It is a return to first principles again after so much art, and culture, and lying, and chauvinisme, and shows these old civilizations in no danger of, becoming effete yet.
— from Winter Sunshine by John Burroughs

To dream of brambles entangling you, is a messenger of evil.
— from Ten Thousand Dreams Interpreted; Or, What's in a Dream A Scientific and Practical Exposition by Gustavus Hindman Miller

" How far more proper are such prayers as these, which do not put you off to some distant opportunity, but express your gratitude at once?
— from L. Annaeus Seneca on Benefits by Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Those in the house, generally knowing for what purpose the announcing rap was made, commence a search for the juvenile billet doux: in this manner, numbers are disposed of by each youth.
— from The Every-day Book and Table Book. v. 2 (of 3) or Everlasting Calendar of Popular Amusements, Sports, Pastimes, Ceremonies, Manners, Customs and Events, Incident to Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-five Days, in past and Present Times; Forming a Complete History of the Year, Month, and Seasons, and a Perpetual Key to the Almanac by William Hone

'Good, then,' he returned; 'we will take a droschky, or, better even, your railway that is in the air.'
— from A Transient Guest, and Other Episodes by Edgar Saltus

Boolp was engaged haggling with a slave-merchant the price of a fair slave, and Ukleet said to him,'Yet awhile delay, O Boolp, ere you expend a fraction of treasure, for truly a mighty bargain of jewels is waiting for you at the palace of my lord the King.
— from The Shaving of Shagpat; an Arabian entertainment — Volume 1 by George Meredith