If social structure were rational its free expression would be so too.
— from The Life of Reason: The Phases of Human Progress by George Santayana

I wrote your speech myself, and you read it from my manuscript.
— from The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today by Charles Dudley Warner

If some inaccuracies in calculation, in reasoning, or in method, be found, perhaps these will not be looked upon as faults by the admirers of Lord Bolingbroke; who will, the editor is afraid, observe much more of his lordship's character in such particulars of the following letter, than they are likely to find of that rapid torrent of an impetuous and overbearing eloquence, and the variety of rich imagery for which that writer is justly admired.
— from The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 01 (of 12) by Edmund Burke

The hidden canker of our married life which, even before our marriage, had caused me the most terrible anxiety and led to violent scenes, reached its full growth under these sad conditions.
— from My Life — Volume 1 by Richard Wagner

When I returned I felt a big cat brush past me as I opened the door.
— from The Story of My Life With her letters (1887-1901) and a supplementary account of her education, including passages from the reports and letters of her teacher, Anne Mansfield Sullivan, by John Albert Macy by Helen Keller

Pimenta is thought to resemble in flavour a mixture of cinnamon, nutmegs, and cloves, whence the popular name of allspice ; it is also called Jamaica pepper, the trees being cultivated there extensively.
— from The New Gresham Encyclopedia. A to Amide Vol. 1 Part 1 by Various

[The crest really issues from a coronet upon a torse in a previous case, this crest issues from a torse only.]
— from A Complete Guide to Heraldry by Arthur Charles Fox-Davies

Two in the row in front of me turned purple, and a small lad with freckles seated beside them asked me for my autograph.
— from Right Ho, Jeeves by P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse

Grim dusty armour hung in high relief in front of the dark oaken gallery at the farther end, and under the broad arch of the great mullioned window opposite was spread a curtain of old tapestry, covered with dim melancholy figures, like a dozing indistinct dream of the past.
— from Adam Bede by George Eliot

And in harmony with this is our theory, seeing that light itself is incorporeal, if one should regard its fountainhead, not as corporeal, but as the undefiled activity of mind 644 pouring light into its own abode: and this is assigned to the middle of the whole firmament, whence it sheds its rays and fills the heavenly spheres with vigour of every kind and illumines all things with light divine and undefiled.
— from The Works of the Emperor Julian, Vol. 1 by Emperor of Rome Julian

Montansier, Mdlle., 71 , 72 ; denounced by the republicans for building a theatre, 73 ; imprisoned, 73 ; her nocturnal assemblies, 73 ; Napoleon introduced to her, 74 ; her marriage, 74 ; receives indemnity for her losses, 75 ; engaged by Napoleon to form an Italian operatic company, 79 ; is unsuccessful, 79 .
— from History of the Opera from its Origin in Italy to the present Time With Anecdotes of the Most Celebrated Composers and Vocalists of Europe by H. Sutherland (Henry Sutherland) Edwards

At my Return from this Ramble I found at my Lodgings the Duke de S—— , who came to carry me to the Assembly at Madame de S—— .
— from The Memoirs of Charles-Lewis, Baron de Pollnitz, Volume IV Being the Observations He Made in His Late Travels from Prussia thro' Germany, Italy, France, Flanders, Holland, England, &C. in Letters to His Friend. Discovering Not Only the Present State of the Chief Cities and Towns; but the Characters of the Principal Persons at the Several Courts. by Pöllnitz, Karl Ludwig, Freiherr von

And I may express the conviction, that there is no government, certainly none this side of Constantinople, which would not encourage rather than rebuke the free expression of the views of their representatives in foreign countries."
— from The Great Speeches and Orations of Daniel Webster With an Essay on Daniel Webster as a Master of English Style by Edwin Percy Whipple

He set sail with a few followers, and one beautiful Easter Sunday he came in sight of a land rich in flowers.
— from Little Folks of North America Stories about children living in the different parts of North America by Mary Hazelton Blanchard Wade

Nevertheless, he received no salary as a rabbi: in fact, he does not appear to have filled that post at any time.
— from History of the Jews, Vol. 4 (of 6) by Heinrich Graetz

The rock of which the reef is formed, is said to be coral; but it is so coated with barnacle and limpet above barnacle and limpet, that I can see nothing but the remainder of these shells for many feet down, and as deep into the rock as our hammers will break.
— from Journal of a Voyage to Brazil And Residence There During Part of the Years 1821, 1822, 1823 by Callcott, Maria, Lady

They crossed the ford and were leaving the water, enveloped in the dense shadows, when José dropped from his horse and threw the reins into Francisco's hand; Manuel did the same, as José's voice said in a whisper, "Ride half a league and wait for us."
— from Francisco, Our Little Argentine Cousin by Eva Cannon Brooks

Women, in the terror and excitement of the moment and in their eagerness to aid, beg in the streets and rush into fairs, working day and night, to the neglect of other duties in the present, and at the peril of all health in the future—often an enormous outlay for very meagre returns.
— from The Red Cross in Peace and War by Clara Barton

Her first race, in fact, had "soured" her.
— from My Adventures with Your Money by George Graham Rice

Every molecule of our body is rotated into form and continues its activities by the radiant energy of the sun.
— from The Secret of Life, Death and Immortality A startling proposition, with a chapter devoted to mental therapeutics and instructions for self healing by Henry Fleetwood