The Last Words Of Distinguished Men And Women Part 5

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 Ma.s.sachusetts from 1812 to 1824, and author of a history of Ma.s.sachusetts 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 b.u.t.toning and unb.u.t.toning is to me, now_," to his servants who had undressed him and prepared him for bed.

BRONTe (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."_

BRONTe (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 Ma.s.sachusetts), 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 G.o.d 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 G.o.d, 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, G.o.d 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 Caesar),--B. C. 33. Dion Ca.s.sius (Lib. xlvii) represents Brutus as quoting, just before his death, the following pa.s.sage 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 G.o.d, 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.