Date: 1724, 1755

The mind is a soil that must be cultivated; left fallow "an hateful crop succeeds"

— Tollet, Elizabeth (1694-1754)

Date: 1736, 1737, 1759, 1744, 1771, 1773

"A female mind like a rude fallow lies; / No seed is sown, but weeds spontaneous rise."

— Ingram, Anne [née Howard; other married name Douglas], Viscountess Irwin (c. 1696-1764)

Date: 1736, 1737, 1759, 1744, 1771, 1773

"As well might we expect, in winter, spring, / As land untilled a fruitful crop should bring; / As well might we expect Peruvian ore / We should possess, yet dig not for the store: / Culture improves all fruits, all sorts we find, / Wit, judgement, sense--fruits of the human mind."

— Ingram, Anne [née Howard; other married name Douglas], Viscountess Irwin (c. 1696-1764)

Date: 1748

"Yet were the jarring passions tuned, / The soil from thorns and thistles clear, / Some latent virtue might appear."

— Leapor, Mary (1722-1746)

Date: 1751

"Consult your glass; then prune your wanton mind, / Nor furnish laughter for succeeding time."

— Leapor, Mary (1722-1746)

Date: 1762

"Reflect, before the fatal Ax / My threatned Doom has wrought: / Nor sacrifice to sensual Taste / The nobler Growth of Thought."

— Carter, Elizabeth (1717-1806)

Date: 1773

Souls may be ripened in "our northern sky"

— Barbauld, Anna Letitia [née Aikin] (1743-1825)

Date: 1773

Toil and danger "feed and ripen minds" (not "meats and drinks" or "balmy airs, and vernal suns and showers")

— Barbauld, Anna Letitia [née Aikin] (1743-1825)

Date: 1778

The "pure flame" of virtue is planted "by an unerring rule" and glows in the heart

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

Date: 1784

The partial Muse, has from my earliest hours / Smil'd on the rugged path I'm doom'd to tread, / And still with sportive hand has snatch'd wild flowers, / To weave fantastic garlands for my head: / But far, far happier is the lot of those / Who never learn'd her dear delusive art; / Which, while i...

— Smith, Charlotte (1749-1806)