It fell in well enough with that love of emotional issues, that want of soberness and want of cogency, which is so characteristic of modern philosophers.
— from The Life of Reason: The Phases of Human Progress by George Santayana

He was, I suppose, conscious of my presence, for although he did not turn his head, or otherwise take any note of my arrival, he readjusted the muffler which usually covered his mouth, and lowered the clumsy spectacles to their proper place.
— from J. S. Le Fanu's Ghostly Tales, Volume 4 by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

Another kind of dramatic entertainment, the 'Oscum ludicrum,' which was developed into the literary form of the 'fabulae Atellanae,' with its standing characters of Maccus, Pappus, Bucco, and Dossennus, had been transferred to the city from the provinces of southern Italy, and ultimately became so popular as to be performed, not by professional actors, but by the free-born youth of Rome.
— from The Roman Poets of the Republic, 2nd edition by W. Y. (William Young) Sellar

I had to help plow the ground, plant the potatoes, hoe the potatoes, dig the potatoes, and all like duties, and then to load up a big wagon-box full of the very best we had, leaving out the poor ones, and bringing the load to the tithing office, I thought in my childish way that it looked a little hard, specially when I saw certain of my playmates and early associates of childhood, playing round, riding horses and having good times, and who scarcely ever did a lick of work in their lives, and yet were being fed from the public crib.
— from Gospel Doctrine: Selections from the Sermons and Writings of Joseph F. Smith by Joseph F. (Joseph Fielding) Smith

Without definite intention as to when or where I should carry out my plan, I put the pin in my coat and went on to Miss Waring's dinner.
— from A Chain of Evidence by Carolyn Wells

"Why I begged the War Office to change the method by which I sent copies of my Proemial
— from Gallipoli Diary, Volume 2 by Ian Hamilton

the picture stands steadier upon the screen, the movements are more natural, and there is an entire absence of that automaton effect which is so characteristic of most pictures taken under prevailing conditions.
— from Practical Cinematography and Its Applications by Frederick Arthur Ambrose Talbot

Let us see if we cannot lay down a bill of fare for our guests which, going beyond a solid joint, (good as that may be in its way,) will furnish them with some relishing accessory in the first course of a trick, some stimulant side-dishes with its second course, or may please with some bon-bons before the entertainment is quite concluded.
— from The Practical Magician and Ventriloquist's Guide A practical manual of fireside magic and conjuring illusions, containing also complete instructions for acquiring and practising the art of ventriloquism. by Anonymous