Richardson, Samuel (bap. 1689, d. 1761)

The History of Sir Charles Grandison. In a Series of Letters.

London

Printed for S. Richardson; And Sold by C. Hitch and L. Hawes

[1753] 1754

One may pursue his own predominant passion

No compliment to me, my Lord, I pray you, to the discredit of my father's memory. He had a right to do what he did. Your Lordship does what you think fit. I too, now I am my own master, do as I please. My taste is different from both. I pursue mine, as he did his. If I should happen to be more right than my father in some things, he might have the advantage of me in others; and in those I happen to do, that are generally thought laudable, what merit have I? Since all this time (directed by a natural bias) I am pursuing my own predominant passion; and that, perhaps, with as much ardor, and as little power to resist it, as my father had to restrain his.

Government

Searching "predominant passion" in HDIS

At least 31 entries in ESTC (1753, 1754, 1756, 1762, 1765, 1766, 1770, 1776, 1780, 1781, 1783, 1785, 1786, 1793, 1795, 1796).

See The History of Sir Charles Grandison. In a Series of Letters Published from the Originals, by the Editor of Pamela and Clarissa. In Seven Volumes. (London: Printed for S. Richardson; and sold by C. Hitch and L. Hawes, in Pater-noster Row; by J. and J. Rivington, in St. Paul’s Church-Yard; by Andrew Millar, in the Strand; by R. and J. Dodsley, in Pall-Mall; and by J. Leake, at Bath, 1754). <Link to ESTC><Link to Vol. 1 ECCO-TCP><Vol. 2><Vol. 3><Vol. 4><Vol. 5><Vol. 6><Vol. 7>

Ruling Passion

06/07/2004