I have still the best comforts of life - books and friendships - and I trust never to lose my relish for either.

Trees and children are, of all living things, those whose growth soonest makes one feel one's age.

[On Elizabeth Barrett Browning:] ... for finish, and melody of versification, there is nothing approaching to Miss Barrett in this day, or in any other - also for diction. Her words paint.

Prejudices of taste, likings and dislikings, are not always vanquishable by reason.

Our English people are much addicted to raising idols, and then revenging themselves on their own idolatry by knocking down and demolishing the poor bits of wood and stone that they had worshipped as gods. How many literary reputations have been so treated!

I have discovered that our great favourite, Miss Austen, is my countrywoman...with whom mamma before her marriage was acquainted. Mamma says that she was then the prettiest, silliest, most affected, husband-hunting butterfly she ever remembers...

I foresee that the Andersen and Fairy Tale fashion will not last; none of these things away from general nature do.