The thousand difficulties that had crossed my path might long since have terminated a pursuit where there was so little of promise, did I not cherish the idea in my heart, that I was fated to succeed.

Sheridan answered the ribald sneers of his first auditory, by saying, "Laugh on; but I have it in me, and by ____ it shall come out." So I whispered to myself:--Go on Harry.
Luck has been hitherto against you, it is true; but you have yet one throw of the dice, and something seems to say, a fortunate one in store; and, if so----, but I cannot trust myself with such anticipations.

I am well aware how little the world sympathises with the man whose fortunes are the sport of his temperament--that April-day frame of mind is ever the jest and scoff of those hardier and sterner natures, who, if never overjoyed by success, are never much depressed by failure.

That I have been cast in the former mould, these Confessions have, alas! plainly proved; but that I regret it, I fear also, for my character for sound judgment, I must answer "No." Better far to be In utter darkness lying, Than be blest with light, and see That light for ever flying is, doubtless, very pretty poetry, but very poor philosophy.

For myself -- and some glimpses of sunshine this fair world has afforded me, fleeting and passing enough, in all conscience--and yet I am not so ungrateful as to repine at my happiness, because it was not permanent, as I am thankful for those bright hours of "Love's young dream," which, if nothing more, are at least delightful souvenirs.