Thackeray and Balzac will make it possible for our descendants to live over again the England and France of to-day. Seen in this light, the novelist has a higher office than merely and amuse his contemporaries.

People have prejudices against a nation in which they have no acquaintances.

Avowed work, even when uncongenial, is far less trying to patience than feigned pleasure.

Society will be obeyed; if you refuse obedience, you must take the consequences. Society has only one law, and that is custom. Even religion itself is socially powerful only just so far as it has custom on its side.

The one mistake which is committed habitually by people who have the gift of half-genius, is waiting for inspiration.

There are natures that go to the streams of life in great cities as the hart goes to the water brooks.

The only hope of preserving what is best, lies in the practice of an immense charity, a wide tolerance, a sincere respect for opinions that are not ours.