Date: December 10, 1778; 1779

"Where all is novelty, the attention, the exercise of the mind is too violent."

— Reynolds, Joshua (1723-1792)

Date: 1782

All "ideas follow each other in our minds in a regular and uniform succession, not unlike the tickings of a clock; and by that means all objects are presented to our imaginations in the same progressive manner: and if any vary much from that destined pace, by too rapid, or too slow a motion, they...

— Jenyns, Soame (1704-1787)

Date: 1782

"We now perceive every [idea], as it passes, through a small aperture separately, as in the camera obscura, and this we call time; but at the conclusion of this state we may probably exist in a manner quite different; the window may be thrown open, the whole prospect appear at one view, and all t...

— Jenyns, Soame (1704-1787)

Date: 1782

"[A] sultry calm fails not to produce a storm, which dissipates the noxious vapours, and restores a purer air; the fiercest tempest, exhausted by its own violence, at length subsides; and an intense sun-shine, whilst it parches up the thirsty earth, exhales clouds, which quickly water it with ref...

— Jenyns, Soame (1704-1787)

Date: 1783

"But as his imagination was strong and rich, rather than delicate and correct, he sometimes gives it too loose reins."

— Blair, Hugh (1718-1800)

Date: December 10, 1782; 1783

"Besides those minute differences in things which are frequently not observed at all, and when they are make little impression, there are in all considerable objects great characteristic distinctions, which press strongly on the senses, and therefore fix the imagination."

— Reynolds, Joshua (1723-1792)

Date: December 10, 1782; 1783

"It may be remarked, that the impression which is left on our mind, even of things which are familiar to us, is seldom more than their general effect; beyond which we do not look in recognising such objects."

— Reynolds, Joshua (1723-1792)

Date: December 10, 1782; 1783

"I only wish to impress on your minds the true distinction between essential and subordinate powers, and shew what qualities in the art claim your chief attention, and what may, with the least injury to your reputation, be neglected."

— Reynolds, Joshua (1723-1792)

Date: 1783

"From reading the most admired productions of genius, whether in poetry or prose, almost every one rises with some good impressions left on his mind; and though these may not always be durable, they are at least to be ranked among the means of disposing the heart to virtue."

— Blair, Hugh (1718-1800)

Date: 1783

"There is a certain string, which, being properly struck, the human heart is so made as to answer to it."

— Blair, Hugh (1718-1800)