"By a Mind, laudably filled with a Zeal for his Country's Safety, every Hint, that infers its Danger, should be thought of the utmost Importance."
— Hill, Aaron (1685-1750)
Author
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for J. Wilford
Date
1730
Metaphor
"By a Mind, laudably filled with a Zeal for his Country's Safety, every Hint, that infers its Danger, should be thought of the utmost Importance."
Metaphor in Context
By a Mind, laudably filled with a Zeal for his Country's Safety, every Hint, that infers its Danger, should be thought of the utmost Importance; To the Secretary's Office, therefore, I went with it, and put it into the Hands of one, who appear'd to think Himself more considerable, than any Body, I cou'd see about him; I begg'd the Favour, that he would look it over, and give me his Opinion, whether it was a treasonable Libel: I would not, willingly, do Injustice to the Characters of Persons, above my Station, (tho' it is well known, Physick, and Astrology, are consider'd with Respect, among Liberal Sciences.) But, truly, be seem'd to me, to peruse it, with less Seriousness, than, I suppose, with all due Reverence to his Office, became the Trust, that was lodg'd in him: For he laugh'd out, once, or twice; and, lifting his Eyes from the Paper, took upon him, to remark me, with a Countenance, which I thought too merry for the Occasion: He was pleas'd, when he came to the following Lines, to read them aloud, to a Young Spark, in Red, and ask'd him, what He thought of the Matter?--I confess, I was almost in a Passion, when this Feather-Brain made answer, that it was the liveliest Satire in the World, upon a Bawdy-House, of his Acquaintance, by the Bank Side, over the Water!—I cite the very Verses, for the Reader's more effectual Amazement, at the Unaccountableness of the Young Fellows of this forward Generation!
(To the Reader, pp. vi-vii)
(To the Reader, pp. vi-vii)
Categories
Provenance
Reading
Citation
Aaron Hill, The Progress of Wit: a Caveat. For the Use of an Eminent Writer. By a Fellow of All-Souls. To which is prefix'd, an Explanatory Discourse to the Reader. By Gamaliel Gunson, Professor of Physick and Astrology. (London: Printed for J. Wilford, 1730). <Link to Google Books>
Text from Oxford Text Archive <Link>
Text from Oxford Text Archive <Link>
Date of Entry
06/21/2013
