"I am not at all disposed to think myself a very elegant writer."

"A man who has nothing to do, thinks he is doing everything."

"I wish, as well as every body else, to be perfectly happy; but, like every body else, it must be in my own way."

"There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well."

"I am not able to write as fast as I could wish, and I am afraid I shall never be able to finish my novel."