It is, I think, an indisputable fact that Americans are, as Americans, the most self-conscious people in the world, and the most addicted to the belief that the other nations of the earth are in a conspiracy to under value them.

However British you may be, I am more British still.

She is like a revolving lighthouse; pitch darkness alternating with a dazzling brilliancy!

do you think it is better to be clever than to be good?” “Good for what?” asked the Doctor. “You are good for nothing unless you are clever.

We trust to novels to train us in the practice of great indignations and great generosity.

Am I solemn? I had an idea I was grinning from ear to ear." "You look as if you were taking me to a prayer-meeting or a funeral. If that's a grin your ears are very near together." "Should you like me to dance a hornpipe on the deck?" "Pray do, and I'll carry round your hat. It'll pay the expenses of our journey.

That accurst autobiographic form which puts a premium on the loose, the improvised, the cheap, and the easy.