Some "stare like a second-sighted Scot, and, like him, see Things invisible by the sober Eye of Reason purged from the Films of Fancy"

— Anonymous [by the Author of "Emily; or, The History of a Natural Daughter]


Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed by Dryden Leach, for F. Noble; and J. Noble
Date
1758
Metaphor
Some "stare like a second-sighted Scot, and, like him, see Things invisible by the sober Eye of Reason purged from the Films of Fancy"
Metaphor in Context
An Author who professes to cure the mental Maladies of his Fellow-Creatures, should, like a skilful Physician, not only [end page 29] take care that the Medicines he prescribes are of a salutary Nature, but that they should be peculiarly proper for the Constitution of his Patient.

Some are of so delicate a Structure, that a strong Dose of Morality, and a Cathartic of Religion, turn their Brains, and make them light-headed: They stare like a second-sighted Scot, and, like him, see Things invisible by the sober Eye of Reason purged from the Films of Fancy.

In this Case, a gentle allegoric Fable should be made use of, decorated with witching Rhymes, as Bolusses are with Leaf-Gold.
(p. 29-30)
Provenance
Posted to C18 Listserve by Kevin Berland (8/9/2005)
Citation
Moral and Critical Reflections on Several Subjects. Among Which (by Way of Illustration) Various Characters Are Occasionally Interspersed. by the Author of Emily; or, the History of a Natural Daughter. (London: Printed by Dryden Leach, for F. Noble; and J. Noble, 1758).
Theme
Mind's Eye
Date of Entry
08/09/2005

The Mind is a Metaphor is authored by Brad Pasanek, Assistant Professor of English, University of Virginia.