The pessimist is seldom an agitating individual. His creed breeds indifference to others, and he does not trouble himself to thrust his views upon the unconvinced.

The vanity of man revolts from the serene indifference of the cat.

Anyone, however, who has had dealings with dates knows that they are worse than elusive, they are perverse. Events do not happen at the right time, nor in their proper sequence. That sense of harmony with place and season which is so strong in the historian--if he be a readable historian--is lamentably lacking in history, which takes no pains to verify his most convincing statements.

The choice of a topic which will bear analysis and support enthusiasm, is essential to the enjoyment of conversation.

It is not what we learn in conversation that enriches us. It is the elation that comes of swift contact with tingling currents of thought.

Wit is the salt of conversation, not the food, and few things in the world are more wearying than a sarcastic attitude towards life.

There is something frightful in being required to enjoy and appreciate all masterpieces; to read with equal relish Milton, and Dante, and Calderon, and Goethe, and Homer, and Scott, and Voltaire, and Wordsworth, and Cervantes, and Molière, and Swift.