Date: 1774

"It is enraptured by every striking form, it fills the soul with high enthusiasm, it sets the fancy on fire, it pushes it forward with impetuosity, renders all its conceptions glowing, and bestows a freedom and becoming negligence on its productions."

— Gerard, Alexander (1728-1795)

Date: 1774

"Refinement and elegance of taste has an effect on fancy, in some respects opposite to those of sensibility. Where it prevails, it hinders many forms and appearances striking to others, from yielding it such gratification as may make an impression on the fancy."

— Gerard, Alexander (1728-1795)

Date: 1774

"It is this that puts it in the power of genius to show itself: without this, its finest conceptions would perish, like an infant in the womb; without this, the brightest imagination would be like a vigorous mind confined in a lame or paralytic body."

— Gerard, Alexander (1728-1795)

Date: 1774

"Their hearts of comfort felt no ray."

— Blacklock, Thomas (1721-1791)

Date: 1774

"Her charms my raptur'd eyes detain'd, / Her virtues conquer'd all my soul"

— Blacklock, Thomas (1721-1791)

Date: 1774

"Oh! what is liberty regain'd, / When endless chains the mind controul?"

— Blacklock, Thomas (1721-1791)

Date: 1774

"His breast, with native courage steel'd, / On fear could ne'er one thought bestow"

— Blacklock, Thomas (1721-1791)

Date: 1774

"Sweet peace of mind! seraphic guest! / How long thy absence shall I mourn?"

— Blacklock, Thomas (1721-1791)

Date: 1774

"For hell is center'd in my breast, / There still its hottest fervours burn"

— Blacklock, Thomas (1721-1791)

Date: 1774

"This weakness did not proceed from a bad heart, but was merely the effect of vanity, or an unbridled imagination."

— Gregory, John (1724-1773)