Agues have their hot and cold fits; from the effects of an ardent passion we fall again to shivering; as much as I had advanced, so much I retired:— Qualis ubi alterno procurrens gurgite pontus, Nunc ruit ad terras, scopulosque superjacit undam Spumeus, extremamque sinu perfundit arenam; Nunc rapidus retro, atque stu revoluta resorbens Saxa, fugit, littusque vado labente relihquit.
— from Essays of Michel de Montaigne — Complete by Michel de Montaigne

All brides exchange some presents, and no friends should allow their feelings to be hurt, unless they are very close to the bride and have chosen the present with particular sentiment.
— from Etiquette by Emily Post

be hanged,” cries the landlord, “if it was not the Man of the Hill, as they call him; if indeed he be a man; but I know several people who believe it is the devil that lives there.”—“Nay, nay, like enough,” says Partridge; “and now you put me in the head of it, I verily and sincerely believe it was the devil, though I could not perceive his cloven foot: but perhaps he might have the power given him to hide that, since evil spirits can appear in what shapes they please.”—“And
— from History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding

The storm-clouds that envelop snowy peaks are nothing to the monstrous piles of smoke and darkness that wreathe the brows of an erupting volcano.
— from The Alps by Conway, William Martin, Sir

After many years’ experience in India and Egypt, we are convinced that the construction of drains and escapes should precede, and not follow the canals.
— from The Nile in 1904 by Willcocks, William, Sir

Every day a situation of my own choosing, a neat and convenient house set up and furnished with necessaries in a quarter of an hour, spread with flowers always fresh, on a fine green carpet, and on every side plain and natural beauties which art had not altered and which it can not imitate.
— from The Country of the Neutrals (As Far As Comprised in the County of Elgin), From Champlain to Talbot by James H. (James Henry) Coyne

Heavy manufactures requiring expensive steam power are not justified here.
— from Appletons' Popular Science Monthly, March 1899 Volume LIV, No. 5, March 1899 by Various

Even his pig knew his voice and grunted, and held out his nose to be scratched; and he always gave each successive pig a name, Jack or Dick, and called them by it, and was quite affectionate to them, one after the other, until the very day that they were killed.
— from The Adventures of A Brownie As Told to My Child by Miss Mulock by Dinah Maria Mulock Craik

If the dog so seized wears a collar on which is the address of any person, or if the owner of the dog is known, then the chief officer of police or some person authorised by him in that behalf shall serve on either such person a notice in writing stating that the dog has been seized, and will be sold or destroyed if not claimed within seven clear days of the service of the notice.
— from Dogs and All about Them by Robert Leighton

Baked potatoes are the most wholesome, and their skins should always be eaten; steamed potatoes are next; whilst boiled ones, especially if peeled, are not nearly so good.
— from Dr. Allinson's cookery book Comprising many valuable vegetarian recipes by T. R. (Thomas Richard) Allinson