Still, when you speak of us Republicans, you do so only to denounce us as reptiles, or, at the best, as no better than outlaws.
— from The Papers and Writings of Abraham Lincoln, Complete by Abraham Lincoln

in actual country houses; think of the people that are “presenting their compliments,” and “requesting the honour,” and “much regretting,”—of those that are pinioned at dinner-tables; or stuck up in ballrooms, or cruelly planted in pews—ay, think of these, and so remembering how many poor devils are living in a state of utter respectability, you will glory the more in your own delightful escape.
— from Eothen; Or, Traces of Travel Brought Home from the East by Alexander William Kinglake

The flush of triumph was diffused over the features of the Abate , though a shade of unappeased resentment yet remained visible.
— from A Sicilian Romance by Ann Ward Radcliffe

If there be any under your inspection grosly ignorant, or of scandalous life {77} and conversation, you ought not to admit him to the Sacrament; for if you do, you are accessary to his sin of unworthy receiving; you are instrumentall to the damnation of his soul, you pollute the ordinance; you offend the godly amongst you; you render the Government obnoxious to just exception; and you bring down the heavy judgments of God upon the Congregation.
— from A Vindication of the Presbyteriall-Government and Ministry by Ministers and Elders of the London Provinciall Assembly

I'm just making a sort of unofficial report, you understand.
— from The Short Cut by Jackson Gregory