Her own thoughts and reflections were habitually her best companions.

When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable If I have not an excellent library.

I consider a country-dance as an emblem of marriage. Fidelity and complaisance are the principle duties of both; and those men who do not choose to dance or to marry them selves, have no business with the partners or wives of the neighbors.

One can never have too large a party.

We met Dr. Hall in such deep mourning that either his mother, his wife, or himself must be dead.

Real solemn history, I cannot be interested in.... The quarrels of popes and kings, with wars and pestilences in every page; the men all so good for nothing, and hardly any women at all.

Walter Scott has no business to write novels, especially good ones. He has fame and profit enough as a poet, and should not be taking the bread out of other people's mouths.