any cases far from being original or authentic. During the horrors of
the French Revolution, when men 'became so accustomed to death that they
lost all respect for it,' it became the fashion to make a jest with the
last breath, and it is said that a volume of these sayings was collected
and published. In the _Democritus Ridens_, already referred to, under
the head of _Jocus sub necem_, the author gives several anecdotes, more
than one of which has been attributed in modern times to some noted
criminal:

'Those condemned to death are not infrequently so excited and
confused as to lose their wits and joke most improperly. As an
example, take that man who, when standing on the scaffold, said
with a smile to the judge who was present: 'I wonder, old fellow,
that you with such a turned-up nose can see anything!'

'Another when about to die asked for a parting cup. A goblet of
beer was brought, from which he carefully blew away the froth,
saying that it was 'unhealthy and conducive to the gravel.'

'Another on the way to the gallows, seeing a crowd hastening
forward, said to them: 'There is no need of hurrying, children;
even though you go as slowly as I, for depend upon it, the thing
will not come off till I get there.'

'Another on quitting the prison, turning to his jailor, said
privately: 'You needn't keep the house open beyond the usual time
this evening on my account, for I shall not return.''

'Another is said, when about to be shipwrecked, to have called for
salt meat. And being asked why? replied: 'Because I shall soon have
to drink more than I ever did in all my life.' _O ridiculos et o
insanos homunculos!_ adds the old writer: 'O foolish and mad worms
of men who could thus joke at the very opening instant of
eternity!''

This last instance of dying recklessness has been used by Rabelais as
one of the jests of Panurge. Much like it is the anecdote to the effect
that in a storm at sea, when the sailors were all at prayers, expecting
every moment to go to the bottom, a passenger appeared quite
unconcerned. The captain asked him how he could be so much at his ease
in this awful situation. 'Sir,' said the passenger, 'my life is
insured.'

Somewhat allied to this spirit of blindness was the remark of the Greek
to his slave during a terrible storm at sea. Seeing the latter weeping,
he exclaimed, 'Why are you so