From Ruskin: "The sharpest, finest chiseling, and patientest fusing;" "distantest relationships;" "sorrowfulest spectacles."
Carlyle uses beautifulest, mournfulest, honestest, admirablest, indisputablest, peaceablest, most small, etc.
These long, harsh forms are usually avoided, but more and most are frequently used with monosyllables.
162. Expressions are often met with in which a superlative form does not carry the superlative meaning. These are equivalent usually to very with the positive degree; as,—
To this the Count offers a most wordy declaration of the benefits conferred by Spain.—The Nation, No 1507
In all formulas that Johnson could stand by, there needed to be a most genuine substance.—Carlyle
A gentleman, who, though born in no very high degree, was most finished, polished, witty, easy, quiet.—Thackeray
He had actually nothing else save a rope around his neck, which hung behind in the queerest way.—Id.
"So help me God, madam, I will," said Henry Esmond, falling on his knees, and kissing the hand of his dearest mistress.—Id.
Adjectives irregularly compared.