Barker, Jane (1675-1743)

The Lining of the Patch-Work Screen

London

Printed for A. Bettesworth

1726

One may find "his own Affections ... impossible to conquer, or bring into any bounds of Reason."

He alledged the Gypsie's Deserts both in Mind and Person, his own Affections, which he found impossible to conquer, or bring into any bounds of Reason; the Gypsie's vertuous and generous Deportment, in desiring to be dismissed, rather than blemish her Lady's Family with such an unworthy Alliance; With many other Arguments which he produced in favour of his beloved Gypsie; none of which his Mother could gainsay or disallow: But in fine, she was far unfit for his Quality or Fortune. Beside, said the Lady, your Father enjoyn'd me at his Death to promote a Marriage between you and Mr. Truman's Daughter, when you should return from your Travels. And now I have sent my Steward to make Proposals on that Subject, how can I absolve my self of my Promise made to your dear Father deceas'd? I wonder not at your loving the Gypsie; for 'tis certain, I love and esteem her in a great degree; nevertheless Reason must be my Guide, and ought to be yours: And though it be extreamly against my Inclination to part with her, yet now your Folly compels me, Duty to my honourable dead Husband's Memory commands me, Respect to your Family obliges me, and maternal Affection to you, finishes the Chain of all the indispensible Reasons. Then calling for the Gypsie, told her, she had at last resolv'd to comply with her Desires, of letting her go; therefore commanded her to dispose her self for her departure next Morning.
(pp. 98-9)

War::Conquest::Conquer Affections

Searching "conque" and "mind" in HDIS (Prose); found again "reason" and "conque"

Only one entry in the ESTC (1726).

See Jane Barker, The Lining of the Patch-Work Screen; Design'd for the Farther Entertainment of the Ladies. By Mrs. Jane Barker. (London: A. Bettesworth, 1726). <Link to ECCO> <Link to Google Books>

09/23/2004

07/20/2011