Part 3
"In that plain, back room, so dear to the memory of his friends, and to them beautiful from association with _him_--with his serene cheerful converse, his high personal influence, so spiritual and rare--he lay chanting Songs to Melodies, both the inspiration of the moment, but no longer as of old to be noted down. To the pious songs followed, about six in the summer evening, a calm and painless withdrawal of breath; the exact moment almost unperceived by his wife, who sat by his side. A humble female neighbor, her only other companion, said afterwards: 'I have been at the death, not of a man, but of a blessed angel.'" _Gilchrist's Life of William Blake._
"He said he was going to that country, he had all his life wished to see, and expressed himself happy, hoping for salvation through Jesus Christ. Just before he died his countenance became fair, his eyes brightened, and he burst out into singing of the things he saw in heaven. In truth he died like a saint, as a person who was standing by him observed."[5] _From a letter written at the time of Blake's death._
[5] Lablache (1794-1858), the celebrated French singer and actor, whose wonderful voice, embracing two full octaves, has been described as firmer and more expressive than that of any singer of his time or before it, attempted to sing upon his death-bed. He bade his son go to the piano and accompany him. The young man, struggling with emotion, obeyed. Lablache sang in English the first stanza of _Home, Sweet Home_. At the second stanza the muscles of the throat refused to move; not a note could he sound. In distress and great amazement he gazed around him for a moment, and then, closing his eyes, fell asleep in death.
It is recorded of Captain Hamilton, whose portrait was painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds, that he came to his death in this wise: "He imprudently ventured in a boat from his ship to land at Plymouth, on a tempestuous day, all in his impatience to rejoin his wife ashore. The boat turned keel upwards, and the captain, being a good swimmer, trusted to his skill, and would not accept of a place on the keel, but, that he might leave room there for others, clung merely to the edge of the boat. His great coat was a hindrance to him, and this he attempted to throw off; but, in the words of Lord Eliot, whose too are the italics, 'finding his strength fail, he told the men he must yield to his fate, and soon afterwards sank while _singing a psalm_.'"--_Francis Jacox._
When Latour was guillotined at Foix, in 1864, for the murder of a family of four persons, great was the throng in the streets, despite the heavy rain that fell; for, to ensure a good attendance, the condemned man had announced his intention to compose for the occasion a series of verses, which he would sing on his way (in a cart, _vis-à-vis_ with messieurs the headsmen) from prison to scaffold. And sing them he did, all the way--a matter of some three hundred and fifty yards. Lightly he tripped up the steps of the scaffold, and then, after a deliberate survey of the crowd below and all around, he thundered forth, _tonna_, the following lines--a parody, or rather a personal appropriation, of the Marseillaise:
"Allons, pauvre victime, Ton jour de mort est arrivé: Contre toi de la tyrannie Le couteau sanglant est levé!"
Being then tied to the plank and flung into the usual horizontal position in order to be brought under the blade, he still went on--_Allons, pauvre victime_, _Ton jour de mort_ ... --until a heavy sound was heard, the blade fell, something else fell with it, and all was over.--_Jacox._
BLOOD (Thomas, an Irish adventurer who served in Cromwell's army. He seized the Duke of Ormond in his coach in London, and would have hanged him but for the resistance of his servants. In 1671 he came very near possessing himself of the crown jewels), 1628-1680. "_I do not fear death._"
Blood, that wears treason in his face, Villain complete in parson's gown, How much is he at court in grace, For stealing Ormond and the crown! Since loyalty does no man good, Let's steal the king and outdo Blood. _Lord Rochester._
BLUM (Robert, German democrat and politician, founder of the Schiller Association and of the German Catholic Church at Leipsic, popular leader of the Liberal party in the Revolution of 1848. On the capture of the city of Windischgrätz he was arrested, tried by court-martial, convicted of having instigated the uprising, and shot), 1807-1848. "_I am ready--let there be no mistake and no delay_," to the soldiers who were charged with the duty of shooting him.
