If thou makest first a trial of the successfulness of thy endeavours upon things far lower, more base, but much more easy to obtain, as crowns, kingdoms, earldoms, dukedoms, gold, silver, or the like, how vain are these attempts of thine; and yet thou thinkest to possess thy soul of heaven!
— from Works of John Bunyan — Volume 01 by John Bunyan

Upon one occasion the brothers fell out about something, and Chang knocked Eng down, and then tripped and fell on him, whereupon both clinched and began to beat and gouge each other without mercy.
— from Sketches New and Old, Part 5. by Mark Twain

The stone steps are uneven that lead to the threshold; the kitchen is dark, above the loose rafters of which chestnuts lie all winter time to dry with the heat of the fire below; a great black pot is hanging now over the red embers on the square [167] centre-hearth, and Caterina knows every dint in those bright copper vessels that gladden the gloomy walls—every sunken brick in the floor.
— from North Italian Folk: Sketches of Town and Country Life by Alice Vansittart Strettel Carr

Steamers touch at Cedar Keys every day or two, providing ready communication with the principal points on the Gulf.
— from A Guide-Book of Florida and the South for Tourists, Invalids and Emigrants by Daniel G. (Daniel Garrison) Brinton

The foreign coats and capes kept everyone dry.
— from The Automobile Girls at Palm Beach; Or, Proving Their Mettle Under Southern Skies by Laura Dent Crane

Being as constantly known every day to walk his rounds through the shops as he sat down to meals, where his great skill and experience enabled him to make choice of what was not obvious to every vulgar eye.
— from Prices of Books An Inquiry into the Changes in the Price of Books which have occurred in England at different Periods by Henry B. (Henry Benjamin) Wheatley