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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/16233-8.txt b/16233-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b084852 --- /dev/null +++ b/16233-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3035 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of An Essay towards Fixing the True Standards +of Wit, Humour, Railery, Satire, and Ridicule (1744), by Corbyn Morris + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: An Essay towards Fixing the True Standards of Wit, Humour, Railery, Satire, and Ridicule (1744) + +Author: Corbyn Morris + +Commentator: James L. Clifford + +Release Date: July 7, 2005 [EBook #16233] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FIXING THE TRUE STANDARDS OF WIT *** + + + + +Produced by David Starner, Louise Hope and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. + + + + + + + + Series Two: + _Essays on Wit_ + + No. 4 + + + [Corbyn Morris] + _An Essay towards Fixing the True Standards + of Wit, Humour, Raillery, Satire, and Ridicule_ + (1744) + + + + + With an Introduction by + James L. Clifford + and + a Bibliographical Note + + + + +The Augustan Reprint Society +November, 1947 +Price: $1.00 + + * * * * * + + +GENERAL EDITORS + +RICHARD C. BOYS, University of Michigan +EDWARD NILES HOOKER, University of California, Los Angeles +H.T. SWEDENBERG, JR., University of California, Los Angeles + + +ADVISORY EDITORS + +EMMETT L. AVERY, State College of Washington +LOUIS I. BREDVOLD, University of Michigan +BENJAMIN BOYCE, University of Nebraska +CLEANTH BROOKS, Yale University +JAMES L. CLIFFORD, Columbia University +ARTHUR FRIEDMAN, University of Chicago +SAMUEL H. MONK, University of Minnesota +JAMES SUTHERLAND, Queen Mary College, London + + + * * * * * + + + INTRODUCTION + +The _Essay_ here reproduced was first advertised in the London _Daily +Advertiser_ as "this day was published" on Thursday, 17 May 1744 (The +same advertisement, except for the change of price from one shilling +to two, appeared in this paper intermittently until 14 June). Although +on the title-page the authorship is given as "By the Author of a +Letter from a By-stander," there was no intention of anonymity, since +the Dedication is boldly signed "Corbyn Morris, Inner Temple, Feb. 1, +1743 [44]." + +Not much is known of the early life of Corbyn Morris. Born 14 August +1710, he was the eldest son of Edmund Morris of Bishop's Castle, +Salop. (_Alumni Cantabrigienses_). On 17 September 1727 he was +admitted (pensioner) at Queen's College, Cambridge, as an exhibitioner +from the famous Charterhouse School. Exactly when he left the +university, or whether he took a degree, is not certain. + +Morris first achieved some prominence, though anonymously, with +_A Letter from a By-stander to a Member of Parliament; wherein is +examined what necessity there is for the maintenance of a large +regular land-force in this island_. This pamphlet, dated at the end, +26 February 1741/42, is a wholehearted eulogy of the Walpole +administration and is filled with statistics and arguments for the +Mercantilist theories of the day. At the time there was some suspicion +that the work had been written either by Walpole himself or by his +direction. When the _Letter from a By-stander_ was answered by the +historian Thomas Carte, an angry pamphlet controversy ensued, with +Morris writing under the pseudonym of "A Gentleman of Cambridge." +Throughout, Morris showed himself a violent Whig, bitter in his +attacks on Charles II and the non-jurors; and it was undoubtedly this +fanatical party loyalty which laid the foundation for his later +government career. + +The principal facts of Morris's later life may be briefly summarized. +On 17 June 1743 he was admitted at the Inner Temple. Throughout +the Pelham and Newcastle administrations he was employed by the +government, as he once put it, "in conciliating opponents." From +1751 to 1763 be acted as Secretary of the Customs and Salt Duty in +Scotland, in which post he was acknowledged to have shown decided +ability as an administrator. From 1763 to 1778 he was one of the +commissioners of customs. He died at Wimbledon 22 December 1779 +(_Musgrave's Obituary_), described in the _Gentleman's Magazine_ as a +"gentleman well known in the literary world, and universally esteemed +for his unwearied services and attachment to government." + +Throughout his long years of public service he wrote numerous +pamphlets, largely on economic and political questions. Merely the +titles of a few may be sufficient to indicate the nature of his +interests. _An Essay towards Deciding the Question whether Britain be +Permitted by Right Policy to Insure the Ships of Her Enemies _(1747); +_Observations on the Past Growth and Present State of the City of +London_ (containing a complete table of christenings and burials 1601- +1750) (175l); _A Letter Balancing the Causes of the Present Scarcity +of Our Silver Coin_ (1757). + +It would be a mistake, however, to consider Morris merely as a +statistical economist and Whig party hack. A gentleman of taste and +wit, the friend of Hume, Boswell, and other discerning men of the day, +he was elected F.R.S. in 1757, and appears to have been much +respected. In later life Morris had a country place at Chiltern Vale, +Herts., where he took an active delight in country sports. One +of his late pamphlets, not listed in the _D.N.B_. account of him, +entertainingly illustrates one of his hobbies. _The Bird-fancier's +Recreation and Delight, with the newest and very best instructions for +catching, taking, feeding, rearing, &c all the various sorts of SONG +BIRDS... containing curious remarks on the nature, sex, management, +and diseases of ENGLISH SONG BIRDS, with practical instructions for +distinguishing the cock and hen, for taking, choosing, breeding, +keeping, and teaching them to sing, for discovering and caring their +diseases, and of learning them to sing to the greatest perfection_. + +Although there is little surviving evidence of Morris's purely +literary interests, a set of verses combining his economic and +artistic views appeared in a late edition of _The New Foundling +Hospital for Wit_ (new edition, 1784, VI, 95). Occasioned by seeing +Bowood in Wiltshire, the home of the Earl of Shelburne, the lines are +entitled: "On Reading Dr. Goldsmith's Poem, the Deserted Village." + +This was the man who at the age of thirty-three brought out _An Essay +towards Fixing the True Standards of Wit, Humour, Raillery, Satire, +and Ridicule_. That it was ever widely read we have no evidence, but +at least a number of men of wit and judgment found it interesting. +Horace Walpole included it in a packet of "the only new books at all +worth reading" sent to Horace Mann, but the fulsome dedication +to the elder Walpole undoubtedly had something to do with this +recommendation. More disinterested approval is shown in a letter +printed in the _Daily Advertiser_ for 31 May 1744. Better than any +modern critique the letter illustrates the contemporary reaction to +the _Essay_. + + Christ Church College, Oxford, + + SIR: + + I have examin'd the _Essay_ you have sent me for _fixing the true + Standards of Wit, Humour, &c._ and cannot perceive upon what + pretence the Definitions, as you tell me, are censured for + Obscurity, even by Gentlemen of Abilities, and such as in other + Parts of the Work very frankly allow it's Merit: the Definition + of Wit, which presents itself at first, you say is, particularly + objected to, as dark and involv'd; in answer to which I beg Leave + to give you my plain Sentiments upon it, and which I apprehend + should naturally occur to every Reader: In treating upon Wit, the + Author seems constantly to carry in his View a Distinction + between _This_ and _Vivacity_: there is a Lustre or Brilliancy + which often results from wild unprovok'd Sallies of Fancy; but + such unexpected Objects, which serve not to _elucidate_ each + other, discover only a Flow of Spirits, or rambling Vivacity; + whereas, says he, Wit is the Lustre which results from the + quick _Elucidation_ of one Subject, by the just and unexpected + Arrangement of it with another Subject.--To constitute _Wit_, + there must not only arise a _Lustre_ from the quick Arrangement + together of two Subjects, but the new Subject must be naturally + introduced, and also serve to _elucidate_ the original one: the + Word _Elucidation_, though it be not new, is elegant, and very + happily applied in this Definition; yet I have seen some old + Gentlemen here stumble at it, and have found it difficult to + persuade them to advance farther:--I have also heard Objections + made to the Words _Lustre_ and _Brilliancy_ of Ideas, though they + are Terms which have been used by the _Greeks_ and _Romans_, and + by elegant Writers of all Ages and Nations; and the Effect which + they express, is perfectly conceiv'd and felt by every Person of + true Genius and Imagination. + + The Distinctions between _Wit_ and _Humour_, and the Reasons + why _Humour_ is more pleasurably felt than _Wit_, are new and + excellent: as is the Definition of an _Humourist_, and the happy + Analysis of the Characters of _Falstaff_, _Sir Roger de Coverly_, + and _Don Quixote_; But, as you say, the Merit of these Parts is + universally allowed; as well as the Novelty, and liberal Freedom + of the [word apparently omitted]; which have such Charms in my + Eye, as I had long ceased to expect in a Modern Writer. + + I am, &c + 25 May, 1744 + J---- W---- + [not identified] + +If the "Gentlemen of Abilities" of the day found some of Morris's +definitions obscure, modern readers will find them more precise than +those of most of his predecessors. All who had gone before--Cowley, +Barrow, Dryden, Locke, Addison, and Congreve (he does not mention +Hobbes)--Morris felt had bungled the job. And although he apologizes +for attempting what the great writers of the past had failed to do, he +has no hesitation in setting forth exactly what he believes to be the +proper distinctions in the meanings of such terms as wit, humour, +judgment, invention, raillery, and ridicule. The mathematician and +statistician in Morris made him strive for precise accuracy. It was +all very clear to him, and by the use of numerous anecdotes and +examples he hoped to make the distinctions obvious to the general +reader. + +The _Essay_ shows what a man of some evident taste and perspicacity, +with an analytical mind, can do in defining the subtle semantic +distinctions in literary terms. Trying to fix immutably what is +certain always to be shifting, Morris is noteworthy not only because +of the nature of his attempt, but because he is relatively so +successful. As Professor Edward Hooker has pointed out in an +Introduction to an earlier _ARS_ issue (Series I, No. 2), his is +"probably the best and clearest treatment of the subject in the first +half of the eighteenth century." It may be regretted that political +and economic concerns occupied so much of his later life, leaving him +no time for further literary essays. + +In the present facsimile edition, for reasons of space, only the +Introduction and the main body of the _Essay_ are reproduced. Although +Morris once remarked to David Hume that he wrote all his books "for +the sake of the Dedications" (_Letters of David Hume_ ed. Greig, I, +380), modern readers need not regret too much the omission of the +fulsome 32 page dedication to Walpole (The Earl of Orford). Morris +insists at the beginning that the book was inspired by a fervent +desire of "attempting a Composition, independent of Politics, which +might furnish an occasional Amusement" to his patron. The praise which +follows, in which Walpole is said to lead "the _Empire_ of _Letters_," +is so excessive as to produce only smiles in twentieth century +readers. Walpole is praised for not curbing the press while +necessarily curbing the theatre, his aid to commerce and industry, +indeed almost every act of his administration, is lauded to the skies. +The Church of England, in which "the _Exercise_ of _Reason_ in the +solemn Worship of God, is the sacred _Right_, and indispensible +_Duty_, of Man," receives its share of eulogy. In every connection the +Tories are violently attacked. + +The Dedication ends in a peroration of praise for Walpole's public +achievements which "shall adorn the History of _Britain_," and for his +"_Private Virtues_ and all the _softer Features_" of his mind. His +home of retirement is referred to in the lines of Milton: + + "Great Palace now of Light! + Hither, as to their Fountain, other Stars + Repairing, in their golden Urns, draw Light; + And here [sic] the Morning Planet gilds her Horns." + + [P.L. 7. 363-66] + +"Thus splendid, and superior, your Lordship now flourishes in +honourable Ease, exerting universal Benevolence...." But in +dedications, as in lapidary inscriptions, as Dr. Johnson might +have agreed, a writer need not be upon oath. + +At the end of the _Essay_ Morris reprinted two essays from _The +Spectator_, Nos. 35 and 62, and William Congreve's "An Essay concerning +Humour in Comedy. To Mr. Dennis" (Congreve's _Works_, ed. Summers, III, +161-68). Since these are readily available, they have not been included +in this edition. + +The present facsimile is made from a copy owned by Louis I. Bredvold, +with his kind permission. + +James L. Clifford + +Columbia University + + * * * * * + +[Transcriber's Note: +The ARS edition included an errata slip, reproduced here. Where +text was changed or deleted, the original is given in brackets. +Corrections to the _Essay_ itself are listed after the ARS errata.] + +Please paste the following in your copy of Corbyn Morris's +_Essay towards Fixing the True Standards of Wit_.... + +(_ARS_, Series One, No. 4) + +ERRATA + +INTRODUCTION: + +page 5, line 1--"word apparently omitted" should be inclosed in +brackets. + +page 5, line 6--"not identified" should be inclosed in brackets. + +page 6, line 5--the first "of" should be omitted. + ["modern readers need not regret too much of the omission + of the fulsome 32 page dedication"] + +page 6, line 12, should read + "Walpole is praised for not curbing the press while necessarily + curbing the theatre, his aid to commerce". + ["Walpole is praised for not curbing the theatre; his aid to + commerce"] + +page 6, line 25--"sic" should be inclosed in brackets, as also +"P.L. 7. 