We hold that, with all its drawbacks, progress is not an illusion; that men have become at least more tolerant and more humane; that ancient brutalities have become impossible; and that the suffering of the weaker excites a keener sympathy.
— from Social Rights And Duties: Addresses to Ethical Societies. Vol 1 [of 2] by Leslie Stephen

So it will readily be imagined that I was put to work early, and kept steadily at it.
— from The Story of a Country Town by E. W. (Edgar Watson) Howe

The test in this Dean system is simple, and, like the Western Electric and Kellogg systems, it depends on the raising of the potential of the test thimbles of all the line jacks of a line
— from Cyclopedia of Telephony and Telegraphy, Vol. 2 A General Reference Work on Telephony, etc. etc. by American School of Correspondence

Had I known then what I know now, my country-seat would be located somewhere in central Illinois or western Oregon; but at that time my knowledge of Hawkins extended no farther than the facts that he resided a few doors below me in New York, and that we exchanged a kindly smile every morning on the L. One day last August, having mastered the mechanism of our little steam runabout, my wife ventured out alone, to call upon Mrs. Hawkins.
— from Mr. Hawkins' Humorous Adventures by Edgar Franklin

Thus Justin, replying to the accusation that they were expecting a kingdom, says, “You rashly conceive that we mean a human one, whereas we speak of that with God.”
— from The Formation of Christendom, Volume II by T. W. (Thomas William) Allies

He had never met the pony of his dreams, but he had not lost faith in it, and though he would range through the Bantry fair with a sour eye, behind the sourness there was ever a kindling spark of hope.
— from All on the Irish Shore: Irish Sketches by E. Oe. (Edith Oenone) Somerville