handsel

Example Sentences

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Aleman, Cervantes, Lesage, Defoe and Fielding were inspired to imitation, and today Lazarillo is acclaimed as the prototype of the picaresque novel, as a handsel of the arriving era of realism in European literature.

From Time Magazine Archive

Breakfast done, the seekers made little delay, so eager as they were to behold the King, and to have handsel of their new sweet life. 

From The Story of the Glittering Plain; or, the land of Living Men by Morris, William

Here is your handsel; your aunt will only have to bring you to-morrow night.'

From Mysteries of Paris — Volume 02 by Sue, Eugène

"But these gentlemen," said Trois Eschelles, looking towards the chimney, "do not these help, and so take a handsel of our vocation?"

From Quentin Durward by Scott, Walter, Sir

The village where thou livedst was all apprised of the fact; and neighbour after neighbour kissed thy pudding-cheek, and gave thee, as handsel, silver or copper coins, on that the first gala-day of thy existence.

From Sartor Resartus, and On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in History by Carlyle, Thomas