363-66" in the next line. + + +[ ESSAY ON WIT: + +page viii: Whence in _Aristotle_ such Persons are termed + "epidexioi", dexterous Men + The Greek may read "epidezioi"; the letter-form is ambiguous. + +page 14: ... without any Reference to their whimsical _Oddities_ + or _Foibles_; + Text reads _Oddistie_. + +page 20 and elsewhere: "Biass" is an attested variant spelling; + it has not been changed. + +page 25: "teizes" (modern "teases") is an attested variant spelling; + it has not been changed. + +page 40: --It is therefore no wonder that Signior _Don Quixote of + la Mancha_ ... + Text reads _Quoxote_. ] + + + * * * * * + * * * * + * * * * * + + + An + ESSAY + + Towards Fixing the + TRUE STANDARDS + of + WIT, HUMOUR, RAILLERY, + SATIRE, and RIDICULE. + + + To which is Added, an + ANALYSIS + Of the CHARACTERS of + + An HUMOURIST, Sir John Falstaff, + Sir Roger De Coverly, + and Don Quixote. + + + + Inscribed to the RIGHT HONORABLE + ROBERT Earl of ORFORD. + + By the AUTHOR of a + LETTER from a BY-STANDER. + + ---- _Jacta est Alea_. + + + LONDON: + + Printed for J. ROBERTS, at the Oxford-Arms, + in Warwick-lane; and W. BICKERTON, + in the Temple-Exchange, near the + Inner-Temple-Gate, Fleet-Street. + + M DCC XLIV. [Price 2s.] + + * * * * * + + INTRODUCTION. + + +An Attempt to _describe_ the precise _Limits_ of WIT, HUMOUR, +RAILLERY, SATIRE and RIDICULE, I am sensible, is no easy or slight +Undertaking. To give a _Definition_ of WIT, has been declared by +Writers of the greatest Renown, to exceed their Reach and Power; and +Gentlemen of no less Abilities, and Fame, than _Cowley_, _Barrow_, +_Dryden_, _Locke_, _Congreve_, and _Addison_, have tryed their Force +upon this Subject, and have all left it free, and unconquered. This, +I perceive, will be an Argument with some, for condemning an _Essay_ +upon this Topic by a young Author, as rash and presumptious. But, +though I desire to pay all proper Respect to these eminent Writers, +if a tame Deference to great Names shall become fashionable, and the +Imputation of Vanity be laid upon those who examine their Works, all +Advancement in Knowledge will be absolutely stopp'd; and _Literary_ +Merit will be soon placed, in an _humble Stupidity_, and _solemn +Faith_ in the Wisdom of our Ancestors. + +Whereas, if I rightly apprehend, _an Ambition to excell_ is the +Principle which should animate a Writer, directed by a _Love_ of +_Truth_, and a _free Spirit_ of _Candour_ and _Inquiry_. This is the +_Flame_ which should warm the rising Members of every Science, not a +poor Submission to those who have preceded. For, however it may be +with a _Religious_ DEVOTION, a _Literary_ One is certainly the CHILD +of _Ignorance_. + +However, I must acknowledge, that where I have differed from the great +Authors before mentioned, it has been with a Diffidence, and after the +most serious and particular Examination of what they have delivered. +It is from hence, that I have thought it my Duty, to exhibit with the +following _Essay_, their several Performances upon the same Subject, +that every Variation of mine from their Suffrage, and the Reasons upon +which I have grounded it, may clearly appear. + + +The following _Ode_ upon WIT is written by Mr. _Cowley_. + + ODE of WIT. + + I. + +Tell me, oh tell!, what kind of Thing is _WIT_, + Thou who _Master_ art of it; +For the _first Matter_ loves Variety _less_; +Less _Women_ love't, either in _Love_ or _Dress_. + A thousand diff'rent Shapes it bears, + Comely in thousand Shapes appears; +Yonder we saw it plain, and here 'tis now, +Like _Spirits_ in a Place, we know not _how_. + + II. + +_London_, that vents of _false Ware_ so much Store, + In no _Ware_ deceives us more; +For Men, led by the _Colour_, and the Shape, +Like _Zeuxis' Bird_, fly to the painted Grape. + Some things do through our Judgment pass, + As through a _Multiplying Glass_: +And sometimes, if the _Object_ be too far, +We take a _falling Meteor_ for a _Star_. + + III. + +Hence 'tis a _Wit_, that greatest _Word_ of Fame, + Grows such a common Name; +And _Wits_, by our _Creation_, they become; +Just so as _Tit'lar Bishops_ made at _Rome_. + 'Tis not a _Tale_, 'tis not a _Jest_, + Admir'd with _Laughter_ at a Feast, +Nor florid _Talk_ which can that _Title_ gain; +The _Proofs_ of _Wit_ for ever must remain. + + IV. + +'Tis not to force some Lifeless _Verses_ meet, + With their five gouty Feet. +All ev'ry where, like _Man's_, must be the _Soul_, +And _Reason_ the _inferior Pow'rs_ controul. + Such were the _Numbers_ which could call + The _Stones_ into the _Theban_ Wall. +Such _Miracles_ are ceas'd, and now we see +No _Towns_ or _Houses_ rais'd by _Poetry. + + V. + +Yet 'tis not to adorn, and gild each Part, + That shews more _Cost_ than _Art_. +_Jewels_ at _Nose_, and _Lips_, but ill appear; +Rather than _all Things Wit_, let _none_ be there. + Several _Lights_ will not be seen, + If there be nothing else between. +Men doubt; because they stand so thick i' th' Sky. +If those be _Stars_ which paint the _Galaxy_. + + VI. + +'Tis not when two like Words make up one Noise; + Jests for _Dutch Men_, and _English Boys_. +In which, who finds out _Wit_, the same may see +In _An'grams_ and _Acrostiques Poetry_. + Much less can that have any Place, + At which a _Virgin_ hides her Face; +Such _Dross_ the _Fire_ must purge away; 'Tis just +The _Author blush_, there where the _Reader_ must. + + VII. + +'Tis not such _Lines_ as almost crack the _Stage_, + When _Bajazet_ begins to rage; +Not a tall _Metaphor_ in th' _bombast Way_, +Nor the dry Chips of short-lung'd _Seneca_. + Nor upon all Things to obtrude, + And force some odd _Similitude_. +What is it then, which like the _Pow'r Divine_, +We only can by _Negatives_ define? + + VIII. + +In a true Piece of _Wit_, all Things must be, + Yet all Things there _agree_; +As in the _Ark_, join 'd without Force or Strife, +All _Creatures_ dwelt; all _Creatures_ that had Life. + Or as the _primitive Forms_ of all, + (If we compare great Things with small) +Which without _Discord_ or _Confusion_ lie, +In the strange _Mirror_ of the _Deity_. + + IX. + +But _Love_, that moulds _one Man_ up out of _two_, + Makes me forget, and injure you. +I took _You_ for _Myself_, sure when I thought +That You in any thing were to be taught. + Correct my Error with thy Pen, + And if any ask me then, +What thing right _Wit_, and Height of _Genius_ is, +I'll only shew your _Lines_, and say, _'Tis this_. + +The _Spirit_ and _Wit_ of this _Ode_ are excellent; and yet it is +evident, through the whole, that Mr. _Cowley_ had no clear Idea of +_Wit_, though at the same time it _shines_ in most of these Lines: +There is little Merit in saying what WIT _is not_, which is the chief +Part of this _Ode_. Towards the End, he indeed attempts to describe what +_it is_, but is quite vague and perplex'd in his Description; and at +last, instead of collecting his scatter'd Rays into a _Focus_, and +exhibiting succinctly the clear Essence and Power of WIT, he drops the +whole with a trite Compliment. + +The learned Dr. _Barrow_, in his _Sermon against foolish Talking and +Jesting_, gives the following profuse Description of WIT. + + But first it may be demanded, What the Thing we speak of is? Or + what the Facetiousness (or _Wit_ as he calls it before) doth + import? To which Questions I might reply, as _Democritus_ did to + him that asked the Definition of a Man, _'Tis that we all see and + know._ Any one better apprehends what it is by Acquaintance, + than I can inform him by Description. It is indeed a Thing so + versatile and multiform, appearing in so many Shapes, so many + Postures, so many Garbs, so variously apprehended by several + Eyes and Judgments, that it seemeth no less hard to settle a + clear and certain Notion thereof, than to make a Portrait of + _Proteus_, or to define the Figure of the fleeting Air. Sometimes + it lieth in pat Allusion to a known Story, or in seasonable + Application of a trivial Saying, or in forging an apposite Tale: + Sometimes it playeth in Words and Phrases, taking Advantage from + the Ambiguity of their Sense, or the Affinity of their Sound: + Sometimes it is wrapp'd in a Dress of humorous Expression: + Sometimes it lurketh under an odd Similitude: Sometimes it + is lodged in a sly Question, in a smart Answer, in a quirkish + Reason, in a shrewd Intimation, in cunningly diverting, or + cleverly retorting an Objection: Sometimes it is couched in a + bold Scheme of Speech, in a tart Irony, in a lusty Hyperbole, + in a startling Metaphor, in a plausible Reconciling of + Contradictions, or in acute Nonsense; Sometimes a scenical + Representation of Persons or Things, a counterfeit Speech, a + mimical Look or Gesture passeth for it. Sometimes an affected + Simplicity, sometimes a presumptuous Bluntness giveth it Being. + Sometimes it riseth from a lucky Hitting upon what is Strange; + sometimes from a crafty wresting obvious Matter to the Purpose. + Often it' consisteth in one knows not what, and springeth + up one can hardly tell how. Its ways are unaccountable, and + inexplicable, being answerable to the numberless Rovings of + Fancy, and Windings of Language. It is, in short, a Manner + of Speaking out of the simple and plain Way (such as Reason + teacheth, and proveth Things by) which by a pretty, surprizing + Uncouthness in Conceit or Expression, doth affect and amuse the + Fancy, stirring in it some Wonder, and breeding some Delight + thereto. It raiseth Admiration, as signifying a nimble Sagacity + of Apprehension, a special Felicity of Invention, a Vivacity of + Spirit, and Reach of Wit, more than vulgar; it seeming to argue a + rare Quickness of Parts, that one can fetch in remote Conceits + applicable; a notable Skill that he can dextrously accommodate + them to the Purpose before him; together with a lively Briskness + of Humour, not apt to damp those Sportful Flashes of Imagination. + (Whence in _Aristotle_ such Persons are termed "epidexioi", + dexterous Men, and "eutropoi", Men of facile or versatile + Manners, who can easily turn themselves to all Things, or + turn all Things to themselves.) It also procureth Delight, + by gratifying Curiosity with its Rareness, or Semblance of + Difficulty. (As Monsters, not for their Beauty, but their + Rarity; as juggling Tricks, not for their Use, but their + Abstruseness, are beheld with Pleasure;) by diverting the Mind + from its Road of serious Thoughts, by instilling Gaiety, and + Airiness of Spirit; by provoking to such Disposition of Spirit + in Way of Emulation, or Complaisance; and by seasoning Matters + otherwise distasteful or insipid, with an unusual and thence + grateful Tange. + +This Description, it is easy to perceive, must have cost the Author of +it a great deal of Labour. It is a very full Specimen of that Talent +of entirely _exhausting_ a Subject, for which Dr. _Barrow_ was +remarkable; and if the _Point_ was, to exhibit all the various Forms +and Appearances, not of WIT only, but of _Raillery_, _Satire_, +_Sarcasms_, and of every Kind of _Poignancy_ and _Pleasantry_ of +Sentiment, and Expression, he seems to have perfectly succeeded; there +being perhaps no Variety, in all the Extent of these Subjects, which +he has not presented to View in this Description.--But he does not +pretend to give any _Definition_ of WIT, intimating rather that it is +quite impossible to be given: And indeed from his Description of it, +as a _Proteus_, appearing in numberless various Colours, and Forms; +and from his mistaking, and presenting for WIT, other different +Mixtures and Substances, it is evident that his Idea of it was quite +confused and uncertain: It is true, he has discovered a vast Scope of +Fertility of Genius, and an uncommon Power of collecting together a +Multitude of Objects upon any Occasion, but he has here absolutely +mistaken his work; for instead of exhibiting the Properties of WIT in +a clearer Light, and confuting the _false Claims_ which are made to +it, he has made it his whole Business to perplex it the more, by +introducing, from all Corners, a monstrous Troop of new unexpected +_Pretenders_. + +_Dryden_, in the Preface to his _Opera_, entitled, _The State of +Innocence_, or _Fall of Man_, gives the following _Decree_ upon WIT. + The _Definition of WIT_, (which has been so often attempted, and + ever unsuccessfully by many Poets) is only this: That it is _a + Propriety of Thoughts and Words; or in other Terms, Thoughts and + Words elegantly adapted to the Subject_. + +If Mr. _Dryden_ imagined, that he had succeeded _himself_ in this +_Definition_, he was extremely mistaken; for nothing can be more +distant from the Properties of WIT, than those he describes. He +discovers no Idea of the _Surprize_, and _Brilliancy_ of WIT, or of +the sudden _Light_ thrown upon a Subject. Instead of once pointing at +these, he only describes the Properties of clear _Reasoning_, which +are _a Propriety of Thoughts and Words_;--Whereas WIT, in its sudden +_Flashes_, makes no Pretension to _Reasoning_; but is perceived in the +pleasant _Surprize_ which it starts, and in the _Light_ darted upon +a Subject, which instantly vanishes again, without abiding a strict +Examination. + +The other Definition he gives, which is, _Thoughts and Words elegantly +adapted to the Subject_, is very different from the former, but +equally unhappy. + +For _Propriety_, in _Thoughts_ and _Words_, consists in exhibiting +_clear, pertinent Ideas_, in _precise_ and _perspicuous Words_. + +Whereas ELEGANCE consists in the _compt_, _well pruned_ and _succinct +Turn_ of a Subject. + +The Object of the _First_, is to be _clear_, and _perspicuous_; whence +it often appears in pursuit of these, not _compt_ or _succinct_: +Whereas the _Essence_ of ELEGANCE is to be _compt_ and _succinct_, +for the Sake of which Ornaments it often neglect _Perspicuity_, and +_Clearness_.--In short, a _Propriety_ of Thoughts and Words, may +subsist without any _Elegance_; as an _Elegance_ of Thoughts and Words +may appear without a perfect _Propriety_. + +The last _Definition_, as it is thus very different from the former is +also equally unhappy: For ELEGANCE is no _essential_ Property of WIT. +_Pure_ WIT resulting solely from the _quick Elucidation_ of one +Subject, by the sudden _Arrangement_, and _Comparison_ of it, +with another Subject.--If the two Objects _arranged_ together are +_elegant_, and _polite_, there will then be superadded to the WIT, +an _Elegance_ and _Politeness_ of Sentiment, which will render the +WIT more amiable. But if the Objects are _vulgar_, _obscene_, or +_deformed_, provided the _first_ be _elucidated_, in a lively Manner, +by, the sudden _Arrangement_ of it with the _second_, there will be +equally WIT; though, the Indelicacy of Sentiment attending it, will +render such WIT shocking and abominable. + +It is with the highest Respect for the great Mr. _Locke_, that I +deliver his Sentiments upon this Subject. + + And hence, perhaps, may be given some Reason of that common + Observation, that Men who have a great deal of _Wit_, and prompt + Memories, have not always the clearest Judgment or deepest + Reason: For _Wit_ lying most in the Assemblage of _Ideas_, and + putting those together with Quickness and Variety, wherein can be + found any Assemblance or Congruity, thereby to make up pleasant + Pictures, and agreeable Visions in the Fancy. _Judgment_, on the + contrary, lies quite on the other side; in separating carefully + one from another, _Ideas_, wherein can be found the least + Difference, thereby to avoid being missed by Similitude, and + by Affinity to take one thing for another. This is a Way of + proceeding quite contrary to Metaphor and Allusion; wherein for + the most Part lies that Entertainment and Pleasantry of _Wit_, + which strikes so lively on the Fancy, and therefore is acceptable + to all People, because its Beauty appears at first Sight, and + there is required no Labour of Thoughts to examine what Truth, + or Reason, there is in it. The Mind, without looking any further, + rests satisfied with the Agreeableness of the Picture, and the + Gaiety of the Fancy. And it is a kind of an Affront to go about + to examine it by the severe Rules of Truth, and good Reason, + whereby it appears, that it conflicts in something that is not + perfectly conformable to them. + +It is to be observed that Mr. _Locke_ has here only occasionally, +and passantly, delivered his Sentiments upon this Subject; but yet he +has very happily explained the chief Properties of WIT. It was _his_ +Remark _First_, that it lies for the most _Part_ in _assembling_ +together with _Quickness_ and _Variety_ Objects, which possess an +_Affinity_, or _Congruity_, with each other; which was the _first_ +just Information obtained by the literary World, upon this Subject. + +As to what he adds, That the Intention, and Effects, of this +_Assemblage_ of _similar_ Objects, is _to make up pleasant Pictures, +and agreeable Visions in the Fancy_, it is, as I humbly apprehend, not +quite perfect: For the Business of this _Assemblage_ is not merely to +raise pleasant Pictures in the Fancy, but also to _enlighten_ +thereby the _original_ Subject.--This is evident; because in such +_Assemblages_, the only Foundation upon which the _new Subject_ +is suddenly introduced, is the _Affinity_, and consequently the +_Illustration_, it bears to the _first_ Subject.--The Introduction of +pleasant Pictures and Visions, which present not a new _Illustration_, +and _Light_, to the _original_ Subjects, being rather wild Sallies of +_Vivacity_, than well-aimed, apposite Strokes of WIT. + +It is Mr. _Locke_'s Conclusion, at last, That WIT _consists in +something that is not perfectly conformable to Truth, and good +Reason_.