Whatever has made, or does make, or may make music, should be held sacred as the golden bridle-bit of the Shah of Persia's horse,and the golden hammer, with which his hoofs are shod.

In armies, navies, cities, or families, in nature herself, nothing more relaxes good order than misery.

The western spirit is, or will yet be (for no other is, or can be) the true American one.

See with what entire freedom the whaleman takes his handful of lamps-often but old bottles and vials, though. ... He burns, too, the purest of oil. ... It is sweet as early grass butter in April. He goes and hunts for his oil, so as to be sure of its freshness and genuineness, even as the traveler on the prairie hunts up his own supper of game.

As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote. I love to sail forbidden seas, and land on barbarous coasts.

Many sensible things banished from high life find an asylum among the mob.

A beautiful woman is born Queen of men and women both, as Mary Stuart was born Queen of Scots, whether men or women.