Speeches of John Philpot Curran, Esq: With a Brief Sketch of the History of Ireland, Volume 2

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Print. and pub. by I. Riley, 1811 - Ireland

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Page 145 - I have but one request to ask at my departure from this world — it is the charity of its silence...
Page 145 - If the spirits of the illustrious dead participate in the concerns and cares of those who are dear to them in this transitory life — O ever dear and venerated shade of my departed father, look down with scrutiny upon the conduct of your suffering son ; and see if I have even for a moment deviated from those principles of morality and patriotism which it was your care to instil into my youthful mind ; and for which I am now to offer up my life.
Page 138 - What have I to say, why sentence of death should not be pronounced on me, according to law ? — I have nothing to say that can alter your predetermination, nor that it will become me to say, with any view to the mitigation of that sentence which you are here to pronounce, and I must abide by.
Page 298 - Ireland have been shed; yes, my good lord, I see you do not forget them; I see their sacred forms passing in sad review before your memory; I see your pained and softened fancy recalling those happy meetings, when the innocent enjoyment of social mirth expanded into the nobler warmth of social virtue; and the horizon of the board became enlarged into the horizon of man...
Page 138 - I do not imagine that, seated where you are, your minds can be so free from impurity as to receive the least impression from what I am going to utter.
Page 214 - ... pass. What are your inducements? Is it love, think you? No, do not give that name to any attraction you can find in the faded refuse of a violated bed. Love is a noble and generous passion; it can be founded only on a pure and ardent friendship, on an exalted respect — on an implicit confidence in its object.
Page 141 - You, my lord, are a judge. I am the supposed culprit I am a man, — you are a man also.
Page 140 - I have always understood it to be the duty of a judge, when a prisoner has been convicted, to pronounce the sentence of the law. I have also understood that judges sometimes think it their duty to hear with patience and to speak with humanity...
Page 143 - Were the French to come as invaders or enemies, uninvited by the wishes of the people, I should oppose them to the utmost of my strength. Yes ! my countrymen, I should advise you to meet them upon the beach with a sword in one hand and a torch in the other.

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