In his zeal for my conversion, he solicited me to go to one of the universities in Spain, and declared that I should have my education free; and told me, if I got myself made a priest, I might in time become even pope; and that Pope Benedict was a black man.
— from The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, The African Written By Himself by Olaudah Equiano

The sediment it deposits, consists of very fine particles of white sand while that of the Missoury is composed principally of a dark rich loam-in much greater quantity 21st July from the experiments and observations we were enabled to make with rispect to the comparative velocities of the courants of the rivers Mississippi Missouri and Plat it results that a vessel will float in the Mississippi below the entrance of the Missouri at the rate of four miles an hour.
— from The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806 by William Clark

Mutugnaw (matugnaw) ang panahun inigka Disimbri, The weather gets cold in December.
— from A Dictionary of Cebuano Visayan by John U. Wolff

[La Grande Breteche.] ROSALIE, chambermaid to Madame Moreau at Presles in 1822.
— from Repertory of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A — Z by Anatole Cerfberr

I answered that I would obey him, though I was very little pleased with the commission, which, to me, was highly improper; but he will either treat me as an informer, or make me a party in his frolic.
— from Evelina, Or, the History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World by Fanny Burney

Lucetta, discerning that he was much mixed that day, partly in his mercantile mood and partly in his romantic one, said gaily to him— “Well, don't forsake the machine for us,” and went indoors with her companion.
— from The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy

My mother, although probably inwardly a little disappointed, had the interest of Miss Evelyn too much at heart not to take up the matter warmly, and urged, with all the volubility elderly ladies can so well exercise, whenever the marriage of a younger friend is in question, all the benefit that would accrue to her from so advantageous a proposal.
— from The Romance of Lust: A classic Victorian erotic novel by Anonymous

Neither have, I. I constructed it myself from the Greek words, eis en plattein, to shape into one; because, having to convey a new sense, I thought that a new term would both aid the recollection of my meaning, and prevent its being confounded with the usual import of the word, imagination.
— from Biographia Literaria by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Whatever opinions any of the writers may express, whatever peculiarities of treatment may mark, and perhaps in a literary sense, disfigure the narratives which I am now collecting, not a line will be tampered with anywhere, from first to last.
— from The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

I think if I were married to her, I'd rather she hated me and mastered me, always provided it was not I who went through that window.
— from Tempest-Driven: A Romance (Vol. 2 of 3) by Richard Dowling

The inhabitants of Arabia are the most Moral and Patriotic in the World, and their army is second to none in bravery and won the World War.
— from This Giddy Globe by Oliver Herford

The paper keeps the top of the meat moist, and prevents it from burning or drying.
— from Hand-Book of Practical Cookery, for Ladies and Professional Cooks Containing the Whole Science and Art of Preparing Human Food by Pierre Blot

“I might make a pair if I had a day and the stuff,” suggested Lafe, looking around helplessly.
— from Rose O'Paradise by Grace Miller White

Some local historian of his time will doubtless give him more space; my wish is to have you know something more of the circumstances that have made me a prisoner in life instead of a free man; but prisoner as I am at the moment, I am sustained just now by a new courage.
— from The Story of Waitstill Baxter by Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin

He may have been right, so far as The Awkward Age is concerned; the behaviour of the people in the story is certainly packed with many meanings, and perhaps it is vivid enough to enact the general character of their lives and ways, as well as their situation in the foreground; perhaps the charmed circle of Mrs. Brookenham and her wonderful crew is given all the effect that is needed.
— from The Craft of Fiction by Percy Lubbock

When one compares his early with his later work, one is inclined to assert that none of Punch's artists ever made more astonishing progress in their art.
— from Mr. Punch's History of Modern England, Vol. 4 (of 4).—1892-1914 by Charles L. (Charles Larcom) Graves

I tried to banish from my mind all previous impressions gained from reading.
— from A Traveller in War-Time by Winston Churchill

To deprecate a precipitate and unfriendly attempt on their part to enter upon a policy which might make all progress impossible from its menacing tone and "violent shock to the feelings, and even prejudices, of the people.
— from The Englishman in China During the Victorian Era, Vol. 2 (of 2) As Illustrated in the Career of Sir Rutherford Alcock, K.C.B., D.C.L., Many Years Consul and Minister in China and Japan by Alexander Michie