Our peasants do not know when they are to come to market.

All that is called a regulation but do you know why?
Because now everybody knows that dinner is to be eaten at twelve o'clock.

A fine regulation, indeed! Under the Farnese we used to eat when we were hungry, and that was much better." That way of reasoning was certainly singular, but I did not think it sounded foolish in the mouth of a woman of humble rank.

It seems to me that a government ought never to destroy ancient customs abruptly, and that innocent errors ought to be corrected only by degrees.
Henriette had no watch.

I felt delighted at the idea of offering her such a present, and I went out to purchase one, but after I had bought a very fine watch, I thought of ear-rings, of a fan, and of many other pretty nicknacks.