Cunegonda, tutored by the Baroness, told her that when I released her, I had desired her to inform her Lady that our connexion was at an end, that the whole affair was occasioned by a false report, and that it by no means suited my circumstances to marry a Woman without fortune or expectations.
— from The Monk: A Romance by M. G. (Matthew Gregory) Lewis

Several mile in extent of white Clay Marl or Chalk, under this bank we discovered Large Stone resembling lime incrusted with a Substanc like Glass which I take to be Cabolt, also ore, three mes above this Bluff we Set the Prarie on fire, to let the Soues Know, we wished to see them at two oClock an Indian Swam to the Perogue, we landed & two other Came they were boys, they informed us that the Souex were Camped near, on the R Jacke one Maha boy informed us his nation was gorn to make a peace with the Pania's we Send Sjt.
— from The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806 by William Clark

Was it not the least that one could do to swear at one’s ease and revile the name of God a little, on so fine a day, in such good company as dignitaries of the church and loose women?
— from Notre-Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo

Another daughter, Jessie Louisa, the only child left, is now living in St. Louis.
— from Complete Prose Works Specimen Days and Collect, November Boughs and Goodbye My Fancy by Walt Whitman

Such wars have not only greater dignity: they are more earnest, and their issue, as in a sense the issue of conflict between higher and lower types of civilisation, is speedier and more decisive.
— from Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Essay by Immanuel Kant

I think that, in proportion as manners and laws become more democratic, the relation of father and son becomes more intimate and more affectionate; rules and authority are less talked of; confidence and tenderness are oftentimes increased, and it would seem that the natural bond is drawn closer in proportion as the social bond is loosened.
— from Democracy in America — Volume 2 by Alexis de Tocqueville

Like two open cities in the midst of some vast plain their two minds lay open to each other.
— from Bliss, and Other Stories by Katherine Mansfield

I forgot to tell you in my last that our cousin Miss Payne called in on Saturday, and was persuaded to stay dinner.
— from The Letters of Jane Austen Selected from the compilation of her great nephew, Edward, Lord Bradbourne by Jane Austen

Very little, though of course there are printouts, especially for meetings when we review manuscripts.
— from Entretiens / Interviews / Entrevistas by Marie Lebert

In Germany it is a law of the empire, that the princes and states shall not lay tolls or customs on bridges, rivers, or passages, without the consent of the emperor and the diet; though it appears from a quotation in an antecedent paper, that the practice in this, as in many other instances in that confederacy, has not followed the law, and has produced there the mischiefs which have been foreseen here.
— from The Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton

“But we want to lose touch of civilisation, my dear fellow.—What do you say, Ned?
— from The Rajah of Dah by George Manville Fenn

It is the first link in the series by which we proceed towards a love to our country and mankind….
— from The War and Democracy by John Dover Wilson

He looked them over carefully while the court held its breath.
— from McClure's Magazine, Vol. 6, No. 2, January, 1896 by Various

"If you have any choice be sure to pick out a yearling, and leave the old chaps alone."
— from The Pioneer Boys on the Great Lakes; or, On the Trail of the Iroquois by St. George Rathborne

She had no interest now in the bishop's robes or the lighted tapers or cryptic inscriptions.
— from Calvary Alley by Alice Caldwell Hegan Rice

His manner gave me a feeling of impatience, and I answered him pretty quickly that I did not doubt he was right, and that I supposed our turn would come next, but I did not want to hear the thing talked about; and at any rate, he might as well show as bold a face as possible, for the guard were watching us, and listening to our conversation.
— from The Sufferings and Escape of Capt. Chas. H. Brown From an Awful Imprisonment by Chilian Convicts by Brown, Charles H., captain of the bark Florida

They cost less than one cent each.
— from Learn to Invent, First Steps for Beginners Young and Old Practical Instuction, Valuable Suggestions to Learn to Invent by Samuel Evans Clark

On the road, the constant care of the gentleman should be to render the ride agreeable to his companion, by the pointing out of objects of interest with which she may not be acquainted, the reference to any peculiar beauty of landscape which may have escaped her notice, and a general lively tone of conversation, which will, if she be timid, draw her mind from the fancied dangers of horseback riding, and render her excursion much more agreeable than if she be left to imagine horrors whenever her horse may prick up his ears or whisk his tail.
— from The Gentlemen's Book of Etiquette and Manual of Politeness Being a Complete Guide for a Gentleman's Conduct in All His Relations Towards Society by Cecil B. Hartley

At one time, writes Dr. Doran, “his toilet-table was covered with miscellaneous articles, like that of Charles of Burgundy, and there was as much variety in its drawers.”
— from Royalty in All Ages The Amusements, Eccentricities, Accomplishments, Superstitions and Frolics of the Kings and Queens of Europe by T. F. (Thomas Firminger) Thiselton-Dyer

What advantage would ships like those of Columbus have over present steamships in exploring strange coasts?
— from Introductory American History by Henry Eldridge Bourne