Wherever he saw a hole he always wanted to know the depth of it. To him this was important.

Savages!' he echoed, ironically. 'You set foot on one of the shores of this globe, professor, and you’re surprised to find savages? Where aren’t there savages? Besides, are they any worse than others, these whom you call savages?

If there were no thunder, men would have little fear of lightning.

Nothing can astound an American. It has often been asserted that the word "impossible" is not a French one. People have evidently been deceived by the dictionary. In America, all is easy, all is simple; and as for mechanical difficulties, they are overcome before they arise.

All that is impossible remains to be accomplished.

It may be taken for granted that, rash as the Americans are, when they are prudent there is good reason for it.

I looked on, I thought, I reflected, I admired, in a state of stupefaction not altogether unmingled with fear!