« back to search

"To this inquiry therefore I diligently applied myself, both by reading and meditation; by Reading, that I might recall into my memory what I had long before transcribed out of the books of such Authors who had written judiciously and laudably of the Passions: by Meditation, that I might examin the weight of what I read, by comparing it with what I daily observed within the theatre of my own breast; every Man living being naturaly so sensible of the various Commotions hapning in various Passions, especialy more violent ones, that some have held, the knowledge of their nature and causes may be without much of difficulty derived from thence alone, without any help from foreign observations."

— Charleton, Walter (1620-1707)

Author

Charleton, Walter (1620-1707)

Work Title

Natural History of the Passions

Place of Publication

London ["in the Savoy"]

Publisher

Printed by T.N. for James Magnes

Date

1674

Metaphor

"To this inquiry therefore I diligently applied myself, both by reading and meditation; by Reading, that I might recall into my memory what I had long before transcribed out of the books of such Authors who had written judiciously and laudably of the Passions: by Meditation, that I might examin the weight of what I read, by comparing it with what I daily observed within the theatre of my own breast; every Man living being naturaly so sensible of the various Commotions hapning in various Passions, especialy more violent ones, that some have held, the knowledge of their nature and causes may be without much of difficulty derived from thence alone, without any help from foreign observations."

Metaphor in Context

To this inquiry therefore I diligently applied myself, both by reading and meditation; by Reading, that I might recall into my memory what I had long before transcribed out of the books of such Authors who had written judiciously and laudably of the Passions: by Meditation, that I might examin the weight of what I read, by comparing it with what I daily observed within the theatre of my own breast; every Man living being naturaly so sensible of the various Commotions hapning in various Passions, especialy more violent ones, that some have held, the knowledge of their nature and causes may be without much of difficulty derived from thence alone, without any help from foreign observations. And while I proceeded in this course, I digested my Collections and private Sentiments into such an order or Method which seem'd to me most convenient, aswell to show their genuin succession, and mutual dependence, as to make the Antecedents support the Consequents, and both to illustrate each other reciprocaly. I put them also into a dress of Language so plain and familiar, as may alone evince, my design was to write of this Argument, neither as an Orator, nor as a Moral Philosopher, but only as a Natural one conversant in Pathology, and that too more for his own private satisfaction, than the instruction of others. And thus have I succinctly acquainted you with the Occasion, Subject, Scope and Stile of the Treatise that accompanieth this Epistle.
(Epistle Prefatory)