The place is changed now, and many familiar faces are gone, but the greatest change is myself. I was a child then, I had no idea what the world would be like. I wished to trust myself on the waters and the sea. Everything was romantic in my imagination. The woods were peopled by the mysterious good folk. The Lords and Ladies of the last century walked with me along the overgrown paths, and picked the old fashioned flowers among the box and rose hedges of the garden.

I do so hate finishing books. I would like to go on with them for years.

The shorter and the plainer the better.

With opportunity the world is very interesting.

So much perfection argues rottenness somewhere.

I cannot rest, I must draw, however poor the result, and when I have a bad time come over me it is a stronger desire than ever.

What we call the highest and the lowest in nature are both equally perfect. A willow bush is as beautiful as the human form divine.