The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

‘A Tale of Two Cities’ (1859) bk. 1, ch. 1
I pass my whole life, miss, in turning an immense pecuniary Mangle.
‘A Tale of Two Cities’ (1859) bk. 1, ch. 4 (Mr Lorry)
A likely thing...If it was ever intended that I should go across salt water, do you suppose
Providence would have cast my lot in an island?
‘A Tale of Two Cities’ (1859) bk. 1, ch. 4 (Miss Pross)
If you must go flopping yourself down, flop in favour of your husband and child, and not in
opposition to ’em.
‘A Tale of Two Cities’ (1859) bk. 2, ch. 1 (Jerry Cruncher)
‘It is possible—that it may not come, during our lives...We shall not see the triumph.’
‘We shall have helped it,’ returned madame.
‘A Tale of Two Cities’ (1859) bk. 2, ch. 16 (Monsieur and Madame Defarge)
There might be medical doctors...a cocking their medical eyes.
‘A Tale of Two Cities’ (1859) bk. 3, ch. 9 (Jerry Cruncher)
It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to,
than I have ever known.
‘A Tale of Two Cities’ (1859) bk. 3, ch. 15 (Sydney Carton’s thoughts on the scaffold)
4.52.19 Speech at Birmingham and Midland Institute
My faith in the people governing is, on the whole, infinitesimal; my faith in The People
governed is, on the whole, illimitable.
Speech at Birmingham and Midland Institute, 27 September 1869, in K. J. Fielding (ed.) ‘The Speeches of
Charles Dickens’ (1960)
4.53 Emily Dickinson 1830-86
After great pain, a formal feeling comes—
The Nerves sit ceremonious, like Tombs—
The stiff Heart questions was it He, that bore,
And Yesterday, or Centuries before?
‘After great pain, a formal feeling comes’ (1862)
This is the Hour of Lead—
Remembered, if outlived,
As Freezing persons, recollect the Snow—
First—Chill—then Stupor—then the letting go.
‘After great pain, a formal feeling comes’ (1862)
Because I could not stop for Death—
He kindly stopped for me—
The Carriage held but just Ourselves—
And Immortality.
‘Because I could not stop for Death’ (c.1863)