The science of style as an organ of thought, of style in relation to the ideas and feelings, might be called the organology of style.

here was the secret of happiness, about which philosophers had disputed for so many ages, at once discovered; happiness might now be bought for a penny, and carried in the waistcoat-pocket; portable ecstasies might be had corked up in a pint-bottle; and peace of mind could be sent down by the mail.

Nobody will laugh long who deals much with opium: its pleasures even are of a grave and solemn complexion.

Enough if every age produce two or three critics of this esoteric class, with here and there a reader to understand them.

But my way of writing is rather to think aloud, and follow my own humours, than much to consider who is listening to me; and, if I stop to consider what is proper to be said to this or that person, I shall soon come to doubt whether any part at all is proper.

It is an impressive truth that sometimes in the very lowest forms of duty, less than which would rank a man as a villain, there is, nevertheless the sublimest ascent of self-sacrifice. To do less would class you as an object of eternal scorn, to do so much presumes the grandeur of heroism.

All parts of knowledge have their origin in metaphysics, and finally, perhaps, revolve into it.