writings of Shakespeare, Milton, and Scott, than in those of all the
metaphysicians that ever existed.

An accomplished woman, in common parlance, means one who sings and
dances well, knows a little French, a little Italian, a little drawing,
a little embroidery, and not much of any thing, excepting fashionable
novels; in which she is a great adept.

A lady's album is generally worth looking at, as a psychological
curiosity, indicative, to a considerable extent, of the taste and
feelings of its owner.

If a man borrows a shilling from you, and on being dunned pretends to
have forgotten it, you may with considerable safety set him down for
a liar.

When a man finds it convenient to tell a lie, he should sport a good
thumping one when he is about it. If a great lie serves his purpose
better than a little one, why hesitate between the two, when the sin is
equally great in both cases? The former has this advantage, that, when
detected, its enormity may be so great as to enable the person to pass
it off as a piece of quizzery, which can never be done with the latter.

Heroic liars, such as the Baron or Major, are a godly race; but those
who practise the sin in a small way, and keep fibbing about trifles are
a despicable crew, and should be held by the heels, and soused head
down-most in a firkin of small beer.

Men who are, or who fancy themselves to be good singers, are great
bores. The airs which they assume in company are most insufferable. If