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, For stealing Ormond and the crown! 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 courtmartial, 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 favour, 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. 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 OF 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." 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." 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– 'Lord, now let thy servant depart in peace." 1747. BREMER (Fredrika, the most celebrated of Swedish novelists, called the "Miss Austen of Sweden"), 18021865. "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." died standing.1 He 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. 1 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 neighbourhood 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. 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), 17201787. "My Christ.” "I BROWN (John, hanged December 2, 1859, for his part in famous Harper's Ferry insurrection), 1800-1859. 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), 18051861. "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 |