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John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.

Page 459

 
 
John Quincy Adams. (1767–1848) (continued)
 
4850
    This hand, to tyrants ever sworn the foe,
For Freedom only deals the deadly blow;
Then sheathes in calm repose the vengeful blade,
For gentle peace in Freedom’s hallowed shade. 1
          Written in an Album, 1842.
4851
    This is the last of earth! I am content.
          His Last Words, Feb. 21, 1848.
 
David Everett. (1769–1813)
 
4852
    You ’d scarce expect one of my age
To speak in public on the stage;
And if I chance to fall below
Demosthenes or Cicero,
Don’t view me with a critic’s eye,
But pass my imperfections by.
Large streams from little fountains flow,
Tall oaks from little acorns grow. 2
          Lines written for a School Declamation.
 
Sydney Smith. (1771–1845)
 
4853
    It requires a surgical operation to get a joke well into a Scotch understanding. 3
          Lady Holland’s Memoir. Vol. i. p. 15.
4854
    That knuckle-end of England,—that land of Calvin, oat-cakes, and sulphur.
          Lady Holland’s Memoir. Vol. i. p. 17.
4855
    No one minds what Jeffrey says:… it is not more than a week ago that I heard him speak disrespectfully of the equator.
          Lady Holland’s Memoir. Vol. i. p. 17.
 
Note 1.
See Sidney, Quotation 1.

See Also:
John Quincy Adams: Inaugural Address [back]
Note 2.
The lofty oak from a small acorn grows.—Lewis Duncombe (1711–1730): De Minimus Maxima (translation). [back]
Note 3.
See Walpole, Quotation 4. [back]