John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
8401 Misellaneous John Bartlett
| NUMBER: | 8401 |
| AUTHOR: | Miscellaneous |
| QUOTATION: | Count that day lost whose low descending sun Views from thy hand no worthy action done. 1 |
| ATTRIBUTION: | Author unknown. 2 |
| Note 1. In the Preface to Mr. Nichols’s work on Autographs, among other albums noticed by him as being in the British Museum is that of David Krieg, with James Bobart’s autograph (Dec. 8, 1697) and the verses,— Virtus sui gloria. “Think that day lost whose descending sun Views from thy hand no noble action done.” Bobart died about 1726. He was a son of the celebrated botanist of that name. The verses are given as an early instance of their use. [back] |
| Note 2. This is found in Staniford’s “Art of Reading,” third edition, p. 27 (Boston, 1803). [back] |