But the most annoying of all public reformers is the personal satirist. Though he may be considered by some few as a useful member of society, yet he is only ranked with the hangman, whom we tolerate because he executes the judgment we abhor to do ourselves, and avoid with a natural detestation of his office. The pen of the one and the cord of the other are inseparable in our minds.

National antipathy is the basest, because the most illiberal and illiterate of all prejudices.

In his fairy dreams of war [Thaddeus] always made conquest the sure end of his battles.

The platform or the altar of love may be analyzed and explained; it is constructed of virtue, beauty, and affection. Such is the pyre, such is the offering; but the ethereal spark must come from heaven, that lights the sacrifice.

That grief is the most durable which flows inward, and buries its streams with its fountain, in the depths of the heart.

A sincere acquaintance with ourselves teaches us humility; and from humility springs that benevolence which compassionates the transgressors we condemn, and prevents the punishments we inflict from themselves partaking of crime, in being rather the wreakings of revenge than the chastisements of virtue.

A generous spirit is as eloquent in acknowledging benefits as it is bounteous in bestowing them.