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

I have been out again on the river, rowing. I find nothing new.

Rome ... seems to me the place in the world where one can best dispense with happiness.

Yesterday morning I amused myself with an exercise of a talent I once possessed, but have so neglected that my performance might almost be called an experiment. I cut out a dress for one of the women.

The vast concourse of people who had assembled to witness the triumphant arrival of the successful travellers was of the lowest orders of mechanics and artisans, among whom great distress and a dangerous spirit of discontent with the government at that time prevailed.

The drama is the looking-glass in which we see the hideousness of vice and the beauties of virtue.

[On John Brown:] The poor wretch is hanged, but from his grave a root of bitterness will spring, the fruit of which at no distant day may be disunion and civil war.