Positively, the best thing a man can have to do, is nothing, and next to that perhaps — good works.

Separate from the pleasure of your company, I don't much care if I never see another mountain in my life.

The vices of some men are magnificent.

There are like to be short graces where the devil plays host.

Not many sounds in life, and I include all urban and all rural sounds, exceed in interest a knock at the door.

Oh, ever thus, from childhood's hour, I 've seen my fondest hopes decay; I never loved a tree or flower But 't was the first to fade away. I never nurs'd a dear gazelle, To glad me with its soft black eye, But when it came to know me well And love me, it was sure to die.

A presentation copy, reader,-if haply you are yet innocent of such favours-is a copy of a book which does not sell, sent you by the author.