The notion of symbolizing sexual love by a semisexless babe, and comparing the pains of passion to the wounds of an arrow—of introducing this pudgy homunculus into art grossly to materialize the subtle spirit and suggestion of the work— this is eminently worthy of the age that, giving it birth, laid it on the doorstep of prosperity.
— from The Devil's Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce

It was a pretty sight to see her veiled form gliding towards the sturdy young Englishman, dressed in his grey flannel suit; for, though he is half a Greek in blood, Leo is, with the exception of his hair, one of the most English-looking men I ever saw.
— from She by H. Rider (Henry Rider) Haggard

It is not then surprising that wages, after having sometimes suddenly risen, are permanently lowered in this branch of industry; whereas in other callings the price of labor, which generally increases but little, is nevertheless constantly augmented.
— from Democracy in America — Volume 2 by Alexis de Tocqueville

This parish church of St. George in Buttolph lane is small, but the monuments for two hundred years past are well preserved from spoil, whereof one is of Adam Bamme, mayor 1397; Richard Bamme, esquire, his son, of Gillingham in Kent, 1452; John Walton, gentleman, 1401; Marpor, a gentleman, 1400; John St. John, merchant of Levant, and Agnes his wife, 1400; Hugh Spencer, esquire, 1424; William Combes, stock fishmonger, one of the sheriffs 1452, who gave forty pounds towards the works of that church; John Stokar, draper, one of the sheriffs, 1477; Richard Dryland, esquire, and Katherine his wife, daughter of Morrice Brune, knight, of Southuckenton in Essex, steward of household to Humfrey Duke of Glocester, 1487; Nicholas Patrich, one of the sheriffs, 1519.
— from The Survey of London by John Stow

You know well what gives its brightest lustre in my eyes.” “Pray be narrative now—the emotional can be kept for some other time.
— from The Bramleighs of Bishop's Folly by Charles James Lever

Wyndham put it on the book, and then as the vicar gave it back, let it drop.
— from Wyndham's Pal by Harold Bindloss

My health had greatly improved; but latterly it has been very, very bad, in great measure owing to dejection of spirits, my letters having failed, the greater part of those to me, and almost all mine homeward....
— from Letters of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Vol. 2 (of 2) by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Such a patch is to be found at Streatley, geographically in Berkshire, legally in Oxford; there is another opposite Staines, which Middlesex claims from Surrey.
— from The Historic Thames by Hilaire Belloc

Madam, you have confest, my Father was A servant to your Lord and you: by interest Of being his son, I cannot but claim justly The honor of continuing still my service To you and yours; which granted, I beg leave I may for this time be dismist.
— from Beaumont and Fletcher's Works, Vol. 09 of 10 by John Fletcher

The garden in Bellevieu looked its loveliest.
— from Dorothy's Tour by Evelyn Raymond

Something else too was growing into burning life in his mind.
— from Slaves of Mercury by Nathan Schachner

In the fourth act Genoveva is being led into the wilderness by two ruffians, who have orders to murder her.
— from The Standard Operaglass Detailed Plots of One Hundred and Fifty-one Celebrated Operas by Annesley, Charles, pseud.

She watched a sail-boat, almost as idle as she was herself, lolling across the bay, the faint west wind coming in light puffs that gave it but little impetus.
— from Missy: A Novel by Miriam Coles Harris