The Last Words Of Distinguished Men And Women Part 25

The commonly received opinion, and most likely the correct one, with regard to Paine is this which we excerpt from _Appleton's Cyclopaedia of Biography_:

"His attacks upon religion had exceedingly narrowed his circle of acquaintance; and his habitual intemperance tended to the injury of his health and the ultimate production of a complication of disorders, to which he fell a victim in 1809. The Quakers refused to admit his remains among their dead, and he was buried on his own farm. Cobbett boasted of having disinterred him in 1817, and of having brought his body to England; many, however, a.s.sert that Cobbett did not take that trouble, but brought over from America the remains of a criminal who had been executed."[39]

[39] The effects of Mr. Cobbett were sold by auction, in 1836; and the bones brought forward to be offered for compet.i.tion. The auctioneer, however, refused to put them up; and they were withdrawn, and remained in the possession of the receiver. This gentleman, desiring to be relieved, awaited the orders of the Lord Chancellor; but the latter, upon the matter being mentioned to him in court, refused to recognize them as part of the estate, or make any order respecting them. The receiver thus continued to hold them; but finding that none of the creditors would relieve him of them, or, indeed, make inquiry about them, he transferred them, in 1844, to a Mr. Tilley, who retained them in his possession until a public funeral could be arranged. I have never heard that this has been done, and know nothing more of these _Thomae venerabilis ossa_.--_William Bates: "The Maclise Portrait Gallery."_

_Ode to the Bones of the Im-mortal Thomas Paine, newly transported from America to England, by the no less Im-mortal William Cobbett, Esq._, by Thomas Rodd, Senr., the Bookseller (London, 1819, 4to). _A Brief History of the Remains of the late Thomas Paine, from the time of their disinterment, in 1819, by the late William Cobbett, M.P., down to the year 1846_ (London, Watson, 1847); and _Notes and Queries_, Fourth Series.

"How Tom gets a living now ... I know not, nor does it much signify.

He has done all the mischief he can in the world; and whether his carcase is at last to be suffered to rot on the earth, or to be dried in the air, is of very little consequence. Whenever or wherever he breathes his last, he will excite neither sorrow nor compa.s.sion; no friendly hand will close his eyes, not a groan will be uttered, not a tear will be shed. Like _Judas_, he will be remembered by posterity; _men will learn to express all that is base, malignant, treacherous, unnatural, and blasphemous, by the single monosyllable_--PAINE!"--_Life of Thomas Paine_, by William Cobbett.

PALMER (John, English actor of considerable merit), 1742-1798. "_There is another and a better world._"

His death took place on the stage of the Liverpool Theatre while he was performing the character of the _Stranger_, and his last words were a line in the play.

Palmer was a man of acute and affectionate feelings, which had been much exercised by the course and events of his life. He had recently lost his wife and a favorite son, labored in consequence under profound grief and depression of mind which he strove to overcome, and had expressed a conviction that these mental sufferings would very shortly bring him to his grave. During some days he seemed, however, to bear up against his misfortunes, and performed in some pieces, including _The Stranger_, with much success. About a week afterward he appeared a second time in that character, when he fell a victim to the poignancy of his feelings.

On the morning of the day he was much dejected, but exerted himself with great effect in the first and second acts of the play. In the third act he showed evident marks of depression; and in the fourth, when about to reply to the question of Baron Steinfort relative to his children, appeared unusually agitated. He endeavored to proceed, but his feelings overcame him. The hand of death arrested his progress, and he fell on his back, heaved a convulsive sigh and instantly expired without a groan. Having been removed to the scene-room, and medical aid immediately procured, his veins were opened, but yielded not a single drop of blood, and every other means of resuscitation was tried without effect. His death was by most persons ascribed to apoplexy; but Dr.

Mitch.e.l.l and Dr. Corry gave it as their opinion that he certainly died of a broken heart, in consequence of the family afflictions which he had recently experienced.

_Annual Register._

PARK (Edwards Amasa, distinguished American theologian, author and translator, professor in Andover Theological Seminary, and one of the editors of the "Bibliotheca Sacra"), 1808-1899. "_These pa.s.sages may be found on the following pages._" His mind was wandering, and, like Dr.

