Date: 1777

"When a nation begins to emerge from a state of mental darkness, and to strike out the first rudiments of improvement, it chalks out a few strong but incorrect sketches, gives the rude out-lines of general art, and leaves the filling up to the leisure of happier days, and the refinement of more e...

— More, Hannah (1745-1833)

Date: 1777

"Col. Dormer, though he knew the human heart, had never yet thought of taking his nieces in more active scenes of life: he had fallen into the common mistake of people past the meridian of their days, who, feeling tranquillity their greatest good, do not sufficiently reflect that it is insipid at...

— Brooke [née Moore], Frances (bap. 1724, d. 1789)

Date: 1778, 1779

"As soon would I discuss the effect of sound with the deaf, or the nature of colours with the blind, as aim at illuminating with conviction a mind so warped by prejudice, so much the slave of unruly and illiberal passions."

— Burney [married name D'Arblay], Frances (1752-1840)

Date: 1778, 1779

"Once, indeed, I thought there existed another,--who, when time had wintered o'er his locks, would have shone forth among his fellow-creatures, with the same brightness of worth which dignifies my honoured Mr. Villars; a brightness, how superior in value to that which results from mere quickness ...

— Burney [married name D'Arblay], Frances (1752-1840)

Date: 1779

"His mind / Knowledge illumines, and bright Virtue loves."

— Cowley [née Parkhouse], Hannah (1743-1809)

Date: 1779

"Darting like hidden sun-beams on my mind, / And make it drunk with bliss."

— Cowley [née Parkhouse], Hannah (1743-1809)

Date: 1780

"This duty paid, a dawn, like that of peace, / By soft degrees illum'd the mourner's mind."

— Cowley [née Parkhouse], Hannah (1743-1809)

Date: 1777, 1780

"While he prayed, he felt an enlargement of heart beyond what he had ever experienced before; all idle fears were dispersed, and his heart glowed with divine love and affiance: He seemed raised above the world and all its pursuits."

— Reeve, Clara (1729-1807)

Date: 1782

"What Addison has said of the Ways of Heaven, may with much more propriety & accuracy be applied to the the 'Mind of Man which indeed, is Dark & Intricate, Filled with wild Mazes, & perplexed with Error.''"

— Burney [married name D'Arblay], Frances (1752-1840)

Date: 1782

"Is all over? no ray of reason left? no knowledge of thy wretched Delvile?"

— Burney [married name D'Arblay], Frances (1752-1840)