Delavigne, Epitre à Messieurs l'Académie française. "En toutes compaignies il y a plus de folz de saiges. que (In every company there are more fools than wise men) Rabelais, Pantagruel, ii, 10 See Combien faut-il de sots pour faire un public. This day let me see the Lord Jesus. JOHN JEWELL Bishop of Salisbury, (1522-71)-Last words. This hand hath offended--this uuworthy hand. THOMAS CRANMER, [Archbishop of Canterbury] (1489-1556)-Last words, at the stake. ... and he called aloud several times, This hand hath offended.' (Hume, Hist. of Engl.) This is a man! EARL OF CHATHAM (1708-78)— in a letter to his son William Pitt, then aged 14. "How happy, my loved boy, is it that your mama and I can tell ourselves that there is at Cambridge one without a beard, and all the elements so mixed up in him, that Nature might stand up and say, this is a man!" " Cf. "His life was gentle; and the elements So mix'd up in him, that Nature might stand up And say to all the world, This was a man!" Shakspere, Julius Caesar, act v. sc. 5, 11. 73-5 (Mark Antony). See Oh, Pitt never was a boy! Formula used by the headsman at executions for treason, holding up the decapitated head in view of the people. This is the Jew That Shakespeare drew. By a gentleman in the pit (Feb. 14, 1741,) of the theatre witnessing Macklin's performance of Shylock, in the Merchant of Venice. The gentleman is said to have been Alexander Pope, (Biog, Dram., vol I, pt. 2, p. 469; also Dict. Nat. Biog., vol. xxxv. p. 180: "Pope's often quoted but apocryphal distich.") This is the last of earth! I am content! JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, 6th president of the U. S. (1767-1848),— Last words. This I will now truly say, that as long as I have lived, I have striven to live worthily, and after my life to leave to the men that come after me a remembering of me in good works. ALFRED THE GREAT (849-901). This republic can never fail, so long as the citizen is vigilant. PRESIDENT WILLIAM MCKINLEY (1843-1901)-in a speech at Redlands (Cal.) May 8, 1901. Thomas Jefferson still survives. JOHN ADAMS, 2nd President of the U. S. (1735-1826)-Last words. Jefferson, however, was already dead. In his Life by J. Q. Adams "In his last words are given as dependence for ever. He died on Independence Day (4th. July) Those things which are not practicable are not desirable. EDMUND BURKE (1729-97)—in a speech on the plan for economical reform, Feb. 11, 1780. Those who would give up es sential liberty for the sake of a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (1706-90) -during the French war, in 1755. Those who have loved longest love best. DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON (1709-84). Three acres and a cow. Phrase referring to the Small Holdings and Allotments Bill introduced by Mr. Jesse Collings in 1882. Quoted derisively by Sir Michael Hicks Beach, and promptly disavowed by him in that sense, the phrase has become a saying useful alike to advocates and opponents of the general idea of allotments and small holdings. The phrase is, however, traced to John Stuart Mill's Principles of Political Economy (bk. ii, ch. 6, sect. 5), who quotes it from a treatise on Flemish husbandry: "When the land is cultivated entirely by the spade, and no horses are kept, a cow is kept for every three acres of land, &c." Bentham, in his criticism of a Bill introduced by Pitt in 1797, points out that each cow would require for her sustenance three acres of land, and asked how this was to be provided. [The Bill provided, inter alia, for purchasing cows for poor people] (Cf. Bentham's Works, vol. viii. p. 448). Throughout every part of my career I have felt pinched and hampered by my own ignorance. SIR WALTER SCOTT (1771-1832). Thus far shalt thou go and no farther. KING CANUTE (995-1035)—when reproving his courtiers for their flattery, telling them that there was one Being alone who could say to the ocean, Thus far, &c. (Hume, Hist. of Engl.) It is said that he ordered his chair to be set on the sea-shore while the tide was rising and bade the waters retire and obey the voice of Him who was lord of the ocean. Quoted by Edmund