I am persuaded that we are all surrounded by an atmosphere - a separate, sensitive, distinct envelope extending some distance from our visible persons - and whenever my invisible atmosphere is invaded, it affects my whole nervous system. The proximity of any bodies but those I love best is unendurable to my body.

When marriage is what it ought to be, it is indeed the very happiest condition of existence.

Carols of gladness ring from every tree.

[When her husband said her earnings as a married woman belonged to him:] I cannot persuade myself that that which I invent - create, in fact - can belong to anyone but myself! I wish that women could be dealt with, not mercifully, not compassionately, nor affectionately, but justly; it would be so much better - for the men.

children are made of eyes and ears, and nothing, however minute, escapes their microscopic observation.

I have been taking my daily walk round the island, and visited the sugar mill and the threshing mill again.

The death I should prefer would be to break my neck off the back of a good horse at a full gallop on a fine day.