Well, I at least resemble the disciples of Esculapius in one thing [people spoke in this style in 1815], that of not being able to call a day my own, not even that of my betrothal.”
— from The Count of Monte Cristo, Illustrated by Alexandre Dumas

I think there was hardly an inhabitant of Hayslope specially mentioned in this history and still resident in the parish on this November morning who was not either in church to see Adam and Dinah married, or near the church door to greet them as they came forth.
— from Adam Bede by George Eliot

In America, a United States patent was granted in 1813 to Alexander Duncan Moore of New Haven on a mill "for grinding and pounding coffee.
— from All About Coffee by William H. (William Harrison) Ukers

A small human image on the retina is referred, not to a pygmy, but to a distant man of normal size.
— from The Principles of Psychology, Volume 1 (of 2) by William James

To render the work, which, from its nature and design, must, of necessity, be replete with matter of obscure meaning, more inviting to the scholar, and more intelligible to those who are unversed in Classical literature, the translation is accompanied with Notes and Explanations, which, it is believed, will be found to throw considerable light upon the origin and meaning of some of the traditions of heathen Mythology.
— from The Metamorphoses of Ovid, Books I-VII by Ovid

His wife had predeceased him, but his sister, for whom he had laboured in the far-off early days, survived; she had married a distinguished man of noble birth.
— from Murillo by S. L. (Samuel Levy) Bensusan

“Lucy,” he proceeded, “you are to receive a visit from Lord Cullamore, by and by, and it rests with you this day whether I shall stand in his estimation a dishonored man or not.”
— from The Black Baronet; or, The Chronicles Of Ballytrain The Works of William Carleton, Volume One by William Carleton

These slight touches give a racy flavour to the letters; and although they may occasionally call forth a smile, they will, no doubt, be appreciated by those who with Sterne "can see the precise and distinguishing marks of national character more in these nonsensical minutiae than in the most important matters of state."
— from Correspondence of Wagner and Liszt — Volume 1 by Franz Liszt

Then, as our reading expanded, came the tragic chronicle of the first French Revolution and the brilliant and dazzling melodrama of Napoleon, the traditions so pathetic and sublime of gifted women, the tableaux so exciting to a youthful temper of military glory.
— from The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 05, No. 29, March, 1860 A Magazine of Literature, Art, and Politics by Various

I am surrounded by a dense mob of natives, laughing, shouting, and gesticulating, in the most grotesque manner.
— from Old New Zealand: Being Incidents of Native Customs and Character in the Old Times by Frederick Edward Maning

"Listen, Belle," said Celia, laughing, and without waiting for Maurice's reply, "there may be some difference of opinion as to whether I should be a desirable member or not; suppose you go over there under the oak and talk it over.
— from Mr. Pat's Little Girl: A Story of the Arden Foresters by Mary Finley Leonard

An officer of Sir Arthur’s staff had left it while I was absent, desiring Mike on no account to omit its delivery the first instant he met me.
— from Charles O'Malley, The Irish Dragoon, Volume 1 by Charles James Lever

Here the mother and daughter met one night after a very tranquil day, over the fire in the central room.
— from Ombra by Mrs. (Margaret) Oliphant