'Mend this axle, me man, 'says one on 'em -- a top-sawyer be the looks on' im -- 'mend this axle, and quick about it. ' ❋ Jeffery Farnol (1915)
"He'll be top-sawyer soon of you two, and carry all afore him," added jocular Mr. Tubber. ❋ Unknown (1887)
"I won't praise the doctor's wisdom till I hear what sort of bargain he's made," said the top-sawyer. ❋ Thomas Hardy (1884)
The despicable thing in this Hubert Eldon is that, having got money once more, and in the dirtiest way, he puts on the top-sawyer just as if there was nothing to be ashamed of. ❋ George Gissing (1880)
'But,' said I, still more confused, '"The King is the top-sawyer," according to our proverb. ❋ Unknown (1862)
"I'll marry a top-sawyer," he used to say, whenever his uncle broached the question of his settlement in life. ❋ G.J. Whyte-Melville (1849)
"In this house, sir, for the last fifteen years I've been top-sawyer of the female gender." ❋ Anthony Trollope (1848)
A part of the machinery is always above this deck; where the connecting-rod, in a strong and lofty frame, is seen working away like an iron top-sawyer. ❋ Unknown (1842)
I have recorded the death of my foster-sister Mary; but, about this time, the top-sawyer, wishing to perpetuate the dynasty of the Brandons, began to enact _pater familias_ in a most reckless manner. ❋ Edward Howard (1820)
Brandon was a top-sawyer, but, as three out of the six working days of the week he was to be found with a pot of porter by his side, pipe in mouth, and the skittle-ball in his hand, it is not surprising that there was much misery in his home, which he often heightened by his brutality. ❋ Edward Howard (1820)
This day happened to be one in which the top-sawyer had been graciously pleased to toss his arms up and down over the pit -- not of destruction, but of preservation. ❋ Edward Howard (1820)
Potts, the talented reporter of the Independent -- were pretty constant attendants at the King's Arms; and Colonel Newcome's dinner was not over before some of these gentlemen knew what dishes he had had; how he had called for a bottle of sherry and a bottle of claret, like a gentleman; how he had paid the postboys, and travelled with a servant like a top-sawyer; that he was come to shake hands with an old nurse and relative of his family. ❋ William Makepeace Thackeray (1837)
“I won’t praise the doctor’s wisdom till I hear what sort of bargain he’s made,” said the top-sawyer. ❋ Unknown (2006)
King’s Arms; and Colonel Newcome’s dinner was not over before some of these gentlemen knew what dishes he had had; how he had called for a bottle of sherry and a bottle of claret, like a gentleman; how he had paid the postboys, and travelled with a servant like a top-sawyer; that he was come to shake hands with an old nurse and relative of his family. ❋ Unknown (2006)
‘“The King is the top-sawyer,” according to our proverb. ❋ Richard Doddridge (2004)
"I were think'n ', m'lud, as the tall genelman here is a top-sawyer wi' 'is daddies, m'lud. ❋ Jeffery Farnol (1915)
Rome is the grand imposther and top-sawyer in that line over us all. " ❋ Rossiter Johnson (1885)
"A top-sawyer like him looks at everything with an eye to business. ❋ Charles Reade (1849)
"Well, he may be a top-sawyer, but I don't like him. ❋ Charles Reade (1849)
