All the world over, the picturesque yields to the pocketesque.

Is he mad? Anyway there's something on his mind, as sure as there must be something on a deck when it cracks.

It is-or seems to be-a wise sort of thing, to realise that all that happens to a man in this life is only by way of joke, especially his misfortunes, if he have them. And it is also worth bearing in mind, that the joke is passed round pretty liberally & impartially, so that not very many are entitled to fancy that they in particular are getting the worst of it.

The lightning flashes through my skull; mine eyeballs ache and ache; my whole beaten brain seems as beheaded, and rolling on some stunning ground.

Any appellative at all savouring of arbitrary rank is unsuitable to a man of liberal and catholic mind.

I have written a wicked book, and feel spotless as the lamb. Ineffable socialities are in me. I would sit down and dine with you and all the gods in old Rome's Pantheon. It is a strange feeling--no hopefulness is in it, no despair. Content--that is it; and irresponsibility; but without licentious inclination.

We Americans are the peculiar, chosen people - the Israel of our time; we bear the ark of the liberties of the world.