How Merlin ‘went about doing good,’ after [ 398 ] the Northman’s ideal of such work; how he saved the life of his unwedded mother by proving that her child (himself) was begotten by a devil without her knowledge; how, as a child, he exposed at once the pretension of the magistrate to high birth and the laxity of his lady and his parson; how he humiliated the priestly astrologers of Vortigern, and prophesied the destruction of that usurper just as it came to pass; how he served Uther during his seven years’ reign, and by enabling him to assume the shape of the Duke of Cornwall and so enjoy the embraces of the Duchess Igerna, secured the birth of Arthur and hope of the Sangréal;
— from Demonology and Devil-lore by Moncure Daniel Conway

When the sun is at the equinoxes, that is, passing through Aries or Libra, he makes the gnomon cast a shadow equal to eight ninths of its own length, in the latitude of Rome.
— from The Ten Books on Architecture by Vitruvius Pollio

The interest of these years, if it be an interest, is centred in his cunning and successful efforts to escape from the notice of friends and companions, and to withdraw his private life from any kind of intrusion.
— from Turner's Golden Visions by C. Lewis (Charles Lewis) Hind

Independent of hospitals and almshouses, but subjected to the surveillance of the State, it comprised all the conditions of comfort and salubrity essential to establishments of this description designed to receive an opulent clientele .
— from Facing the Flag by Jules Verne

Like to the scholar, practis'd in his task, Who, willing to give proof of diligence, Seconds his teacher gladly, "Hope," said I, "Is of the joy to come a sure expectance, Th' effect of grace divine and merit preceding.
— from Divine Comedy, Cary's Translation, Paradise by Dante Alighieri

"Not too much of that bright colour and sparkling eye, though, Ellen," said St. Aubyn, half in jest, half gravely: "I shall be jealous."
— from Mystery and Confidence: A Tale. Vol. 2 by Elizabeth Sibthorpe Pinchard

And now came a sudden explosion, thrilling everybody through!
— from Pelle the Conqueror — Volume 02 by Martin Andersen Nexø

He spoke calmly and spitefully, enjoying the end of his long charade of nicety, “Besides, the council was falling for her peace talk, as they always give great heed to every member of the royal family, and I was not strong enough at that time to control them, as I do now.
— from The Revolutions of Time by Jonathan Dunn

The two men, the huge, squat John Hull of Suffolk, the little weazened gentleman from Lisbon, shook hands, looked at each other earnestly in the face, and then, wonder of wonders, linked arms, turned their backs upon Johnnie and the sleepy old Frenchwoman by the carronade, and spoke earnestly to each other for a moment.
— from House of Torment A Tale of the Remarkable Adventures of Mr. John Commendone, Gentleman to King Phillip II of Spain at the English Court by Guy Thorne

As shown by the lines of communication, represented by the heavy lines, the authorities of the comptroller and superintendent extend to every phase of the work of the commercial and manufacturing branches.
— from Cyclopedia of Commerce, Accountancy, Business Administration, v. 01 (of 10) by American School of Correspondence