Forced to raise extraordinary taxes for the Thirteen Years' War, Casimir called general assemblies that were in effect meetings of his council, but their decisions were not seen as binding on the districts until ratified by the provincial sejmiks.

Private-equity nabobs bristle at being dubbed mere financiers.[…]Much of their pleading is public-relations bluster. Clever financial ploys are what have made billionaires of the industry’s veterans. “Operational improvement” in a portfolio company has often meant little more than promising colossal bonuses to sitting chief executives if they meet ambitious growth targets. That model is still prevalent today.

My Dad has taught me that in England some foolish man may call me sambo, darkie, boot or munt or nigger, even.

She was urgent and suggestive and sympathetic; she threw herself into the vision of his achievements and emoluments as if to satisfy a little the sore hunger with which Nick's treachery had left her.