Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 February 1902 — NO GOOD UNTIL HANGED. [ARTICLE]

NO GOOD UNTIL HANGED.

Grim Humor of an English Judge When Importuned for Mercy. A recent allusion in a London journal to Mistress Quickly’s remark, “Hang-hog is the Latin for bacon," has sent a correspondent on the search and he concludes that the late Ignatius Donnelly knew that Shakespeare was familiar with one of Sir Francis Bacon’s jokes, which finds a curious echo in the quoted retort. Thus runs the witticism: Sir Nicholas Bacon being appointed a judge for the northern circuit, was by one of the malefactors mightily importuned to save his life, which, when nothing he had said did avail, he at length desired his mercy on account of kindred. “Prythee," said my lord judge, “how came that in?” “Why, if it please you, my lord, your name is Bacon and mine is Hog, and in all ages Hog and Bacon have been so near kindred that they are not to be separated.” “Ay, but,” replied Judge Bacon, “you and I cannot be kindred except you be hanged, for hog is not bacon until it be well hanged.”