Had another expedition reached the Solomon Islands, who knows but that the Spaniards might not have gone on to colonize Australia and so turned the current of history?–Spectator.
As one being able to give full consent...I am yours faithfully...–Daily Telegraph.
But to where shall I look for some small ray of light that will illumine the darkness surrounding the mystery of my being?–Daily Telegraph.
It is quite possible that if they do that it may be possible to amend it in certain particulars.–Westminster Gazette.
Men and women who professed to call themselves Christians.–Daily Telegraph. (An echo, no doubt, of 'profess and call themselves Christians')
The correspondence that you have published abundantly throws out into bold relief the false position assumed...–Daily Telegraph.
In the course of the day, yesterday, M. Rouvier was able to assure M. Delcassé...–Times.
Moreover, too, do we not all feel...?–J. C. Collins.
The doing nothing for a length of days after the first shock he sustained was the reason of how it came that Nesta knitted closer her acquaintance...–Meredith.
When the public adopt new inventions wholesale,...some obligation is due to lessen, so far as is possible, the hardships in which...–Westminster Gazette.
40. 'As to whether'
This is a form that is seldom necessary, and should be reserved for sentences in which it is really difficult to find a substitute. Abstract nouns that cannot be followed immediately by whether should if possible be replaced by the corresponding verbs. Many writers seem to delight in this hideous combination, and employ it not only with abstracts that can be followed by whether, but even with verbs.
The Court declined to express any opinion as to whether the Russian Ambassador was justified in giving the assurances in question and as to whether the offences with which the accused were charged were punishable by German law.–Times. (Perhaps 'declined to say whether in their opinion'; but this is less easily mended than most)
The difficulties of this task were so great that I was in doubt as to whether it was possible.–Times.
His whole interest is concentrated on the question as to how his mission will affect his own fortunes.–Times.
A final decision has not yet been arrived at as to whether or not the
