"This was a ray of intelligence which pointed out to the discerning parent the path prescribed by nature."

— Louise Florence Pétronille Tardieu d'Ésclavelles Épinay (marquise d') (1726-1783)


Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed by John Marshall and Co.
Date
1787
Metaphor
"This was a ray of intelligence which pointed out to the discerning parent the path prescribed by nature."
Metaphor in Context
[...] As nothing escaped her attention that could affect the success of her cares, she soon perceived the insufficiency of the usual means to attain the end she purposed. She discovered in her young pupil an unconquerable aversion to those books which are commonly put into the hands of children, and a peculiar inclination to converse with a mother whom she considered as a friend. This was a ray of intelligence which pointed out to the discerning parent the path prescribed by nature. She then threw aside such books, as fatigued without improving the understanding of her child, and composed these conversations, in which her daughter found the most useful lessons, while she only sought gratification of a curiosity natural to her age. (Vol. I, pages viii-ix)
Categories
Provenance
Contributed by PC Fleming
Citation
Translation of Conversations d'Émilie (1784) [translated by Lewis Lyons].

Louise Florence Pétronille Tardieu d'Ésclavelles Épinay (marquise d'),The conversations of Emily. Translated from the French of Madame la Comtesse d'Epigny. 2 vols. (London: Printed and sold by John Marshall and Co., 1787. Eighteenth Century Collections Online. Gale. <Link to vol. I> <Link to Vol. II>
Date of Entry
07/16/2010

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