[The Goths'] poverty was incurable; since the most liberal donatives were soon dissipated in wasteful luxury, and the most fertile estates became barren in their hands.

The theologian may indulge the pleasing task of describing Religion as she descended from Heaven, arrayed in her native purity. A more melancholy duty is imposed on the historian. He must discover the inevitable mixture of error and corruption which she contracted in a long residence upon Earth, among a weak and degenerate race of beings.

Flattery is a foolish suicide; she destroys herself with her own hands.

I was never less alone than when by myself.

In a distant age and climate, the tragic scene of the death of Hosein will awaken the sympathy of the coldest reader.

The primitive Christians perpetually trod on mystic ground, and their minds were exercised by the habits of believing the most extraordinary events

Of the various forms of government which have prevailed in the world, an hereditary monarchy seems to present the fairest scope for ridicule.