Those learned German scholars, who hitherto have been considered as the most German of Germans, were and perhaps still are as good as the German soldiers on account of their profound and almost childish inclination to obey in all external things, and on account of being often compelled to stand alone in science and to answer for many things: if they can only preserve their proud, simple, and patient disposition, and their freedom from political madness at those times when the wind changes, we may yet expect great things from them—such as they
— from The Dawn of Day by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

It is difficult for us purblind mortals to say to what height human discoveries and improvements may arrive, when the gloom of despotism subsides, which makes us stumble at every step; but, when morality shall be settled on a more solid basis, then, without being gifted with a prophetic spirit, I will venture to predict, that woman will be either the friend or slave of man.
— from A Vindication of the Rights of Woman With Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects by Mary Wollstonecraft

'We will,' replied Mr. Grimwig, with a provoking smile; 'we will.' As fate would have it, Mrs. Bedwin chanced to bring in, at this moment, a small parcel of books, which Mr. Brownlow had that morning purchased of the identical bookstall-keeper, who has already figured in this history; having laid them on the table, she prepared to leave the room.
— from Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

The Chinese government, with a paternal solicitude for the welfare of its subjects, forbids the gods on the register to be reborn anywhere but in Tibet.
— from The Golden Bough: A Study of Magic and Religion by James George Frazer

I started up, and resolved to return to Geneva with all possible speed.
— from Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

A glass of something warm here!” ‘At this command, half a dozen officious goblins, with a perpetual smile upon their faces, whom Gabriel Grub imagined to be courtiers, on that account, hastily disappeared, and presently returned with a goblet of liquid fire, which they presented to the king. ‘“Ah!” cried the goblin, whose cheeks and throat were transparent, as he tossed down the flame, “this warms one, indeed!
— from The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens

Neptune takes advantage of his slumber, and succours the Greeks: Hector is struck to the ground with a prodigious stone by Ajax, and carried off from the battle: several actions succeed, till the Trojans, much distressed, are obliged to give way: the lesser Ajax signalizes himself in a particular manner.
— from The Iliad by Homer

Besides, presents offered to persons of great wealth and position, such as Mme.
— from Swann's Way by Marcel Proust

A little girl with a poor shawl pinned about her throat came forward with the watch.
— from The Battle with the Slum by Jacob A. (Jacob August) Riis

This great Norman is more Puritan than French: it is Norman Gothic with a Puritan severity.
— from In and out of Three Normandy Inns by Anna Bowman Dodd

But there was no dreaming about it—it was all a reality; and as he stood there powerless among his captors, and looked at their glittering weapons, and painted, scowling faces, all the stories he had heard the trappers relate of their experience among the Indians, came fresh to his memory.
— from Frank in the Mountains by Harry Castlemon

Who would have imagined, continued Sir George, with a profound sigh, that fortune, while she thus seemed to flatter me, was preparing to make me suffer the severest torments?
— from The Female Quixote; or, The Adventures of Arabella, v. 1-2 by Charlotte Lennox

In this stagnation of business at the East, he determined to go West, and purchased several hundred acres of land near Springfield, Ill.
— from Sketches of Successful New Hampshire Men by Various

A good distemper on the walls, something light in key, yet warm—brick-dust, or a pearly, rosy gray; simple, graceful chairs and tables; a few good pictures, numberless good books in good bindings: over all the soft glow of candlelight; and in the midst of all, giving unity and meaning to it all, a lady, a tall slender lady, in a black gown, with a pale serious face, dark eyes full of sleeping fire, and above her white brow a rich shadow of brown hair.
— from Mademoiselle Miss, and Other Stories by Henry Harland

Clifford turned to attract the attention of Mollie, who had been exchanging greetings with a prominent society woman, and a moment later he had introduced the two girls to each other.
— from The Heatherford Fortune a sequel to the Magic Cameo by Sheldon, Georgie, Mrs.

Shirley.—"But the world hath conceived a high judgment of your Majesty's great wisdom and providence; shown by your assailing the King of Spain at one time both in the Low Countries and also by Sir Francis Drake.
— from PG Edition of Netherlands series — Complete by John Lothrop Motley

Broken glass was also plentifully strewn about, while, indoors, water was being boiled and kept to boiling heat, so as to be ready to empty on them if they approached us.
— from The Land of Bondage: A Romance by John Bloundelle-Burton

He had so much business that required his presence in the metropolis, and first and foremost the necessity of getting the latest news, which was always on tap at the Portico, where half a score of gutter wits and politicians settled the affairs of the nation, reviled Newcastle and the Pelhams, praised Pitt, canvassed the prospects of war in America or on the continent, and enlarged on the vices of the beau monde , every afternoon and evening.
— from The Infidel: A Story of the Great Revival by M. E. (Mary Elizabeth) Braddon