The drinking man is never less himself than during his sober intervals.

When I consider how little of a rarity children are -- that every street and blind alley swarms with them -- that the poorest people commonly have them in most abundance -- that there are few marriages that are not blest with at least one of these bargains -- how often they turn out ill, and defeat the fond hopes of their parents, taking to vicious courses, which end in poverty, disgrace, the gallows, etc. -- I cannot for my life tell what cause for pride there can possibly be in having them.

When thus the heart is in a vein Of tender thought, the simplest strain Can touch it with peculiar power.

For God's sake (I never was more serious) don't make me ridiculous any more by terming me gentle-hearted in print.

When twilight dews are falling soft Upon the rosy sea, love, I watch the star whose beam so oft Has lighted me to thee, love.

No one ever regarded the first of January with indifference.

Beholding heaven, and feeling hell.