The Life and Adventures of Maj. Roger Sherman PotterAdams, F. Colburn (Francis Colburn)
General
The Life and Adventures of Maj. Roger Sherman Potter
Adams, F. Colburn (Francis Colburn)
Political fiction
They all agreed that this was a very sensible remark for a dying
man, when the major, to their utter astonishment, again opened his
lips, and with more vigor than before, muttered one of two
sentences, which were all of Latin he had ever known in his life,
"Apolla Majora canimus."
"See, now!-what is this it is now?" interposed the learned Tickler.
"Faith it's hard enough keeping them all in a body's head. Indeed,
an' it's come to me quick enough though! He says he gave his
energies to his country, and hopes the devil may get his enemies if
they say it was otherwise with him."
Mr. Tickler now commenced a dissertation on the beauties of the
Latin language, the origin of which he traced into the ancient
Celtic, which, judging from its Nomic melody, he should say bore a
trite and common resemblance to that now spoken in Wales, Ireland,
and the Highlands of Scotland; and which, notwithstanding the
authorities to the contrary, he firmly believed was introduced first
into his country by William the Conqueror. Indeed, he insisted that
he had twice debated this point with the learned critic, Easley,
(whom he styled the New York executioner of literature,) and beat
him with ease; for though Easley was a man of profound knowledge and
erudition, he was not a match for him at Latin.
"Omnes codem cogimur, omnium," repeated the major.
"Gentlemen," said the critic, "he has something of great importance
to communicate, and, if it please you, desires to be alone for a few
minutes." The bystanders were now well convinced that Mr. Tickler
was a man of profound learning, and more than up to his reputation.
They, therefore, withdrew in silence; and had no sooner disappeared
than the major rose to his haunches without the slightest
difficulty, and gave visible proof that his tongue was restored to
its original usefulness.
"Truly, I am under an obligation to you, sir," said he, addressing
himself to the critic; "for you have rendered me a service I much
needed. I was only stunned, and knew that a little sleep would
restore me to my natural understanding. But my tongue had lost its
power, and I could not sleep with so many about my bed. The nonsense
I muttered was for a disguise; for I feared if I came suddenly to my
senses they would dry up their sympathies, and not think so well of
me. But pray, how comes it, sir, that you made such good Latin of my
gibberish? Tell me, kind sir, for I see you are a scholar, and it
may be that Latin is a natural gift with me; and when you are done I
will order up a little brandy, which we will divide between us; for
I apprehend it will not embarrass you, since you are a man in whose
eye I see wisdom enough for several."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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