Tobias Smollett
Tobias Smollett
Tobias George Smollettwas a Scottish poet and author. He was best known for his picaresque novels, such as The Adventures of Roderick Randomand The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle, which influenced later novelists such as Charles Dickens. His novels were amended liberally by printers; a definitive edition of each of his works was edited by Dr. O. M. Brack, Jr. to correct variants...
NationalityScottish
ProfessionPoet
Date of Birth19 March 1721
half mad nation sound
One half the nation is mad - and the other half not very sound
certainly country ears either general italy musically native neighbors people provided
Italy is certainly the native country of this art: and yet, I do not find the people in general either more musically inclined, or better provided with ears than their neighbors
spurs opposition
Opposition is the very spur of love.
learning science superficial-knowledge
A mere index hunter, who held the eel of science by the tail. Index-hunter is a term used mockingly, meaning one who acquires superficial knowledge merely by consulting indexes. The '[holding] the eel of science by the tail' allusion was used in 1728 by Alexander Pope (q.v.).
children glory peril
Glory is the child of peril.
heart eye eagles
Thy spirit, Independence, let me share! Lord of the lion-heart and eagle-eye thy steps I follow with my bosom bare, nor heed the storm that howls along the sky.
writing men age
Writing is all a lottery -- I have been a loser by the works of the greatest men of the age.
winter cold highlander
The Highlanders regale themselves with whisky. They find it an excellent preservation against the winter cold. It is given with great success to the infants in the confluent smallpox.
cat swings rooms
There is not room to swing a cat.
storm action speak
True courage scorns to vent her prowess in a storm of words; and to the valiant action speaks alone.
country cells mountain
Nature I'll court in her sequester'd haunts, By mountain, meadow, streamlet, grove, or cell; Where the pois'd lark his evening ditty chants, And health, and peace, and contemplation dwell.
snares falsehood
False as the fowler's artful snare.
action speak valiant
To the valiant actions speak alone.
men animal different
A man's opinion of danger varies at different times, in consequence of an irregular tide of animal spirits; and he is actuated by considerations which he dares not avow.