The Last Words (Real and Traditional) of Distinguished Men and WomenMarvin, Frederic Rowland
History
The Last Words (Real and Traditional) of Distinguished Men and Women
Marvin, Frederic Rowland
Last words
GREELEY (Horace, famous editor of "The Log Cabin," and later founder,
and, for thirty years editor of "The New York Daily Tribune"),
1811-1872. "_It is done!_" During the closing days of his life his mind
was deranged.
GREEN (Joseph Henry, distinguished English surgeon, thinker,
philosopher, and instructor), 1791-1863. "_Stopped!_"
Among all the brilliant young men who gathered at the feet of Samuel
Taylor Coleridge, eager to learn from this "rapt one of the god-like
brow," none surpassed him in admiration, and possibly in ability. It was
not strange that Coleridge selected him to complete the development of
that "Spiritual Philosophy" which was the great unaccomplished work of
his life. Upon Coleridge's death, Mr. Green abandoned all his London
work, threw aside the distinctions and emoluments of professional life,
rewards that would surely increase from year to year, and devoted his
whole time to philosophy and incidental studies to qualify himself for
carrying out the commission of Coleridge. The story of his death has
been told by one of his colleagues at St. Thomas's Hospital, one whose
fame is familiar to the profession, Mr. Simon. "Not even the last agony
of death," said Mr. Simon, "ruffled his serenity of mind, or rendered
him unthoughtful of others. No terrors, no selfish regrets, no
reproachful memories were there. The few tender parting words which he
had yet to speak he spoke. And to the servants who were gathered
grieving round him, he said, 'While I have breath, let me thank you for
all your kindness and attention to me.' Next, to his doctor who quickly
entered,--his neighbor and old pupil, Mr. Carter,--he significantly, and
pointing to the region of his heart, said, 'Congestion,' after which he
in silence set his finger to his wrist, and visibly noted to himself the
successive feeble pulses which were just between him and death.
Presently he said 'Stopped,' and this was the very end. It was as if
even to die were an act of his own self-government; for at once, with
the warning word still scarce beyond his lips, suddenly the stately head
drooped aside, passive and defunct, forever."
_Dr. Theophilus Parvin._
GREGORY VII. ("the Great," Pope Hildebrand), about 1020-1085. "_I have
loved justice and hated iniquity; therefore, I die an exile._" He died
at Salerno, May 25, 1085.
His dying words are deeply affecting, but yet a stern and unbending
profession of the faith of his whole life, and of the profound
convictions under which even his enemies acknowledge him to have acted.
_Chambers' Encyclopaedia._
GREY (Lady Jane), 1537-1554. "_Lord, into Thy hands I commend my
spirit._"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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