent. KATHARINE OF ARAGON, wife of Henry VIII (1486-1536). I would rather be the author of that poem [i.e. Gray's Elegy] than take Quebec. GENERAL JAMES WOLFE (172659)-beforeQuebec, Sep. 12, 1759, the day before the battle in which he was killed. See Je donnerais une de mes pièces pour les avoir faits; and Je donnerais pour l'avoir fait &c. I would rather eat a dry crust at a king's table than feast on luxuries at that of an elector. ELIZABETH OF ВОНЕМІА, daughter of James I of England (1596-1662)-to her husband, the Elector Palatine Frederick V, when urging him to accept the crown of Bohemia. James, take good care of the horse. WINFIELD Scott (1786-1866)—— Last words; to his servant. (Appleton's Cyclo. of Amer. Biog.) Jesus! precious Saviour! BISHOP GEORGE DAVID CUMMINGS (1822-76)-Last words. Joy. HANNAH MORE (1744-1833)-Last word. Just two years younger than your majesty's happy reign. FRANCIS BACON (1561-1626)—to Queen Elizabeth, in 1572, on her asking his age. He was then eleven. Kings govern by means of popular assemblies only when they cannot do without them. CHARLES JAMES FOX (17491806) in the House of Commons, Oct. 31, 1776. Knowledge is wooed for her dowry, not for her diviner charms. LORD CHARLES BOWEN (183594)-in a lecture on Education. Preceded by: "The system of competitive examinations is a sad necessity." (Law Times, Aug. 16, 1902) Language is the picture and counterpart of thought. MARK HOPKINS, D.D., (b. 1852) -in an address delivered at the dedication of Williston Seminary, Dec. 1, 1841. See La parole a été donnée à l'homme &c. Lay me quietly in the earth and put a sun-dial over my grave, and let me be forgotten. monu JOHN HOWARD (1726 90)-Last words. Preceded by: "Suffer no pomp at my funeral, nor mental inscription where I am laid." Learned men are the cisterns of knowledge, not the fountainheads. JAMES NORTHCOTE, R.A. (17461831). Let him be hanged by the neck. Formula written in the margin of the calendar against the name of a person condemned to be executed; formerly sus. per coll., an abbreviation of suspendatur per collum This, with the signature of the judge, is the sheriff's authority. Wharton, (Law Lexicon, 1883, p. 804) says that, in the case of a capital felony, it is written opposite to the prisoner's name, 'Hanged by the neck.' Sus. per coll. is quoted by Sir W. Scott in The Antiquary, ch. 8. Let no guilty man escape. PRESIDENT GRANT (1822-85)— Words endorsed on a letter of July 29, 1875, relating to the prosecution of those violating the laws with regard to the tax on distilled spirits. Let no guilty man escape, if it can be avoided. No personal consideration should stand in the way of performing a public duty." Let our object be: our country, GEORGE WASHINGTON (173299)-attributed to him when some of the American troops cheered as Cornwallis's sword was given to him by General O'Hara at Yorktown, Oct. 19, 1781. Its authenticity is denied. Let the child win his spurs, and let the day be his. EDWARD III (1312-77)—at the Battle of Crecy, Aug. 26, 1346, referring to his son Edward, the Black Prince, and refusing to send him help, although he was then hard pressed by the French. The prince had been knighted only a month before. The king, on returning to the camp, exclaimed, " 'My brave son! persevere in your honourable course; you are my son; valiantly have you acquitted yourself to-day, and worthy are you of a crown. (Hume, Hist. of Engl.) under the refreshing shadow THOMAS JONATHAN ["STONE- ULYSSES S. GRANT (1822-85)— concluding phrase of a letter accepting his nomination to the Presidency of the United States, dated May 29, 1868. Liberalism is trust of the people, tempered by prudence; Conservatism, distrust of the people, tempered by fear. RT. HON. W. E. GLADSTONE, 1809-98). See Le gouvernement de France est une monarchie absolue &c. Liberty and Union, one and inseparable, now and for ever! DANIEL WEBSTER (1782-1852)— conclusion of a speech in the United States Senate, Jan. 26, 1830. Otherwise given Liberty and Union, now and for ever, one and