He mentions, on the authority of a gentleman who had the chief direction of the work, that "the formation of a canal in the North of Ireland for some time afforded steady employment to a portion of the peasantry, who before that time were suffering all the evils so common in that country which result from precariousness of employment.
"Contemporary Socialism"
John Rae
Madame de Verneuil, to whom the adventure was soon made known, and who, despite the extreme precariousness of her position, never failed to revenge herself upon the King whenever an opportunity presented itself, related the whole story in his presence during a Court reception, only suppressing the name of the adventurous lover; an indiscretion which so offended and alarmed the Prince that he determined to emancipate himself from the threatened disgrace.
"The Life of Marie de Medicis, Vol. 1 (of 3)"
Julia Pardoe
Bracing I say, because of its bareness and precariousness, its sense of ultimate insecurity.
"The Silent Isle"
Arthur Christopher Benson