It must not be, if by any fair interference of friendship, any representations from one who had almost a mother's love, and mother's rights, it would be prevented.
— from Persuasion by Jane Austen

At the first glance it appeared to be a Woman, seen sideways; but a moment's observation shewed me that the extremities passed into dimness too rapidly to represent one of the Female Sex; and I should have thought it a Circle, only that it seemed to change its size in a manner impossible for a Circle or for any regular Figure of which I had had experience.
— from Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions (Illustrated) by Edwin Abbott Abbott

In old times, when the students were few, and rather fonder of work than at the present, they turned out with spades, hoes, and other implements, and spread gravel over the walks, to the College grounds; but in later days, they have preferred to tax themselves to a small amount and delegate the work to others, while they spend the day in visiting the Cascade, the Natural Bridge, or others of the numerous places of interest near us."— Boston Daily Evening Traveller , July 12, 1854.
— from A Collection of College Words and Customs by Benjamin Homer Hall

[1] I shall find a rich field of work at Rembang, and thank God, there I shall not stand alone.
— from Letters of a Javanese Princess by Raden Adjeng Kartini

At the extremities of the façades are reclining figures of Wisdom and Authority.
— from The Catholic World, Vol. 19, April 1874‐September 1874 by Various

At the first glance it appeared to be a Woman, seen sideways; but a moment’s observation shewed me that the extremities passed into dimness too rapidly to represent one of the Female Sex; and I should have thought it a Circle, only that it seemed to change its size in a manner impossible for a Circle or for any Regular Figure of which I had had experience.
— from Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions by Edwin Abbott Abbott

It seemed so fitting a residence for one who loves to explore the twilight of antiquity—and the gloomier the better—that the visitor, among the felicities of whose life was included the freedom of the Manse, could not but fancy that our author's eyes first saw the daylight enchanted by the slumberous orchard behind the house, or tranquillized into twilight by the spacious avenue in front.
— from Literary and Social Essays by George William Curtis

This had been made by fastening four barrel-hoops together so as to form a round frame, over which was sewed white cambric.
— from Bright Ideas for Entertaining by Linscott, Herbert B., Mrs.

An iceless refrigerator may be made from a rectangular frame of wood, to which heavy canton flannel is buttoned or tacked.
— from Mechanical Devices in the Home by Edith Allen

"We accept your offer with as good a will as you give it, as far as regards food, of which we stand most in need."
— from The Adventurers by Gustave Aimard

But when Turpin felt himself mortally wounded he plunged into the throng of the heathen, killing four hundred before he fell, and Roland fought on with broken armour, and with ever-bleeding head, till in a pause of the deadly strife he took his horn and again sent forth a feeble dying blast.
— from Hero-Myths & Legends of the British Race by M. I. (Maud Isabel) Ebbutt