--This is a _Problem_ of some Curiosity; and I apprehend +Mr. _Locke_'s Determination upon it to be right:--For the _Direction_ +of WIT is absolutely different from the _Direction of_ TRUTH and GOOD +REASON; It being the Aim of WIT to strike the _Imagination_; of TRUTH +and GOOD REASON, to convince the _Judgment_: From thence they can +never be perfectly coincident. + +It is however true, that there may be Instances of WIT, wherein the +_Agreement_ between the two Objects shall be absolutely _just_, and +perceived to be such at the first Glance. Such Instances of WIT, will +be then also _Self-evident_ TRUTHS. They will _both_ agree in their +obvious, and quick _Perspicuity_; but will be still different in this, +that the Effort of the _One_ is to strike the _Fancy_, whereas the +_Other_ is wholly exerted in gratifying the _Judgment_. + +The Sentiments of Mr. _Addison_ upon WIT, are professedly delivered in +the _Spectator_ Nš. 62. annexed to the following _Essay_. He has there +justly commended Mr. _Locke_'s Description of WIT; but what he adds, +by Way of Explanation to it, that the _Assemblage_ of Ideas must be +such as shall give _Delight_, and _Surprize_, is not true, in regard +to the Former, _Delight_ being no _essential_ Property of WIT; for +if the _original_ Subject be unpleasant, or deformed, the sudden +unexpected _Arrangement_ of a _similar_ Object with it, may give us +_Surprize_, and be indisputably WIT, and yet be far from creating any +_Delight_. + +This Gentleman has also given the following Example, in order to +illustrate the Necessity there is, that _Surprize_ should be always +an Attendant upon WIT. + + "When a Poet tells us, the Bosom of his Mistress is as white as + Snow, there is no _Wit_ in the Comparison; but when he adds, + with a Sigh, that it as cold too, it then grows to Wit." + +--To compare a Girl's _Bosom_ to _Snow_ for its _Whiteness_ I +apprehend to be WIT, notwithstanding the Authority of so great a +Writer to the contrary. For there is a _Lustre_ resulting from the +_natural_ and _splendid Agreement_ between these Objects, which will +_always_ produce WIT; such, as cannot be destroyed, though it will +quickly be rendered _trite_, by frequent Repetition. + +This _Problem_, _How far_ SURPRIZE _is, or is not, necessary to_ WIT, +I humbly apprehend, may be thus solved.--In Subjects which have a +_natural_ and _splendid Agreement_, there will always be WIT upon +their _Arrangement_ together; though when it becomes _trite_, and not +accompanied with _Surprize_, the _Lustre_ will be much faded;--But +where the _Agreement_ is _forced_ and _strained_, _Novelty_ and +_Surprize_ are absolutely necessary to usher it in; An unexpected +_Assemblage_ of this Sort, striking our Fancy, and being gaily +admitted at first to be WIT; which upon frequent Repetition, the +_Judgment_ will have examined, and rise up against it wherever it +appears;--So that in short, in Instances where the _Agreement_ is +_strained_ and _defective_, which indeed are abundantly the most +general, _Surprize_ is a necessary _Passport_ to WIT; but _Surprize_ +is not necessary to WIT, where the _Agreement_ between the two +Subjects is _natural_ and _splendid_; though in these Instances +it greatly heightens the _Brillancy_. + +The subsequent Remark of Mr. _Addison_, _That the Poet, after saying +his Mistress's Bosom is as white as Snow, should add, with a Sigh, +that it is as cold too, in order that it may grow to_ WIT, is I fear, +very incorrect. For as to the _Sigh_, it avails not a Rush; and this +Addition will be found to be only a _new_ Stroke of WIT, equally +_trite_, and less perfect, and natural, than the former Comparison. + +It may also be observed, That Mr. _Addison_ has omitted the +_Elucidation_ of the _original_ Subject, which is the grand Excellence +of WIT. Nor has he prescribed any _Limits_ to the Subjects, which are +to be arranged together; without which the Result will be frequently +the SUBLIME or BURLESQUE; In which, it is true, WIT often appears, +but taking their whole Compositions together, they are different +Substances, and usually ranked in different _Classes_. + +All that Mr. _Congreve_ has delivered upon WIT, as far as I know, +appears in his _Essay_ upon HUMOUR, annexed to this Treatise. He +there says, + To define HUMOUR, perhaps, were as difficult, as to define WIT; + for, like that, it is of infinite Variety. +--Again, he afterwards adds, + But though we cannot certainly tell what WIT is, or what HUMOUR + is, yet we may _go near_ to shew something, which is not WIT, or + not HUMOUR, and yet often mistaken for both. +--In this _Essay_, wherein he particularly considers HUMOUR, and +the Difference between _this_, and WIT, he may be expected to have +delivered his best Sentiments upon both: But these Words, which I +have quoted, seem to be as important and precise, as any which he has +offered upon the Subject of WIT. As such, I present them, without any +Remarks, to my Reader, who, if he only _goes near_ to be _edified_ by +them, will discover a great Share of _Sagacity_. + +The Sentiments of these eminent Writers upon WIT, having thus been +exhibited, I come next to the Subject of HUMOUR. This has been +_defined_ by some, in the following Manner, with great _Perspicuity._ +--HUMOUR is the genuine WIT of _Comedies_,--which has afforded +vast Satisfaction to many _Connoissures_ in the _Belles Lettres_; +especially as WIT has been supposed to be incapable of any +_Definition._ + +This Subject has also been particularly considered by the +_Spectatator_ Nš. 35. inserted at the End of the following +_Essay_. Mr. _Addison_ therein _gravely_ remarks, that + It is indeed much easier to describe what is not HUMOUR, than + what it is; +which, I humbly apprehend, is no very _important_ Piece of +Information.--He adds, + And very difficult to define it otherwise, than as _Cowly_ has + done WIT, by Negatives. +This Notion of _defining_ a Subject by _Negatives_, is a favourite +_Crotchet_, and may perhaps be assumed upon other Occasions by future +Writers: I hope therefore I shall be pardoned, if I offer a proper +Explanation of so good a _Conceit_;--To declare then, _That a Subject is +only to be_ DEFINED _by_ NEGATIVES, is to cloath it in a _respectable_ +Dress of _Darkness_. And about as much as to say, That it is a _Knight_ +of _tenebrose Virtues_; or a _serene Prince_, of the _Blood_ of _Occult +Qualities_. + +Mr. _Addison_ proceeds, + Were I to give my own Notions of HUMOUR, I should deliver them + after _Plato's_ Manner, in a Kind of Allegory; and by supposing + HUMOUR to be a Person, deduce to him, all his Qualifications, + according to the following Genealogy: TRUTH was the Founder of + the Family, and the Father of GOOD SENSE; GOOD SENSE was the + Father of WIT, who married a Lady of a collateral Line called + MIRTH, by whom he had Issue HUMOUR. +--It is very unfortunate for this _Allegorical_ Description, that +there is not one Word of it just: For TRUTH, GOOD SENSE, WIT, and +MIRTH, represented to be the immediate _Ancestors_ of HUMOUR; whereas +HUMOUR is derived from the _Foibles_, and whimsical _Oddities_ +of _Persons_ in real Life, which flow rather from their +_Inconsistencies_, and _Weakness_, than from TRUTH and GOOD SENSE; +Nor is WIT any _Ancestor_ of HUMOUR, but of a quite different +_Family_; it being notorious that much HUMOUR may be drawn from +the Manners of _Dutchmen_, and of the most formal and dull Persons, +who are yet never guilty of WIT. Again, MIRTH is not so properly +the _Parent_ of HUMOUR, as the _Offspring_.--In short, this whole +_Genealogy_ is a _nubilous_ Piece of Conceit, instead of being any +_Elucidation_ of HUMOUR. It is a formal Method of trifling, introduced +under a deep Ostentation of Learning, which deserves the severest +Rebuke.--But I restrain my Pen, recollecting the _Visions_ of MIRZA, +and heartily profess my high Veneration for their admirable Author. + +The _Essay_ upon HUMOUR, at the End of this Treatise, written by +Mr. _Congreve_, is next to be considered. It appears, that at first +he professes his absolute Uncertainty in regard to this Subject; and +says, "_We cannot certainly tell what_ WIT _is, or what_ HUMOUR _is_." +But yet, through his whole Piece, he neglects the Subject of HUMOUR in +general, and only discourses upon the HUMOUR, by which he means barely +the _Disposition_, of Persons: This may particularly appear from the +following Words. + + A Man may change his Opinion, but I believe he will find it a + Difficulty to part with his HUMOUR; and there is nothing more + provoking than the being made sensible of that Difficulty. + Sometimes we shall meet with those, who perhaps indifferently + enough, but at the same time impertinently, will ask the + Question, WHY ARE YOU NOT MERRY? WHY ARE YOU NOT GAY, PLEASANT, + AND CHEARFUL? Then instead of answering, could I ask such a + Person, WHY ARE YOU NOT HANDSOME? WHY HAVE YOU NOT BLACK EYES, + AND A BETTER COMPLEXION? Nature abhors to be forced. + + The two famous Philosophers of _Ephesus_ and _Abdera_, have their + different Sects at this Day. Some weep, and others laugh at one + and the same Thing. + + I don't doubt but you have observed several Men laugh when they + are angry; others, who are silent; some that are loud; yet I + cannot suppose that it is the Passion of ANGER, which is in + itself different, or more or less in one than t'other, but that + it is the HUMOUR of the Man that is predominant, and urges him to + express it in that Manner. Demonstrations of PLEASURE, are as + various: One Man has a HUMOUR of retiring from all Company, when + any thing has happened to please him beyond Expectation; he hugs + himself alone, and thinks it an Addition to the Pleasure to keep + it a Secret, &c. + +All which, I apprehend, is no more than saying; That there are different +_Dispositions_ in different _Persons_. + +In another Place, he seems to understand by _Humour_, not only the +_Disposition,_ but the _Tone_ of the _Nerves_, of a Person, +thus, + + "Suppose MOROSE to be a Man naturally splenetic, and melancholy; + is there any thing more offensive to one of such a DISPOSITION + (where he uses the Word instead of _Humour_) than Noise and + Clamour? Let any Man that has the Spleen (and there are enough in + England) be Judge. We see common Examples of this HUMOUR in + little every Day. 'Tis ten to one, but three Parts in four of the + Company you dine with, are discomposed, and started at the + cutting of a Cork, or scratching of a Plate with a Knife; it is + a Proportion of the same HUMOUR, that makes such, or any other + Noise, offensive to the Person that hears it; for there are + others who will not be disturbed at all by it. + +At this Rate every _Weakness_ of _Nerves_, or _Particularity_ of +_Constitution,_ is HUMOUR. + +It is true, he justly points out in another Place the different +Sentiments, which ought to be adapted to different _Characters_ in +_Comedy_, according to their different _Dispositions_, or, as he +phrases it, _Humours_: As for Instance, he very rightly observes, + That a Character of a splenetic and peevish HUMOUR, Should have + a satirical WIT. A jolly and sanguine HUMOUR should have a + facetious WIT. +--But still this is no Description of what is well felt, and known, by +the general Name of HUMOUR. + +However, as what I have already quoted, may appear to be only his +looser Explanations, it will be necessary to deliver his more closed +and collected Sentiments upon this Subject. These he gives in the +following Words, + I should be unwilling to venture, even in a bare _Description_ of + _Humour_, much more to make a _Definition_ of it; but now my Hand + is in, I will tell you what serves me instead of either. I take + it to be, _A singular and unavoidable Manner of doing or saying + any thing, peculiar and natural to one Man only, by which his + Speech and Actions are distinguished from those of other Men." +--This Description is very little applicable to HUMOUR, but tolerably +well adapted to other Subjects.--Thus, a Person, who is happy in a +particular _Grace_, which accompanies all his Actions, may be said to +possess _a singular and unavoidable Manner of doing or saying any +thing, peculiar and natural to him only, by which his Speech and +Actions are distinguished from those of other Men_. And the same +may be said of a Person of a peculiar _Vivacity_, _Heaviness_, +or _Awkwardness_.--In short, this Description is suited to any +_Particularity_ of a Person in general, instead of being adapted +to the _Foibles_ and _whimsical Oddities_ of Persons, which alone +constitute HUMOUR. + +These are the only Pieces upon WIT, and HUMOUR, which have fallen +within my Knowledge; I have here fairly delivered them at length; +and from the Respect which is due to such eminent Writers, have +distinctly and deliberately examined the Merit of each.--As to my +own _Performance_, which is now submitted to the Public, I have to +wish, that it may gain a candid and strict Examination. It has been +my Endeavour to give _Definitions_ of the Subjects, upon which I have +treated; A _Plan_ the most difficult of all others to be executed by +an Author; But such an one, as I apprehend, deserves to be more +generally introduced, and established. If once it was expected by the +Public, that _Authors_ should strictly _define_ their Subjects, it +would instantly checque an Inundation of Scribbling. The _desultory_ +Manner of Writing would be absolutely exploded; and _Accuracy_ and +_Precision_ would be necessarily introduced upon every Subject. + +This is the _Method_ pursued in Subjects of _Philosophy_; Without +clear and precise _Definitions_ such noble Advances could never have +been made in those Sciences; And it is by the Assistance of _these_ +only, that Subjects of _Polite Literature_, can ever be enlightened +and embellished with just Ornaments. If _Definitions_ had been +constantly exacted from Authors there would not have appeared _one +hundreth_ Part of the present Books, and yet every Subject had been +better ascertained.