Smollett, Tobias (1721-1777)

The Adventures of Sir Launcelot Greaves

London

Printed for J. Coote

January 1, 1760 - January 1, 1762; 1762

"He revolved the late adventure of the coach, and the declaration of Mr. Clarke, with equal eagerness and astonishment; and was seized with the most ardent desire of unravelling a mystery so interesting to the predominant passion of his heart."

In the mean time Sir Launcelot, having ordered supper, retired into his own chamber, and gave a loose to the most tender emotions of his heart. He recollected all the fond ideas which had been excited in the course of his correspondence with the charming Aurelia. He remembered, with horror, the cruel letter he had received from that young lady, containing a formal renunciation of his attachment, so unsuitable to the whole tenour of her character and conduct. He revolved the late adventure of the coach, and the declaration of Mr. Clarke, with equal eagerness and astonishment; and was seized with the most ardent desire of unravelling a mystery so interesting to the predominant passion of his heart.--All these mingled considerations produced a kind of ferment in the oeconomy of his mind, which subsided into a profound reverie, compounded of hope and perplexity.
(II. xiii)

Government::Rule and Subjection::Rule of Passion

Searching "predominant passion" in HDIS

24 entries in ESTC (1762, 1763, 1767, 1774, 1775, 1776, 1780, 1782, 1783, 1786, 1787, 1792, 1793, 1795, 1796, 1800).

The Adventures of Sir Launcelot Greaves. By the Author of Roderick Random. 2 vols. (London: Printed for J. Coote, 1762).

Note, first published serially in 25 consecutive issues of The British Magazine (January 1, 1760 to January 1, 1762), the novel was longest work of fiction yet to be serialized and the first to be illustrated.

Ruling Passion

06/07/2004