Language, the machine of the poet, is best fitted for his purpose in its rudest state. Nations, like individuals, first perceive, and then abstract. They advance from particular images to general terms. Hence the vocabulary of an enlightened society is philosophical, that of a half-civilized people is poetical.

The temple of silence and reconciliation.

So true it is, that nature has caprices which art cannot imitate.

The business of the dramatist is to keep himself out of sight, and to let nothing appear but his characters. As soon as he attracts notice to his personal feelings, the illusion is broken.

Beards in olden times, were the emblems of wisdom and piety.

A page digested is better than a volume hurriedly read.

Even the law of gravitation would be brought into dispute were there a pecuniary interest involved.