The textbooks refused even to discuss theories, frankly throwing up their hands and avowing that progress depended on studying each rock as a law to itself.
— from The Education of Henry Adams by Henry Adams

Our woollen manufacturers, in order to justify their demand of such extraordinary restrictions and regulations, confidently asserted, that English wool was of a peculiar quality, superior to that of any other country; that the wool of other countries could not, without some mixture of it, be wrought up into any tolerable manufacture; that fine cloth could not be made without it; that England, therefore, if the exportation of it could be totally prevented, could monopolize to herself almost the whole woollen trade of the world; and thus, having no rivals, could sell at what price she pleased, and in a short time acquire the most incredible degree of wealth by the most advantageous balance of trade.
— from An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith

But such is the dearth of satisfactory evidence relating to these explorations, that positive inferences concerning them are impossible.
— from The Yellowstone National Park: Historical and Descriptive by Hiram Martin Chittenden

Thus called on account of the number of large dimensions placed over the front door of such establishments; recognizable also by their whitewashed window-panes.
— from Argot and Slang A New French and English Dictionary of the Cant Words, Quaint Expressions, Slang Terms and Flash Phrases Used in the High and Low Life of Old and New Paris by Albert Barrère

They did not demand of science either rest, or happiness, or even truth:—for they doubted whether it were attainable: they loved it for itself, because it was beautiful, because it alone was beautiful, and it alone was real.
— from Jean-Christophe in Paris: The Market-Place, Antoinette, the House by Romain Rolland

2. A positive declaration of some essential rights could not be obtained in the requisite latitude.
— from Memoir, Correspondence, And Miscellanies, From The Papers Of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 2 by Thomas Jefferson

The enthusiasm of Bob and his friends for radio was fostered by the help and advice of the Reverend Doctor Dale, the clergyman in charge of the Old First Church of Clintonia, who, in addition to being an eloquent preacher, was keenly interested in all latter-day developments of science, especially radio.
— from The Radio Boys Trailing a Voice; Or, Solving a Wireless Mystery by Allen Chapman