Now, here it is that the physiologist's generalization, as it seems to me, may fairly come in, and by ruling any such extravagant faith out of court help to legitimate our personal mistrust of its pretensions.
— from The Will to Believe, and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy by William James

If the soul is a bird on the wing, it may be attracted by rice, and so either prevented from flying away or lured back again from its perilous flight.
— from The Golden Bough: A Study of Magic and Religion by James George Frazer

It is related by all the old Spanish historians, that when the Spaniards first visited the kingdom of Yucatan they found there traces of a baptismal rite; and, strangely enough, the name given to this rite in the language of the inhabitants, was zihil , signifying 'to be born again.'
— from The Native Races [of the Pacific states], Volume 2, Civilized Nations The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft, Volume 2 by Hubert Howe Bancroft

"And we might have a Bible reading also," suggested Ella.
— from Elsie's Widowhood A Sequel to Elsie's Children by Martha Finley

These, when pushed downwards, force the air through the small horizontal tubes, and, by raising and sinking each alternately, a continual current or blast is kept up; for which purpose a boy is usually placed on a high seat or stand.
— from The History of Sumatra Containing An Account Of The Government, Laws, Customs And Manners Of The Native Inhabitants by William Marsden

On the other hand, the Government met the situation with martial law and drumhead court-martials; revolutionary and other crimes were answered by reprisals and summary executions; and daily the record of crime and punishment increased, and Russia
— from The Puppet Show of Memory by Maurice Baring

Moab and Spanish Valley are beyond river, and south end of La Sal Mountains forms distant skyline.
— from The Geologic Story of Arches National Park Geological Survey Bulletin 1393 by Stanley William Lohman

Governors, men of rank, and all wealthy commoners who have not during life worked in wood, iron, or precious metals, are covered in the sepulchre with the green branches of the juniper; but smiths and artificers being regarded as sorcerers, every care is taken to keep them under ground when once deposited, to which end great stones are heaped over the body, and the earth is well trampled and secured.
— from The Highlands of Ethiopia by Harris, William Cornwallis, Sir