He entreated as a last favor, that he might be permitted to write to his wife, which was agreed to, and the letter concluded with these words: "Let not my fate discourage you; but bring up our children so that they may not bring disgrace on my name." "Now I am ready," said he, addressing the officers of justice, when the letter was done. Arrived at the place of execution, he said to one of the cuirassiers of his escort, "Here, then, we are come to the last stage of my journey." He desired not to have his eyes bandaged; and this being refused, lest his unsteadiness should cause the men to miss their aim, he blindfolded himself, and knelt down with manly courage. He fell pierced by three balls, and died instantly.--_Balleydier, ii. 366, 367._
BOEHM or BOHME (Jacob, German mystic who believed himself divinely illuminated and gifted with an understanding of the secrets of nature and grace. Some of his writings are so obscure and visionary as to be well nigh incomprehensible, yet he numbered among his admirers many learned and distinguished persons who sat at the feet of the "phylosophical shoemaker of Görlitz," and adopted his most remarkable opinions), 1575-1624. "_Do you hear the music? Now I go hence._"
BOERHAAVE (Herman, Dutch physician and philosopher), 1668-1738. "_He that loves God ought to think nothing desirable but what is pleasing to the Supreme Goodness._"
The reputation of Boerhaave as a physician and a man of learning is perhaps without a parallel in history. His fame extended not only to every part of Christendom, but to the farthest bounds of Asia. A Chinese mandarin addressed a letter to him with this superscription, "To Boerhaave, Physician in Europe," and the missive was duly received.... His intense application to study, and the exposure incident to his professional duties, had brought upon him (in 1732) a severe illness, which confined him to his bed for several months. When he recovered, the inhabitants of Leyden celebrated the joyful event by a public illumination.--_Lippincott._
BOILEAU (Boileau-Despréaux, Nicolas, eminent French poet and satirist), 1636-1711. "_It is a great consolation for a dying poet to have never written a word against morality._"
BOLEYN or BULLEN (Anne, wife of Henry VIII), 1507-1536. Just before she knelt to lay her head on the block she clasped her neck with her hands, and said: "_It is small, very small indeed._"
BOLINGBROKE (Henry St. John, Viscount, English author, orator, and politician), 1678-1751. At last, though the precise words are not preserved, he gave directions that no clergyman should visit him, and avowed his adherence to the deistical principles to which he had held through his life.
His last words to Lord Chesterfield were: "_God, who placed me here, will do what he pleases with me hereafter, and he knows best what to do. May he bless you._"[6]
The dreadful malady under which Bolingbroke lingered, and at length sank--a cancer in the face--he bore with exemplary fortitude, a fortitude drawn from the natural resources of his mind, and unhappily not aided by the consolation of any religion; for, having early cast off the belief in revelation, he had substituted, in its stead, a dark and gloomy naturalism, which even rejected those glimmerings of hope as to futurity not untasted by the wiser of the heathens.--_Lord Brougham._
[6] It is too early for the last words of John Burroughs (may it be yet many years before they are spoken), but we are struck with the wonderful accord between the last words of Bolingbroke and the closing paragraph to the preface with which Burroughs introduces his, "The Light of Day:" "I am content to let the unseen powers go their own way with me and mine without question or distrust. They brought me here, and I have found it well to be here; in due time they will take me hence, and I have no doubt that will be well for me too."
BOOTH (John Wilkes, American actor, the assassin of President Lincoln),--1865. _"Useless! useless!"_ Said to the officer who demanded that he should surrender.
There has been some strange discussion of a mysterious paper said to have been delivered to Mr. John F. Coyle, editor of "The National Intelligencer" and purporting to be a statement to the public from John Wilkes Booth. An eye-witness relates that on the night of the assassination of President Lincoln, a private dinner-party was in progress in a back room at Wormley's restaurant, in Washington, at which were present General Baird, Robert Johnson, the Hon. Samuel J. Randall, John Morrissey, John F. Coyle, editor of "The National Intelligencer," and one other gentleman. During the progress of the dinner a waiter, who had been out on the street, returned and stated that the President had been shot at Ford's Theatre. The news created great consternation in the party, who at first thought the waiter was drunk or crazy. Later, when they were assured that it was a fact, and that John Wilkes Booth was accused of the crime, John F. Coyle, with blanched features and trembling lips, said: "My God, gentlemen! This very day I met John Wilkes Booth on the market-space. He was on a bay mare, and rode up to me and handed me a sealed envelope, saying, as he did so, 'If you hear of me within twenty-four hours, publish this; if you do not hear of me within that time, destroy this,' and he rode away. Here is the package," continued Mr. Coyle, producing a letter envelope from his pocket; "what shall I do with it?" "Destroy it at once," said Mr. Randall. "They will hang anybody who knows anything about the assassination, no matter how innocently he may have come by the knowledge; don't open it--burn it up just as it is!" "Yes," said Mr. Morrissey, "burn it up, for God's sake, at once." The doors were carefully locked. A fire was made in the grate, and the mysterious envelope and its contents were carefully burned. Even the ashes were collected and placed in a dish; water was poured upon them, and the two were mixed into a paste, which was afterward put into the fire and burned again.
