"This Cobler having been drinking till his Brains were shipwrackt in a deluge of Canary, yet unable with all that Liquor to quench his Nose, which appeared so flaming, that when he was smoaking, it could not be discerned by the most critical Eye, at which end his Pipe burned with the more red-hot fire."

— Dunton, John (1659-1732)


Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for Richard Newcome
Date
1691
Metaphor
"This Cobler having been drinking till his Brains were shipwrackt in a deluge of Canary, yet unable with all that Liquor to quench his Nose, which appeared so flaming, that when he was smoaking, it could not be discerned by the most critical Eye, at which end his Pipe burned with the more red-hot fire."
Metaphor in Context
This Cobler having been drinking till his Brains were shipwrackt in a deluge of Canary, yet unable with all that Liquor to quench his Nose, which appeared so flaming, that when he was smoaking, it could not be discerned by the most critical Eye, at which end his Pipe burned with the more red-hot fire; staggering towards his Lodging about the Suburbs of the Morning, without any other light than was reflected from his Stellified Countenance, chanc'd to encounter a certain Hydrogogical Engine, by the Students in the Mathematicks call'd a Pump, which he taking for some cross-gain'd Fellow, that would not give the way, made so furiously at it, that with the terrible shock himself was beat backwards, and fell down just under the Spout, which a Maid having made use of just before for water to wash her house, it still continued to drisle softly; whereupon the sprawling Gentleman being much more inraged, (for you know no Injuries are so picquantly resented by generous Spirits as those that come attended with contempt,) cries out, You Dog! cannot you be content to beat and abuse me, but you must piss upon me too, and thereupon draws his Knife, & like a dying Hero, from the ground made several passes at his Adversary, till the Watch going their Rounds interrupted the ridiculous combat; but perceiving the Gentleman Cobler had got a considerable Wound in his Skull, took care for his safe conveyance to his Lodging, lest the excess of his Prowess might engage him in more such perilous Adventures.
(III, pp. 54-5)
Provenance
C-H Lion
Citation
John Dunton, A Voyage Round the World: or, a Pocket-Library, Divided into several Volumes. The First of which contains the Rare Adventures of Don Kainophilus, From his Cradle to his 15th. Year. The like Discoveries in such a Method never made by any Rambler before. The whole Work intermixt with Essays, Historical, Moral and Divine; and all other kinds of Learning. Done into English by a Lover of Travels. Recommended by the Wits of both Universities. 3 vols. (London: Printed for Richard Newcome, 1691). <Link to EEBO-TCP>
Date of Entry
06/19/2013

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