Date: w. 1788-93, 1796 (rev. 1815, 1827, 1837, 1897)

"My personal freedom had been somewhat impaired by the House of Commons and the Board of Trade; but I was now delivered from the chain of duty and dependence, from the hopes and fears of political adventure: my sober mind was no longer intoxicated by the fumes of party, and I rejoiced in my escap...

— Gibbon, Edward (1737-1794)

Date: w. 1788-93, 1796 (rev. 1815, 1827, 1837, 1897)

"By many, conversation is esteemed as a theatre or a school: but, after the morning has been occupied by the labours of the library, I wish to unbend rather than to exercise my mind; and in the interval between tea and supper I am far from disdaining the innocent amusement of a game at cards."

— Gibbon, Edward (1737-1794)

Date: 1796

"Gaiety was so truly the native growth of the mind of Camilla, that neither care nor affliction could chace it long from its home."

— Burney [married name D'Arblay], Frances (1752-1840)

Date: 1796

"In those to whom Your Majesty is known but by exaltation of Rank, it may raise, perhaps, some surprise, that scenes, characters, and incidents, which have reference only to common life, should be brought into so august a presence; but the inhabitant of a retired cottage, who there receives the b...

— Burney [married name D'Arblay], Frances (1752-1840)

Date: 1796

"Thus he restored his plastic mind to its usual satisfaction, and arose the next morning without a cloud upon his brow."

— Burney [married name D'Arblay], Frances (1752-1840)

Date: 1796

"A fine country, and diversified views, may soften even the keenest affliction of decided misfortune, and tranquilise the most gloomy sadness into resignation and composure; but suspense rejects the gentle palliative; 'tis an absorbent of the faculties that suffers them to see, hear, and feel onl...

— Burney [married name D'Arblay], Frances (1752-1840)

Date: 1796

"Who but myself has passed the ordeal of youth, yet sees no single stain upon his conscience?"

— Lewis, Matthew Gregory (1775-1818)

Date: 1796

"Pleasure fled, and Shame usurped her seat in his bosom."

— Lewis, Matthew Gregory (1775-1818)

Date: 1796

"The pleasures which he had just tasted for the first time were still impressed upon his mind: his brain was bewildered, and presented a confused chaos of remorse, voluptuousness, inquietude, and fear."

— Lewis, Matthew Gregory (1775-1818)

Date: 1796

"Frequent repetitions made him familiar with sin, and his bosom became proof against the stings of conscience."

— Lewis, Matthew Gregory (1775-1818)