A bachelor's children are always young: they're immortal children - always lisping, waddling, helpless, and with a chance of turning out good.

I'll tell you what's the greatest power under heaven, and that is public opinion-the ruling belief in society about what is right and what is wrong, what is honourable and what is shameful. That's the steam that is to work the engines.

You must mind and not lower the Church in people's eyes by seeming to be frightened about it for such a little thing.

... in no part of the world is genteel visiting founded on esteem, in the absence of suitable furniture and complete dinner-service.

In the days when the spinning wheels hummed busily in the farmhouses--and even great ladies, clothed in silk and thread lace, had their toy spinning wheels of polished oak--there might be seen, in districts far away among the lanes, or deep in the bosom of the hills, certain palled undersized men who, by the side of the brawny country-folk, looked like the remnants of a disinherited race.

That golden sky, which was the doubly blessed symbol of advancing day and of approaching rest.

The happiest women, like the happiest nations, have no history.