BORGIA (Cesare), killed at the siege of the Castle of Biano in 1507. "_I die unprepared._"
"Cesare Borgia was one of the most crafty, cruel, and corrupt men of that corrupt age. No crime was too foul for him to perpetrate or be suspected of. He was charged with the murder of his elder brother, Giovanni, duke of Gandia, and of Alfonso, the husband of Lucrezia; with plotting with his father the murder of Cardinal Corneto; and with incest with his sister. In his wars he had garrisons massacred, and carried off bands of women to gratify his lust."--_Cate._
BOSSUET (Jacques Bénigne, French divine and pulpit orator), 1627-1704. "_I suffer the violence of pain and death, but I know whom I have believed._"
BOURG DU (Anne, French magistrate. He was falsely accused of the assassination of Minard, and was executed in 1559), 1521-1559. "_Six feet of earth for my body, and the infinite heavens for my soul, is what I shall soon have._"
BOYLE (Robert, chemist and experimental philosopher), 1626-1691. "_We shall there desire nothing that we have not, except more tongues to sing more praise to Him._"
Boyle learned the Hebrew and Greek languages to qualify himself to write in defence of revealed religion; and printed at his own expense a translation of the gospels into the Malay language. He refused a peerage, which was offered to him repeatedly. It has been remarked that he was born in the year of Bacon's death, as the person destined by nature to succeed him; and he may be accounted the most zealous and successful disciple of Bacon in inductive philosophy. His merits were commemorated by Boerhaave in terms like these: "Mr. Boyle, the ornament of his age and country, succeeded to the genius and talents of Lord Verulam. We owe to him the secrets of fire, air, water, animals, plants and fossils." He was distinguished for his liberality and active benevolence.--_Lippincott._
BOZZARIS (Marcos, a Greek patriot, celebrated by Fitz-Greene Halleck in a thrilling poem), 1790-1823. "_O, to die for Liberty is a pleasure and not a pain._"
BRADFORD (Alden, Secretary of the State of Massachusetts from 1812 to 1824, and author of a history of Massachusetts and other works), 1765-1843. "_Peace!_"
BRADFORD (Andrew, publisher of the "American Weekly Mercury," the first newspaper that appeared in Philadelphia. He was the only printer in Pennsylvania from 1712 to 1723), 1686-1742. "_O Lord, forgive the errata!_"
Bradford's last words rest upon the doubtful authority of an old letter signed by George E. Clarkson.
BRADFORD (John, a martyr of the Reformation),--1555. "_Be of good comfort, brother, for we shall have a merry supper with the Lord this night: if there be any way to heaven on horseback or in fiery chariots, this is it._" These words were addressed to a fellow martyr.
BRAINERD (David, Missionary to the Indians), 1718-1747. "_Lord, now let thy servant depart in peace._"
Some say his last words were: "I am almost in eternity. I long to be there. My work is done. The watcher is with me; why tarry the wheels of his chariot?"
BREMER (Fredrika, the most celebrated of Swedish novelists, called the "Miss Austen of Sweden"), 1802-1865. "_Ah! my child, let us speak of Christ's love--the best, the highest love!_"
BROCKLESBY (Richard, distinguished English physician), 1722-1797. "_What an idle piece of ceremony this buttoning and unbuttoning is to me, now_," to his servants who had undressed him and prepared him for bed.