--Nor will this Method, as some may imagine, be +encumbered with Stiffness; On the contrary, in _illustrating_ the +Truth of _Definitions_ there is a full Scope of the utmost Genius, +Imagination, and Spirit of a Writer; and a Work upon this _Plan_ is +adorned with the highest Charms appearing with _Propriety_, +_Clearness_, and _Conviction_, as well as Beauty. + +It is true, that the Difficulties, which attend an able Execution +of this _Method_, are not open to a careless Eye; And it is some +Mortification to an _Author_ upon this _Plan_, that his greatest +_Merit_ is likely to lie concealed; A _Definition,_ or _Distinction,_ +which after much Attention and Time he has happily delivered with +_Brevity_ and _Clearness_, appearing hereby quite obvious, to others, +and what they cannot imagine could require Pains to discover. + +As to the _Examples_, by which I have illustrated the _Definition_ of +_Wit_, they are _common_ and _trite_; but are the best, which I could +find upon deliberate Enquiry. Many Modern instances of _Wit_, which +left very lively Impressions upon me, when I heard them, appearing +upon Re-examination to be quite strained and defective. These, which +I have given, as they are thus _trite_, are not designed in themselves +for any Entertainment to the Reader; but being various, and distant +from each other, they very properly serve to explain the Truth, and +Extent of the _Definition_. + +The Character of an HUMOURIST, I expect, will be strange to most of +my Readers; and if no Gentleman is acquainted with a _Person_ of this +_Cast_, it must pass for a _Monster_ of my own Creation;--As to the +Character of Sir _John Falstaff_, it is chiefly extracted from +_Shakespear_, in his 1st Part of King _Henry_ the _IVth_; But so far +as _Sir John_ in _Shakspear's_ Description, sinks into a _Cheat_ or a +_Scoundrel_, upon any Occasion, he is different from that _Falstaff_, +who is designed in the following _Essay_, and is entirely an amiable +Character. + +It is obvious, that the Appearance, which _Falstaff_ makes, in the +unfinished Play of _The Merry Wives of Windsor_, is in general greatly +below his true Character. His Imprisonment and Death in the latter +Part of King _Henry_ the _IVth_, seem also to have been written by +_Shakespear_ in Compliance with the _Austerity_ of the Times; and in +order to avoid the Imputation of encouraging _Idleness_ and mirthful +_Riot_ by too amiable and happy an Example. + +The Criticism, which I have made, upon _Horace_'s Narrative of his +_Adventure_ with an _Impertinent Fellow_, I offer with Respect; And +beg leave to observe that the chief Part which I object to, is the +_Propriety_ of his introducing himself in so _ridiculous a Plight_; + --Dum sudor ad imos + Manaret Talos; +And + Demitto Auriculas, ut iniquæ mentis Acellus + Cum gravius dorso subiit onus. +And other Representations of the same sort, seem to place _Horace_ +in a very mean and ludicrous Light; which it is probable he never +apprehended in the full Course of exposing his Companion;--Besides, +the Conduct of his Adversary is in several Places, excessively, and, +as it may be construed, _designedly_, insolent and contemptuous; and +as no Merit or Importance belongs to this Person, there appears no +Reason why _Horace_ should endure such Treatment; or, if the other was +too _powerful_ for him, it is not an _Adventure_ of _Honour_; or what +_Horace_ should chuse to expose to the World in this manner, with all +the Particulars of his own despicable Distress. + +However, the _Mirth_ which results from this Narrative, as it +now stands, is perhaps rather the stronger at first, by the full +_Ridicule_ which lies against _Horace_, and his Adversary;--But, upon +Reflection, there arises a Disgust, at the Impropriety of _Horace's_ +exposing his own _Meanness_, as well as at the nauseous _Impudence_ +of his Companion. + +As to _uncommon_ Words, if any such appear in this _Introduction_, +or in the following _Essay_, I hope they want neither _Propriety_, +_Clearness_, nor _Strength_;--And if the _Length_of this Piece to an +_Essay_ so _short_ shall happen at first to _disturb_ any _Critic_, +I beg leave to inform him, that all, which can be fairly collected +from it, is only, that it may have cost _me_ the more Trouble;--But +upon mentioning the _Length_ of this Piece, what behoves me the most, +is, to return my Thanks to two _Gentlemen_, who suffered me to read to +them the whole, as it was gradually written; And by whose _judicious_ +and _friendly Instructions_ in the Course of it, my own _Imagination_ +was often prevented from running into _Riots_. + +However, I am far from imagining, that I have always been reduced +within just Bounds; And now feel a sufficient Share of _Concern_ and +_Anxiety_, for the _Fate_ of this Work;--Yet, I humbly apprehend, that +_this_ must freely be allowed me, that I have not been a _Plagiary_; +But have constantly delivered my own _original_ Sentiments, without +_purloining_ or _disfiguring_ the Thoughts of others; An _Honesty_, +which, I hope, is laudable in an _Author_; And as I have not _stolen_, +neither have I _concealed_, the _Merit_ of other Writers. + +It will also be found, as I humbly apprehend, that I have never +_shunned_ the Subject: I mention this particularly, because it is +the Practice of many eminent Writers, after much _curvetting_ and +_prauncing_, suddenly to wheel, and retire, when they are expected +to make their most full Attack.--These Gentlemen, it is true, very +happily avoid _Danger_, and advance and retreat in _excellent Order_: +But, with their Leave, I must observe that they never do any +_Execution_; For Subjects, which have not been surveyed, and laid +open, are like _fortified Places_; and it is the Business of a +_Writer_, as well as of a _Soldier_, to make an Attack;--This has been +the Conduct I have held in the following _Essay_; and however I may +be _shattered_ upon any Occasion, I hope it will appear (if I may be +allowed the Expression) that I have fairly _charged_ the Subjects. + +Having offered these Circumstances in my Favour, I must frankly +acknowledge, that I am not able to plead any _Hurry_ or _Precipitancy_ +in the publishing of this Work, in Excuse of its Errors; Though +I clearly understand, that by making this Discovery, I absolutely +deprive myself of the most _genteel_ and _fashionable Screen_ now used +by Authors;--But I imagined, that it became me to spare no Labour or +Attention upon a Work, which I should presume to offer to the World; +Happening to esteem this _Care_ and _Concern_, a _Respect_ due to the +_Public_, and the proper Species of _Humility_ and _Modesty_ in an +_Author_. + + + * * * * * + + An + ESSAY + on + Wit, Humour, Raillery, & c. + + + WIT is the LUSTRE resulting from the quick ELUCIDATION of one + Subject, by a _just_ and unexpected ARRANGEMENT of it with + another Subject. + +This _Definition_ of WIT will more clearly appear by a short +Explanation. + +It is the Province of WIT to _elucidate_, or _enlighten_ a Subject, +not by reasoning upon that Subject, but by a just and unexpected +Introduction of another _similar_, or _opposite_ Subject; whereby, +upon their _Arrangement_ together, the _original_ Subject may be _set +off_, and more clearly _enlighten'd_, by their obvious Comparison. + +It may be proper, for the sake of Distinction, to call the Subject, +which is the Basis and Ground-work, the _original_ Subject; and that +which is introduced, in order to _elucidate_ it, the _auxiliary_ +Subject. + +That there be always an apparent Chain or Connexion, or else an +obvious Agreement or Contrast, between the two Subjects, is absolutely +requir'd, in order that the _Auxiliary_ one may be _justly_ +introduced; otherwise, instead of WIT, there will only appear +a rambling _Vivacity_, in wild, unprovoked Sallies. + +And yet _every just_ or _natural_ Introduction of an _auxiliary_ +Subject will not produce WIT, unless a new _Lustre_ is reflected +from thence upon the _original_ Subject. + +It is further to be observed, that the Introduction of the _auxiliary_ +Subject ought not only to be _just_, but also _unexpected_, which are +entirely consistent together; For as every Subject bears various +Relations and Oppositions to other Subjects, it is evident that each +of these Relations and Oppositions upon being exhibited, will be +_unexpected_ to the Persons, who did not perceive them before; and +yet they are _just_ by Supposition. + +It is upon such _unexpected_ Introductions of _auxiliary_ Subjects, +that we are struck with a _Surprize_; from whence the high +_Brilliancy_ and _Sparkling_ of WIT, result. + +Whereas _Auxiliary_ Subjects, introduced upon such Occasions, as they +have been frequently exhibited before, are apt to fall dull, and heavy +upon the Fancy; and unless they possess great natural Spirit, will +excite no sprightly Sensation. + +It is also necessary to observe, that, in WIT, the Subjects concern'd +must be _ordinary_ and _level_; By which are intended, not such as +are _common_, but such as have no _extraordinarily exalted_, or +_enlarged_, Qualities; and are not _unsizeable_ in the particular +Circumstances in which they are compared to each other;--otherwise it +is easy to perceive, that the Result of their _Arrangement_ will not +be so properly WIT, as either the SUBLIME, or BURLESQUE. + +To all this is to be added, that either _Gallantry, Raillery_, +_Humour_, _Satire_, _Ridicule_, _Sarcasms_, or other Subjects, are +generally blended with WIT; It has been for want of this Discovery, +and of a proper Separation of these Subjects, that the Attempts which +have hitherto been made to _define_ WIT, have been all involv'd and +overwhelm'd in Perplexity; For the different Mixtures of these foreign +Ingredients with WIT, have discover'd such various and opposite +_Colours_ and _Substances_, as were impossible to be comprehended in +one certain steady _Definition_;--Whereas _pure_ WIT alone, constantly +appears in _one uniform_ Manner; which is, _In the _quick Elucidation_ +of one Subject, by _unexpectedly_ exhibiting its _Agreement_ or +_Contrast_ with another Subject_. + +It is proper in this Place, to distinguish between WIT, SIMILES, +and METAPHORS. SIMILES, though they _illustrate_ one Subject, by +_arranging_ it with another Subject, are yet different from WIT, +as they want its _sudden_ and _quick Elucidation_. + +Again; In WIT, the _Elucidation_ is thrown only upon _one_ Point of a +Subject; or if more Points be _elucidated_, they are so many different +Strokes of WIT;--Whereas every SIMILE touches the Subject it +_illustrates_ in _several Points_. + +It is from hence, that the _Elucidation_, as before mention'd, arising +from a SIMILE, is _slower_ than from WIT; But then is is generally +more _accurate_ and _compleat_;--In short, WIT, from its _Quickness_, +exhibits more _Brilliancy_, But SIMILES possess greater _Perfection_. + + A METAPHOR, is the _Arrayment_ of one Subject, with the _Dress_, + or _Colour_, or any _Attributes_, of another Subject. + +In WIT, the two Subjects are suddenly confronted with each other, +and upon their joint View, the _original_ one is _elucidated_ by the +obvious _Agreement_ or _Contrast_ of the _auxiliary_ Subject. + +But METAPHOR goes further, and not content with _arranging_ the two +Subjects together, and exhibiting from thence their _Agreement_ or +_Contrast_, it actually snatches the Properties of the _auxiliary_ +one, and fits them at once upon the _original_ Subject. + +It is evident from hence, that there may be WIT without any METAPHOR; +But in every just METAPHOR there is WIT; The _Agreement_ of the two +Subjects being in a METAPHOR more strictly and sensibly presented. + +There is also this Difference between WIT and METAPHOR, that in WIT +the _original_ Subject is _enlighten'd_, without altering its _Dress_; +whereas in METAPHOR the _original_ Subject is cloathed in a _new +Dress_, and struts forwards at once with a different _Air_, and with +strange _unexpected Ornaments_. + +It is from hence, that by METAPHOR a more masculine Air and Vigour is +given to a Subject, than by WIT; But it too often happens, that the +METAPHOR is carried so far, as instead of _elucidating_, to obscure +and disfigure, the _original_ Subject. + +To exhibit some Examples of WIT. + + +1. + +_Henry_ the IVth of _France_, intimating to the _Spanish_ Ambassador +the Rapidity, with which he was able to over-run _Italy_, told him, +that _if once he mounted on Horseback, he should breakfast at_ Milan, +_and dine at_ Naples; To which the Ambassador added, _Since your +Majesty travels at this rate, you may be at Vespers in_ Sicily. + +The Introduction of the _Vespers_ at SICILY is here _natural_, and +easy; as it seems only to be carrying on his Majesty's Journey at the +same rate, and to compleat the Progress of the Day; But it ushers at +once into View the _Destruction_ of the _French_ upon a _similar_ +Occasion, when they formerly over-ran SICILY, and were all massacred +there at the ringing of the Bell for _Vespers_;--The sudden +Introduction and _Arrangement_ of this Catastrophe, with the +Expedition then threaten'd, sets the Issue of such a Conquest in +a new _Light_; And very happily exhibits and _elucidates_ the Result +of such vain and restless Adventures. + +It may be observed, that the _quick_ Introduction and _Arrangement_ +of any former Conquest of _Italy_ by the _French_, with the Expedition +then threaten'd, would have exhibited WIT; whatever the Issue had been +of such former Conquest; But in this Instance, there sits couched +under the WIT, a very _severe Rebuke_ upon the _French_ Monarch. + + +2. + +_Alexander_ the VIth was very busily questioning the Ambassador of +_Venice_, Of whom his Masters held their Customs and Prerogatives of +the Sea? To which the Ambassador readily answer'd; _If your_ HOLINESS +_will only please to examine your Charter of St._ PETER's _Patrimony, +you will find upon the Back of it, the Grant made to the_ VENETIANS +_of the_ ADRIATIC. + +The Authority of the _Grant_ to the _Venetians_ is in this Instance +the _original_ Subject, which is thus suddenly _elucidated_ to the +_Pope_, by _arranging_, and connecting it with the holy _Charter_ of +St. _Peter_'s Patrimony; There is a peculiar Happiness in the Address +of this Answer to the _Pope_, as he was obliged to receive it as a +satisfactory Account of the Truth of the _Grant_, and a clear +_Elucidation_ of its sacred Authority. + +In this Instance, besides the WIT which shines forth, the _Pope_ is +severely expos'd to your _Raillery_, from the Scrape into which he has +brought the _Charter_ of St. _Peter's_ Patrimony, by his Attack of the +_Ambassador_; The _fictitious_ Existence of both the _Charter_ and +_Grant_ being sarcastically pointed out, under this respectable Air +of _Authenticity_. + + +3. + +Upon the Restoration Mr. _Waller_ presented a congratulatory Copy of +Verses to King _Charles_; His Majesty, after reading them, said,-- +_Mr_. Waller, _these are very good, but not so fine as you made upon +the_ PROTECTOR.--To which Mr. _Waller_ return'd,--_Your Majesty will +please to recollect, that we Poets always write best upon_ FICTIONS. + +The _original_ Subject in this Instance is _the superior Excellence of +Mr_. WALLER's _Verses upon_ Cromwell; This he most happily excuses, by +starting at once, and _arranging_ along with them, the Remark, that +_Poets have always excell'd upon Fiction_; whereby he unexpectedly +exhibits his _more excellent_ Verses to _Cromwell_, as a plain +_Elucidation_ of the _fictitious_ Glory of the Protector; And +intimates at the same time, that the _Inferiority_ of his present +Performance was a natural _Illustration_ of his Majesty's _real_ +Glory;--Never was a deep Reproach averted by a more happy Reply; which +comprehends both the highest Compliment to his Majesty, and a very +firm poetical Excuse of the different Performances. + + +4. + +_Leonidas_ the _Spartan_ General, when he advanced near the _Persian_ +Army, was told by one of his own Captains, that _their Enemies were so +numerous, it was impossible to see the Sun for the Multitude of their +Arrows_; To which he gallantly reply'd, _We shall then have the +Pleasure of fighting in the Shade_. + +The vast Cope of _Persian_ Arrows is here the _original_ Subject; +which instead of being observed by _Leonidas_ with Terror, presents +to his Fancy the pleasant Idea of a cool _Canopy_. There is an +_Agreement_ and Affinity between the two Objects, in regard to the +_Shelter from the Sun_, which is at once obvious, and _unexpected_; +And the Cloud of the Enemies Arrows is thus gaily _elucidated_, by the +_Arrangement_ and Comparison of it with so desirable an Object as +_shady Covering_. + +This Saying of the _Spartan_ General has been handed through many Ages +to the present Time; But the chief Part of the Pleasure it gives us, +results not so much from the WIT it contains, as from the _Gallantry_, +and _chearful Spirit_, discover'd in Danger, by _Leonidas_. + + +5. + +An Instance of WIT in the _Opposition_, I remember to have read +somewhere in the _Spectators_; where Sir _Roger de Coverley_ +intimating the Splendor which the perverse Widow should have appear'd +in, if she had commenced Lady _Coverley_, says: + +_That he would have given her a_ Coalpit _to have kept her in_ clean +Linnen: _And that her Finger should have_ sparkled _with one hundred +of his richest_ Acres. + +The joint Introduction of these _opposite_ Objects, as a _Coalpit_ +with _clean Linnen_, and _dirty Acres_ with the _Lustre_ of a _Jewel_, +is _just_ in this Instance, as they really produce each other in their +Consequences; The _natural Opposition_ between them, which is strongly +_elucidated_ by their _Arrangement_ together, and at the same time +their _unexpected Connexion_ in their Consequences, strike us with a +_Surprize_, which exhibits the _Brilliancy_ and _Sparkling_ of WIT. + +There is also in this Instance, besides the WIT, a Spirit of +_Generosity_, and _Magnificence_, discover'd by Sir _Roger_, from +the known Value of a _Coalpit_, and of so many rich _Acres_. + +This Kind of WIT, resulting from the sudden _Arrangement_ together of +two _opposite_ Objects, is rarer, than that which is obtained from +two _similar_ Objects; It abounds with a high _Surprize_, and +_Brilliancy_; and also strongly _elucidates_ the _original_ Object, +from the _Contrast_ presented between _this_, and the _auxiliary_ one; +In the same manner as _White_ is more clearly set _off_, by being +arranged with _Black_. + +It may be proper to observe, that WIT, besides being struck out by +_just_, and _direct_ Introductions of _auxiliary_ Subjects, is also +sometimes obtain'd by _Transitions_ from one Subject to another, by +the Help of an _equivocal Word_; which like a _Bridge_, with two +Roads meeting at the End of it, leads to two different Places. +_Transitions_, thus made from the right Course, have indeed the +Pretence of being _natural_; but they ought always to lead us +to something _brilliant_ or poignant, in order to justify their +_Deviation_; and not to end only at a ridiculous PUN, void of all +Spirit and Poignancy. + +The WIT, in such Instances, results, as in all others, from the quick +_Arrangement_ together of two Subjects; But that, which was first +intended for the _original_ one, is dropped; And a new _original_ +Subject is started, through the _double Meaning_ of a Word, and +suddenly _enlighten'd_. + +To give a _trite_ Instance of this kind of WIT. + +A PEER coming out of the House of Lords, and wanting his Servant, +called out, _Where's my Fellow?