" For as the Face is the Index of the Mind, I am of Opinion, a Person of nice Judgment and Observation may discover a false Passion, with as much ease, as a Jeweller would distinguish the different Species of Stones (if we may call them so.)"

— Chetwood, William Rufus (d. 1766)


Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for John Watts
Date
1726
Metaphor
" For as the Face is the Index of the Mind, I am of Opinion, a Person of nice Judgment and Observation may discover a false Passion, with as much ease, as a Jeweller would distinguish the different Species of Stones (if we may call them so.)"
Metaphor in Context
Mirza came to me soon after. At his Approachâ–ª I did my endeavour to put on a Countenance with little satissaction of Mind, but I am apt to believe I did it but aukwardly. For as the Face is the Index of the Mind, I am of Opinion, a Person of nice Judgment and Observation may discover a false Passion, with as much ease, as a Jeweller would distinguish the different Species of Stones (if we may call them so.) Well, said Mirza, your fiery Tryal is over; but I perceive by your Countenance, your Chagrine would willingly wear off, if you'd but suffer it. Why truly, said I, I have two different Passions strugling in my Mind, that is, Joy and Grief. I am pleas'd to think I shall succeed in the Affair I have undertaken; and yet griev'd that I must be compell'd to suffer the Torment I endure to help the Operation. Consider the Reward (reply'd Mirza) that is to follow. I chang'd the Discourse, that I might not be put to the Trouble to speak against my Conscience any longer. I told him I should be obliged to go to Town for Salt-water out of the Sea, and other Necessaries, that I should stay for. Why, reply'd Mirza, you may send for Salt-water, without being at the Trouble of going your self. I told him I was obliged to go in Person, because I was to take it out of the Sea, when the Sun was in a particular Altitude. Nay, return'd Mirza, I am only concern'd upon my own Account, for I have engag'd Achmat to dine with you to-day, with a great deal of Trouble. Well, return'd I, I will not disappoint you. I'll stay one Day longer to oblige you. He return'd me many Thanks for my Condescension, and went into the House to prepare Things accordingly.
(pp. 60-1)
Provenance
Searching "mind" in OTA
Citation
W. R. Chetwood, The Voyages and Adventures of Captain Robert Boyle, In several Parts of the World. Intermix'd with The Story of Mrs. Villars, an English Lady with whom he made his surprizing Escape from Barbary; The History of an Italian Captive; and the Life of Don Pedro Aquilio, &c. Full of various and amazing Turns of Fortune. To which is added, The Voyage, Shipwreck, and Miraculous Preservation, of Richard Castelman, Gent. With a Description of the City of Philadelphia, and the Country of Pensylvania. (London: Printed for John Watts, 1726). <Link to EEBO-TCP>

Sourced from the Oxford Text Archive <Link>

Text attributed to Chetwood, but also to Benjamin Victor and Daniel Defoe.
Date of Entry
06/21/2013

The Mind is a Metaphor is authored by Brad Pasanek, Assistant Professor of English, University of Virginia.