Indignation and Sorrow may be predominant passions
— Smollett, Tobias (1721-1777)
Author
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for T. Johnson
Date
1753
Metaphor
Indignation and Sorrow may be predominant passions
Metaphor in Context
Both these methods were practised by the wily Ferdinand, according to the predominant passion of Monimia: when her indignation prevailed, he expatiated upon his love and sincere regard for Renaldo, which, he said, had grown up from the cradle, to such a degree of fervour, that he would willingly part with life for his advantage. He shed his tears for his apostacy; but every drop made an indelible stain upon his character: and, in the bitterness of his grief, swore, notwithstanding his fondness for Renaldo, which had become a part of his constitution, that the young Hungarian deserved the most infamous destiny, for having injured such perfection. At other times, when he found her melted into silent sorrow, he affected to excuse the conduct of his friend. He informed her, that the young gentleman's temper had been uneven from his infancy: that frailty was natural to man; that he might in time be reclaimed by self-conviction; he even hinted, that she might have probably ascribed to inconstancy, what was really the effect of some chagrin which he industriously concealed from her participation: but, when he found her disposed to listen to this last suggestion, he destroyed the force of it, by recollecting the circumstances of his nocturnal rambles, which, he owned, would admit of no favourable construction.
By these means he blew the coals of her jealousy, and inhanced the value of his own character, at the same time; for she looked upon him as a mirror of faith and integrity, and the mind being overcharged with woe, naturally seeks some confident, upon whose sympathy it can repose itself: indeed, his great aim was, to make himself necessary to her affliction, and settle a gossiping correspondence, in the familiarity of which he hoped his purpose would certainly be answered.
(II. xlv)
By these means he blew the coals of her jealousy, and inhanced the value of his own character, at the same time; for she looked upon him as a mirror of faith and integrity, and the mind being overcharged with woe, naturally seeks some confident, upon whose sympathy it can repose itself: indeed, his great aim was, to make himself necessary to her affliction, and settle a gossiping correspondence, in the familiarity of which he hoped his purpose would certainly be answered.
(II. xlv)
Provenance
Searching "predominant passion" in HDIS
Citation
14 entries in ESTC (1753, 1760, 1771, 1772, 1780, 1782, 1784, 1786, 1789, 1792, 1795, 1796).
Smollett, Tobias. The Adventures of Ferdinand Count Fathom. By the Author of Roderick Random. (London: printed for T. Johnson, 1753).
Smollett, Tobias. The Adventures of Ferdinand Count Fathom. By the Author of Roderick Random. (London: printed for T. Johnson, 1753).
Theme
Ruling Passion
Date of Entry
06/07/2004
