Antedate of 'wax' = 'speak emotionally'

[Benjamin Zimmer]

On Sat, Aug 2, 2008 at 1:04 PM, Douglas G. Wilson <douglas at nb.net> wrote:
> _Lowell [MA] Daily Citizen_, 29 July 1875: p. 3:
>
> <<The newspapers which publish these charming narratives show at least
> their own estimate of the character of their readers, and their own
> determination to make the press, the engine over which they wax so
> eloquently, the minister of refinement and a softer civilization.>>

Nice. Two more from that era:

----
1875 _Christian Union_ 29 Dec. 535/2 On the contrary, the lowest ward
politician who rises to make a speech, and the most unscrupulously
partisan editor who takes his pen from behind his ear only does so,
when this subject is under discussion, to wax eloquently for the
incorruptibility of the franchise.
----
1878 _Georgia Weekly Telegraph and Journal & Messenger_ 20 Aug. 5/4 In
Brooklyn another Citizen agitator has appeared, who also takes off his
coat and unbuttons his shirt-collar when he intends to wax eloquently.
----

--Ben Zimmer

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