handsel

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

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 Thomas Carlyle

“Buy a hair-line, or a line for Jacke, If you any hair or hemp-cord lack, Mistris, here’s good as you need use; Bid fair for handsel, I’ll not refuse.”

From A History of the Cries of London Ancient and Modern by Charles Hindley

When you have become expert at it, you may always keep yourself neat and tidy about the legs, on Sundays and handsel Mondays.

From The Eskdale Herd-boy A Scottish Tale for the Instruction and Amusement of Young People by Mrs. (Martha) Blackford

“Here is handsel for your engagement,” he said.

From Athelstane Ford by Allen Upward

"Liberty has always been bought with life, and the glory of the greatest nations handseled with the blood of their founders."

From Remember the Alamo by Amelia Edith Huddleston Barr

‘Yea, even so let it be,’ quoth Folk-might; and stepped forward and took Bristler by the hand, and handselled him self-doom. 

From The Roots of the Mountains; Wherein Is Told Somewhat of the Lives of the Men of Burgdale by William Morris

"Ah," he exclaimed, "I have handselled this time at any rate."

From Marguerite de Valois by Alexandre Dumas père

In March or April he handselled his freedom, as Chamberlain wrote to tell Carleton, with a journey round London to see the new buildings erected since his imprisonment.

From Sir Walter Ralegh A Biography by W. (William) Stebbing

Holy peace at length they handselled, Eric must in bonds be laid!

From Eric Brighteyes by Henry Rider Haggard

Harry'll like it none the worse for my having handselled it.'

From The House of Cobwebs and Other Stories by George Gissing

So now he gave forth the handselling grandly with open mouth, and this is the beginning thereof.

From The Story of Grettir the Strong by William Morris

Mary, who is handselling her new aerial perspectives upon a pair of old worsted stockings trod out in Cheshunt lanes, sends love.

From The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb — Volume 6 Letters 1821-1842 by Mary Lamb