Rousseau, Jean-Jacques (1712-1778); Kenrick, William (1729/30-1779)

Eloisa: Or, a Series of Original Letters [Julie, ou la nouvelle Héloïse]

London

Printed for R. Griffiths and T. Becket

1761

"O, my Eloisa, were it possible for this talisman to affect your senses with the phrenzy and illusion of mine. But why is it not possible? why may not those impressions, which the mind darts forth with such rapidity, reach as far as Eloisa?"

[...] Heavens! what flames have not my eager eyes darted on this unexpected object! how has the sight of it rouzed in me those impetuous emotions, which used to be effected by your presence! O, my Eloisa, were it possible for this talisman to affect your senses with the phrenzy and illusion of mine. But why is it not possible? why may not those impressions, which the mind darts forth with such rapidity, reach as far as Eloisa? Ah, my charming friend! wherever you are, or however you are employed, at the time I am now writing, at the time your portrait receives the same homage I pay to the idol of my soul, do you not perceive your charming face bedewed with tears? do you not sympathize with me in love and sorrow? do you not feel the ardour of a lover's kisses on your lips, your cheeks, your breast? do you not glow all over with the flame imparted from my burning lips? -- Ha! what's that?--some body knocks--I will hide my treasure--an Impertinent breaks in upon me,-—accursed be the cruel intruder, for interrupting me in transports lo delightful, may he never be capable of love, or may he be doomed to pine in absence, like me.
(II, p. 103)

Impressions

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At least ten entries in the ESTC (1761, 1764, 1767, 1769, 1776, 1784, 1795).

Text from Eloisa: Or, a Series of Original Letters Collected and Published by J.J. Rousseau. Translated from the French. 4 vols. (London: Printed for R. Griffiths and T. Becket, 1761). <Link to Vol. I><Link to Vol. II><Link to Vol. III><Link to Vol. IV>

07/14/2013