“Debs is sincere. His heart is as gentle as a woman's and as fresh as a mountain brook.” An unusually lyrical description of sincerity, gentleness and moral freshness in a friend. · Conversation about Eugene V. Debs Character Friendship Kindness
“Gene Debs is the most lovable man I ever knew.” A striking tribute to his friend, revealing Field's capacity for strong personal affection. · Conversation about Eugene V. Debs Compassion Friendship
“What I really did say was this; that Miss Stephens ought to take lessons in vocal music not less than three years longer, and at the end of that time, I did not hesitate to say, she would be one of the finest singers in the west.” A generous critical judgement that combines high standards with encouragement. · Letter concerning Emma Abbott's opera company Encouragement Music Standards
“What I am anxious to explain is this: Mrs. Sanders told me last night, or rather tonight, that you had heard that I had said Miss Stephens needed two years more practice and teaching to become a good singer.” Shows his willingness to explain and defend a potentially misunderstood judgement about another singer. · Letter concerning Emma Abbott's opera company Communication Music
“I forgive her that mince-pie.” A tiny but characteristic example of Field turning an everyday discomfort into affectionate humour. · Letter to Melvin L. Gray, 9 January 1890 Cooking Humour
“I cannot tell you how pleasurably I anticipate life in the house which I can call a permanent home.” Expresses the deep emotional importance he attached to having a permanent family home. · Letter to E. D. Cowen, 13 November 1889 Happiness Home
“My favorite authors of prose are Cervantes, Hawthorne, Andersen, Sir Thomas Mallory.” A compact statement of several of the literary influences and pleasures he valued most. · Auto-Analysis Books Literature
“I believe that, if I live, I shall do my best literary work when I am a grandfather.” An optimistic belief that age and family experience would deepen his literary powers. · Auto-Analysis Age Hope Writing
“I have tried to analyze my feelings toward children, and I think I discover that I love them, in so far as I can make pets of them.” Combines affection, self-awareness and humour in describing his relationship with children. · Auto-Analysis Children Humour Self Knowledge
“I do not love all children.” The blunt qualification gives the statement its characteristic comic honesty. · Auto-Analysis Children Humour
“I favor early marriage.” A brief statement of his personal view on marriage and family life. · Auto-Analysis Family Marriage
“I am fond of the companionship of women, and I have no unconquerable prejudice against feminine beauty.” A deliberately playful statement of his appreciation of female company and beauty. · Auto-Analysis Beauty Women
“I am extravagantly fond of perfumes.” An amusingly emphatic confession of a private sensory pleasure. · Auto-Analysis Pleasure Senses
“I dislike crowds, and I abominate functions.” A succinct expression of his preference for informal companionship over social ceremony. · Auto-Analysis Society Solitude
“I enjoy the society of doctors and clergymen.” A curious glimpse of the company he particularly enjoyed keeping. · Auto-Analysis Companionship Conversation
“I have been a great theatre-goer.” A plain but useful statement of his longstanding enthusiasm for the theatre. · Auto-Analysis Pleasure Theatre
“I like music (limited).” The deliberately understated wording is typical of Field's playful self-portraiture. · Auto-Analysis Humour Music
“I believe in churches and schools; I hate wars, armies, soldiers, guns, and fireworks.” Contrasts his support for social institutions with a strong aversion to violence. · Auto-Analysis Education Peace
“I love to read in bed.” A wonderfully simple glimpse of a private pleasure and lifelong attachment to reading. · Auto-Analysis Pleasure Reading
“If I had my way, I should make the abuse of horses, dogs, and cattle, a penal offence; I should abolish all dog laws and dog catchers.” Expresses his strong concern for the humane treatment of animals. · Auto-Analysis Animals Justice
“I dislike 'politics,' so called.” A concise expression of his distrust of conventional political life. · Auto-Analysis Disillusionment Politics
“I should like to own a big astronomical telescope and a twenty-four-tune music-box.” An appealing pairing of scientific curiosity with a love of mechanical music. · Auto-Analysis Curiosity Music
“I greatly love Hans Andersen's Tales, and I am deeply interested in folk-lore and fairy-tales.” Shows the literary fascination with fairy tales that ran through much of his work. · Auto-Analysis Literature Wonder
“I am very fond of dogs, birds, and all small pets—a passion not approved by my wife.” A characteristic mixture of affection and self-mocking domestic humour. · Auto-Analysis Animals Humour
