Theodore Winthrop

“ Convince our unappreciative Mother England:
“That we do not talk through our noses; “That our language is not lingo; “That we are not slaves of the Almighty Wampum; “That we can produce the Finest Gentlemen, as well as the Biggest Lakes, the Longest Rivers, the Vastest Antres, and the Widest Wildernesses in the World.” What an oyster-bed, indeed, surrounded our hero! ”

“ How rare they were then, and are now! rare as great poets, great painters, great seers, great doers. The fingers of my right hand seem too many when I begin to number off the thorough gentlemen of my own day. ”

“ How pleasant it is to a youth when his oyster gapes, and indolently offers him the succulent morsel within! His oyster is always uneasy at the hinge until it is generously open for an Edwin Brothertoft. He was that fine rarity, a thorough gentleman. ”