Date: 1776
The ruling passion of an author may be "strongly marked in his writings"
preview | full record— Mickle, William Julius [formerly William Meikle] (1734-1788)
Date: w. April 18, 1776; 1777
"Even my love of literary fame, my ruling passion, never soured my temper, notwithstanding my frequent disappointments."
preview | full record— Hume, David (1711-1776)