Date: 1785

"It is true, that I have the dear little babes of some particular friends more immediately in view; but my heart glows at the idea of smoothing the thorny paths of a thousand little innocents—of sparing the tears of helpless infants."

— Fenn [née Frere], Ellenor (1744-1813)

Date: 1785

"Authority may place a child in the path of learning; but pleasure only can entice him on; let us therefor endeavour to strew the entrance with flowers, which may induce him to proceed with alacrity."

— Fenn [née Frere], Ellenor (1744-1813)

Date: 1786

"Perhaps of my policy to, in confessing at once, what my wandering ideas, and disjointed style would soon have discover'd."

— Lee, Harriet (1757/8-1851)

Date: 1786

"There was a time when my feelings gave the lie to their assertions; and holding the mirror of fancy before my eyes, shew'd me the future, in the happy present."

— Lee, Harriet (1757/8-1851)

Date: 1787

"This was a ray of intelligence which pointed out to the discerning parent the path prescribed by nature."

— Louise Florence Pétronille Tardieu d'Ésclavelles Épinay (marquise d') (1726-1783)

Date: 1787

"But her idleness led her into an error; for her mind, though inclined to laziness, sought for a more solid, and more active food."

— Louise Florence Pétronille Tardieu d'Ésclavelles Épinay (marquise d') (1726-1783)

Date: 1787

"Thus our thoughts are our most sacred and dearest property; and to read a bit of paper, as you call it, that does not belong to us, that contains thoughts not addressed to us, is to do an act that has all the deformity of treason, meanness, and infamy; in fine, the most vile and dishonourable ac...

— Louise Florence Pétronille Tardieu d'Ésclavelles Épinay (marquise d') (1726-1783)

Date: 1787

"That frequently happens; and when once a false idea is impressed, it is very difficult to erase it, particularly at your age; as you are not yet capable of distinguishing the false from the true."

— Louise Florence Pétronille Tardieu d'Ésclavelles Épinay (marquise d') (1726-1783)

Date: 1787

"Those who were well acquainted with the world and the Court, agreed, that the heart of woman was an inexplicable abyss; and all remarked the novelty of this sentiment."

— Louise Florence Pétronille Tardieu d'Ésclavelles Épinay (marquise d') (1726-1783)

Date: 1787

"It is often a trifle; a little crumb; but it is those little crumbs that we must not suffer to accumulate till the next day."

— Louise Florence Pétronille Tardieu d'Ésclavelles Épinay (marquise d') (1726-1783)