The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-12-02
Last Scene Of All"

The last scene Of all in fiction and
biography is generally the most affect
ing and often the most characteristic.
One might make curious collection of
extracts to show how frequently those
who are crossing the river recur, at the
moment of unconsciousness, to striking
events in former years, or to occupa-
tons which have taken a strong hold of
the sufferer when in active life. The
last words of Napoleon were remarka-
BILE for this, and we have lately been
struck by the account of the death of
the great magistrate, Chief Justice Par
sons, of Massachusetts,, in the memoir
by his son, the late Professor Parsons
of the Harvard Law schools: "His
thoughts, when he could olonger con-
troll them, went back to his duties and
his business, and responded uncon-
sciously to his condition as death drew
near to close his earthly career. When
he spoke it was as judge, giving an
swers, directions, etc. At last, after a
suspense of speech so long that we
thought we should never hear his voice
again, he suddenly revived and with
perfect distinctness spoke for the last
time on earth that formula which he
had used hundreds Of times: Gentle
men of the jury, the,case is closed and
in your hands. You will please retire
and agree upon your verdict.
Almost the same thing is said in the
biography of Lord Chief Justice Tenter-
den. We quote from his life by Lord
Campbell: "An access of fever super
vening, he was put to bed, from which
he never rose. He became delirious and
talked incoherently. Afterward he
seemed to recover his composure, and,
raising his head from the pillow, was
heard to say,in slow and solemn tone,
as when he used to conclude his sum-
ming up in cases of great importance:
And now, gentlemen of the jury, you
will consider of your verdict TIL Sc
were his last words. When he had ut
tered them, his head sunk down and in
few minutes he expired without a
groan."
In connection with the above it af-
fords us pleasure to print commune
cation from an accomplished scholar,
whose accuracy n matters of history is
only equaled by the elegant simplicity
of his style:
81 met the other day little article
on the difficulty of getting correctly the
last words of great men, and referring
particularly to William Pitt 1t brought
to my mind Daniel Webster. The eve
ming before he died his physician repeat,
ed to him the words, Thy rod and Thy
staff they comfort me, and Mr.. Web
ster replied, as if in sympathy, but too
weak to complete the sentence, Thy
rod and Thy staff-the fact-the fact
want Here the matter rested as
at first reported, and, | think, as pub.
licly repeated by Mr.. Everett. The
true account, as it came to me very di-
rcctly, is as follows: Mr.. Webster ask
ed whether he was likely to live till
morning. His physician, DR.. Jeilries
not willing to give direct answer, re-
peatcd from the twenty-third Psalm,
THY rod and Thy staff, etc. Mr.. Web
ster saw the evasion, and in a clear,
and rather severe tone said, THY rod
and Thy staff! the fact, the fact, WANT
|. g., he wanted an answer to his ques-
ton"
This reminds Inc of the last, or
nearly the last, words of his distinguish
ed friend, Jeremiah Mason. His daugh-
ter said in n suppressed voice, He is
dying. Mr.. Mason asked what she
was saying Nothing f,ther, she re-
piled. Precisely what words did you
use to say nothingP' was the question
then put by the great lawyer and cross
examiner. In both instances the clear,
penetrating intellect of the advocate
continued to the last. "--Ere,y Other
Saturday.