I recalled the voice I had heard; again I questioned whence it came, as vainly as before: it seemed in me not in the external world. I asked, was it a mere nervous impression a delusion? I could not conceive or believe: it was more like an inspiration.

flattery would be worse than vain; there is no consolation in flattery.

There is, I am convinced, no picture that conveys in all its dreadfulness, a vision of sorrow, despairing, remediless, supreme. If I could paint such a picture, the canvas would show only a woman looking down at her empty arms.

Alas! never had I loved him so well!

Of late years an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the North of England.

On the contrary, I'm a universal patriot, if you could understand me rightly: my country is the world.

If you are cast in a different mould to the majority, it is no merit of yours: Nature did it.