Fine old Christmas, with the snowy hair and ruddy face, had done his duty that year in the noblest fashion, and had set off his rich gifts of warmth and color with all the heightening contrast of frost and snow.

Gossip is a sort of smoke that comes from the dirty tobacco-pipes of those who diffuse it: it proves nothing but the bad taste of the smoker.

We are contented with our day when we have been able to bear our grief in silence, and act as if we were not suffering.

Unwonted circumstances may make us all rather unlike ourselves: there are conditions under which the most majestic person is obliged to sneeze, and our emotions are liable to be acted on in the same incongruous manner.

Best friend, my well-spring in the wilderness!

In spite of his practical ability, some of his experience had petrified into maxims and quotations.

Joy is the best of wine.