inseparable." Liberty exists in proportion to wholsome restraint. DANIEL WEBSTER (1782-1852)— in a speech delivered May 10, 1847. Liberty is no negation. It is a substantive, tangible reality. PRESIDENT J. A. for Let there be no fuss about me; let me be buried with the men. SIR HENRY LAWRENCE (180657) Last words. Let us go over the river, and sit GARFIELD (1831-81)-in the House of Representatives, Jan. 13, 1865. Liberty must be limited in order to be enjoyed. EDMUND BURKE (1729-97). Life would be tolerable were it not for its amusements. SIR GEORGE CORNEWALL LEWIS (1806-63)-attributed to him by Mrs. C. M. Simpson, who writes: "It was to Mrs. Austin that I heard Sir George [Cornewall] Lewis one day in our house make his celebrated speech that Life would be very tolerable if it were not for its amusements.' (Many Memories of Many People, p. 118). Cf. "O what pleasure is it to lacke pleasures, and how honorable is it to fli from honors throws" (in a letter of Sir John Cheke included in Sir Henry Ellis's Letters of Eminent Literary Men, Camden Society, 1843, vol. xxiii, p. 8) Like the measles, love is most dangerous when it comes late in life. LORD BYRON (1788-1824). Literature is a very good walkbut very ing-stick, crutches. bad GEORGE COLMAN, the younger (1762-1836)-alluding to the uncertain rewards of the profession of literature. Also attributed to Sir Walter Scott, but his saying was: "I determined that literature should be my staff, not my crutch, and that the profits of my literary labour, however convenient otherwise, should not, if I could help it, become necessary to my ordinary expenses," alluding to the principle of action that he laid down for himself, that he must living by business, and not by litera ture. Lord into thy (thine) hands I commend my spirit. LADY JANE GREY (1537-54). Last words. See Lord, take my spirit. Lord, Jesus, receive my soul. JONATHAN WILD, the thief-taker (1682-1725)—Last words; but authenticity very doubtful. Lord John is a host in himself, DUKE OF WELLINGTON (17691852)-attributed to him by Samuel Rogers, as said in allusion to Lord John Russell in 1838 or 1839. Cf. Pope's Iliad, bk. iii, 1. 293; "the great, himself a host" (alluding to Ajax). Lord, Lord, Lord, receive my spirit. WILLIAM HUNTER (1536-55)— Last words. He was burned at the stake. (Foxe, Book of Martyrs) See Lord, take my spirit. Lord, now let thy servant depart in peace. DAVID Last words. BRAINERD (1718-47). Lord, open the eyes of the King of England. WILLIAM TYNDALE (c. 1477 or 1484-1536)Last words. He was strangled and his body afterwards Alternatively: "Lord, open the King of England's eyes. Lord, receive my soul. burned. earn his Lord, forgive my sins; especially my sins of omission. JAMES USSHER (Usher) (15801656)-Last words. Another version is: "God be merciful to me a sinner." Lord, help my soul ! EDGAR ALLAN POE (1811-49)—— Last words. WILLIAM LAUD, Archbishop of Canterbury, (1573-1645) — Last words; to the headsman as a signal to strike. See Lord, take my spirit Another version is: "Thou hast broken the jaws of death." See also No one can be more willing &c. Lord, receive my spirit. JOHN ROGERS, Canon of St. Paul's (1509-55)- Last words. He was burned at the stake. Also attributed to REV. DR. ROWLAND TAYLOR, burned at the stake in 1555. Lord, take my spirit. EDWARD VI. (1537-53)—Last words. See Lord, receive my soul; Lord, into thy hands &c; Lord, Lord, Lord, receive my spirit. Madam, I have but ninepence in ready money, but I can draw for a thousand pounds. JOSEPH ADDISON (1672-1719) — to a lady who remarked upon his taking so small a part in conversation. (Boswell's Life of Johnson.) Madam, I have heard men say that those who would make fools of princes are the fools themselves. SIR WILLIAM CECIL, LORD BURLEIGH (1520-98)-to Queen Elizabeth. Manners makyth man. WILLIAM OF WYKEHAM, Bishop of Winchester and Lord High Chancellor of England (1324-1404) -motto inscribed on buildings founded by him at Oxford and Winchester. measurable distance. RT. HON. W. E. GLADSTONE (1809-98)-attributed to. Cf. "..he's as far from jealousy as I am from giving him cause; and that, I hope, is an immeasurable distance." (Shakspere, Merry Wives of Winsor, act 2, sc. I, 1. 