Adam, head master at the High School in Edinburgh, he thought himself once more in the cla.s.s-room.

PARKER (Theodore, Unitarian preacher and writer), 1810-1869. "_It is all one, Phillips and Clarke will come for my sake._" He meant that Wendell Phillips and James Freeman Clarke would attend his funeral. He died at Florence, where he had gone for his health. The character of Theodore Parker was above reproach. His tone of morality was high. His motives were elevated, and, apparently, sincere. His firm grasp of some of the fundamental principles of natural religion, together with his unfailing confidence in his own powers, gave a strength to his utterances of truth and duty which often stirred and swayed the moral nature of his hearers.

But in all his writings we find no expression of a consciousness of guilt and of need as a sinner, and no recognition of Christ as a Saviour. Of Theodore Parker, Lowell speaks thus wittily, in his "Fables for Critics:"

His hearers can't tell you on Sunday beforehand, If in that day's discourse they'll be Bibled or Koraned, For he's seized the idea (by his martyrdom fired), That all men (not orthodox) may be inspired; Yet though wisdom profane with his creed he may weave in, He makes it quite clear what he doesn't believe in, While some, who decry him, think all kingdom come Is a sort of a, kind of a, species of Hum, Of which, as it were, so to speak, not a crumb Would be left, if we didn't keep carefully mum, And, to make a clean breast, that 'tis perfectly plain That all kinds of wisdom are somewhat profane; Now P's creed than this may be lighter or darker, But in one thing 'tis clear he has faith, namely--Parker.

And this is what makes him the crowd-drawing preacher.

There's a background of G.o.d to each hard-working feature.

PARKMAN (Francis, American author), 1823-1893. He died peacefully about noon on the 8th of November, 1893, and was buried in the Mount Auburn Cemetery. The last book he read was "Childe Harold," and his last words were to tell that he had just dreamed of killing a bear. Though suffering extremely, he yet maintained to his last hour an impressive degree of dignity, firmness, gentleness and serenity.

_Farnham: "Life of Francis Parkman."_

PASCAL (Blaise, one of the most profound thinkers and accomplished writers of France), 1623-1662. "_May G.o.d never forsake me!_"

PAYSON (Rev. Edward, American Congregational divine), 1783-1827. "_Faith and patience hold out._" These words were spoken with extreme difficulty and in great pain. Some report his last words thus: "_I feel like a mote in the sunbeam._"

Dr. Payson directed that when he was dead a label should be attached to his breast on which should be written, "Remember the words I spake unto you while I was yet present with you," that all who came to view his dead body might receive from him one more sermon. The same words were at the request of his people engraven upon the plate of the coffin.

PELLICO (Silvio, Italian poet, author of "Francesca da Rimini" and "My Prisons"), 1789-1854. "_O Paradise! O Paradise! At last comes to me the grand consolation. My prisons disappear; the great of earth pa.s.s away; all before me is rest._"

PEMBO (the hermit), "_I thank G.o.d that not a day of my life has been spent in idleness. Never have I eaten bread that I have not earned with the sweat of my brow. I do not recall any bitter speech I have made for which I ought to repent now._" This suggests the prayer of the Pharisee, "G.o.d, I thank thee that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week; I give t.i.thes of all that I possess."--_Luke xviii: 11, 12._

PENN (William, founder of Pennsylvania), 1644-1718. "_To be like Christ is to be a Christian._"

PERCEVAL (Spencer, distinguished statesman, a.s.sa.s.sinated on the 11th of May, 1812, in the lobby of the House of Commons, by John Bellingham), 1762-1812. "_O my G.o.d!_"

PESTEL (Paul, Russian revolutionist, author of "Pestel's Hymn." He was a brave man who loved liberty, and desired to establish it upon the ruins of Russian absolutism), 1794-1826. "_Stupid country, where they do not even know how to hang._" These words were spoken when the rope broke by which he was to be hanged.

