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.

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.

Modesty is a diamond setting to female beauty.

cultivate in young minds an equal love of the good, the beautiful and the absurd; most people's lives are too lead-colored to lose the smallest twinkle of light from a flash of nonsense.

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

Simplicity is a great element of good breeding.

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