The last spark had died out of the paper in the grate and left only black tinder; the table was left bare, the golden plates and richly embroidered napkins, and the garlands were transformed again into old handkerchiefs, scraps of red and white paper, and discarded artificial flowers all scattered on the floor; the minstrels in the minstrel gallery had stolen away, and the viols and bassoons were still.
— from A Little Princess Being the whole story of Sara Crewe now told for the first time by Frances Hodgson Burnett

he farm servants pass and repass every now and then; no one perceives him; even the Steward passes by, nor does he observe anything.
— from The Fables of Phædrus Literally translated into English prose with notes by Phaedrus

—A propósito de la Argentina, cuyo nombre trae a la mente la idea de ganados numerosos—dijo mister Smith,—han de saber Uds. que las tierras adecuadas para apacentar rebaños en nuestro país son más escasas cada día, a causa de las exigencias de la agricultura.
— from Heath's Modern Language Series: The Spanish American Reader by Ernesto Nelson

It was rather hard, after having enjoyed nearly two years of equal social privileges in England, often dining with gentlemen of great literary, social, political, and religious eminence never, during the whole time, having met with a single word, look, or gesture, which gave me the slightest reason to think my color was an offense to anybody—now to be cooped up in the stern of the “Cambria,” and denied the right to enter the saloon, lest my dark presence should be deemed an offense to some of my democratic fellow-passengers.
— from My Bondage and My Freedom by Frederick Douglass

A Grand Orchestra, composed of Artists of Talent, will be conducted by G. Maurage, who will have performed a Repertory entirely new, composed of Quadrilles, Valses, Polkas, Schottisches, Varsoviennes, Mazurkas, Redowas, Lancers, etc.
— from Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Volume 15, No. 90, June, 1875 by Various

Then, as now, the ravine in front of the enclosure was crossed by a slight bridge of planks, and over this bridge the woman of the sæter passed and repassed each night.
— from John Ingerfield, and Other Stories by Jerome K. (Jerome Klapka) Jerome

The temperament of each individual or of a race is an important factor in a judicious consideration of the subject; it opens out a field of inquiry of no ordinary interest, more particularly as regards eastern nations.
— from St Nicotine of the Peace Pipe by Edward Vincent Heward

She left the room just as Sir Wilfrid perceived a rider on a bay horse approaching through the park, and recognized Edward Newbury.
— from The Coryston Family A Novel by Ward, Humphry, Mrs.

It is the mode among Raratongans to take two or three dresses to a picnic, and retire every now and then into the bush to change one smart muslin or cotton “Mother Hubbard” for another—just for pure style.
— from In the Strange South Seas by Beatrice Grimshaw

An artist of real worth will find in the masterpieces of painting at Rome everything necessary for him in order to reach the right path.
— from The History of Modern Painting, Volume 1 (of 4) Revised edition continued by the author to the end of the XIX century by Richard Muther

At 5:30 in the morning the slumberers were awakened by the sailors who started in to wash down the decks, when they would retire to their staterooms, doff their pajamas and return en natural to the vicinity to the smoker, where there were two perforated nozzles, and get their salt water baths.
— from A Ball Player's Career Being the Personal Experiences and Reminiscensces of Adrian C. Anson by Adrian Constantine Anson

Not ancient halls and ivy-mantled towers, Where dull traditions rule With heavy hand youth's lightly springing powers; Not spacious pleasure courts, And lofty temples of athletic fame, Where devotees of sports Mistake a pastime for life's highest aim; Not fashion, nor renown Of wealthy patronage and rich estate; No, none of these can crown A school with light and make it truly great.
— from The Poems of Henry Van Dyke by Henry Van Dyke

The games universally played are "rouge et noir" and "roulette," the former also denominated "trente et quarante," though both titles insufficiently explain the tendency of the game, especially as "noir" never has any part or parcel in the affair, all being regulated by "rouge" winning or losing.
— from The International Monthly, Volume 5, No. 3, March, 1852 by Various