PETER (His original name was Simon; but when he became a disciple of Christ he received the name Peter, which in Greek signifies a "rock." He was sometimes called Cephas. He was one of the most distinguished of the twelve apostles of our Lord, and is the author of two epistles included in the canon of Scripture),--65. "_Remember the Lord Jesus Christ._"

These words which rest upon the authority of Eusebius, Peter is said to have addressed to his wife on seeing her going to martyrdom. Some suppose that he was himself at the time suspended upon the cross.[40]

[40] It is said that Peter was crucified with his head down, himself so requesting, because he thought himself unworthy to be crucified in the same manner as his Lord.

PETER I. (of Russia, "Peter the Great"), 1672-1725. "_I believe, Lord, and confess; help my unbelief._"

PETER III. (Feodorovitch, of Russia, grandson of "Peter the Great." He drew down upon himself, by his innovations, the enmity of the n.o.bles and clergy, and was in consequence dethroned and strangled by conspirators, of whom his wife, the profligate, cruel and infamous Catherine II. was an accomplice), 1728-1762. "_It was not enough to deprive me of the Crown of Russia, but I must be put to death._"

PETERS (Hugh, distinguished clergyman and politician, pastor of the First Congregational Church in Salem, Ma.s.s., succeeding Roger Williams, "whose doctrines he disclaimed and whose adherents he excommunicated."

In 1637 he was appointed overseer of Harvard. In 1641 he returned to England, where he joined the Parliamentary party, and became a chaplain in the army. After the restoration of Charles II. Peters was committed to the Tower, and indicted for high treason. He was executed in London, Oct. 16, 1660), 1599-1660. "_Friend, you do not well to trample on a dying man._"

When Hugh Peters was carried on a sledge to the scaffold, he was made to sit within the rails, and see the execution of Mr. Cook. When the latter was cut down to be quartered, Colonel Turner ordered the sheriff's men to bring Mr. Peters near, that he might see it; and when soon after the hangman rubbed his blood-stained hands together, he tauntingly asked, "Come, how do you like this work, Mr. Peters?" He calmly replied, "Friend, you do not well to trample on a dying man."

_The Percy Anecdotes._

It was alleged that Peters was one of those that stood masked on the scaffold when the king was beheaded, and to render him more odious, it was reported that he was the executioner. During his imprisonment he wrote several letters of advice to his daughter, which were published under the t.i.tle of "A Dying Father's Legacy to an Only Child," of which his great-nephew, Samuel, said: "It was printed and published in Old and New England, and myriads of experienced Christians have read his legacy with ecstasy and health to their souls." After execution his head was stuck on a pole and placed on London bridge.... His private character has been the subject of much discussion. He was charged by his enemies with gross immorality, and the most bitter epithets have been applied to him. Of late years he has been estimated more favorably.

_Appleton's Cyclopaedia of American Biography._

PHILIP II. (of Spain), 1527-1598. "_I die like a good Catholic, in faith and obedience to the Holy Roman church._"

Soon after these last words had been spoken, a paroxysm, followed by faintness, came over him, and he lay entirely still. They had covered his face with a cloth, thinking that he had already expired, when he suddenly started with great energy, opened his eyes, seized the crucifix again from the hand of Don Fernando de Toledo, kissed it, and fell back again in agony.... He did not speak again, but lay unconsciously dying for some hours, and breathed his last at five in the morning of Sunday, the 13th of September.

_Motley: "History of the United Netherlands."_

PHILIP III. (of Spain), 1578-1621: "_Oh would to G.o.d I had never reigned! Oh, that those years I have spent in my kingdom I had lived a solitary life in the wilderness! Oh, that I had lived alone with G.o.d!

How much more secure should I now have died! With how much more confidence should I have gone to the throne of G.o.d! What doth all my glory profit, but that I have so much the more torment in my death?_"

PIUS IX. (Cardinal Giovanni Maria Mastai-Farretti, elected Pope June 17th, 1846), 1792-1878. "_Guard the church I loved so well and sacredly._" Some say his last words were, "Death wins this time."

PHOCION (Athenian statesman and general, unjustly condemned on a charge of treason, and put to death), B. C. 402-317. "_No resentment._"

PITT (William), 1759-1806. "_O my country, how I leave thee!_"