"But the Mind's Eye (as Shakespear calls it) is not formed to take in many Ideas, no more than the Body's many Objects at once."
— Fielding, Sarah (1710-1768)
Author
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for A. Millar
Date
1744, 1753
Metaphor
"But the Mind's Eye (as Shakespear calls it) is not formed to take in many Ideas, no more than the Body's many Objects at once."
Metaphor in Context
I look upon the difference between a Man who has a real Understanding, and one who has a little low Cunning, to be just as great as that between a Man who sees clearly, and one who is purblind. The Man whom Nature has been so kind to, as to enable him to extend his Views afar off, often employs his Thoughts and raises his Imagination with a beautiful distant Prospect, and perhaps he overlooks the Shrubs and Rubbish that lie just before him; which notwithstanding is capable of throwing him down--and doing him an Injury:--whilst the Man who is purblind, from the Impossibility he finds of seeing farther, is in a manner forced to fix his Eyes on nearer Objects, and by that means often escapes the Falls, which those who neglect the little Stumbling-blocks in their way are subject to. In this case I fancy it would be thought very ridiculous, if the Man who walked steadily, because he can only see what is just under his Feet, should swear the other has no Eyes, because he sometimes makes a false step, while he is wandering over, and delighting himself with the Beauties of the Creation.
But let Mankind divide Understanding --or Sense--(or whatever they please to call it) into ever so many Parts, or give it ten thousand different Names, that every one may catch hold of something to flatter themselves with--and strut-- and look big--in the fancied Possession of; I can never believe but the Man who has the quickest Apprehension, and the greatest Comprehension, will always judge best of every thing he attends to. -- But the Mind's Eye (as Shakespear calls it) is not formed to take in many Ideas, no more than the Body's many Objects at once; and therefore I should not at all wonder to see a Man, who was admiring the Beauties of the rising Sun, and greedily devouring the various Prospect of Hills--and Valleys--Woods--and Water, fall over a Cabbage-stump, which he thought unworthy his Notice.
(pp. 230-1)
But let Mankind divide Understanding --or Sense--(or whatever they please to call it) into ever so many Parts, or give it ten thousand different Names, that every one may catch hold of something to flatter themselves with--and strut-- and look big--in the fancied Possession of; I can never believe but the Man who has the quickest Apprehension, and the greatest Comprehension, will always judge best of every thing he attends to. -- But the Mind's Eye (as Shakespear calls it) is not formed to take in many Ideas, no more than the Body's many Objects at once; and therefore I should not at all wonder to see a Man, who was admiring the Beauties of the rising Sun, and greedily devouring the various Prospect of Hills--and Valleys--Woods--and Water, fall over a Cabbage-stump, which he thought unworthy his Notice.
(pp. 230-1)
Categories
Provenance
Searching in HDIS (Prose)
Citation
At least 15 entries in ESTC (1740, 1744, 1753, 1758, 1761, 1772, 1775, 1782, 1788, 1792). [Note, Volume the Last published in 1753.]
The Adventures of David Simple: Containing an Account of his Travels through the Cities of London and Westminster, in the Search of a Real Friend. By a Lady, 2 vols. (London: A. Millar, 1744) <Link to ECCO>
The Adventures of David Simple: Containing an Account of his Travels through the Cities of London and Westminster, in the Search of a Real Friend. By a Lady, 2 vols. (London: A. Millar, 1744) <Link to ECCO>
Theme
Mind's Eye
Date of Entry
11/16/2004
Date of Review
07/18/2011