_ To which another PEER, who stood by +him, returned, _Faith, my Lord, not in_ England. + +A Transition is here unexpededly made from the Sense intended in the +Question to another Point, through the double Meaning of the word +_Fellow_; it being obvious, that his Lordship's _Servant_ is the +Sense of the Word in the Question; and what Person is _like_ to his +Lordship, the Construction put upon it in the Answer: Thus a new +_original_ Subject is started, and being suddenly _arranged_ with all +that appear _similar_ to it, is _enlighten'd_ thereby, being found to +have no _equal_ in _England_. + +However, though WIT may be _thus_ struck out, and also appears in the +_Contrast_ with great _Brilliancy_, yet the highest and most perfect +Instances of it result from the sudden and _direct Arrangement_ +together of two Objects, which hold a perspicuous and splendid +_Agreement_ with each other; It is then adorn'd with the Charms of +_Propriety_, _Clearness_ and _Illustration_; It dispels the Darkness +around an Object, and presents it diftinctly and perfectly to our +View; chearing us with its _Lustre_, and at the same time informing us +with its _Light_. + +Thus, a Gentleman was observing, that _there was_ somewhat _extremely +pleasing in an excellent_ Understanding, _when it appeared in a +beautiful_ Person; To which another returned, _It is like a fine_ +Jewel _well set_; You are here pleased with the Happiness, Propriety, +and Splendor of this _new_ Object, which finely _elucidates_ the +original Sentiment;--In short, it is the Excellence of WIT, _to +present the_ first Image _again to your mind, with new unexpected_ +Clearness _and_ Advantage. + +It is also proper to add, that there may be WIT in a _Picture_, +_Landscape_, or in any _Prospect_, where a gay unexpected _Assemblage_ +of _similar_, or _opposite_ Objects, is presented. + + JUDGMENT, is the Faculty of discerning the various _Dimensions_, + and _Differences_, of Subjects. + + INVENTION is the Faculty of finding out new _Assortments_, and + _Combinations_, of _Ideas_. + + HUMOUR is any _whimsical Oddity_ or _Foible_, appearing in the + _Temper_ or _Conduct_ of a _Person_ in _real Life_. + +This _whimsical Oddity_ of Conduct, which generally arises from the +strange _Cast_, or _Turn_ of Mind of a _queer_ Person, may also result +from _accidental_ Mistakes and Embarrassments between other Persons; +who being misled by a wrong Information and Suspicion in regard to a +Circumstance, shall act towards each other upon this Occasion, in the +same _odd whimsical_ manner, as _queer_ Persons. + +If a _Person_ in real Life, discovers any odd and remarkable +_Features_ of Temper or Conduct, I call such a Person in the _Book_ +of _Mankind_, a _Character_. So that the chief Subjects of HUMOUR are +Persons in real Life, who are _Characters_. + +It is easy to be perceived, that HUMOUR, and WIT are extremely +different. + +HUMOUR appears only in the _Foibles_ and _whimsical Conduct_ of +_Persons_ in real Life; WIT appears in _Comparisons_, either between +_Persons_ in real Life, or between _other Subjects_. + +HUMOUR is the _whimsical Oddity_, or _Foible_, which fairly appears in +its Subject, of itself; whereas WIT, is the _Lustre_ which is thrown upon +_one_ Subject, by the _sudden Introduction_ of another Subject. + +To constitute HUMOUR, there need be no more than _one_ Object +concern'd, and this must be always some _Person_ in _real Life_;-- +whereas to produce WIT, there must be always _two_ Objects _arranged_ +together, and either or both of these may be _inanimate_. + +However, though HUMOUR and WIT are thus absolutely different in +themselves, yet we frequently see them blended together. + +Thus if any _Foible_ of a _Character_ in real Life is _directly_ +attacked, by pointing out the unexpected and ridiculous _Affinity_ it +bears to some _inanimate_ Circumstances, this Foible is then ridiculed +with WIT, from the _Comparison_ which is made.--At the same time, as +the _whimsical Oddity_ of a _Character_ in real Life is the _Ground_ +of the whole, there is also _Humour_ contain'd in the Attack. + +If instead of referring the _Foible_ of a Person to any _inanimate_ +Circumstance, the _Allusion_ had been made to any other ridiculous +_Person_ in _real Life_; As a _conceited Fellow_, perpetually +recommending his own Whims, to a _Quack-Doctor_;--This _Foible_ +will then be ridiculed with HUMOUR; which is likewise the original +_Ground_: At the same Time, from the _Comparison_ which is made, there +is apparently WIT in the Description. + +So that where-ever the _Foible_ of a _Character_ in real Life is +concern'd, there HUMOUR comes in; and wherever a sprightly unexpected +_Arrangement_ is presented of two _similar_, or _opposite_ Subjects, +whether animate or inanimate, there WIT is exhibited. + +HUMOUR and WIT, as they may thus both be united in the same Subject, +may also separately appear without the least Mixture together; that +is, there may be HUMOUR without WIT, and WIT without HUMOUR. + +Thus, if in order to expose the _Foible_ of a _Character_, a _real +Person_ is introduc'd, abounding in this _Foible_, gravely persisting +in it, and valuing himself upon the Merit of it, with great Self- +sufficiency, and Disdain of others; this _Foible_ is then solely +ridiculed with HUMOUR. + +Again, if a gay unexpected _Allusion_ is made from one _inanimate_ +Object to another, or from one _Person_ in _real_ Life to another, +without any Reference to their whimsical _Oddities_ or _Foibles_; +there WIT only appears.--Various Instances of which, independent of +HUMOUR, have been already exhibited. + +A _Man_ of WIT is + he, who is happy in _elucidating_ any Subject, _by a just and + unexpected Arrangement_ and _Comparison_ of it with another + Subject. + +It may be also proper to describe a _Man_ of HUMOUR, and an HUMOURIST, +which are very different Persons. + +A _Man_ of HUMOUR is + one, who can happily exhibit a weak and ridiculous _Character_ + in real Life, either by assuming it himself, or representing + another in it, so naturally, that the _whimsical Oddities,_ and + _Foibles,_ of that _Character,_ shall be palpably expos'd. + +Whereas an HUMOURIST + is a _Person_ in real Life, obstinately attached to sensible + peculiar _Oddities_ of his own genuine Growth, which appear in + his Temper and Conduct. + +In short, a _Man_ of _Humour_ is one, who can happily exhibit and +expose the Oddities and Foibles of an _Humourist_, or of other +_Characters_. + +The _Features_ of an HUMOURIST being very remarkable and singular, +seem justly to deserve an explicit Description. It is then to be +observ'd, that an _Humourist_, at the same time that he is guided in +his Manners and Actions by his own genuine original Fancy and Temper, +disdains all _Ostentation_; excepting that alone of his _Freedom_ and +_Independency_, which he is forward of shewing upon every Occasion, +without Ceremony; he is quite superior to the _Affectation_ of a +Virtue or Accomplishment, which he thinks does not belong to him; +scorns all _Imitation_ of others; and contemns the rest of the World +for being servilely obedient to Forms and Customs; disclaiming all +such Submission himself, and regulating his Conduct in general by his +own _Conviction_, + +The _Humourist_ is forward upon many Occasions to deliver his Opinion, +in a peremptory Manner, and before he is desir'd; but he gives it +sincerely, unbiass'd by _Fear_ or _Regard_, and then leaves it to the +Persons concern'd to determine for themselves; For he is more pleas'd +in the Bottom to find his Opinion _slighted_, and to see the Conduct +of others agreeable to that System of Folly and Weakness, which he has +established with himself, to be the Course of their Actions.--To view +a rational Conduct, even in pursuance of his own Advice, would greatly +disappoint him; and be a Contradiction to this _System_ he has laid +down;--Besides it would deprive him of an Occasion of gratifying his +Spleen, with the Contempt of that Folly, which he esteems to be +natural to the rest of Mankind; For he considers himself in the World, +like a _sober_ Person in the Company of Men, who are _drunken_ or +_mad_; He may advise them to be calm, and to avoid hurting themselves, +but he does not expect they will regard his Advice; On the +contrary, he is more pleas'd with observing their _Freaks_ and +_Extravagancies_.--It is from hence that he discourages and +depreciates all who pretend to _Discretion_; Persons of this Temper +not yielding him Sport or Diversion. + +It is certain that the _Humourist_ is excessively _proud_, and yet +without knowing or suspecting it. For from the Liberty which he +frankly allows to others, of rejecting his Opinion, he is fully +persuaded, that he is free from all _Pride_; But tho' he acts in this +Circumstance without over-bearing, it has already appear'd, not to be +the Effect of his _Humility_, but of a different Motive; a Pleasure +which he takes in observing the Extravagancies of others, rather +than their Discretion. But to demonstrate his _Pride_, besides the +peremptory Manner in which he delivers his Opinion, and conducts +himself upon every Occasion, without any Deference to others, there is +this Circumstance against him; that he is the most stung by a Defeat, +upon any Topic, of all Men living; And although he disregards +Accusations of Roughness and Oddity, and rather esteems them to +be meritorious; yet he will never admit, that he has been fairly +overthrown in a Debate. + +It is odd to observe how the _Humourist_ is affected by _contemptuous_ +Treatment. An Insult of this Sort, which justly excites the +_Resentment_ of others, _terrifies_ him: It sets him upon _suspecting_ +himself, and upon doubting whether he be really that Person of +superior Sense to the rest of the World, which he has long fancied. +The Apprehension, that he actually deserves the Contempt which is put +upon him, and that he is no more than one of the common Herd, almost +distracts him; And instead of violently depreciating, or attacking +again, the Person who has contemn'd him, he will incessantly court his +Favour and good Opinion, as a Cordial he wants, though without seeming +to do so. This is a very extraordinary Weakness, and such as the +_Humourist_ would be infinitely uneasy to find ever observ'd. + +The _Humourist_, though he quickly espies, and contemns the +_Contradictions_ of others, is yet wilfully attach'd to several +himself, which he will sometimes persue through a long Course of his +own Mortification.--It may be often observ'd, that he will avoid the +Company he likes, for fear they should think he needs their Support.-- +At the same time, if he happens to fall into Company, which he tallies +not with, instead of avoiding this Company, he will continually haunt +them: For he is anxious, lest any Imputation of a Defeat should stand +out against him, and extremely sollicitous to wipe it away; Besides, +he cannot endure it should be thought that he is driven from the Pit. +--Thus, in the first Instance, his _Pride_ shall persuade him to +neglect the Company he likes; and shall force him, in the last, to +follow the Company he hates and despises. + +It is also observable that the _Humourist_, though he makes it his +Point to regulate his Conduct only by his own Conviction, will +sometimes run counter to it, merely from his Disdain of all +_Imitation_. Thus he will persist in a wrong Course, which he knows +to be such, and refuse his Compliance with an Amendment offer'd by +others, rather than endure the Appearance of being an _Imitator_. This +is a _narrow_ Side of the _Humourist_; and whenever he is turn'd upon +it, he feels great Uneasiness himself. It strikes a durable Pain +into his Breast, like the constant gnawing of a Worm; and is one +considerable Source of that Stream of Peevishnesss incident to +_Humourists_. + +Upon the same Principle of scorning all _Imitation_, the _Humourist_ +seldom heartily assents to any speculative Opinion, which is deliver'd +by another; for he is above being inform'd or set right in his +Judgment by any Person, even by a Brother _Humourist_. If two of this +_Cast_ happen to meet, instead of uniting together, they are afraid of +each other; and you shall observe _one_, in order to court the good +Opinion of the _other_, produce a Specimen of his own Perfection as an +_Humourist_; by exhibiting some unusual Strain of _sensible Oddity_, +or by unexpectedly biting a poor _Insipid_; which the other +_Humourist_ shall answer again in the same manner, in order to +display _his_ Talents. + +These are the _Foibles_ and _narrow_ Whims of a perfect _Humourist_. +But, on the other hand, he stands upon a very enlarged Basis; Is a +Lover of Reason and Liberty; and scorns to flatter or betray; nor will +he falsify his Principles, to court the Favour of the Great. He is not +credulous, or fond of Religious or Philosophical Creeds or Creed- +makers; But then he never offers himself to forge Articles of Faith +for the rest of the World. Abounding in poignant and just Reflections; +The Guardian of Freedom, and Scourge of such as do wrong. It is _He_ +checks the Frauds, and curbs the Usurpations of every Profession. The +venal Biass of the assuming Judge, the cruel Pride of the starch'd +Priest, the empty Froth of the florid Counsellor, the false Importance +of the formal Man of Business, the specious Jargon of the grave +Physician, and the creeping Taste of the trifling Connoisseur, are all +bare to his Eye, and feel the Lash of his Censure; It is _He_ that +watches the daring Strides, and secret Mines of the ambitious Prince, +and desperate Minister: _He_ gives the Alarm, and prevents their +Mischief. Others there are who have Sense and Foresight; but _they_ +are brib'd by Hopes or Fears, or bound by softer Ties; It is _He_ +only, the _Humourist_, that has the Courage and Honesty to cry out, +unmov'd by personal Resentment: He flourishes only in a Land of +_Freedom_, and when _that_ ceases he dies too, the last and noblest +_Weed_ of the Soil of _Liberty_. + +It is a palpable _Absurdity_ to suppose a Person an _Humourist_, +without excellent Sense and Abilities; as much as to suppose a _Smith_ +in his full Business, without his _Hammers_ or _Forge_.--But the +_Humourist_, as he advances in Years, is apt to grow intolerable to +himself and the World; becoming at length, uneasy, and fatigued with +the constant View of the same Follies; like a Person who is tir'd +with seeing the same Tragi-Comedy continually acted. This sowres his +Temper; And unless some favorable Incidents happen to mellow him, he +resigns himself wholly to Peevishness.--By which Time he perceives +that the World is quite tir'd of _him_.