Railroad iron is a magician's rod, in its power to evoke the sleeping energies of land and water.

He then learns that in going down into the secrets of his own mind, he has descended into the secrets of all minds.

Men admire the man who can organize their wishes and thoughts in stone and wood and steel and brass.

Every ship is a romantic object, except that we sail in.

The genius of reading and of gardening are antagonistic, like resinous and vitreous electricity. One is concentrative in sparks and shocks: the other is diffuse strength; so that each disqualifies its workman for the other's duties.

I see that sensible men and conscientious men all over the world were of one religion of well-doing and daring.

I have sometimes thought that, in order to be a good minister, it was necessary to leave the ministry. The profession is antiquated. In an altered age, we worship in the dead forms of our forefathers.