BRONTÉ (Rev. Patrick, father of Charlotte and Emily), 1774-1861. "_While there is life there is will._" He died standing.[7]
[7] Some have thought it an evidence of strength of will to die standing; and some have even wished to be buried in that posture. In Oliver Heywood's Register is the following entry:--"Oct. 28, 1684. Captain Taylor's wife, of Brighouse, buried in her garden, with head upwards, standing upright, by her husband, daughter, and other Quakers."
Mrs. George S. Norton, of Pawling, N. Y., was buried at her own request sitting upright in a rocking chair enclosed in a box made of seasoned chestnut. The funeral services were held July 27, 1899.--_Albany Argus._
M. Halloin of the neighborhood of Caen, in Normandy, who died in the early part of this century, when he felt his end approach inserted in his last will a clause expressing his desire to be buried at night, in his bed, comfortably tucked in, with pillows and coverlets as he had died. As no opposition was raised against the execution of this clause, a huge pit was sunk, and the corpse was lowered into its last resting place, without any alteration having been made in the position in which death had overtaken him. Boards were laid over the bed, that the falling earth might not disturb this imperturbable quietist.--_S. Baring-Gould: "Curiosities of Olden Times."_
BRONTÉ (Emily), 1818-1848. "_No, no!_" to her sister who begged her to allow them to put her to bed. She died sitting upon the sofa.
BROOKS (Phillips, Bishop of Massachusetts), 1835-1893. His last written words were, "_There is no other life but the eternal._"
BROWN (John, Scottish linguist and preacher), 1720-1787. "_My Christ._"
BROWN (John, hanged December 2, 1859, for his part in the famous Harper's Ferry insurrection), 1800-1859. "_I am ready at any time--do not keep me waiting_," said to the sheriff who asked him if he should give him a private signal before the fatal moment.
His last request was not complied with. The troops that had formed his escort had to be put in their proper position, and while this was going on he stood for some ten or fifteen minutes blindfolded; the rope round his neck and his feet on the treacherous platform, expecting instantly the fatal act; but he stood for this comparatively long time upright as a soldier in position and motionless.--_J. T. L. Preston (an eye-witness of John Brown's death) in the Bivouac for August, 1886._
BROWNING (Elizabeth Barrett, English poet), 1805-1861. "_It is beautiful._"
BRUCE (Robert, distinguished divine of the Scottish Church), about 1554-1631. "_Now God be with you, my dear children; I have breakfasted with you, and shall sup with my Lord Jesus Christ._"
Robert Bruce, the morning before he died, being at breakfast, and having, as he used, eaten an egg, said to his daughter: "I think I am yet hungry; you may bring me another egg." But, having mused awhile, he said: "Hold, daughter, hold; my Master calls me." With these words his sight failed him, on which he called for the Bible, and said: "Turn to the eighth chapter of Romans and set my finger on the words, 'I am persuaded that neither death, nor life,' etc., 'shall be able to separate me from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.'" When this was done, he said: "Now, is my finger upon them?" Being told it was, he added: "Now, God be with you, my dear children; I have breakfasted with you, and shall sup with my Lord Jesus Christ this night." And then he expired.
BRUNO (Giordano, philosopher of an independent and speculative mind. He was burned at Rome in 1600 by the Inquisition on the charges of heresy and apostasy), 1550-1600. "_I die a martyr and willingly--my soul shall mount up to heaven in this chariot of smoke._"[8]
[8] There is a story which comes to us from Scioppius, that Bruno rejected "with a terrible menacing countenance" a crucifix which was held up to him, and which may have been heated red hot, as was customary, in order to convince the spectators of the sufferer's impiety, and prevent them from feeling pity for him in his distress. The story has no very good foundation, but we know that heated crucifixes were not uncommon among the ghostly persecutors of earlier and darker days; and we can easily see how a man asked to kiss such a crucifix might exhibit "a terrible menacing countenance."