--After which he drags on the +Remainder of his Life, in a State of _War_ with the rest of Mankind. + +The _Humourist_ is constitutionally, and also from Reflection, a Man +of _Sincerity_.--If he is a _Rogue_ upon any Occasion, he is more +wilfully one, and puts greater Violence upon himself in being such, +than the rest of the World; And though he may generally seem to have +little _Benevolence_, which is the common Objection against him, +it is only for want of proper Objects; for no Person has certainly +a quicker _Feeling_; And there are Instances frequent, of greater +Generosity and humane Warmth flowing from an _Humourist_, than are +capable of proceeding from a weak _Insipid_, who labours under a +continual Flux of Civility. + +Upon the whole, the _Humourist_ is perhaps the least of all others, +a _despicable_ Character. But Imitations, which are frequently seen +of this Character, are excessively despicable.--What can be more +ridiculous, than a Wretch setting up for an _Humourist_, merely upon +the Strength of disrelishing every Thing, without any Principle;--The +Servants, Drawers, Victuals, Weather,--and growling without Poignancy +of Sense, at every new Circumstance which appears, in public or +private. A perfect and compleat _Humourist_ is rarely to be found; +and when you hear his _Voice_, is a different Creature.--In writing to +_Englishmen_, who are generally tinged, deeply or slightly, with the +_Dye_ of the _Humourist_, it seem'd not improper to insist the longer +upon this Character; However, let none be too fond of it; For though +an _Humourist_ with his Roughness is greatly to be preferr'd to a +smooth _Insipid_, yet the Extremes of both are equally wretched: +_Ideots_ being only the lowest Scale of _Insipids_, as _Madmen_ are no +other than _Humourists_ in Excess. + +It may be proper to observe in this place, that though all +_Ostentation_, _Affectation_, and _Imitation_ are excluded from the +Composition of a perfect _Humourist_; yet as they are the obvious +_Foibles_ of some Persons in Life, they may justly be made the Subject +of _Humour_. + +For HUMOUR extensively and fully understood, is _any remarkable_ +Oddity _or_ Foible _belonging to a_ Person _in_ real Life; _whether +this_ Foible _be constitutional, habitual_, or _only affected; whether +partial in one or two Circumstances; or tinging the whole Temper and +Conduct of the_ Person. + +It has from hence been observ'd, that there is more HUMOUR in the +_English_ Comedies than in others; as we have more various odd +_Characters_ in real Life, than any other Nation, or perhaps than +all other Nations together. + +That HUMOUR gives more Delight, and leaves a more pleasurable +Impression behind it, than WIT, is universally felt and established; +Though the Reasons for this have not yet been assign'd.--I shall +therefore beg Leave to submit the following. + +1. HUMOUR is more _interesting_ than WIT in general, as the _Oddities_ +and _Foibles_ of _Persons_ in _real Life_ are more apt to affect our +Passions, than any Oppositions or Relations between _inanimate_ +Objects. + +2. HUMOUR is _Nature_, or what really appears in the Subject, without +any Embellishments; WIT only a Stroke of _Art_, where the original +Subject, being insufficient of itself, is garnished and deck'd with +auxiliary Objects. + +3. HUMOUR, or the Foible of a _Character_ in real Life, is usually +insisted upon for some Length of Time. From whence, and from the +common Knowledge of the Character, it is universally felt and +understood.--Whereas the Strokes of WIT are like sudden _Flashes_, +vanishing in an Instant, and usually flying too fast to be +sufficiently marked and pursued by the Audience. + +4. HUMOUR, if the Representation of it be just, is compleat and +perfect in its Kind, and entirely fair and unstrain'd.--Whereas in the +Allusions of WIT, the Affinity is generally imperfect and defective in +one Part or other; and even in those Points where the Affinity may be +allow'd to subsist, some Nicety and Strain is usually requir'd to make +it appear. + +5. HUMOUR generally appears in such Foibles, as each of the Company +thinks himself superior to.--Whereas WIT shews the Quickness and +Abilities of the Person who discovers it, and places him superior +to the rest of the Company. + +6. Humour, in the Representation of the _Foibles_ of _Persons_ in +_real Life_, frequently exhibits very _generous benevolent_ Sentiments +of the Heart; And these, tho' exerted in a particular odd Manner, +justly command our Fondness and Love.--Whereas in the Allusions of WIT, +_Severity_, _Bitterness_, and _Satire_, are frequently exhibited.--And +where these are avoided, not worthy amiable Sentiments of the _Heart_, +but quick unexpected Efforts of the _Fancy_, are presented. + +7. The odd Adventures, and Embarrassments, which _Persons_ in _real +Life_ are drawn into by their _Foibles_, are fit Subjects of _Mirth_. +--Whereas in pure WIT, the Allusions are rather _surprizing_, than +_mirthful_; and the _Agreements_ or _Contrasts_ which are started +between Objects, without any relation to the _Foibles_ of _Persons_ +in real Life, are more fit to be _admired_ for their _Happiness_ and +_Propriety_, than to excite our _Laughter_.--Besides, WIT, in the +frequent Repetition of it, tires the Imagination with its precipitate +Sallies and Flights; and teizes the Judgment.--Whereas HUMOUR, in the +Representation of it, puts no Fatigue upon the _Imagination_, and +gives exquisite Pleasure to the _Judgment_. + +These seem to me to be the different Powers and Effects of HUMOUR and +WIT. However, the most agreeable Representations or Competitions of +all others, appear not where they _separately_ exist, but where they +are _united_ together in the same Fabric; where HUMOUR is the _Ground- +work_ and chief Substance, and WIT happily spread, _quickens_ the +whole with Embellishments. + +This is the Excellency of the _Character_ of Sir _John Falstaff_; +the _Ground-work_ is _Humour_, the Representation and Detection of +a bragging and vaunting _Coward_ in _real Life_; However, this alone +would only have expos'd the _Knight_, as a meer _Noll Bluff_, to the +Derision of the Company; And after they had once been gratify'd with +his Chastisement, he would have sunk into Infamy, and become quite +odious and intolerable: But here the inimitable _Wit_ of Sir _John_ +comes in to his Support, and gives a new _Rise_ and _Lustre_ to his +Character; For the sake of his _Wit_ you forgive his _Cowardice_; or +rather, are fond of his _Cowardice_ for the Occasions it gives to his +_Wit_. In short, the _Humour_ furnishes a Subject and Spur to the +_Wit_, and the _Wit_ again supports and embellishes the _Humour_. + +At the _first_ Entrance of the _Knight_, your good Humour and Tendency +to _Mirth_ are irresistibly excited by his jolly Appearance and +Corpulency; you feel and acknowledge him, to be the fittest Subject +imaginable for yielding _Diversion_ and _Merriment_; but when you +see him immediately set up for _Enterprize_ and _Activity_, with his +evident _Weight_ and _Unweildiness_, your Attention is all call'd +forth, and you are eager to watch him to the End of his Adventures; +Your Imagination pointing out with a full Scope his future +Embarrassments. All the while as you accompany him forwards, he +_heightens_ your Relish for his future Disasters, by his happy Opinion +of his own Sufficiency, and the gay Vaunts which he makes of his +Talents and Accomplishments; so that at last when he falls into a +Scrape, your Expectation is exquisitely gratify'd, and you have the +full Pleasure of seeing all his trumpeted Honour laid in the Dust. +When in the midst of his Misfortunes, instead of being utterly +demolish'd and sunk, he rises again by the superior Force of his +_Wit_, and begins a _new_ Course with fresh Spirit and Alacrity; +This excites you the more to _renew_ the Chace, in full View of his +_second_ Defeat; out of which he recovers again, and triumphs with +new Pretensions and Boastings. After this he immediately starts upon +a _third_ Race, and so on; continually detected and caught, and +yet constantly extricating himself by his inimitable _Wit_ and +_Invention_; thus yielding a perpetual _Round_ of Sport and Diversion. + +Again, the genteel _Quality_ of Sir _John_ is of great Use in +supporting his Character; It prevents his _sinking_ too low after +several of his Misfortunes; Besides, you allow him, in consequence of +his _Rank_ and _Seniority_, the Privilege to dictate, and take the +Lead, and to rebuke others upon many Occasions; By this he is sav'd +from appearing too _nauseous_ and _impudent_. The good _Sense_ +which he possesses comes also to his Aid, and saves him from being +_despicable_, by forcing your Esteem for his real Abilities.--Again, +the _Privilege_ you allow him of rebuking and checking others, when he +assumes it with proper Firmness and Superiority, helps to _settle_ +anew, and _compose_ his Character after an Embarrassment; And reduces +in some measure the _Spirit_ of the Company to a proper _Level_, +before he sets out again upon a fresh Adventure;--without this, they +would be kept continually _strain'd_, and _wound up_ to the highest +Pitch, without sufficient Relief and Diversity. + +It may also deserve to be remark'd of _Falstaff_, that the _Figure_ +of his _Person_ is admirably suited to the _Turn_ of his _Mind_; so +that there arises before you a perpetual _Allusion_ from one to the +other, which forms an incessant Series of _Wit_, whether they are in +_Contrast_ or _Agreement_ together.--When he pretends to _Activity_, +there is _Wit_ in the _Contrast_ between his _Mind_ and his _Person_, +--And _Wit_ in their _Agreement_, when he triumphs in _Jollity_. + +To compleat the whole,--you have in this Character of _Falstaff_, +not only a free Course of _Humour_, supported and embellish'd with +admirable _Wit_; but this _Humour_ is of a Species the most _jovial_ +and _gay_ in all Nature.--Sir _Jobn Falstaff_ possesses Generosity, +Chearfulness, Alacrity, Invention, Frolic and Fancy superior to all +other Men;--The _Figure_ of his _Person_ is the Picture of Jollity, +Mirth, and Good-nature, and banishes at once all other Ideas from your +Breast; He is happy himself, and makes you happy.--If you examine him +further, he has no Fierceness, Reserve, Malice or Peevishness lurking +in his Heart; His Intentions are all pointed at innocent Riot and +Merriment; Nor has the Knight any inveterate Design, except against +_Sack_, and that too he _loves_.--If, besides this, he desires to +pass for a Man of _Activity_ and _Valour_, you can easily excuse so +harmless a _Foible_, which yields you the highest Pleasure in its +constant _Detection_. + +If you put all these together, it is impossible to _hate_ honest +_Jack Falstaff_; If you observe them again, it is impossible to avoid +_loving_ him; He is the gay, the witty, the frolicksome, happy, and +fat _Jack Falstaff_, the most delightful _Swaggerer_ in all Nature.-- +You must _love_ him for your _own_ sake,--At the same time you cannot +but _love_ him for _his own_ Talents; And when you have _enjoy'd_ +them, you cannot but _love_ him in _Gratitude_;--He has nothing to +disgust you, and every thing to give you Joy;--His _Sense_ and his +_Foibles_ are equally directed to advance your Pleasure; And it is +impossible to be tired or unhappy in his Company. + +This _jovial_ and _gay_ Humour, without any thing _envious_, +_malicious_, _mischievous_, or _despicable_, and continually +_quicken'd_ and adorn'd with _Wit_, yields that peculiar Delight, +without any _Alloy_, which we all feel and acknowledge in _Falstaff's_ +Company.--_Ben Johnson_ has _Humour_ in his _Characters_, drawn with +the most masterly Skill and Judgment; In Accuracy, Depth, Propriety, +and Truth, he has no _Superior_ or _Equal_ amongst _Ancients_ or +_Moderns_; But the _Characters_ he exhibits are of _satirical_, and +_deceitful_, or of a _peevish_ or _despicable_ Species; as _Volpone_, +_Subtle_, _Morose_, and _Abel Drugger_; In all of which there is +something very justly to be _hated_ or _despised_; And you feel +the same Sentiments of _Dislike_ for every other _Character_ of +_Johnson_'s; so that after you have been _gratify'd_ with their +_Detention_ and _Punishment_, you are quite tired and disgusted with +their Company:--Whereas _Shakespear_, besides the peculiar _Gaiety_ in +the _Humour_ of _Falstaff_, has guarded him from disgusting you with +his _forward Advances_, by giving him _Rank_ and _Quality_; from being +_despicable_ by his real good _Sense_ and excellent _Abilities_; from +being _odious_ by his _harmless Plots_ and _Designs_; and from being +_tiresome_ by his inimitable Wit, and his new and incessant _Sallies_ +of highest _Fancy_ and _Frolick_. + +This discovers the _Secret_ of carrying COMEDY to the highest Pitch of +Delight; Which lies + in drawing the Persons exhibited, with such chearful and amiable + _Oddities_ and _Foibles_, as you would chuse in your own + _Companions_ in _real Life; +--otherwise, tho' you may be diverted at first with the _Novelty_ of a +Character, and with a proper _Detection_ and _Ridicule_ of it, yet its +_Peevishness_, _Meanness_, or _Immorality_, will begin to disgust you +after a little Reflection, and become soon _tiresome_ and _odious_; It +being certain, that + whoever cannot be endured as an _accidental_ Companion in _real + Life_, will never become, for the very same Reasons, a _favorite + comic Character_ in the Theatre. + +This _Relish_ for _generous_ and _worthy_ Characters alone, which +we all feel upon the _Theatre_, where no Biass of Envy, Malice, or +personal Resentment draws us aside, seems to be some Evidence of our +_natural_ and _genuin_ Disposition to _Probity_ and _Virtue_; tho' the +Minds of most Persons being early and deeply _tinged_ with vicious +Passions, it is no wonder that _Stains_ have been generally mistaken +for _original Colours_. + +It may be added, that _Humour_ is the most exquisite and delightful, +when the _Oddities_ and _Foibles_ introduc'd are not _mischievous_ or +_sneaking_, but _free_, _jocund_, and _liberal_; and such as result +from a generous Flow of Spirits, and a warm universal _Benevolence_. + +It is obviously from hence, that the _Character_ of Sir _Roger_ de +_Coverly_ in the _Spectators_ is so extremely agreeable. His _Foibles_ +are all derived from some amiable Cause.--If he believes that _one +Englishman_ can conquer _two Frenchmen_, you laugh at his _Foible_, +and are fond of a _Weakness_ in the Knight, which proceeds from his +high Esteem of his _own Country-men_.--If he chuses you should employ +a _Waterman_ or _Porter_ with _one_ Leg, you readily excuse the +Inconvenience he puts you to, for his worthy regard to the Suffering +of a brave _Soldier_.--In short, though he is guilty of continual +Absurdities, and has little Understanding or real Abilities, you +cannot but _love_ and _esteem_ him, for his _Honour_, _Hospitality_, +and universal _Benevolence_. + +It is indeed true, that his _Dignity_, _Age_, and _Rank_ in his +Country, are of constant Service in _upholding_ his Character. +These are a perpetual _Guard_ to the Knight, and preserve him from +_Contempt_ upon many Occasions.--All which corresponds entirely with +the fore-going _Remark_. For you would be fond of Sir _Roger's_ +Acquaintaince and Company in _real Life_, as he is a Gentleman of +_Quality_ and _Virtue_; You love and admire him in the _Spectators_ +for the _same_ Reasons; And for these also he would become, if he was +rightly exhibited, a _favorite_ Character in the _Theatre_. + +It may be proper to observe in this Place, that the _Business_ +of COMEDY is to exhibit the whimsical _unmischievous Oddities_, +_Frolics,_ and _Foibles_ of _Persons_ in _real Life_; And also to +_expose_ and _ridicule_ their _real Follies_, _Meanness_, and _Vices_. +The _former_, it appears, is more pleasurable to the Audience, but the +_latter_ has the Merit of being more instructive. + +The _Business_ of TRAGEDY is to exhibit the _Instability_ of _human_ +Grandeur, and the unexpected _Misfortunes_ and _Distresses_ incident +to the _Innocent_ and _Worthy_ in all Stations.