“A tattered copy of Johnson's large Dictionary was a great delight to me, on account of the specimens of English versifications which I found in the Introduction. I learned them as if they were so many poems. I used to keep this old volume close to my pillow; and I amused myself when I awoke in the morning by reciting its jingling contrasts of iambic and trochaic and dactylic metre, and thinking what a charming occupation it must be to "make up" verses.” IfsThinkingUsedPoetryFoundMorningPoetAccountsDelightCopiesOccupationContrastVersesVolumeCharmingIntroductionDictionaryJohnsonPillowAmusedReciting Book:A New England girlhood Source: A New England girlhood
“Tailor's work--the finishing of men's outside garments--was the "trade" learned most frequently by women in [the 1820s and 1830s],and one or more of my older sisters worked at it; I think it must have been at home, for I somehow or somewhere got the idea, while I was a small child, that the chief end of woman was to make clothing for mankind.” ThinkingMenChildrenHas BeensIdeasEndsHomeMankindTradeChiefsClothingsGarmentsFinishingSmall ChildTailorsOlder SisterNeedlework Author:Lucy Larcom
“What is the meaning of 'gossip?' Doesn't it originate with sympathy, an interest in one's neighbor, degenerating into idle curiosity and love of tattling? Which is worse, this habit, or keeping one's self so absorbed intellectually as to forget the sufferings and cares of others, to lose sympathy through having too much to think about?” ThinkingSelfCareSufferingInterestLosesForgetToo MuchHabitAnd LoveCuriosityNeighborGossipIdleWhat Is The Meaning Author:Lucy Larcom
“Girls especially are fond of exchanging confidences with those whom they think they can trust; it is one of the most charming traits of a simple, earnest-hearted girlhood, and they are the happiest women who never lose it entirely.” ThinkingGirlLosesSimpleTraitsCharmingEarnestHeartedExchangingGirlhood Book:A New England girlhood Source: A New England girlhood
“One mistake with beginners in writing is, that they think it important to spin out something long. It is a great deal better not to write more than a page or two, unless you have something to say, and can write it correctly.” ThinkingWritingLongTwoImportantDealsMistakePagesBeginnersOne Mistake Author:Lucy Larcom
