"Considering how much the ears are cultivated with all the useless varieties of "lute, sackbut, and psaltery," it is wonderful their first great quality should be so neglected ; it shows how much common sense is overlooked in our present style of education. Now, considering that it is the first step to general popularity — (that general popularity, to be turned, like a patriot’s, to particular account) — considering that it is the great general principle of conciliation towards East Indian uncles and independent aunts, it shows how much real utility is forgotten, when the science of listening is not made a prominent branch of instruction. So many act on the mistaken principle, that mere hearing is listening — the eyes, believe me, listen even better than the ears — there ought to be a professor of listening. We recommend this to the attention of the London University, or the new King's College ; both professing to improve the system of education. Under the head of listening, is to be included the arts of opportune questionings and judicious negatives — those negatives which, like certain votes, become, after a time, affirmatives."

"[From Mr Boyne Sillery]: "[… : moreover,] one should never let pleasure interfere with business.""

"Ah, human felicity ! to have at once so many wants suggested and supplied ! Wretched Grecian daughters! miserable Roman matrons ! to whom shopping was an unknown pleasure, what did, what could employ them ?"

"No woman looks well walking in the street : she either elbows her way in all the disagreeableness of independence, or else shuffles along as if ashamed of what she is doing [; her bonnet has always been met by some unlucky wind which has destroyed half its shape, and all its set: if fine weather, her shoes are covered with dust, and if dirty, the petticoat is defyingly dragged through the mud, or, still more defyingly lifted on one side to show the black leather boot, and draggled in deepest darkness on the other. No female, at least none with any female pretensions, should ever attempt to walk, except on a carpet, a turf, or a terrace.] [As for the men, one half look as if they were running on an errand or from an arrest, or else were creeping to commit suicide.]"