"Work began immediately in typical American style, without too much paperwork or bureaucratic fuss." Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne


(Currently I am listening to all manner of class literature available through the library, I heard this statement and chuckled... doesn't that make 1873 sound preferable to our current state of affairs is Washington with concerns to all things political and financial for our country? Sounds good anyway...)

It got better: "The speed with which the track was laid would not at all affect the quality of its construction."

Ah yes, speed and quality ;-)