I woke up with your name on my lips. I woke up with your lips on my imagination.
— BZ with Joanne – from the song Jackie
Everyone admits that love is wonderful and necessary, yet no one agrees on just what it is.
— Diane Ackerman
letter of August 1796, On arriving in London:
Here I am once more in this scene of dissipation and vice, and I begin already to find my morals corrupted.
letter of October 27 1798:
Next week I shall begin my operations on my hat, on which you know my principal hopes of happiness depend.
letter of December 24, 1798:
I do not want people to be very agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them a great deal.
You deserve a longer letter than this; but it is my unhappy fate seldom to treat people so well as they deserve.
letter of January 21, 1799:
I had a very pleasant evening, however, though you will probably find out that there was no particular reason for it; but I do not think it worth while to wait for enjoyment until there is some real opportunity for it.
letter of October 25 1800, On the weather:
We have been exceedingly busy ever since you went away. In the first place we have had to rejoice two or three times everyday at your having such very delightful weather for the whole of your journey…
letter of January 7, 1807:
You will have a great deal of unreserved discourse with Mrs. K., I dare say, upon this subject, as well as upon many other of our family matters. Abuse everybody but me.
letter of May 31, 1811, On the Peninsular War:
How horrible it is to have so many people killed! And what a blessing that one cares for none of them!
letter of May 31 1811:
I will not say that your mulberry-trees are dead, but I am afraid they are not alive.