"For in our Youth we commonly dress our Thoughts in the Mirrour of Self-Flattery, and expect that Heaven, Fortune, and the World, should cajole our Follies, as we do our own, and lay all Faults on others, and all Praise on our selves."
— Barker, Jane (1675-1743)
Author
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for E. Curll
Date
1713, 1719
Metaphor
"For in our Youth we commonly dress our Thoughts in the Mirrour of Self-Flattery, and expect that Heaven, Fortune, and the World, should cajole our Follies, as we do our own, and lay all Faults on others, and all Praise on our selves."
Metaphor in Context
Thus I walk'd on in Sorrow and Desolation, without reflecting that my Vanity deserv'd greater Punishments: For in our Youth we commonly dress our Thoughts in the Mirrour of Self-Flattery, and expect that Heaven, Fortune, and the World, should cajole our Follies, as we do our own, and lay all Faults on others, and all Praise on our selves. How far I was guilty of this I know not; but whatever I deserv'd from the Hand of Heaven, I am sure I deserv'd nothing but well from Bosvil, whose Scorn (the Cause of my Afflictions) I endeavour'd to conceal; yet, spite of all my Industry, this Melancholy, together with my plain Dress, was taken Notice of, and it was believ'd I mourn'd for Brafort. My Parents fearing this might prove a Hindrance to my Fortune, commanded me to quit that plain Dress, and endeavour to forget Brafort. This their Fancy of my Affection for Brafort I did not much contradict, it being a proper Cur-feu to that Flame I had for Bosvil. Thus we see how easily we are deceiv'd by outward Appearances, and what Care we ought to take of censuring, judging, or condemning Things or Persons, without knowing the true and genuine Cause of Contingencies, which are often very hard to be understood; for, according to the Fable, the Ass seems valiant in the Lions Skin, and the Crow glorious in her borrow'd Plumes. We often give undeserv'd Applause, where Fortune makes a Fool her Favourite; and on the other Side, as often condemn the wisest Designs when not attended with Success. We are Fortunes Machines, and the Alarum of popular Applause must run off, as she is pleas'd to turn the Key of our Affairs:
(pp. 21-2)
(pp. 21-2)
Categories
Provenance
Searching "thought" and "mirror" ("mirrour") in HDIS (Prose)
Citation
At least 4 entries in the ESTC (1713, 1719, 1736, 1743) [Final three dates for The Entertaining Novels].
Text from The Entertaining Novels of Mrs. Jane Barker, 2nd edition, 2 vols. (London: Printed for A. Bettesworth, in Pater-Noster-Row, and E. Curll, in Fleet-Street, 1719). [Titled "The Amours of Bosvil and Galesia."] <Link to ESTC><Link to ECCO>
See also Love Intrigues: or, the History of the Amours of Bosvil and Galesia As Related to Lucasia, in St. Germains Garden. A Novel. Written by a Young Lady. (London: Printed for E. Curll, at the Dial and Bible against St. Dunstan’s Church in Fleetstreet; and C. Crownfield, at Cambridge, 1713). <Link to ESTC>
Text from The Entertaining Novels of Mrs. Jane Barker, 2nd edition, 2 vols. (London: Printed for A. Bettesworth, in Pater-Noster-Row, and E. Curll, in Fleet-Street, 1719). [Titled "The Amours of Bosvil and Galesia."] <Link to ESTC><Link to ECCO>
See also Love Intrigues: or, the History of the Amours of Bosvil and Galesia As Related to Lucasia, in St. Germains Garden. A Novel. Written by a Young Lady. (London: Printed for E. Curll, at the Dial and Bible against St. Dunstan’s Church in Fleetstreet; and C. Crownfield, at Cambridge, 1713). <Link to ESTC>
Date of Entry
11/30/2005
