CHARLES DICKENS, A TALE OF TWO CITIES
"Did he say anything about America, Miss Manette ?
Be particular.
He added, in a jesting way, that perhaps George Washington might gain almost as great a name in history as George the Third...
...at that tremendous heresy about George Washington...
...with the exception of that reference to George Washington, which was altogether too extravagant and impossible to be regarded in any other light than as a monstrous joke..."(p.73,74,76)
ABOUT THE BEGINNING OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION :
"...a woman was kneeling. She turned her head as the carriage came up to her, rose quickly, and presented herself at the carriagedoor. It is you, Monseigneur, Monseigneur, a petition.
With an exclamation of impatience, but with his unchangeable face, Monseigneur looked out.
How then, what is it ? Always petitions.
Monseigneur, for the love of the great god, my husband, the forrester.
What of your husband, the forrester ? Always the same with you people. He cannot pay something ?
He has paid all, Monseigneur. He is dead.
Well, he is quiet. Can I restore him to You ?
Monseigneur, hear me, Monseigneur , hear my petition. My husband died of want; so many more will die of want.
Again,well ? Can I feed them ?
Monseigneur, the good God knows; but I don't ask it. My petition is that a morsel of stone or wood, with my husband's name, may be placed over him to show where he lies. Otherwise the place will be quickly forgotten, it will never be found when I am dead of the same malady, I shall be laid under some other heap of poor grass. (...) The valet had put her away... (p.122)