By the waters of Life we sat together, Hand in hand, in the golden days Of the beautiful early summer weather, When skies were purple and breath was praise.
That is the best government which desires to make the people happy, and knows how to make them happy.
On Mitfords History of Greece. 1824.
Note 1. Six years earlier, Choate gave a lecture in Providence a review of which, by Franklin J. Dickman, appeared in the Journal of December 14, 1849. Unless Choate used the words glittering generalities, and Dickman made reference to them, it would seem as if Dickman must have the credit of originating the catchword. He wrote: We fear that the glittering generalities of the speaker have left an impression more delightful than permanent. [back]