Date: December 10, 1776; 1777

"In the midst of the highest flights of fancy or imagination, reason ought to preside from first to last, though I admit her more powerful operation is upon reflexion."

— Reynolds, Joshua (1723-1792)

Date: 1777

"Her mind's a burning fire, / Where sudden thoughts, like wreaths of smoak arise, / And, parting from the flame, disperse in air."

— Home, John (1722-1808)

Date: 1777

"Her shatter'd fancy, like a mirror broken, / Reflects no single image just and true, / But many false ones."

— Home, John (1722-1808)

Date: 1777

"Parents may, perhaps, paint it to themselves: they may see (through the mirror of a sympathetic fancy) the poor widow receiving her child from the healing hand of the prophet--a child fresh blooming in the beauties of a second birth."

— Pratt, Samuel Jackson [pseud. Courtney Melmoth] (1749-1814)

Date: 1777, 1810

"And oft the bard's elastic mind / To lighter images inclined; / In concord with Anacreon's measure, / Courts the jovial gods of pleasure."

— Stockdale, Percival (1736-1811)

Date: 1777, 1810

"When thus, by prospect, and by thought, / My mind to harmony is wrought; / Already conscious of the rising strain, / The path to Knighton I regain."

— Stockdale, Percival (1736-1811)

Date: 1777, 1810

"Here soars the poet, all, impassioned mind, / And leaves his earthly clog behind."

— Stockdale, Percival (1736-1811)

Date: 1777, 1810

"Then in his bosom bright ideas teem; / Each tender, each exalted theme."

— Stockdale, Percival (1736-1811)

Date: 1777, 1810

"Well-pleased, in fancy he surveys, / With fancy's mimick tint pourtrays / The fate elysian of the swain, / Who, stranger to his nymph's disdain, / Feels the true zest of Cupid's reign, / His lasting joys enhanced by momentary pain."

— Stockdale, Percival (1736-1811)

Date: 1777, 1810

"Nay, with romantick soul, he pities all, / Whome'er it is his chance to see, / Who are not in her heart enthroned, as he, / Imaginary monarch of this earthly ball!"

— Stockdale, Percival (1736-1811)