Every reform, however necessary, will by weak minds be carried to an excess, that itself will need reforming.

Forth from his dark and lonely hiding-place, (Portentous sight!) the owlet Atheism, sailing on obscene wings athwart the noon, drops his blue-fringed lids, and holds them close, and hooting at the glorious sun in Heaven, cries out, ''Where is it?''

Poetry has been to me its own exceeding great reward; it has given me the habit of wishing to discover the good and beautiful in all that meets and surrounds me.

Poetry gives most pleasure when only generally and not perfectly understood.

He prayeth best, who loveth best All things both great and small; For the dear God who loveth us, He made and loveth all.

What is an epigram? A dwarfish whole, its body brevity, and wit its soul.

I look'd to Heav'n, and try'd to pray; But or ever a prayer had gusht, A wicked whisper came and made My heart as dry as dust.