Later appendix · Section 21 of 24 · Permalink
A Misquotation
A Misquotation
“In this quotation are also found the words, ‘I saw two long golden rods, on which hung silver wires, and on the wires most glorious grapes.’ ¶
“My opponents ridicule ‘that weak and childish expression of glorious grapes growing on silver wires, and these wires attached to golden rods.’ ¶
“What motive impelled the writer of the above to misstate my words? I do not state that grapes were growing on silver wires. That which I beheld is described as it appeared to me. It is not to be supposed that grapes were attached to silver wires or golden rods, but that such was the appearance presented. Similar expressions are daily employed by every person in ordinary conversation. When we speak of golden fruit, we are not understood as declaring that the fruit is composed of that precious metal, but simply that it has the appearance of gold. The same rule applied to my words removes all excuse for misapprehension. ¶