"If the mind is a barren waste, of what avail are the beauties of the most lovely face, the elegance of the most enchanting shape, the grace of the most accomplished person; the imperceptible hand of time will deprive them of every external charm, and eclipse the lustre of the most penetrating eye."
— Anonymous [By an American Lady]
Place of Publication
Boston
Date
1793
Metaphor
"If the mind is a barren waste, of what avail are the beauties of the most lovely face, the elegance of the most enchanting shape, the grace of the most accomplished person; the imperceptible hand of time will deprive them of every external charm, and eclipse the lustre of the most penetrating eye."
Metaphor in Context
Do not mistake me. I have no wish to confine female education to domestic duties. No, Maria; the greatest source of our happiness is an enlightened mind. It is a cause of regret that more attention is not paid to our education. If the mind is a barren waste, of what avail are the beauties of the most lovely face, the elegance of the most enchanting shape, the grace of the most accomplished person; the imperceptible hand of time will deprive them of every external charm, and eclipse the lustre of the most penetrating eye. But the mind, that immortal part, can never fade. If properly cultivated, it will unfold new beauties, and by a continual progress in virtue and happiness, be finally prepared for superior enjoyments above; while a trifling dissipated disposition can never be attuned to those delightful employments which engage so many departed saints in heaven.
(pp. 47-8)
(pp. 47-8)
Categories
Provenance
Reading in Google Books
Citation
Anonymous, The Hapless Orphan; Or, Innocent Victim of Revenge. A Novel, Founded on Incidents of Real Life. In a Series of Letters from Caroline Francis to Maria B—. (Dublin: Printed for P. Wogan, P. Byrne, and J. Rice, 1793). <Link to Google Books>
Date of Entry
04/18/2011
