"If the human mind be a rasa tabula,--you to whom it is entrusted, should be cautious what is written upon it."
— Fenn [née Frere], Ellenor (1744-1813)
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed and Sold by John Marshall
Date
1783
Metaphor
"If the human mind be a rasa tabula,--you to whom it is entrusted, should be cautious what is written upon it."
Metaphor in Context
If the human mind be a rasa tabula,--;you to whom it is entrusted, should be cautious what is written upon it. Who would leave their common-place book among fools, to be scrawled upon? Yet how often are nurses and common servants allowed to give the first intimations to children, respecting objects with which they are surrounded! Ideas they will have: it is your business (Mothers! to you I speak!) to watch that they be just.—But I am wandering from my purpose, which was merely to express my wishes that my little work might be acceptable to you, as a token of affection
(Vol. I, pages ix-x)
(Vol. I, pages ix-x)
Categories
Provenance
Contributed by PC Fleming, searching "mind"
Citation
Fenn, Ellenor. Cobwebs to Catch Flies: or, Dialogues in Short Sentences, Adapted to Children from the Age of Three to Eight Years. 2 vols. (London : Printed and Sold by John Marshall and Co. No.4, Aldermary Church Yard in Bow Lane, 1783). Eighteenth Century Collections Online. Gale. <Link to Vol. I> <Link to Vol. II>
Date of Entry
07/13/2010