107-9-Mrs. Page) Meddle and muddle. LORD DERBY (1799-1869)—in a speech in the House of Lords, Feb. 1864, referring to the policy of Lord Russell, Minister for Foreign Affairs, as a policy of meddle and muddle. Disraeli, in a letter to Lord Grey de Wilton in 1865, brought an 66 accusation against Mr. Gladstone's government of blundering and plundering' perhaps an adaptation of Lord Derby's phrase. Millions for defence, not a cent for tribute! C. C. PINCKNEY (1746-1825)— Reply, in 1796, to the hint that money paid the United States might have a favourable effect: in allusion to the treaty made by John Jay with England and the refusal of the Directory to receive the American minister. Another version is: "Millions for defence, but not one cent for tribute." See He smote the rock of the national resources &c. Mind is the great lever of all things. DANIEL WEBSTER (1782-1852)— in an address at the laying of the corner-stone of the Bunker Hill Monument, June 17, 1825. Followed by "human thought is the process by which human ends are alternately answered." Cf. "Thought is the measure of life.' (C. G. Leland, The return of the Gods.) Ministers are the trustees of the nation and not the dispensers of its alms. LORD SALISBURY (b. 1830). See Public office is a public trust. Molly, I shall die. THOMAS GRAY (1716-71)-Last words. Monks! Monks! Monks! HENRY VIII (1491-1547)--Last words; probably referring to his suppression of the monasteries. Most good lawyers live well, work hard, and die poor. DANIEL WEBSTER (1782-1852). See There is always room at the top. Mr. Speaker, I smell a rat; I see him floating in the air; but mark me, sir, I will nip him in the bud. SIR BOYLE ROCHE (1743-1807) -a famous example of mixed metaphor. Muscular Christianity. CHARLES KINGSLEY (1819-75)— attributed erroneously to him (Cf. his Life, vol. ii, pp. 74-5) Lord Lytton uses the phrase: "The Kev. John Stalworth Chillingly was a decided adherent to the creed of what is called 'Muscular Christianity,' and a very fine specimen of it too." (Kenelm Chillingly, ch. 2.) My anchor is well cast, and my ship, though weatherbeaten, will outride the storm. REV. SAMUEL HOPKINS (17211803) Last words. My Christ. JOHN BROWN (1720-87)—Last words. My desire is to make what haste I may to be gone. OLIVER CROMWELL (1599-1658) -Last words. Another version has it that his last words were "Then I am safe," on being assured by his chaplain that " once in grace is always in grace." My God! DR. EDWARD BOUVERIE PUSEY (1800-82)-Last words. "My God, my Father, and my Friend, Do not forsake me at my end." WENTWORTH DILLON, Earl of Roscommon (1633-84)—Last words; quoted from his own translation of the Dies Irae. (Diet. Nat. Biog., vol. xv, p. 88) My heart is fixed, O God! my heart is fixed where true joy is to be found. ROBERT SANDERSON, chaplain to Charles I (1587-1663)—Last words. My heart is resting sweetly with HOWARD CROSBY (1826-91)— My hope is in the mercy of God. on? I am not afraid to die. MARY II, wife of William III, (1662-94)-Last words; to Archbishop Tillotson, who, overcome with grief, paused in reading a prayer. See I do not fear death; am not in the least afraid to die. My rigour relents. I pardon something to the spirit of liberty. EDMUND BURKE (1729-97)—in a speech on Conciliation with America Mar. 22, 1775. (Works, 1897, vol 1, p. 462) My sayings are my own, my actions are my ministers. CHARLES II (1630-85)—Reply to the following lines written by the Earl of Rochester and fastened to the king's bed-chamber door: "Here lies our Sovereign Lord the king, Whose word no man rely'd [relies] on, Who never said a foolish thing, Nor ever did a wise one." My servant will give you more gold if you do your work well. MOUTH Preceded by: JAMES SCOTT, DUKE OF MON(1649-85)-Last words. "There are six guineas for you, and do not hack me as you did my Lord Russell. I |