Charles Dickens

“ Nobody appeared to have the least idea that there was any other system, but the system, to be considered.
As we were going through some of the magnificent passages, I inquired of Mr. Creakle and his friends what were supposed to be the main advantages of this all-governing and universally over-riding system? I found them to be the perfect isolation of prisoners—so that no one man in confinement there, knew anything about another; and the reduction of prisoners to a wholesome state of mind, leading to sincere contrition and repentance. ”

“ It appeared to me that the gentleman in spectacles backed his Twenty Eight against Mr. Creakle's Twenty Seven, for each of them took his own man in hand.
"What is your state of mind, Twenty Eight?" said the questioner in spectacles.
"I thank you, sir," returned Mr. Littimer; "I see my follies now, sir. I am a good deal troubled when I think of the sins of my former companions, sir; but I trust they may find forgiveness."
"You are quite happy yourself?" said the questioner, nodding encouragement.
"I am much obliged to you, sir," returned Mr. Littimer. "Perfectly so." ”

“ Is there anything else?"
"Sir," returned Mr. Littimer, slightly lifting up his eyebrows, but not his eyes, "there was a young woman who fell into dissolute courses, that I endeavoured to save, sir, but could not rescue. I beg that gentleman, if he has it in his power, to inform that young woman from me that I forgive her her bad conduct towards myself; and that I call her to repentance—if he will be so good."
"I have no doubt, Twenty Eight," returned the questioner, "that the gentleman you refer to feels very strongly—as we all must—what you have so properly said. We will not detain you." ”

“ What do you say to that writing, Copperfield?"
"It's extraordinarily legal and formal," said I. "I don't think I ever saw such a stiff hand."
"Not like a lady's hand, is it?" said Traddles.
"A lady's!" I repeated. "Bricks and mortar are more like a lady's hand!"
Traddles broke into a rapturous laugh, and informed me that it was Sophy's writing; that Sophy had vowed and declared he would need a copying-clerk soon, and she would be that clerk; that she had acquired this hand from a pattern; and that she could throw off—I forget how many folios an hour. ”

“ When it's fine, and we go out for a walk in the evening, the streets abound in enjoyment for us. We look into the glittering windows of the jewellers' shops; and I show Sophy which of the diamond-eyed serpents, coiled up on white satin rising grounds, I would give her if I could afford it; and Sophy shows me which of the gold watches that are capped and jewelled and engine-turned, and possessed of the horizontal lever-escape-movement, and all sorts of things, she would buy for me if she could afford it ”

“ It would have been in vain to represent to such a man as the Worshipful Mr. Creakle, that Twenty Seven and Twenty Eight were perfectly consistent and unchanged; that exactly what they were then, they had always been; that the hypocritical knaves were just the subjects to make that sort of profession in such a place ”

“ In pursuance of my intention of referring to my own fictions only when their course should incidentally connect itself with the progress of my story, I do not enter on the aspirations, the delights, anxieties, and triumphs, of my art. ”

“ Mr. W. had better have come here, and Miss W. too. The best wish I could give you, Mr. Copperfield, and give all of you gentlemen, is, that you could be took up and brought here. When I think of my past follies, and my present state, I am sure it would be best for you. I pity all who ain't brought here!"
He sneaked back into his cell, amidst a little chorus of approbation; and both Traddles and I experienced a great relief when he was locked in.
It was a characteristic feature in this repentance, that I was fain to ask what these two men had done, to be there at all. ”

“ Littimer, without looking up, "if my eyes have not deceived me, there is a gentleman present who was acquainted with me in my former life. It may be profitable to that gentleman to know, sir, that I attribute my past follies, entirely to having lived a thoughtless life in the service of young men ”

“ There's a deal of sin outside. There's a deal of sin in mother. There's nothing but sin everywhere—except here."
"You are quite changed?" said Mr. Creakle.
"Oh dear, yes, sir!" cried this hopeful penitent.
"You wouldn't relapse, if you were going out?" asked somebody else.
"Oh de-ar no, sir!"
"Well!" said Mr. Creakle, "this is very gratifying. You have addressed Mr. Copperfleld, Twenty Seven. Do you wish to say anything further to him?"
"You knew me, a long time before I came here and was changed, Mr. Copperfield," said Uriah, looking at me ”