You are here:

Literature/Quote from Lord Macauley

Advertisement

Expert: Garrett - 10/3/2009


Question
In which publication or speech of Lord Macauley does the following quote appear?  "The most frightful of all spectacles (was)the strength of civilisation without its mercy."?  Was he rederring to any particular incident?  I saw this quote in a book by Niall Ferguson, "The War of the World. History's Age of Hatred."

Answer
Hello Adele

It is from Lord Macauley's essay on Warren Hastings that was published in the Edinburugh Review in October of 1841.  This is a rather easy essay to find online:

http://www.archive.org/stream/macaulaysessayo00denngoog

In the context of the article, Macauley was talking about the events that surrounded Govenor Henry Vansittart taking power in Bengal and the resulting conflict with the native Bengalese.  I am not much of a British historian to feel comfortable with going into much more depth on this, so I would suggest posing this question to a history expert.

Hope this helps!

G

Literature

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Garrett

Expertise

As an instructor of literature and the humanities, my experience is as broad as the experience I have gained in the classroom. As a published author and journalist, I have first hand industry experience. Between the two, I have the experience, knowledge, and research experience that could certainly answer any questions that may be asked of me.

Experience

Quite specifically, as an instructor I am an extremely well qualified candidate as an initial resource as well as a person who knows specifically where to gather the correct information at any given time. As a published journalist and novelist, my experience broadens into the fundimental understanding of the craft and its application and business. I was also previously an AllExperts expert several years ago, and was well received by all who I helped.

Organizations
Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society.

Publications
There are a tremendous amount of publications my work has appeared in and I can't list them all because of space constraints. Many newspapers, radio, and PBS programming. Also, many literary journals for both fiction and nonfiction academic work.

Education/Credentials
A.S. Wentworth Institute Of Technology
B.S. Fitchburg State College
M.A. Fitchburg State College, Thesis "The Modern Twain Epoch"

Awards and Honors
Magna Cum Laude.


©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.