Date: 1748

The passions may be at war

— Pilkington, Laetitia (c. 1709-1750)

Date: 1748

The body is a "frail building falling to decay"

— Pilkington, Laetitia (c. 1709-1750)

Date: 1748

"But how will this dismantled soul appear,/ When stripped of all it lately held so dear,/ Forced from its prison of expiring clay, / Afraid and shivering at the doubtful way?"

— Leapor, Mary (1722-1746)

Date: 1748

"[B]ut now that I looked upon myself as a murderer, it is impossible to express the terrors of my imagination, which was incessantly haunted by the image of the deceased, and my bosom stung with the most exquisite agonies, of which I saw no end."

— Smollett, Tobias (1721-1777)

Date: 1748

"[A]nd in the mean time went to dress, with an intention of visiting Mrs. Snapper and Miss, whom I had utterly neglected and indeed almost forgot, since my dear Narcissa had resumed the empire of my soul."

— Smollett, Tobias (1721-1777)

Date: 1747-8

"Riches were, are, and always will be, his predominant passion."

— Richardson, Samuel (bap. 1689, d. 1761)

Date: 1747-8

"My predominant passion is Girl, not Gold; nor value I This, but as it helps me to That, and gives me independence."

— Richardson, Samuel (bap. 1689, d. 1761)

Date: 1747-8

"But let me touch upon thy predominant passion, Revenge; for Love [What can be the love of a rake?] is but second to that, as I have often told thee, tho' it has set thee into raving at me."

— Richardson, Samuel (bap. 1689, d. 1761)

Date: 1747-8

"But by the fierceness of mine, as my trembling hands seized hers, I soon made fear her predominant passion."

— Richardson, Samuel (bap. 1689, d. 1761)

Date: 1747-8

"How difficult does every man find it, as well as me, to forego a predominant passion? I have three passions that sway me by turns; all imperial ones. Love, Revenge, Ambition, or a desire of conquest."

— Richardson, Samuel (bap. 1689, d. 1761)