--And also to shew the +terrible Sallies and the miserable Issue and Punishment of ungovern'd +Passions and Wickedness.--The _former_ softens the Heart and fills it +with Compassion, Humility and Benevolence.--Compositions of this Sort +are the highest, most admirable, and useful in all Nature, when they +are finish'd with Propriety and Delicacy, and justly wrought up +with the Sublime and Simplicity.--The _latter_ Species of _Tragedy_ +terrifies and shocks us, in exhibiting both the Crimes and the +Punishments. It threatens us into Moderation and Justice, by shewing +the terrible Issue of their Contraries. Pieces of this Sort, conducted +with Propriety, and carrying Application to ourselves, can scarcely be +desireable; But as they are generally conducted, they amount only to +giving us an absurd Representation of a Murther committed by some +furious foaming _Basha_, or _Sultan_. + +To return.--_Johnson_ in his COMIC Scenes has expos'd and ridicul'd +_Folly_ and _Vice_; _Shakespear_ has usher'd in _Joy_, _Frolic_ and +_Happiness_.--The _Alchymist_, _Volpone_ and _Silent Woman_ of +_Johnson_, are most exquisite _Satires_. The _comic_ Entertainments of +_Shakespear_ are the highest Compositions of _Raillery_, _Wit_ +and _Humour_. _Johnson_ conveys some Lesson in every Character. +_Shakespear_ some new Species of Foible and Oddity. The one pointed +his Satire with masterly Skill; the other was inimitable in touching +the Strings of Delight. With _Johnson_ you are confin'd and +instructed, with _Shakespear_ unbent and dissolv'd in Joy. _Johnson_ +excellently concerts his Plots, and all his Characters unite in the +one Design. _Shakespear_ is superior to such Aid or Restraint; His +Characters continually sallying from one independent Scene to another, +and charming you in each with fresh Wit and Humour. + +It may be further remark'd, that _Johnson_ by pursuing the most useful +Intention of _Comedy_, is in Justice oblig'd to _hunt down_ and +_demolish_ his own Characters. Upon this Plan he must necessarily +expose them to your _Hatred_, and of course can never bring out an +amiable Person. His _Subtle_, and _Face_ are detected at last, and +become mean and despicable. Sir _Epicure Mammon_ is properly trick'd, +and goes off ridiculous and detestable. The _Puritan Elders_ suffer +for their Lust of Money, and are quite nauseous and abominable; And +his _Morose_ meets with a severe Punishment, after having sufficiently +tir'd you with his Peevishness.--But _Shakespear_, with happier +Insight, always supports his Characters in your _Favour_. His Justice +_Shallow_ withdraws before he is tedious; The _French_ Doctor, and +_Welch_ Parson, go off in full Vigour and Spirit; Ancient _Pistoll_ +indeed is scurvily treated; however, he keeps up his Spirits, and +continues to threaten so well, that you are still desirous of his +Company; and it is impossible to be tir'd or dull with the gay +unfading Evergreen _Falstaff_. + +But in remarking upon the Characters of _Johnson_, it would be unjust +to pass _Abel Drugger_ without notice; This is a little, mean, +sneaking, sordid Citizen, hearkening to a Couple of Sharpers, who +promise to make him rich; they can scarcely prevail upon him to resign +the least Tittle he possesses, though he is assur'd, it is in order to +get more; and your Diversion arises, from seeing him _wrung_ between +_Greediness_ to _get_ Money, and _Reluctance_ to _part_ with any for +that Purpose. His Covetousness continually prompts him to follow the +Conjurer, and puts him at the same Time upon endeavouring to stop his +Fees. All the while he is excellently managed, and spirited on +by _Face_. However, this Character upon the whole is _mean_ and +_despicable_, without any of that free spirituous jocund Humour +abounding in _Shakespear_. But having been strangely exhibited upon +the Theatre, a few Years ago, with odd Grimaces and extravagant +Gestures, it has been raised into more Attention than it justly +deserved; It is however to be acknowledg'd, that _Abel_ has no +Hatred, Malice or Immorality, nor any assuming Arrogance, Pertness +or Peevishness; And his eager Desire of getting and saving Money, by +Methods he thinks lawful, are excusable in a Person of his Business; +He is therefore not odious or detestable, but harmless and inoffensive +in private Life; and from thence, correspondent with the Rule already +laid down, he is the most capable of any of _Johnson_'s Characters, of +being a Favourite on the Theatre. + +It appears, that in Imagination, Invention, Jollity and gay Humour, +_Johnson_ had little Power; But _Shakespear_ unlimited Dominion. The +first was cautious and strict, not daring to sally beyond the Bounds +of Regularity. The other bold and impetuous, rejoicing like a Giant to +run his Course, through all the Mountains and Wilds of Nature and +Fancy. + +It requires an almost painful Attention to mark the Propriety and +Accuracy of _Johnson_, and your Satisfaction arises from Reflection +and Comparison; But the Fire and Invention of _Shakespear_ in an +Instant are shot into your Soul, and enlighten and chear the most +indolent Mind with their own Spirit and Lustre.--Upon the whole, +_Johnson_'s Compositions are like finished Cabinets, where every +Part is wrought up with the most excellent Skill and Exactness;-- +_Shakespear_'s like magnificent Castles, not perfectly finished or +regular, but adorn'd with such bold and magnificent Designs, as at +once delight and astonish you with their Beauty and Grandeur. + + + RAILLERY is a genteel poignant Attack of a _Person_ upon any + _slight Foibles_, _Oddities_, or _Embarrassments_ of his, in + which he is tender, or may be supposed to be tender, and + unwilling to come to a free Explanation. + + SATIRE is a witty and severe Attack of _mischievous Habits_ or + _Vices_; + + RIDICULE is a free _Attack_ of any _Motly Composition_, wherein a + real or affected _Excellence_ and _Defect_ both jointly appear, + _glaring_ together, and _mocking_ each other, in the same + _Subject_. + +Hence the Aim of _Raillery_, is to please you, by some little +_Embarrassment_ of a _Person_; Of _Satire_, to scourge _Vice_, and +to deliver it up to your just _Detestation_; And of _Ridicule_, to +set an Object in a mean ludicrous Light, so as to expose it to your +_Derision_ and _Contempt_. + +It appears therefore that _Raillery_ and _Ridicule_ differ in several +Circumstances. + +1. _Raillery_ can only be employ'd in relation to _Persons_, but +_Ridicule_ may be employ'd in what relates either to _Persons_, or +other _Objects_. + +2. _Raillery_ is us'd only upon _slight_ Subjects, where no real +Abilities or Merit are questioned, in order to avoid degrading the +Person you attack, or rendering him contemptible; Whereas _Ridicule_ +observes no such Decency, but endeavours really to degrade the Person +attack'd, and to render him contemptible. + +3. _Raillery_ may be pointed at a whimsical Circumstance, only because +a Person is known to be tender upon it; and your Pleasure will arise +from the _Embarrassment_ he suffers, in being put to an Explanation;-- +Thus a young Gentleman may be _rallied_ upon his Passion for a Lady;-- +At the same Time there may be no Ground for _Ridicule_ in this +Circumstance, as it may no way deserve your _Derision_ or _Contempt_. + +4. As it thus appears that there are Subjects of _Raillery_, into +which _Ridicule_ cannot justly be admitted; So there are Subjects +of _Ridicule_, wherein your Derision and Contempt are so strongly +excited, that they are too gross for _Raillery_;--As a person tossed +in a Blanket; or the unfortunate Attack which another has made upon a +Windmill. + +5. In short, _Raillery_, if the Adventures it is turn'd upon are +too _gross_ and _luscious_, becomes _Ridicule_; And therefore, in +Comparison together, _Raillery_ appears like _Wine_ of a thin Body, +and delicate poignant Flavour; _Ridicule_, like a _Wine_ which is +fuller, and more rich, and luscious. + +_Quixote_ is a Character, wherein _Humour_ and _Ridicule_ are finely +interwoven;--It is not a Subject of _Satire_, as the Knight is free +from all Badness of Heart, and Immorality; Nor properly of _Raillery_, +his Adventures in general being too _gross_ and _disastrous_;-- The +_Humour_ appears, in the Representation of a Person in real Life, +fancying himself to be, under the most solemn Obligations to attempt +_hardy_ Atchievements; and upon this Whimsy immediately pursuing the +most romantic Adventures, with great Gravity, Importance, and Self- +sufficiency; To heighten your Mirth, the _hardy_ Atchievements to be +accomplish'd by this Hero, are wittily contrasted by his own +meagre weak Figure, and the _desperate Unfierceness_ of his Steed +_Rozinante_;--The _Ridicule_ appears in the strange Absurdity of the +Attempts, upon which the Knight chuses to exercise his Prowess; Its +Poignancy is highly quicken'd, and consequently the Pleasure it gives +you, by his miserable Disasters, and the doleful Mortifications of all +his Importance and Dignity;--But here, after the Knight, by diverting +you in this manner, has brought himself down to the lowest Mark, he +rises again and forces your Esteem, by his excellent Sense, Learning +and Judgment, upon any Subjects which are not ally'd to his Errantry; +These continually act for the Advancement of his Character; And with +such Supports and Abilities he always obtains your ready Attention, +and never becomes heavy or tedious. + +To these you are to add the perfect _good Breeding_ and _Civility_ of +the Knight upon every Occasion; which are some Kind of Merit in his +Favour, and entitle him to Respect, by the Rules of common Gentility +and Decency; At the same time his Courage, his Honour, Generosity, +and Humanity, are conspicuous in every Act and Attempt; The _Foibles_ +which he possesses, besides giving you exquisite Pleasure, are wholly +inspir'd by these worthy Principles; Nor is there any thing base, or +detestable, in all his Temper or Conduct; It was from hence that the +DUKE and the DUTCHESS were extremely delighted with his Visit at their +_Castle_; And you yourself, if he existed in real Life, would be fond +of his Company at your own Table; which proves him, upon the whole, to +be an amiable Character;--It is therefore no wonder that Signior _Don +Quixote of la Mancha_ has been so courteously receiv'd in every +Country of _Europe_. + +Thus delightfully wrought, as this History is, with _Humour_ and +_Ridicule_, yet _Cervantes_, still fearful of tiring you with too much +of the _Errantry_, has introduc'd the most charming Variety of other +Adventures; --All along in the pacific Intervals, you are inform'd of +the private Occurrences between the Knight and his 'Squire; And from +these, where it is least to be expected, you are surpriz'd with the +most high and delicious Repast;-- Nothing can be more pregnant with +Mirth, than the Opposition continually working between the grave +Solemnity and Dignity of _Quixote_, and the arch Ribaldry and Meanness +of _Sancho_; And the Contrast can never be sufficiently admir'd, +between the _excellent fine Sense_ of the ONE, and the _dangerous +common Sense_ of the OTHER. + +It is here that the Genius and Power of _Cervantes_ is most admirably +shewn; He was the greatest Master that ever appear'd, in finely +opposing, and contrasting his Characters. It is from hence that you +feel a Poignancy and Relish in his Writings, which is not to be met +with in any others; The natural Reflexions and Debates of _Quixote_ +and _Sancho_ would have been barren, insipid, and trite, under other +Management; But _Cervantes_, by his excellent Skill in the _Contrast_, +has from these drawn a Regale, which for high, quick, racy Flavour, +and Spirit, has yet never been equall'd. + +It may here be enquir'd, What Species of Composition or Character is +the most pleasurable, and mirthful, in all Nature?--In _Falstaff_, +you have _Humour_ embelish'd with _Wit_; In _Quixote_, _Humour_ made +poignant with _Ridicule_; And it is certain that _Humour_ must always +be the Ground-work of such Subjects, no Oddities in inanimate Objects +being capable of interesting our Passions so strongly, as the Foibles +of Persons in real Life;--The chief Substance of _Johnson_'s +Compositions is _Humour_ and _Satire_; upon which Plan, as hath been +already observ'd, he is oblig'd to demolish, and render detestable, +his own Characters;--_Humour_ and _Raillery_ are also capable +of furnishing a Repast of quick Relish and Flavour; In written +Compositions, the Attack of the _Raillery_, as well as the Reception +of it, may be happily conducted, which in other accidental Encounters +are liable to Hazard; All Peevishness or Offence is thus easily +avoided, and the Character attack'd is sav'd from being really +contemptible;--But then indeed the Pleasure you are to receive +generally depends upon the Confusion of the Person attack'd, without +there being in reason a sufficient Cause for this Confusion;--It is +for want of this just Foundation, that the Pleasure arising from +_Raillery_ is apt to come forth with less Freedom, Fulness, and +Conviction, though with more Delicacy, than that which is derived +from _Wit_, or _Ridicule_;--However, _Humour_ and _Raillery_ united +together, when the _Raillery_ is founded upon some _real_ +Embarrassment in the Circumstance, as well as in the Confusion of the +Person attack'd, will furnish a very high Entertainment; which has +Pretensions to rival either _Humour_ and _Wit_, or _Humour_ and +_Ridicule_. + +To give an Instance of _Humour_ and _Raillery_, I shall insert +_Horace_'s famous Description of his Embarrassment with an impertinent +Fellow. This indeed is entitl'd, in almost all the Editions of +_Horace_, a _Satire_, but very improperly, as the Subject is not +_Vice_ or _Immorality_; + + Ibam fortč viâ sacrâ, sicut meus est mos, + Nescio quid meditans nugarum, at totus in illis: + Accurrit quidam notus mihi nomine tantum; + Arreptâque manu, Quid agis, dulcissime rerum? + Suaviter, ut nunc est, inquam: & cupio omnia quæ vis. + Cum affectaretur, Num quid vis? occupo. At ille, + Nôris nos, inquit; docti sumus. Hėc ego: Pluris + Hoc, inquam, mihi eris. Miserč discedere quærens, + Ire modō ocyųs, interdum consistere: in aurem + Dicere nescio quid puero: cųm sudor ad imos + Manaret talos. O te, Bollane, cerebri + Felicem: aiebam tacitus! Cųm quidlibet ille + Garriret, vicos, urbem laudaret; ut illi + Nil respondebam: Miserč cupis, inquit abire. + Jamdudum video: sed nil agis: usque tenebo: + Persequar: hinc quō nunc iter est tibi? Nil opus est te + Circumagi: quemdam volo visere, non tibi notum: + Trans Tiberim longč cubat is, propč Cæsaris hortos. + Nil habeo quod agam, & non sum piger: usque sequar te, + Demitto auriculas ut iniquæ mentis asellus, + Cųm gravius dorso subiit onus. Incipit ille: + Si benč me novi, non Viscum pluris amicum, + Non Varium facies; nam quis me scribere plures + Aut citiųs possit versus? quis membra movere + Mollius? invideat quod & Hermogenes, ego canto. + Interpellandi locus hic erat: Est tibi mater, + Cognati, queis te salvo est opus? Haud mihi quisquam: + Omnes composui. Felices! nunc ego resto: + Confice: namque instat fatum mihi triste, Sabella + Quōd puero cecinit divinâ mota anus urnâ, + Hunc neque dira venena, nec hosticus auferret ensis, + Nec laterum dolor, aut tussis, nec tarda podagra; + Garrulus hunc quando consumet cumque loquaces. + Si sapiat, vitet, simul atque adoleverit ætas. + Ventum erat ad Vestæ, quartâ jam parte diei + Præteritâ; & casu tunc respondere vadato + Debebat: quōd ni fecisset, perdere litem. + Si me amas, inquit, paulųm hîc ades. Inteream, si + Aut valeo stare, aut novi civilia jura: + Et propero quō scis. Dubius sum quid faciam, inquit; + Tenč relinquam, an rem. Me, sodes. Non faciam, ille; + Et præcedere coepit. Ego, ut contendere durum est + Cum victore, sequor. Mecænas quomodo tecum? + Hinc repetit. Paucorum hominum, & mentis benč sanæ. + Nemo dexteriųs fortuna est usus. Haberes + Magnum adjutorem, posset qui ferre secundas, + Hunc hominem velles si tradere: dispeream, ni + Summôsses omnes. Non isto vivimus illic + Quō tu rere modo, domus hac nec purior ulla est, + Nec magis his aliena malis: nil mî officit unquam, + Ditior hic, aut est quia doctior: est locus uni + Cuique suus. Magnum narras, vix credibile. Atqui + Sic habet. Accendis, quare cupiam magis illi + Proximus esse. Veils tantummodō: quæ tua virtus, + Expugnabis; & est qui vinci possit: eoque + Difficiles aditus primos habet. Haud mihi deero, + Muneribus servos corrumpam: non, hodie si + Exclusus fuero, desistam: tempera quæram: + Occurram in triviis: deducam. Nil sine magno + Vita labore dedit mortalibus. Hæc dum agit, ecce + Fuscus Aristius occurrit mihi carus, & illum + Qui pulchrč nôsset. Consistimus. Unde venis? & + Quo tendis? rogat, & respondet. Vellere coepi, + Et prensare manu lentissima brachia, nutans, + Distorquens oculos, ut me eriperet. Malč salsus + Ridens dissimulare: mecum jecur urere bilis. + Certč nescio quid secretō velle loqui te + Aiebas mecum. Memini benč; sed meliori + Tempora dicam: hodie tricesima sabbata, vin'tu + Curtis Judæis oppedere? Nulla mihi, inquam, + Religio est. At mî, sum paulo infirmior; unus + Multorum ignosces; aliās loquar. Hunccine solem + Tam nigrum surrexe mihi: Fugit improbus, ac me + Sub cultro linquit. Casu venit obvius illi + Adversarius; &, Quō tu turpissime! magnâ + Inclamat voce; &, Licet antestari? Ego verō + Oppono auriculam; rapit in jus. Clamor utrinque + Undique concursus. Sic me servavit _Apollo_. + +[Transcriber's Note: +See end of _Essay_ for translation information.] + +The Intention of _Horace_ in this Piece, is to expose an _impertinent_ +Fellow, and to give a ludicrous Detail of his own _Embarrassment_; +Your Pleasure arises from the View which he gives you of his own +Mortification, whereby he lays himself fairly open to your _Raillery_; +This is the more poignant, and quick, from the real Distress which you +see he endur'd, in this odd Attack; At the same Time the particular Turn +of the Fellow, who chose in this Manner to pin himself upon another, is +a very odd Species of impertinent _Humour_.