When the venture has been made of dealing with historical events and characters, it always seems fair towards the reader to avow what liberties have been taken, and how much of the sketch is founded on history.

That the women of the Old Testament were dressed with oriental richness there is no doubt, nor are they censured for so arraying themselves.

When the venture has been made of dealing with historical events and characters, it always seems fair towards the reader to avow what liberties have been taken, and how much of the sketch is founded on history.

If I write nothing but fiction for some time I begin to get stupid, and to feel rather as if it had been a long meal of sweets; then history is a rest, for research or narration brings a different part of the mind into play.

Refinement is the delicate aroma of Christianity.

General rules are dangerous of application in particular instances.

I thought one only had to speak Latin through one's nose and bite off the end.