HISTORY OF A QUOTATION

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 17, 21 January 1939, Page 22

HISTORY OF A QUOTATION

Similitude of expression has been traped between a speech of Mr. Neville Chamberlain, British Prime Minister, and one delivered by his great forerunner of the early days of the nineteenth century, George Canning, who also stood for non-intervention in the affairs of other nations, says the "Christian Science Monitor." Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr. Chamberlain said, "Let not him nor anyone, either in this country or elsewhere, for one moment imagine that, though we seek peace, we are willing to sacrifice even for peace British honour and British vital interests . . . Day by day the armed strength of this country becomes more formidable. . . . But while that tremendous power we are accumulating remains there as a guarantee that we can defend ourselves, if we are attacked, we are not unmindful of the fact that though it is good to have a giant's strength, it is tyrannous to use it lik<? a giant. "Our aims are not less peaceful, but no one can imagine that we have reason to fear any foe."

i In a letter to "The Times," of London, Mr. Harold Temperley, the British historian, pointed out that Mr. Canning said, "Let it not be said that we cultivate peace because we fear or are unprepared for war. . . . There exists a power to be wielded by Great Britain more tremendous than was perhaps ever yet brought into action in the history of mankind. But though it may be excellent to have a giant's strength, it may be tyrannous to use it like a giant." Mr. Chamberlain has since replied in "The Times" that he had never read the passages in Canning's oration. His words, he says, "indicate simply the cntinuity of English thought in somewhat similar circumstances, even after an interval of more than a hundred years." But lest this should not be easy to understand, it may be added that both speakers were quoting words first used by someone else. For in "Measure for Measure," Act 11, scene 2, line 107, no less a person than William Shakespeare made his Isabella say, "O, it is excellent to have a giant's strength; but it is tyrannous to use it like a giant. 1*