Georgiana Chatterton

Georgiana, Lady Chatterton (née Iremonger, later Mrs Dering; 11 November 1806 – 6 February 1876) was an English aristocrat, traveller, and author.

• The English have not by nature sufficient sociability in their dispositions to do without a visible fire. A cheerful blaze is necessary to thaw their innate shyness and reserve, and to form a central point of union. ... They cannot converse comfortably with their hands unemployed. Some excuse must be found for idleness; some reason for being in one part of the room in preference to another. The slightest appearance of formality terrifies them beyond measure, because it reminds them of their own defects. The same principle which makes a burnt child dread the fire, causes them to cling to it as an antidote. All manner of contrivances are employed to break the bug-bear form. In summer, ottomans, albums, and windows, supply in some measure the loss of the darling fire, and enable English men and women to try and talk to each other.
  • Home Sketches and Foreign Recollections (London: Saunders and Otley, 1841) vol. 3 ch. 8 (pp. 156–7)

3 vols. London: Richard Bentley

• In Ireland, all is either brilliant sunshine or dark shadow, and its scenery, its skies, and the countenances of its genuine sons, are all either smiles or tears.
  • Vol. 1 ch. 1 (p. 2)

•    The black-winged Erinnys
  Will never enter those homes where the hands are lifted up in prayer,
  And the gods have accepted their offerings.
  • Title page (Æschylus)

• Moderation, the noblest gift of heaven.
  • Vol. 2 ch. 1 (Euripides, Medea loq.)

•    Now there are many pleasures in life,
  Long conversations, and leisure, that delightful evil.
  • Vol. 2 ch. 1 (Euripides, Phædra loq.)

• But in the good there is every kind of wisdom.
  • Vol. 2 ch. 3 (Euripides)

• Trouble adds toil to grief.
  • Vol. 2 ch. 9 (Sophocles)