'O fool! to think the man, whose
ample mind must grasp whatever yonder stars survey'--Pray, Mr.
Pellet, what is your opinion of that image of the mind's grasping
the whole universe? For my own part, I can't help thinking it the
most happy conception that ever entered my imagination."
The painter, who was not such a flaming enthusiast in the cause of
liberty, could not brook the doctor's reflections, which he thought
savoured a little too much of indifference and deficiency in point
of private friendship; and therefore seized the present opportunity
of mortifying his pride, by observing, that the image was, without
all doubt, very grand and magnificent; but that he had been obliged
for the idea to Mr. Bayes in "The Rehearsal," who values himself
upon the same figure, conveyed in these words, "But all these clouds,
when by the eye of reason grasp'd, etc." Upon any other occasion,
the painter would have triumphed greatly upon this detection;
but such was the flutter and confusion of his spirits, under the
apprehension of being retaken, that, without further communication,
he retreated to his own room, in order to resume his own dress,
which he hoped would alter his appearance in such a manner as to
baffle all search and examination; while the physician remained
ashamed and abashed, to find himself convinced of bombast by a
person of such contemptible talents.
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