Smollett, Tobias (1721-1777)

The Adventures of Sir Launcelot Greaves

London

Printed for J. Coote

January 1, 1760 - January 1, 1762; 1762

A woman may be "possessed of that vigour of mind which constitutes true fortitude, and vindicates the empire of reason"

But that point of happiness to which, as the north pole, the course of these adventures hath been invariably directed, was still unattained; we mean, the indissoluble union of the accomplished Sir Launcelot Greaves and the enchanting Miss Darnel. Our hero now discovered in his mistress a thousand charms, which hitherto he had no opportunity to contemplate. He found her beauty excelled by her good sense, and her virtue superior to both. He found her untainted by that giddiness, vanity, and affectation, which distinguish the fashionable females of the present age. He found her uninfected by the rage for diversion and dissipation; for noise, tumult, gew-gaws, glitter, and extravagance. He found her not only raised by understanding and taste far above the amusements of little vulgar minds; but even exalted by uncommon genius and refined reflection, so as to relish the more sublime enjoyments of rational pleasure. He found her possessed of that vigour of mind which constitutes true fortitude, and vindicates the empire of reason. He found her heart incapable of disguise or dissimulation; frank, generous, and open; susceptible of the most tender impressions; glowing with a keen sense of honour, and melting with humanity. A youth of his sensibility could not fail of being deeply affected by such attractions. The nearer he approached the center of happiness, the more did the velocity of his passion increase. Her uncle still remained insensible, as it were, in the arms of death. Time seemed to linger in its lapse, 'till the knight was inflamed to the most eager degree of impatience. He communicated his distress to Aurelia; he pressed her with the most pathetic remonstrances to abridge the torture of his suspence. He interested Mrs. Kawdle in his behalf; and, at length, his importunity succeeded. The banns of marriage were regularly published, and the ceremony was performed in the parish church, in the presence of Dr. Kawdle and his lady, captain Crowe, lawyer Clarke, and Mrs. Dolly Cowslip.
(pp. 268-271)

Government::Empire

Found again searching "heart" and "empire" in HDIS (Prose) (8/16/2004)

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