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Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits.
Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits.
A reformer is a man who rides through a sewer in a glass-bottomed boat.
A reformer is a man who rides through a sewer in a glass-bottomed boat.
 All zeal for a reform, that gives offence
 To peace and charity, is mere pretence.  
 All zeal for a reform, that gives offence
 To peace and charity, is mere pretence. 
 The oyster-women lock'd their fish up,
 And trudged away to cry, No Bishop.  
 The oyster-women lock'd their fish up,
 And trudged away to cry, No Bishop. 
The race could save one-half its wasted labor Would each reform himself and spare his neighbor.
The race could save one-half its wasted labor Would each reform himself and spare his neighbor.
Every reform was once a private opinion, and when it shall be a private opinion again, it will solve the read more
Every reform was once a private opinion, and when it shall be a private opinion again, it will solve the problem of the age.
 My desolation does begin to make
 A better life.  
 My desolation does begin to make
 A better life. 
Reform must come from within, not from without. You cannot legislate for virtue.
Reform must come from within, not from without. You cannot legislate for virtue.
 I do not mean to be disrespectful, but the attempt of the Lords 
to stop the progress of reform, read more 
 I do not mean to be disrespectful, but the attempt of the Lords 
to stop the progress of reform, reminds me very forcibly of the 
great storm of Sidmouth, and of the conduct of the excellent Mrs. 
Partington on that occasion. In the winter of 1824, there set in 
a great flood upon that town--the tide rose to an incredible 
height: the waves rushed in upon the houses, and everything was 
threatened with destruction. In the midst of this sublime and 
terrible storm, Dame Partington, who lived upon the beach, was 
seen at the door of her house with mop and pattens, trundling her 
mop, squeezing out the sea water, and vigorously pushing away the 
Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic was roused. Mrs. Partington's 
spirit was up; but I need not tell you that the contest was 
unequal. The Atlantic Ocean beat Mrs. Partington. She was 
excellent at a slop or a puddle, but she should not have meddled 
with a tempest.