The best sun we have is made of Newcastle coal, and I am determined never to reckon upon any other.

When Shakespeare copied chroniclers verbatim, it was because he knew they were good enough for his audiences. In a more polished age he who could so move our passions, could surely have performed the easier task of satisfying our taste.

Our bells are worn threadbare with ringing for victories

I never found even in my juvenile hours that it was necessary to go a thousand miles in search of themes for moralizing.

Without grace no book can live, and with it the poorest may have its life prolonged.

I look upon paradoxes as the impotent efforts of men who, not having capacity to draw attention and celebrity from good sense, fly to eccentricities to make themselves noted.

Old friends are the great blessings of one's later years. Half a word conveys one's meaning. They have a memory of the same events, have the same mode of thinking. I have young relations that may grow upon me, for my nature is affectionate, but can they grow To Be old friends?