And oh, what a mercy it is that these women do not exercise their powers oftener! We can't resist them, if they do. Let them show ever so little inclination, and men go down on their knees at once: old or ugly, it is all the same. And this I set down as a positive truth. A woman with fair opportunities, and without an absolute hump, may marry whom she likes. Only let us be thankful that the darlings are like the beasts of the field, and don't know their own power. They would overcome us entirely if they did.

Come, children, let us shut up the box and the puppets, for our play is played out.

He that hath ears to hear, let him stuff them with cotton.

By economy and good management -- by a sparing use of ready money and by paying scarcely anybody, -- people can manage to make a great show with very little means.

Certain opuscules, denominated 'Christmas Books,' with the ostensible intention of swelling the tide of exhilaration, or other expansive emotions, incident upon the exodus of the old and the inauguration of the new year

Christmas is here: Winds whistle shrill, Icy and chill, Little care we; Little we fear Weather without, Sheltered about The Mahogany Tree

I never know whether to pity or congratulate a man on coming to his senses.

The two most engaging powers of a good author are to make new things familiar and familiar things new.

. . . it tastes well, the bread which you earn yourself.

Everyone knows the harm the bad do, but who knows the mischief done by the good?