Date: 1708

"And now he Apprehended plainly that every particular Animal, tho' it had a great many Limbs, and variety of Senses and Motions, was nevertheless One in respect of that Spirit, whose Original was from one firm Mansion, viz. the Heart, from whence, its Influence was diffus'd among all the Members."

— Ockley, Simon (bap. 1679, d. 1720)

Date: 1709

"Permit me then, if I may dare presume / To think your Breast retains for me a Room"

— Gould, Robert (b. 1660?, d. in or before 1709)

Date: 1709

"The finest Form! and the most finish'd Mind! / A Cabinet fill'd with the Richest Charms / That ever Husband lock'd within his Arms?"

— Gould, Robert (b. 1660?, d. in or before 1709)

Date: 1709, 1714

"They may perhaps be Monsters, and not Divinitys, or Sacred Truths, which are kept thus choicely, in some dark Corner of our Minds: The Specters may impose on us, whilst we refuse to turn 'em every way, and view their Shapes and Complexions in every light."

— Cooper, Anthony Ashley, third earl of Shaftesbury (1671-1713)

Date: 1682, 1683, 1709

A woman's heart is a "black Mansion" in which nothing resides "But Spite, Contention, Luxury, and Pride"

— Gould, Robert (b. 1660?, d. in or before 1709)

Date: 1709, 1810

"Yet the silly wand'ring mind, / Loth to be too much confin'd, / Roves and takes her daily tours, / Coasting round the narrow shores, / Narrow shores of flesh and sense, / Picking shells and pebbles thence: / Or she sits at fancy's door, / Calling shapes and shadows to her, / Foreign visits still...

— Watts, Isaac (1674-1748)

Date: 1710, 1714

"For it is well known we are not many of us like that Roman who wished for windows to his breast that all might be as conspicuous there as in his house, which, for that reason, he had built as open as was possible."

— Cooper, Anthony Ashley, third earl of Shaftesbury (1671-1713)

Date: 1710

"The Saints began with all their art, / To vouch their Zeal to Q*****n, and Court, / In such Addresses as might best / Open the Windows of their Breast, / That Sacred Majesty might see / Their Ancient Love and Loyalty"

— Ward, Edward (1667-1731)

Date: 1710, 1714

"Thus I contend with Fancy and Opinion; and search the Mint and Foundery of Imagination. For here the Appetites and Desires are fabricated. Hence they derive their Privilege and Currency. If I can stop the Mischief here, and prevent false Coinage; I am safe."

— Cooper, Anthony Ashley, third earl of Shaftesbury (1671-1713)

Date: 1710, 1714

"In reality, has not every Fancy a like Privilege of passing; if any single one be admitted upon its own Authority? And what must be the Issue of such an Oeconomy, if the whole fantastick Crew be introduc'd, and the Door refus'd to none?"

— Cooper, Anthony Ashley, third earl of Shaftesbury (1671-1713)