Pitt peroration
Sir: In stating somewhat baldly that Pitt quoted two lines of Virgil in his speech for the abolition of slavery, John Grigg does scant justice to what was the most brilliant quotation ever, in time, place, and substance, even in an age that was not ashamed or afraid to quote.
It was at the end of an all-night sitting and as Pitt reached the peroration of his 1111passioned speech, in the old House of Corti; mons, lit by smoky rush-lights, the firs faint rays of dawn filtered through the windows.
Nosque ubi primus equis Oriens adflavit anhelis, Illic sera rubens accendit lumina Vesper.
[Georgics I, 250, 251)
(When early Dawn breathes on us with panting steeds, There crimson Evening is kindling her late light.)
Apposite to the moment, and with the double reference to the difference of trans, Atlantic time, and the belated light of enter ging freedom.
Ivan Cole Pynes House, Upton Pyne, Devon
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