If we may judge the inside of fashionable ladies' heads "by that without, they are confused enough of all conscience"
— Robertson, James (fl.1768-1788)
Place of Publication
York
Publisher
Printed by W. Blanchard and Co.
Date
1778
Metaphor
If we may judge the inside of fashionable ladies' heads "by that without, they are confused enough of all conscience"
Metaphor in Context
SIR WILL.
(aside to L. Will.)
When directed to a man of fashion, Lady Willway--Yes, yes, your Lordship has the advantage there; but you have not seen my daughter yet, my Lord?
L. RAM.
Apropos--the charming little thing she reigns a very tyrant in my heart, and I long to see her Lady Rampart.
L. WILL.
I will send her this instant, my Lord.
Exit.
SIR WILL.
She will make you the best wife in the world, considering that oeconomy among women is now almost extinct, as being no part of their damn'd fashions; for now, instead of the Whole Duty of Woman, here is your Toilette of Flora, and for the Common Prayer-Book they read your play-books and romances, that are enough to turn all the female brains in the kingdom, though indeed, if we may judge the inside of their heads by that without, they are confused enough of all conscience.
L. RAM.
Ha! ha! ha! So Sir William, you can't see the use of this metamorphoses, but to draw money out of your purse to maintain pride and demolish cookery--whereas it is the support of the nation, its the bread of the poor, and the pleasure of the rich; its life to the dead, and spirits to the living; it makes old people young, and young people old; and renders barbers and taylors useful members of society, when otherwise they would be good for nothing, ha! ha! ha!
(aside to L. Will.)
When directed to a man of fashion, Lady Willway--Yes, yes, your Lordship has the advantage there; but you have not seen my daughter yet, my Lord?
L. RAM.
Apropos--the charming little thing she reigns a very tyrant in my heart, and I long to see her Lady Rampart.
L. WILL.
I will send her this instant, my Lord.
Exit.
SIR WILL.
She will make you the best wife in the world, considering that oeconomy among women is now almost extinct, as being no part of their damn'd fashions; for now, instead of the Whole Duty of Woman, here is your Toilette of Flora, and for the Common Prayer-Book they read your play-books and romances, that are enough to turn all the female brains in the kingdom, though indeed, if we may judge the inside of their heads by that without, they are confused enough of all conscience.
L. RAM.
Ha! ha! ha! So Sir William, you can't see the use of this metamorphoses, but to draw money out of your purse to maintain pride and demolish cookery--whereas it is the support of the nation, its the bread of the poor, and the pleasure of the rich; its life to the dead, and spirits to the living; it makes old people young, and young people old; and renders barbers and taylors useful members of society, when otherwise they would be good for nothing, ha! ha! ha!
Categories
Provenance
Searching in HDIS (Drama)
Citation
Only 1 entry in ESTC (1778).
James Robertson, The Heroine of Love, a Musical Piece of Three Acts (York: W. Blanchard, 1778). <Link to ESTC><Link to Google Books>
James Robertson, The Heroine of Love, a Musical Piece of Three Acts (York: W. Blanchard, 1778). <Link to ESTC><Link to Google Books>
Theme
Inner and Outer
Date of Entry
11/16/2004
