GOLDSMITH (Oliver), 1728-1774. "_No, it is not_," to a physician who asked if his mind was at ease.
GOUGH (John Bartholomew, distinguished American temperance advocate), 1817-1886. "_Young man, keep your record_--" the last word was inaudible, but was probably "clean."[25]
[25] A paragraph from one of Mr. Gough's public addresses, carved upon his monument in Hope Cemetery, Worcester, shows the strength of his conviction and illustrates the directness and force of his style:
"I can desire nothing better for this great country than that a barrier high as heaven be raised between the unpolluted lips of the children and the intoxicating cup; that everywhere men and women should raise strong and determined hands against whatever will defile the body, pollute the mind, or harden the heart against God and His truth."
GRANT (Ulysses Simpson, eighteenth President of the United States, and one of the most distinguished of American generals), 1822-1885. "_Water_," said to an attendant who inquired if he wished for anything.
GRATTAN (Henry, Irish statesman and orator), 1750-1820. "_I am perfectly resigned. I am surrounded by my family. I have served my country. I have reliance upon God, and am not afraid of the Devil._"
GRAY (Thomas, author of "Elegy written in a country churchyard"), 1716-1771. "_Molly, I shall die!_"
GREELEY (Horace, famous editor of "The Log Cabin," and later founder, and, for thirty years editor of "The New York Daily Tribune"), 1811-1872. "_It is done!_" During the closing days of his life his mind was deranged.
GREEN (Joseph Henry, distinguished English surgeon, thinker, philosopher, and instructor), 1791-1863. "_Stopped!_"
Among all the brilliant young men who gathered at the feet of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, eager to learn from this "rapt one of the god-like brow," none surpassed him in admiration, and possibly in ability. It was not strange that Coleridge selected him to complete the development of that "Spiritual Philosophy" which was the great unaccomplished work of his life. Upon Coleridge's death, Mr. Green abandoned all his London work, threw aside the distinctions and emoluments of professional life, rewards that would surely increase from year to year, and devoted his whole time to philosophy and incidental studies to qualify himself for carrying out the commission of Coleridge. The story of his death has been told by one of his colleagues at St. Thomas's Hospital, one whose fame is familiar to the profession, Mr. Simon. "Not even the last agony of death," said Mr. Simon, "ruffled his serenity of mind, or rendered him unthoughtful of others. No terrors, no selfish regrets, no reproachful memories were there. The few tender parting words which he had yet to speak he spoke. And to the servants who were gathered grieving round him, he said, 'While I have breath, let me thank you for all your kindness and attention to me.' Next, to his doctor who quickly entered,--his neighbor and old pupil, Mr. Carter,--he significantly, and pointing to the region of his heart, said, 'Congestion,' after which he in silence set his finger to his wrist, and visibly noted to himself the successive feeble pulses which were just between him and death. Presently he said 'Stopped,' and this was the very end. It was as if even to die were an act of his own self-government; for at once, with the warning word still scarce beyond his lips, suddenly the stately head drooped aside, passive and defunct, forever." _Dr. Theophilus Parvin._