Date: Thursday, June 23, to Saturday, June 25, 1709

"The conquest of passion gives ten times more happiness than we can reap from the gratification of it; and she that has got over such a one as mine, will stand among beaux and pretty fellows, with as much safety as in a summer's day among grasshoppers and butterflies."

— Steele, Sir Richard (1672-1729)

Date: Tuesday, June 28, to Thursday, June 30, 1709

"For this reason, I sat by an eminent story-teller and politician who takes half an ounce in five seconds, and has mortgaged a pretty tenement near the town, merely to improve and dung his brains with this prolific powder."

— Steele, Sir Richard (1672-1729)

Date: Tuesday, June 28, to Thursday, June 30, 1709

"Speak the speech as I pronounce it to you, trippingly on the tongue; but if you mouth it, as many of our players do, I had as lieve the town-crier had spoke my lines: nor do not saw the air too much with your hand thus; but use all gently: for in the very torrent, tempest, and, as I may say, the...

— Steele, Sir Richard (1672-1729)

Date: Saturday, July 16, to Tuesday, July 19, 1709

"Mars, Pallas, Bacchus, and Hercules, have each of them furnished very good similes in their time, and made, doubtless, a greater impression on the mind of a heathen, than they have on that of a modern reader."

— Steele, Sir Richard (1672-1729)

Date: Saturday, July 16, to Tuesday, July 19, 1709

"Mars, Pallas, Bacchus, and Hercules, have each of them furnished very good similes in their time, and made, doubtless, a greater impression on the mind of a heathen, than they have on that of a modern reader."

— Steele, Sir Richard (1672-1729)

Date: From Thursd. Sept. 8. to Saturd. Sept. 10. 1709

"For ordinary Minds are wholly governed by their Eyes and Ears, and there is no Way to come at their Hearts but by Power over their Imaginations."

— Steele, Sir Richard (1672-1729)

Date: From Tuesd. Sept. 13. to Thursd. Sept. 15. 1709

"I have often reflected, that there is a great Similitude in the Motions of the Heart in Mirth and in Sorrow; and I think the usual Occasion of the latter, as well as the former, is something which is sudden and unexpected."

— Steele, Sir Richard (1672-1729)

Date: From Tuesd. Sept. 13. to Thursd. Sept. 15. 1709

"The Strings of the Heart, which are to be touched to give us Compassion, are not so played on but by the finest Hand."

— Steele, Sir Richard (1672-1729)

Date: From Thursd. Nov. 24 to Saturd. Nov. 26. 1709

"I Have been this Evening recollecting what Passages (since I could first think) have left the strongest Impressions upon my Mind; and after strict Enquiry, I am convinced, that the Impulses I have received from Theatrical Representations, have had a greater Effect, than otherwise would have been...

— Steele, Sir Richard (1672-1729)

Date: From Tuesday Dec. 13. to Thursd. Dec. 15. 1709

"To tell you truly, said I, about the Thirtieth Year of my Age, I received a Wound that has still left a Scar in my Mind, never to be quite worn out by Time or Philosophy."

— Steele, Sir Richard (1672-1729)