(692)
Death Swifter than Justice—See [Justice Delayed].
DEATH, THE CHRISTIAN’S
For centuries the world has admired the calmness and fortitude of Socrates in the presence of death, but if Socrates died like a philosopher, Patrick Henry died like a Christian. In his last illness, all other remedies having failed, his physician, Doctor Cobell, proceeded to administer to him a dose of liquid mercury. Taking the vial in his hand, and looking at it for a moment, the dying man said:
“I suppose, doctor, this is your last resort?”
“I am sorry to say, governor, that it is.”
“What will be the effect of this medicine?”
“It will give you immediate relief, or—” The doctor could not finish the sentence.
His patient took up the word: “You mean, doctor, that it will give relief or will prove fatal immediately?”
“You can live only a very short time without it,” the doctor answered, “and it may possibly relieve you.”