To have been torn from the study would have been as death; my time was entirely occupied with art.

Hunting, fishing, drawing, and music occupied my every moment. Cares I knew not, and cared naught about them.

I looked long and carefully at the picture of a stag painted by Landseer - the style was good, and the brush was handled with fine effect, but he fails in copying Nature, without which the best work will be a failure.

My heart swelled with uncontrollable delight.

Never give up listening to the sounds of birds.

If only the bird with the loveliest song sang, the forest would be a lonely place.

Poor France, thy fine climate, rich vineyards, and the wishes of the learned avail nothing; thou art a destitute beggar, and not the powerful friend thou wert represented to me.