Mary Barton

“If you dare to injure her in the least, I will await you where no policeman can step in between. And God shall judge between us two.””

— Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

“Oh! sad is the night-time, The night-time of sorrow, When through the deep gloom, we catch but the boom Of the waves that may whelm us to-morrow.””

— Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

“There is always a pleasure in unravelling a mystery, in catching at the gossamer clue which will guide to certainty.””

— Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

“People admire talent, and talk about theiradmiration. But they value common sense without talking about it,and often without knowing it.””

— Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

“He asks me which of them two I liked best. Perhaps I liked Mr. Harry Carson once--I don't know--I've forgotten; but I loved James Wilson, that's now on trial, above what tongue can tell--above all else on earth put together; and I love him now better than ever, though he has never known a word of it till this minute... I never found out how dearly I loved another till one day, when James Wilson asked me to marry him, and I was very hard and sharp in my answer (for indeed, sir, I'd a deal to bear just then), and he took me at my word and left me; and from that day to this I've never spoken a word to him, or set eyes on him; though I'd fain have done so, to try and show him we had both been too hasty; for he'd not been gone out of my sight above a minute before I knew I loved--far above my life," said she, dropping her voice as she came to this second confession of the strength of her attachment. "But, if the gentleman asks me which I loved the best, I make answer, I was flattered by Mr. Carson, and pleased with his flattery; but James Wilson, I"--She covered her face with her hands, to hide the burning scarlet blushes, which even dyed her fingers.””

— Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

“If she lives, she shall be my wedded wife. If she dies--mother, I can't speak of what I shall feel if she dies." His voice was choked in his throat.””

— Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

“No, its the poor I tell you, and the poor only, as does such things for the poor. Don't think to come over me with th' old tale, that the rich knows nothing of the trials of the poor; I say, if they don't know, they ought to know. We're their slaves as long as we can work; we pile up their fortunes with the sweat of our brows, and yet we are to live as separate as if we were in two worlds..." Chap. 1, p. 12””

— Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

“Our Lord Jesus was not above letting folk minister to Him, for he knew how happy it makes one to do aught for another. It's the happiest work on earth.””

— Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

“It is part of His plan to send suffering to bring out a higher good; but surely it's also part of His plan that as much of the burden of suffering as can be should be lightened by those whom it is His pleasure to make happy and content in their own circumstances.””

— Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell