Quick Excerpts, from a Library of 492 Titles

Generated 2022-07-28 13:25:37

Excerpt #1, from David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens

…listened to her, and then said: ‘Let you stay with your uncle? Why, you doen’t mean to ask me that! Stay with your uncle, Moppet? When your husband that’ll be so soon, is here fur to take you home? Now a person wouldn’t think it, fur to see this little thing alongside a rough-weather chap like me,’ said Mr. Peggotty, looking round at both of us, with infinite pride; ‘but the sea ain’t more salt in it than she has fondness in her for her uncle–a foolish little Em’ly!’ ‘Em’ly’s in the right in that, Mas’r Davy!’ said Ham. ‘Lookee here! As Em’ly wishes of it, and as she’s hurried and frightened, like, besides, I’ll leave her till morning. Let me stay too!’ ‘No, no,’ said Mr. Peggotty. ‘You doen’t ought–a married man like you–or what’s as good–to take and hull away a day’s work. And you doen’t ought to watch and work both. That won’t do. You go home and turn in. You ain’t afeerd of Em’ly not being took good care on, I know.’ Ham yielded to this persuasion, and took his hat to go. Even when he kissed her–and I never saw him approach her, but I felt that nature had given him the soul of a gentleman–she seemed to cling closer to her uncle, even to the avoidance of her chosen husband. I shut the door after him, that it might cause no disturbance of the quiet that prevailed; and when I turned back, I found Mr. Peggotty still talking to…

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Excerpt #2, from Astounding Stories of Super

…but it seemed that some of the figures were dragging their projectors away. We sailed off toward the opposite crater-rim. I remember passing over the broken wreckage of Grantline’s little space-ship, the Comet. Miko’s bolts momentarily had vanished. We had hit some of his outside projectors; the others were abandoned, or being dragged to safer positions. * * * * * After a mile we wheeled and went back. I suddenly realized that only four platforms were in the re-formed line ahead of us. One was missing! I saw it now, wavering down, close over the ship. A bolt leaped up diagonally from a distant angle on the rocks and caught the disabled platform. It fell, whirling, glowing red–disappeared into the blur of darkness like a bit of heated metal plunged into water. One out of six of our platforms already lost! Three men of our little force gone! But Grantline led us desperately back. Anita caught his signal to break our line. The five platforms scattered, dipping and wheeling like frightened birds–blurring shapes, shifting unnaturally in flight as the Benson curve-angles were altered. Anita now took our platform in a long swoop downward. Her tense,…

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Excerpt #3, from Mr. Midshipman Easy, by Frederick Marryat

…You went on board of your own free will in woman’s clothes. Mr Easy’s orders were positive, and he obeyed them. It was his duty to sail as soon as the transport was ready. You may forward your complaint if you please, but, as a friend, I tell you that it will probably occasion your dismissal, for these kind of pranks are not understood at the Foreign Office. You may return to the transport, which, after she has touched at Mahon, will proceed again to Tetuan. The boat is alongside, sir." Mr Hicks, astonished at the want of respect, paid to a vice-consul, shoved his petticoats between his legs and went down the side amidst the laughter of the whole of the ship’s company. Our hero dined with the admiral, and was well received. He got his orders to sail that night for Minorca, and as soon as dinner was over he returned on board, where he found Captain Hogg very busy selling his porter–Gascoigne walking the deck in a brown study–and Mr Hicks solus abaft, sulking in his petticoats. As soon as they were clear of the boats, the Mary Ann hoisted her ensign and made sail, and as all the porter was not yet sold, Jack ordered up a bottle. Jack was much pleased with the result of his explanation with the admiral, and he felt that, for once, he had not only got into no scrape himself, but that he had prevented others. Gascoigne walked the deck…

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Excerpt #4, from A Guide to the Scientific Knowledge of Things Familiar, by Ebenezer Cobham Brewer

…is given off in froth as soon as the pressure of the cork is removed. Q. What gives the pleasant ACID taste to soda water, ginger beer, champagne, and cider? A. The presence of carbonic acid, generated by fermentation, and liberated by effervescence when the pressure of the cork is removed. Q. Why does fresh SPRING WATER SPARKLE, when poured from one vessel to another? A. Because fresh spring and pump water contain carbonic acid; and it is the presence of this gas which makes the water sparkle. Q. What is the FERMENTATION of BEER and WINE? A. The production of carbonic acid gas and al’cohol. Q. How is CARBONIC ACID GAS produced by FERMENTATION? A. Malt and fruit both contain sugar; and sugar consists of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. In fermentation, a part of the carbon and oxygen of the sugar escape, in the form of carbonic acid gas. Carbonic acid gas is a compound of carbon and oxygen, in the following proportions:–3 lbs. of carbon and 8 lbs. of oxygen will form 11 lbs. of carbonic acid gas. Now, 100 lbs. of white sugar contains 43 lbs. of carbon; 50 lbs. of oxygen; and 7 lbs. of hydrogen. Q. How is AL’COHOL produced by FERMENTATION?…

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Excerpt #5, from Radio Active Substances, by Marie Curie

…quantity of pure radium chloride, with which we provided him. According to M. Kaufmann’s experiments, certain β-rays of radium possess a velocity very near to that of light. These rapid rays seem to possess great penetrating capacity towards matter. Action of the Magnetic Field upon the α-Rays. In a recent work, Mr. Rutherford announced that, in a powerful electric or magnetic field, the α-rays of radium are slightly deflected, in the manner of particles positively electrified and possessing great velocity. Mr. Rutherford concludes from his experiments that the velocity of the α-rays is of the order of magnitude 2·5 × 10^9c.m./sec. and that the ratio e/m for these rays is of the order of magnitude 6 × 10^3, which is 10^4 times as great as for the deflected β-rays. We shall see later that these conclusions of Mr. Rutherford are in agreement with the properties already known of the α-radiation, and that they account, in part at least, for the law of absorption of this radiation. The experiments of Mr. Rutherford have been confirmed by M. Becquerel. M. Becquerel has further demonstrated that polonium rays behave in a magnetic field like the α-rays of radium, and that, for the same field, they seem to have the same curvature as the latter. It also appears from M. Becquerel’s experiments that the α-rays do not…

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Excerpt #6, from Right Ho, Jeeves, by P. G. Wodehouse

…“A liberal tumblerful, sir.” “Would that be a normal dose for an adult defeatist, do you think?” “I fancy it should prove adequate, sir.” “I wonder. We must not spoil the ship for a ha’porth of tar. I think I’ll add just another fluid ounce or so.” “I would not advocate it, sir. In the case of Lord Brancaster’s parrot—-” “You are falling into your old error, Jeeves, of thinking that Gussie is a parrot. Fight against this. I shall add the oz.” “Very good, sir.”… “And, by the way, Jeeves, Mr. Fink-Nottle is in the market for bright, clean stories to use in his speech. Do you know any?” “I know a story about two Irishmen, sir.” “Pat and Mike?” “Yes, sir.” “Who were walking along Broadway?” “Yes, sir.” “Just what he wants. Any more?” “No, sir.” “Well, every little helps. You had better go and tell it to him.” “Very good, sir.”…

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Excerpt #7, from The Sea

…galloping of his thoughts. The memory of that oath he had sworn three months ago to Rosamund smote him like a physical blow. It checked his purpose, and, reflecting this, his pace fell to an amble. He shivered to think how near he had gone to wrecking all the happiness that lay ahead of him. What was a boy’s whiplash, that his resentment of it; should set all his future life in jeopardy? Even though men should call him a coward for submitting to it and leaving the insult unavenged, what should that matter? Moreover, upon the body of him who did so proclaim him he could brand the lie of a charge so foolish. Sir Oliver raised his eyes to the deep sapphire dome of heaven where an odd star was glittering frostily, and thanked God from a swelling heart that he had not overtaken Peter Godolphin whilst his madness was upon him. A mile or so below Penryn, he turned up the road that ran down to the ferry there, and took his way home over the shoulder of the hill with a slack rein. It was not his usual way. He was wont ever to go round by Trefusis Point that he might take a glimpse at the walls of the house that harboured Rosamund and a glance at the window of her bower. But to-night he thought the shorter road over the hill would be the safer way. If he went by Godolphin Court he might chance to meet Peter again, and his past anger warned him against courting such a meeting, warned him to avoid it lest evil should betide. Indeed, so imperious was the…

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Excerpt #8, from The Topaz Story Book: Stories and Legends of Autumn, Hallowe’en, and

…woman and the golden-haired child. They were rising softly, softly upon fleecy clouds. Around them and mounting with them was a band of angels chanting a joyful Hosanna! The marvelous vision rose slowly into the clear blue of the heavens. Then on the wet ears of grain in the harvest field the lady of the castle knelt in silent adoration, for she knew she had seen the Virgin and the Holy Child. While she worshipped in breathless silence the heavenly choir halted and in clear, ringing tones the angels sang out: “Blessed be thou!” “Blessed be the good lady who is ever ready to help the poor and unfortunate! Blessed be this Field of Alms.” The Virgin stretched forth her hands to bless the lady and the harvest field. At the same time the Holy Child took from his head and shoulders the silk scarf which the lady of the castle had wrapped about him, and gave it to two rosy-winged cherubim. Away they flew–one to the right, the other to the left, each holding an end of the scarf which stretched as they flew into a marvelous rainbow arch across the blue vault of the sky. The Virgin and the Holy Child, followed by the angelic choir, rose slowly, slowly into the sky. Softly and gently as wood breezes the heavenly music died away and…

