The Essential Charlotte M. Yonge Collection Quotes

“Thus it is with the writers of fiction. The young write in full sympathy with, as well as for, the young, they have a pensive satisfaction in feeling and depicting the full pathos of a tragedy, and on the other hand they delight in their own mirth, and fully share it with the beings of their imagination, or they work out great questions with the unhesitating decision of their youth. But those who write in elder years look on at their young people, not with inner sympathy but from the outside. Their affections and comprehension are with the fathers, mothers, and aunts; they dread, rather than seek, piteous scenes, and they have learnt that there are two sides to a question, that there are many stages in human life, and that the success or failure of early enthusiasm leaves a good deal more yet to come. Thus the vivid fancy passes away, which the young are carried along with, and the older feel refreshed”
― Charlotte Mary Yonge, The Essential Charlotte M. Yonge Collection

“It is not right, I suppose, to wish to be anything but what we are,' said Jane, rather puzzled by the appeal; 'and perhaps that poor beggar-boy would only like to have a nice room, and kind mother and sister, like you, Alfred.' 'I don't say anything against them!' cried the boy vehemently; 'but--but--I'd give anything--anything in the world--to be able to run about again in the hay-field! No, don't talk to me, Ellen, I say--I hate them all when I see them there, and I forced to lie here! I wish the sun would never shine!' He hid his eyes and ears in the pillow, as if he never wished to see the light again, and would hear nothing.”
― Charlotte Mary Yonge, The Essential Charlotte M. Yonge Collection

“and when they had finished, Ethel said, "I like the verse which explains that: "They who now sit lowest here, When their Master shall appear, He shall bid them higher rise, And be highest in the skies." "I did not think of that being the meaning of 'when He that bade thee cometh,'" said Norman thoughtfully. "It seemed to be only our worldly advantage that was meant before," said Ethel. "Well, it means that too," said Flora. "I suppose it does," said Mrs. May; "but the higher sense is the one chiefly to be dwelt on. It is a lesson how those least known and regarded here, and humblest in their own eyes, shall be the highest hereafter." And Margaret looked earnestly at her mother, but did not speak.”
― Charlotte Mary Yonge, The Essential Charlotte M. Yonge Collection

“Did any one fully comprehend how much pleasanter our journey was through the presence of one person entirely at the service of the others? For my own part, it made an immense difference to have one pair of strong arms and dextrous well-accustomed hands always at my service, enabling me to accomplish what no one else, kind as all were, would have ventured on letting me attempt. Primarily, he was my devoted slave; but he was at the beck and call of every one, making the inquiries, managing the bargains, going off in search of whatever was wanting-- taking in fact all the 'must be dones' of the journal.”
― Charlotte Mary Yonge, The Essential Charlotte M. Yonge Collection

“And I believe that having anything on my mind puts me in wilder spirits, apparently, than usual, but I am sure that my merriment to- day was no proof that I was happy. It was partly, I believe, from a mad spirit, like what drives wicked men to drinking, and partly from folly and levity.”
― Charlotte Mary Yonge, The Essential Charlotte M. Yonge Collection