In all her history, from the formation of the federal government until the hour of secession, no year stands out more prominently than the year 1858 as evidencing the national patriotism of Virginia.

In such a condition of affairs, the practical difference between the abolitionist and the sympathizer, to the man who lost his slave and could not recover it, was very nebulous.

In those days, slavery was not looked upon, even in Quaker Philadelphia, with the shudder and abhorrence one feels towards it now.

John Brown was tried for treason, murder, and inciting slaves to insurrection.

I was a tried seaman when, for the first time, I set foot upon the soil of my country, and took up my residence where my people had lived for over two hundred years.

In the year 1857, passing through Washington on our return from the annual visit to Philadelphia, I had the distinguished honor of visiting a President for the first time.

However the Southern man may have been master of the negro, there were compensatory processes whereby certain negroes were masters of their masters' children.

The first American ancestor of our name was a younger son of these old Devonshire people, and came to the Virginia colony in the reign of Charles the First.

THE autumn of 1850 brought an event freighted with deep significance to me. My mother died.

As early as the autumn of 1862, I was made very happy by being sent to school.

My mother was a Northern woman, daughter of Hon. John Sergeant, a distinguished lawyer, and for many years representative in Congress from Philadelphia.

For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain on the land.' 1 Kings 17:14

One who cannot swim must not blame the water.

The biggest opportunity one can get in life, it is a chance to make friends!

I can't wait to be a mum for a bit. I'm always a mum, of course, but I want to be domesticated and be in my house and do the school runs and all that.

We may give advice, but not the sense to use it.

The surest thing in the world is not death and taxes, it's death and eternity. Yet, we're so unconcerned.

I think it's important to make art that is not that easily absorbable, that is a challenge to the authorities.

Love is the force that ignites the spirit and binds teams together.

You can be known as Val or Babycakes.” His gaze darkened. “My name is Valerius and I will not answer to Val.” She shrugged. “Fine then, Babycakes, have it your way.

Teaching children about the natural world should be seen as one of the most important events in their lives.