Burke in his speech on Conciliation with America, Mar. 22, 1775 (Works, 1897 edition, vol i, p. 468). Cf. “And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?" (Job, ch. 38, v. xi) Cf. King Canute, a poem by W. M. Thackeray. (Ballads and Songs.) also Henry of Huntingdon, Historia Anglorum, Vitâ Canuti. "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done." SIR EDWARD COKE, Lord Chief Justice of England (1552-1633) -Last words. Time is on our side. W. E. GLADSTONE (1809-98)— in the debate on the Reform Bill under Earl Russell's administration in 1866. See Le temps et moi. Time is precious, but truth is more precious than time. BENJAMIN DISRAELI [Earl of Beaconsfield] (1804-81)—at Aylesbury, Sep. 21, 1865. Followed by "and, therefore it is for you calmly to consider what I have said today." (The Times, Sept. 22, 1865, P. 4, col. 5) Cf. For truth is precious and divine, RICHARD SAVAGE (1696-1743)— Last recorded words, to a prison official, after saying "I have something to say to you, sir," but being unable to recollect what it was. To anyone who has reached a very advanced age, a walk through the streets of London is like a walk in a cemetery. RICHARD BINSLEY SHERIDAN (1751-1816). To be like Christ is to be a Christian. WILLIAM PENN (1644-1718), founder of Pennsylvania - Last words. To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace. GEORGE WASHINGTON (1732-99) -in a speech to Congress, Jan. 8, 1790. Cf. "... the surest way, therefore, said he, [Edward Fox, Bishop of Hereford (1496-1538)], to Peace, is a constant preparedness for War" (Statesmen of England, 1665, P. 55). Cf. Paritur pax bello (Peace is begotten of war). Cornelius Nepos, Epaminondas, v); and Qui desiderat pacem praeparet bellum (Let him who desires peace prepare for war). (Vegetius, De Re Militari, iii.); and Nissuno stato pubblico può godersi la quieta, nè ribattere l'injurie, nè diffendere le leggi, la religione e la liberta senza arme. (No State can enjoy tranquillity, nor repel hostile attacks, nor defend its laws, its religion and its liberty, unless it be armed). (Montecuceoli, Memorie, bk. 1, xliv. ed. 1704, p. 55) To recover my father's kingdom. (Dict. Nat. Biog. vol. xvii, p. 104.) PRINCE EDWARD (1453-71), son of Henry VI. (1421-71)-to Edward IV. (1441-83) when asked what had brought him to England. To that quarter of an hour I owe everything in life. LORD NELSON (1758-1805)—to an upholsterer who had promised to see some goods off at six o'clock. Nelson said "A quarter before six," and added the above words. Another version is: "I owe all my success in life to having been always a quarter of an hour before my time." Cf. Lord Chesterfield's remark, alluding to the Duke of Newcastle, "His Grace loses an hour in the morning, and is looking for it all the rest of the day." See L'exactitude est la politesse des rois. Sir Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington, (1673-1743) said of the Duke of Newcastle that he always loses half an hour in the morning which he is running after the rest of the day without being able to overtake it. (Dict. Nat. Biog. vol. xi., p. 451) To the memory of the Man, first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen. GENERAL HENRY LEE (17561816) in his eulogy on Washington, delivered Dec. 26, 1799. (Memoirs of Lee) In Marshall's Life of Washington the Resolutions presented to the House of Representatives, on the Death of General Washington, Dec. 1799, contain the above words, except that the last "fellow-citizens" (instead of 'countrymen "). is 66 WILLIAM WORDSWORTH (17701850). See Time is precious, but truth is more precious than time. Up guards—make ready! DUKE OF WELLINGTON (17691852)-to the Foot Guards at the battle of Waterloo, June 18, 1815. Generally quoted "Up guards and at them!" (Alison; Charles Lever) but the saying in either form is discredited. In answer to a letter from J. Wilson Croker (author of Memoirs) to Mr. Greville (the Duke's secretary) Mar. 14, 1852, the Duke himself wrote "What I must have said, and possibly did say, was, 'Stand up, guards!' and then gave the commanding officer the order to attack." See also Maxwell's Life (vol. ii, p. 82), Dict. Nat. Biog., vol. lx., p. 191, Sir Wm. Fraser, Words on Wellington, (p. 88). W. Jerdan's Autobiography mentions the Duke's denial of having said "Up, boys, and at 'em! Although the Duke him self denied or said he did not remember using the words, yet in a letter from Capt. Batty, of the Grenadier Guards, dated June 22, 1815, published in Booth's Battle of Waterloo, it is stated that the Duke said, Up, guards, and at them again!" Verify your references. Dr. MARTIN JOSEPH ROUTH, president of Magdalen College Oxford (1755-1854)-advice given to the Rev. J. W. Burgon in 1847. "Presently he brightened up and said, I think, sir, since you care for the advice of an old man, sir, you will find it a very good practice (here he looked me archly in the face), always to verify your references, sir!" (J. W. Burgon, Lives of Twelve Good Men, 1891, P. 38) Very well, then I shall not take off my boots. DUKE OF WELLINGTON (17691852) during a storm at sea, when told that it would soon be all over with them. See I am going on my journey &c. Victory of common sense. GENERAL J. MEREDITH READ-in a speech in 1896 on William McKinley's election to the Presidency of the U. S. Victory! or Westminster Abbey! See Westminster Abbey, or Victory! Village tyrants W. E. FORSTER (1818-86)—a term used in introducing the first Coercion Bill, Jan 24, 1881, referring to persons committing agrarian "It is not that outrages in Ireland. the police do not know who these village tyrants are. (T. P. O'Connor, The Parnell Movement, p. 218). "It is not (said Mr. Forster) that the police do not know who these village tyrants are. police know perfectly well who plan and perpetrate these outrages, and the perpetrators are perfectly aware of the fact that they are known. (Hansard, vol. cclvii, p. 1226) Volunteers are not, I believe, liable to go abroad except in case of invasion. The GENERAL ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT (1822-85), President of the U. S.-Last words, to an attendant who enquired if he wished for anything. Also of SAMUEL JONES TILDEN (1814-86), who suffered from thirst during his last hours. We are all Federalists, we are all Republicans. THOMAS JEFFERSON, President of the U. S. (1743-1826). We are all going to Heaven, and Van Dyck is of the party (or company). THOMAS GAINSBOROUGH (172788)-Last words. Quoted by Ruskin (Art of England iii). We are all Socialists, now-adays. EDWARD VII (when Prince of Wales) in a speech at the Mansion House, London, in 1895. We can only reason from what is: we can reason on actualities, but not on possibilities. VISCOUNT BOLINGBROKE (16781751). Cf. "What can we reason but from what we know?" (Pope, Essay on Man, 1, 18) We cultivate literature upon a little oatmeal. REV. SYDNEY SMITH (1771-1845) -Motto suggested for The Edinburgh Review. Cf. tenui musam meditamur avenâ. (Vergil, Eclogues 1, 2). We have dished the Whigs. EDWARD STANLEY, fourteenth Earl of Derby (1799-1869)—referring to the Reform Bill of 1867. We have his Majesty's coronation oath to maintain the laws of England; what need we, then, take his word? JOHN PYM (1584-1643)—in 1628, when the House of Commons was asked if they would rely on the king's word. Welcome the cross of Christ, welcome everlasting life. LAWRENCE SAUNDERS (1516-58) -Last words, when burned at the stake in the reign of Queen Mary. (Foxe, Book of Martyrs) Well, ladies, if I were one hour in Heaven, I would not be again with you, as much as I love you. MARY, COUNTESS OF WARWICK (1625-78) Last words. We must all hang together, else we shall all hang separately. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (1706-90) in reply to a remark of John Hancock, while the Declaration of Independence was being signed (July 4, 1776) that they must all hang together. We must beat the red-coats, or Molly Stark's a widow. JOHN STARK, American general (1728-1822), is credited with the following brief address to his troops before the battle of Bennington (Aug. 16, 1777). "There, my boys, are your enemies, the redcoats and Tories: you must beat them, or my wife sleeps a widow to-night." We must consider how very |