BRUTUS (Decimus Junius, one of the murderers of Cæsar),--B. C. 33. Dion Cassius (Lib. xlvii) represents Brutus as quoting, just before his death, the following passage from Euripides, "_O wretched virtue! thou art a bare name! I mistook thee for a substance; but thou thyself art the slave of fortune._"
BRYANT (William Cullen, American poet and journalist), 1794-1878. "_Whose house is this? What street are we in? Why did you bring me here?_"
His death was caused by a blow on the head received in falling upon the stone steps in front of Mr. James Grant Wilson's house in New York City. He was carried into Mr. Wilson's house, where he soon recovered sufficiently to be removed to his own home. But his thoughts were clouded, and he did not know where he was.
BUCHANAN (George, Scottish historian, scholar, and Latin poet), 1506-1582. "_It matters little to me; for if I am but once dead they may bury me or not bury me as they please. They may leave my corpse to rot where I die if they wish._" To his servant, whom he had directed to distribute his property among the poor, and who thereupon asked him, "Who will defray the expenses of your burial?"
BUCHANAN (James, fifteenth President of the United States), 1791-1868. "_O Lord Almighty, as thou wilt!_"
BUCKLE (Henry Thomas, author of "The History of Civilization"), 1822-1862. "_Poor little boys!_"
BULL (George, Bishop of Saint David's, author of "The Defence of the Nicene Faith"), 1634-1710. "_Amen._"
BUNYAN (John, author of "Pilgrim's Progress"), 1628-1688. "_Weep not for me, but for yourselves. I go to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who no doubt will receive me, though a sinner, through the mediation of our Lord Jesus Christ; where I hope we shall ere long meet to sing the new song and remain happy forever--forever, world without end. Amen!_"
BUONAROTTI (Michael Angelo), 1474-1564. "_My soul I resign to God, my body to the earth, and my worldly possessions to my relations; admonishing them that through their lives and in the hour of death they think upon the sufferings of Jesus Christ. And I do desire that my body be taken to the city of Florence for its last rest._"--_Vasari xii: 269._
It was now necessary to convey the mortal remains to Florence. Opposition was feared from the Romans. It was asserted that it was not Michael Angelo's last wish to be buried in his native city. His friends went secretly to work. The coffin was conveyed as merchandise out of the gates.
On the eleventh of March it arrived at Florence. After thirty years of voluntary exile, Michael Angelo returned, when dead, to his native city. Only a few knew that it was he who entered the gate in that covered coffin.
* * * * *
In the sacristy the coffin was opened for the first time. The people had forced their way into the church. There he lay; and, in spite of three weeks having elapsed since his death, he seemed unchanged, and bore no symptom of decay; the features undisfigured, as if he had just died. _Grimm: "Life of Michael Angelo."_
About the year 1720 the vault in Santa Croce was opened, and the remains of Michael Angelo were found not to have lost their original form. He was habited in the costume of the ancient citizens of Florence, in a gown of green velvet, and slippers of the same.--_Bottari._
BURKE or BOURKE (Edmund, orator, and statesman), 1730-1797. "_God bless you._"
BURN (Andrew, major-general in the Royal Marines), 1742-1814. "_Nobody, nobody but Jesus Christ. Christ crucified is the stay of my poor soul_," to one who asked him if he wished to see any one.
BURNS (Robert, the great peasant poet of Scotland), 1759-1796. "_Oh, don't let the awkward squad fire over me!_" He alluded to a body of Dumfries militia, of which he was a member, and of which he entertained a very poor opinion.[9]
[9] In the Appendix of Allan Cunningham's "Life of Burns" we read of an examination of the poet's Tomb, made immediately after that life was published:
"When Burns's Mausoleum was opened in March, 1834, to receive the remains of his widow, some residents in Dumfries obtained the consent of her nearest relative to take a cast from the cranium of the poet. This was done during the night between the 31st of March and 1st of April. Mr. Archibald Blacklock, surgeon, drew up the following description:
"The cranial bones were perfect in every respect, if we except a little erosion of their external table, and firmly held together by their sutures, &c., &c. Having completed our intention [_i. e._, of taking a plaster cast of the skull, washed from every particle of sand, &c.], the skull securely closed in a leaden case, was again committed to the earth, precisely where we found it."
BURR (Aaron, third Vice-President of the United States. In 1804 he fought his famous duel with Hamilton), 1756-1836. "_Madame._"