"Afterwards he walked into the garden, revolving in his mind the peculiarity of his situation, and the uncertainty of his future prospects; lost in thought, he walked to and fro in a covered walk, with his arms crossed and his eyes cast down, without perceiving that he was observed by two females who stood at a distance watching his motions."

— Reeve, Clara (1729-1807)


Date
1777, 1780
Metaphor
"Afterwards he walked into the garden, revolving in his mind the peculiarity of his situation, and the uncertainty of his future prospects; lost in thought, he walked to and fro in a covered walk, with his arms crossed and his eyes cast down, without perceiving that he was observed by two females who stood at a distance watching his motions."
Metaphor in Context
Afterwards he walked into the garden, revolving in his mind the peculiarity of his situation, and the uncertainty of his future prospects; lost in thought, he walked to and fro in a covered walk, with his arms crossed and his eyes cast down, without perceiving that he was observed by two females who stood at a distance watching his motions: It was the Lady Emma, and her attendant, who were thus engaged. At length, he lifted up his eyes and saw them: he stood still, and was irresolute whether to advance or retire: They approached him; and, as they drew near, fair Emma spoke. You have been so wrapt in meditation, Edmund, that I am apprehensive of some new vexation that I am yet a stranger to: Would it were in my power to lessen those you have already! But tell me if I guess truly?--He stood still irresolute, he answered with hesitation. Oh, Lady--I am--I am grieved, I am concerned, to be the cause of so much confusion in this noble family, to which I am so much indebted: I see no way to lessen these evils but to remove the cause of them.--Meaning yourself? said she.--Certainly, Madam; and I was meditating on my departure.--But, said she, by your departure you will not remove the cause.--How so, Madam?--Because you are not the cause, but those you will leave behind you. [...]
(p. 94)
Categories
Provenance
Searching in LION
Citation
At least 15 entries in ESTC (1777, 1778, 1780, 1784, 1787, 1789, 1790, 1791, 1794, 1797, 1795, 1799).

See The Old English Baron: A Gothic Story. By Clara Reeve. (London: Printed for Edward and Charles Dilly in the Poultry, 1778). <Link to ESTC>

First published as The Champion of Virtue. A Gothic Story. By the Editor of the Phoenix. a Translation of Barclay’s Argenis. (Colchester: Printed for the author, by W. Kfymer [sic], and sold by him; sold also by G. Robinson, London, 1777). <Link to ESTC>

Text from The Old English Baron: A Gothic Story. By Clara Reeve. 2nd edition (London: Printed for Charles Dilly, 1780). <Link to LION>
Date of Entry
08/02/2014

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