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Excerpt #9, from The Black Arrow: A Tale of the Two Roses, by Robert Louis Stevenson

…day I had never pity, countenance, nor comfort from the face of man–but from him only–Richard Shelton–whom they now accuse and labour to undo. My lord, if he was yesternight in Sir Daniel’s mansion, it was I that brought him there; he came but at my prayer, and thought to do no hurt. While yet Sir Daniel was a good lord to him, he fought with them of the Black Arrow loyally; but when his foul guardian sought his life by practices, and he fled by night, for his soul’s sake, out of that bloody house, whither was he to turn–he, helpless and penniless? Or if he be fallen among ill company, whom should ye blame–the lad that was unjustly handled, or the guardian that did abuse his trust?" And then the short young lady fell on her knees by Joanna’s side. “And I, my good lord and natural uncle,” she added, “I can bear testimony, on my conscience and before the face of all, that what this maiden saith is true. It was I, unworthy, that did lead the young man in.” Earl Risingham had heard in silence, and when the voices ceased, he still stood silent for a space. Then he gave Joanna his hand to arise, though it was to be observed that he did not offer the like courtesy to her who had called herself his niece. “Sir Daniel,” he said, "here is a right intricate affair, the which, with your good leave, it shall be mine to examine and adjust. Content…

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Excerpt #10, from Not that it Matters, by A. A. Milne

…folded twice and placed beneath one, brings something of the solace which good literature will always bring. My friends had noticed before the war, without being able to account for it, that my views became noticeably more orthodox as the summer advanced, only to fall away again with the approach of autumn. I must have been influenced subconsciously by the leading articles. It rained, and play was stopped for an hour or two. Before the war I should have been annoyed about this, and I should have said bitterly that it was just my luck. But now I felt that I was indeed lucky thus to recapture in one day all the old sensations. It was delightful to herald again a break in the clouds, and to hear the crowd clapping hopefully as soon as ever the rain had ceased; to applaud the umpires, brave fellows, when they ventured forth at last to inspect the pitch; to realize from the sudden activity of the groundsmen that the decision was a favourable one; to see the umpires, this time in their white coats, come out again with the ball and the bails; and so to settle down once more to the business of the day. Perhaps the cricket was slow from the point of view of the follower of league football, but I do not feel that this is any condemnation of it. An essay of Lamb’s would be slow to a reader…

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Excerpt #11, from History of the war in the Peninsula and in the south of France from the year

…rapidity and vigour of the troops, their spirit should be excited by continual enterprize, and nourished by commendation and rewards. Now Macdonald, if we may believe Vacani, an eye-witness, did neither gain the confidence of his soldiers, nor cherish their ardour; and while he exacted a more rigid discipline, than the composition of his troops and the nature of the war would bear, he let pass many important opportunities of crushing his enemies in the field. His intent was to reduce the ferocious and insubordinate disposition of his men, but the peculiar state of feeling with respect to the war on both sides, did not permit this, and hence his marches appeared rather as processions and ceremonies than warlike operations. He won no town, struck no important blow in the field, gave no turn to the public feeling, and lost a most important fortress, which, with infinite pains and trouble, he could scarcely regain. The plans of all the French generals had been different. St. Cyr used to remain quiet, until the Spaniards gathered in such numbers that he could crush them in general battles; but then he lost all the fruit of his success by his inactivity afterwards. Augereau neither fought battles nor made excursions with skill, nor fulfilled the political hopes which he had excited. Macdonald was in constant movement, but he avoided battles; although in every previous important attack the…

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Excerpt #12, from The Aztec Treasure

…King’s symbol an’ th’ arrow, all reg’lar, blazed on th’ rock." “Is the trail good enough to make a start on now?” Rayburn asked; “we won’t have more than half an hour more light, but I’d give a lot to get off this mountain before dark, and every foot down that we go we’ll be that much warmer. We’d stand a pretty fair chance of freezing up here to-night without any fire.” “Th’ trail’s all right for a good half-mile, anyway,” Young answered; “an’ I guess it’s good all th’ way. It’s pretty much th’ same as th’ one we come up by, an’ that’s good enough, where it don’t jump cañons, t’ go along in th’ dark; but we must rustle if we mean t’ do much by daylight.” We were back at the pyramid by this time, and we found Fray Antonio very willing to be off with us that we might try to get well down the mountain before night set in; for at that great elevation the quick beating of his heart added very sensibly to the throbbing pain of his wound. Therefore we lost no time in getting our packs upon our backs, and upon the back of El Sabio, and briskly started downward; and the keen cold that came into the air, as the sun sunk away behind the mountain peaks at last, warned us that it was safer to take the risks of a descent almost in darkness than to stay for the night upon that bleak mountain-top without a fire….

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