--This Piece, as it stands, +irresistibly forces your Mirth, and shakes you with Laughter; But to +a Person of Discernment, it is chiefly at _Horace_'s Expence; Who in +receiving and enduring such insolent Treatment, appears in a Light too +low and ridiculous, though he has thought fit himself to exhibit the +Scene again for the Diversion of the Public; + +The + Misere, cupis, ---- abire, + Jamdudum video, sed nil agis, usque tenebo, + Persequar;-- + +was an absolute Insult; And very unfit to be related by the Person +who suffer'd it, as a Matter of Merriment;--Besides this Tameness +of _Horace_, the Impudence of the Fellow is excessively nauseous and +disgusting at the Bottom, though the whole carries a Froth of _Raillery_ +and _Humour_ upon the Surface. + +The Truth is, that this Piece, as it stands, would have properly +proceeded from another Person, who had intended to expose the +Impertinence and Impudence of the Fellow, and freely to _rally_ poor +_Horace_, with some Mixture of _Ridicule_, upon his unfortunate +Embarrassment; upon this Basis it will appear with Propriety; Without +which all Compositions of _Wit_, or _Humour_, or _Taste_, tho' at +first they may pleasurably strike the Fancy or Sight, are at last +disgusting to the Judgment. + +Having here occasionally offer'd some Remarks upon this Composition, +as it now stands, it may be proper to point out the Manner in which +the _Humour_ and _Raillery_ of such an Embarrassment, might have been +carried to the highest Pitch; And the Description of it have been +given by _Horace_ himself, without any Diminution of his own Gentility +or Importance;--Imagine then that he had been join'd in his Walk by a +weak, ignorant Person, of Good-nature, and the utmost Civility; one +who fancy'd himself possessed of the greatest Talents, and fully +persuaded that he gave all he convers'd with a particular Pleasure;-- +Upon such an Attack, no Resentment or Anger could have been decently +shewn by _Horace_, As the Person thus pestering him, was all the while +intending the highest Compliment; And must therefore be received, and +attended to, with perfect Complaisance; The _Humour_ of this Person +would have been very entertaining, in the strange Conceit which he +held of his own Abilities, and of the paticular Pleasure he was +granting to _Horace_, in condescending to give him so much of his +Company; In these Sentiments he should regard all _Horace_'s Excuses, +Endeavours, and Struggles to be gone, as Expressions of his Sense of +the Honour done him; which should be an Argument with this Person for +obstinately persisting to honour him still further; All the while he +must be supported by some _real Importance_ belonging to him, attended +with _good Breeding_, and strengthened by such occasional Instances +of _Sense_, as may secure him from being trampled upon, or becoming +absolutely contemptible; In such an Adventure the Mortification, and +Distress of _Horace_, would be excessively whimsical and severe; +especially as he would be depriv'd of all Succour and Relief; being in +Decency oblig'd, not only to suppress all Anger or Uneasiness, but, +what is exquisitely quick, to receive this whole Treatment with the +utmost Complacency; An _Embarrassment_ of this sort, finely described, +would have yielded the greatest Pleasure to the Reader, and carried +the _Raillery_ upon _Horace_, without hurting or degrading him, to the +highest Degree of _Poignancy_; And from hence may be conceiv'd, what +delightful Entertainments are capable of being drawn from _Humour_ and +_Raillery_. + +It is also easy to apprehend, that the several Subjects of _Wit_, +_Humour_, _Raillery_, _Satire_, and _Ridicule_, appear not only +_singly_ upon many Occasions, or _two_ of them combined together, +but are also frequently united in other Combinations, which are +more _complicate_; An Instance of the Union together of _Humour_, +_Raillery_, and _Ridicule_, I remember to have read somewhere +in _Voiture_'s Letters; He is in _Spain_, and upon the Point of +proceeding from thence to some other Place in an _English_ Vessel; +After he has written this Account of himself to a Lady at _Paris_, +he proceeds in his Letter to this Purpose; + + "You may perhaps apprehend, that I shall be in some Danger this + Voyage, of falling into the Hands of a _Barbary_ Corsair; But to + relieve you from all such Fears, I shall beg Leave to tell you, + what my honest Captain has inform'd me himself, for my own + Satisfaction; He suspected, it seems, that I might have some + Uneasiness upon this Head; and has therefore privately assured + me, that I have no need to be afraid of being taken with him; for + that whenever it is likely to come to this, he will infallibly + blow up the Ship with his own Hands;--After this, I presume, you + will be perfectly easy, that I am in no Danger of going to + _Sallee_;" + +This is exquisitely _rich_; The brave and odd Fancy of the _English_ +Captain, in finding out for himself, and _privately_ communicating to +_Voiture_, this Method of Security from Slavery, abounds with the +highest _Humour_; At the same time the honest Tar, as a _Projecter_, +is excessively open to _Ridicule_, for his Scheme to blow them all +up, in order to prevent their being taken Prisoners; There is besides +these, a very full _Raillery_, which _Voiture_ here opens upon +_himself_; For as this Adventure, which he is going to be engaged in, +has been attended, as yet, with no Mischief; nor is certain to be so, +the whole is to be consider'd, at present, as only a slight Scrape; +especially as he exhibits it in this manner himself, and invites you +to make it the Object of your Pleasure, and _Raillery_;--It may also +be observ'd, that the _Humour_ in this Subject, which flows from the +_Captain_, is adorn'd with a very peculiar, and pleasing _Propriety_; +As it is not barely a _Whim_, or the Result of an _odd Sourness_ or +_queer Pride_, but the Effect of his _Courage_, and of that Freedom +from all Terror at Death, which is perfectly amiable in his Character. + +There are other Combinations of _Wit_, _Humour_, _Raillery_, _Satire_, +and _Ridicule_, where _four_ of them, or all _five_, are united in +one Subject;--Like various _Notes_ in _Music_, sounding together, and +jointly composing one exquisite Piece of Harmony;--Or like different +_Rays_ of _Light_, shining together in one _Rainbow_: It is pleasant +to _divide_ these _Combinations_, and to view as with a _Prism_, the +different Rays united in each; of which _Humour_, like the _Red_, is +eminent for its superior Force and Excellence;--When the Judgment is +thus capable of parting, and easily assigning the several Quantities, +and Proportions of each, it heightens our Pleasure, and gives us an +absolute Command over the Subject; But they are often so intimately +mix'd, and blended together, that it is difficult to separate them +clearly, tho' they are all certainly felt in the same Piece;--Like +the different _Flavours_ of rich _Fruits_, which are inseparably +mix'd, yet all perfectly tasted, in one _Pine-Apple_. + +_Raillery_, and _Satire_, are extremely different; + +1. _Raillery_, is a genteel poignant Attack of _slight_ Foibles and +Oddities; _Satire_ a witty and severe Attack of _mischievous_ Habits +and Vices. + +2. The _Intention_ of _Raillery_, is to procure your _Pleasure_, by +exposing the little Embarrassment of a Person; But the _Intention_ +of _Satire_, is to raise your _Detestation_, by exposing the real +Deformity of his Vices. + +3. If in _Raillery_ the Sting be given too deep and severe, it +will sink into Malice and Rudeness, And your Pleasure will not be +justifiable; But _Satire_, the more deep and severe the Sting of it +is, will be the more excellent; Its Intention being entirely to root +out and destroy the Vice. + +4. It is a just Maxim upon these Subjects, that in _Raillery_ a +good-natur'd Esteem ought always to appear, without any Resentment +or Bitterness; In _Satire_ a generous free Indignation, without any +sneaking Fear or Tenderness; It being a sort of partaking in the Guilt +to keep any Terms with Vices. + +It is from hence that _Juvenal_, as a _Satirist_, is greatly superior +to _Horace_; But indeed many of the short Compositions of _Horace_, +which are indiscriminately ranged together, under the general Name +of _Satires_, are not properly such, but Pieces of _Raillery_ or +_Ridicule_. + +As _Raillery_, in order to be decent, can only be exercised upon +_slight_ Misfortunes and Foibles, attended with no deep Mischief, nor +with any Reproach upon real Merit, so it ought only to be used between +_Equals_ and _Intimates_; It being evidently a Liberty too great to +be taken by an _Inferior_; and too inequitable to be taken by a +_Superior_, as his Rank shields him from any Return. + +_Raillery_ is the most agreeable, when it is founded on a _slight_ +Embarrassment or Foible, which upon being unfolded, appears to have +arisen from the _real Merit_, or from the _Excess_ of any _Virtue_, +in the Person attack'd. + +But yet this Embarrassment must always be _real_, and attended with +the Chagrin or Confusion of the _rally'd_ Person, or capable of being +fairly suppos'd to have been so; otherwise the Attack will be void of +all Poignancy, and Pleasure to the Company; And evaporate either into +_indirect Flattery_, or else into the _Insipid_. + +Thus, to attack a _fine Lady_ upon the Enemies she has made, by the +mischievous Effects of her Beauty, will be properly genteel indirect +_Flattery_--if it be well conducted,--otherwise, the _Insipid_; But +it cannot be deem'd _Raillery_; It being impossible to suppose the +Lady _really_ chagrin'd by such an imaginary Misfortune, or uneasy +at any Explanation upon this Subject; + +_Raillery_ ought soon to be ended; For by long keeping the Person +attack'd, even in a _slight_ Pain, and continuing to dwell upon +his Mis-adventures, you become rude and ill-natur'd;--Or if the +_Raillery_ be only turn'd upon an Embarrassment, arising from the +Excess of Merit or Abilities, Yet if it be long confined upon the same +Subject, the Person it is pointed at, will either suspect that your +Aim is, to leave some _Impression_ against him, or else that you are +designing him a tedious dark _Compliment_; And accordingly he will +either regard you with Hatred or Contempt;--Much less should a +Person, who introduces himself as a Subject of _Raillery_, insist long +upon it; For either he will be offensive in engrossing all Attention +to himself; or if the Company are pleas'd, it must be by his +Buffoonery. + +The Difference between _Satire_, and _Ridicule_, has been already +pointed out;--_Satire_ being always concerned with the _Vices_ of +_Persons_;--Whereas _Ridicule_ is justly employ'd, not upon the +_Vices_, but the _Foibles_ or _Meannesses_ of _Persons_, And also upon +the _Improprieties_ of other Subjects; And is directed, not to raise +your _Detestation_, but your _Derision_ and _Contempt_;--It being +evident that _Immoralities_ and _Vice_ are too _detestable_ for +_Ridicule_, and are therefore properly the Subject of _Satire_; +Whereas _Foibles_ and _Meannesses_ are too _harmless_ for _Satire_, +and deserve only to be treated with _Ridicule_. + +The usual Artillery of _Ridicule_ is _Wit_; whereby the _Affinity_ +or _Coincidence_ of any Object with others, which are absurd and +contemptible, is unexpectedly exhibited;--There is also another, very +forcible, Manner in which _Ridicule_ may act; And that is by employing +_Humour_ alone; Thus the Foible or Queerness of any Person will be +most fully _ridicul'd_, by naturally dressing yourself, or any other +Person in that Foible, and exerting its full Strength and Vigour. + + The POLITENESS of a Subject is the _Freedom_ of that Subject + from all _Indelicacy_, Aukardness_, and _Roughness_. + + GOOD BREEDING consists in a _respectful_ Carriage to others, + accompany'd with _Ease_ and _Politeness_. + +It appears from hence that GOOD BREEDING and POLITENESS differ in +this; that GOOD BREEDING relates only to the Manners of _Persons_ +in their Commerce together; Whereas Politeness may relate also to +_Books_, as well as to _Persons_, or to any Subjects of Taste and +Ornament. + +So that _Politeness_ may subsist in a Subject, as in a _Cornish_, or +_Architrave_, where _good Breeding_ can't enter; But it is impossible +for _good Breeding_ to be offer'd without _Politeness_. + +At the same time _good Breeding_ is not to be understood, as merely +the _Politeness_ of _Persons_; But as _Respect_, tender'd with +_Politeness_, in the Commerce between _Persons_. + +It is easy to perceive, that _good Breeding_ is a different Behaviour +in different Countries, and in the same Countries at different +Periods, according to the Manners which are us'd amongst _polite_ +Persons of those Places and Seasons. + +In _England_ the chief Point of it _formerly_ was plac'd, in carrying +a _Respect_ in our Manners to all we convers'd with; whence every +Omission of the slightest Ceremony, as it might be construed into +a want of _Respect_, was particularly to be avoided; So that _good +Breeding_ became then + a precise Observance and Exercise of all the Motions and + Ceremonies, expressive of Respect, which might justly be paid + to every Person; +--This, as it is easy to imagine, requir'd much Nicety in the +Adjustment upon many Occasions, and created immense Trouble and +Constraint, and most ridiculous Embarrassments. + +However, these Modes of _good Breeding_ were not to be abolished, +as it was impossible to dispense with the _Respect_ annex'd to them, +without some further Pretence than of their _Inconvenience_ only; +which no Person could decently urge, or admit in his own behalf, +when it was his Province to pay any Ceremonies to another; In this +Difficulty it was at last happily observ'd, for the Advantage of +genteel Commerce and Society, that _whatever gives Trouble, is +inconsistent with Respect_; Upon which Foundation, all Ceremonies +which create Embarrassments or Trouble to either Side, are now justly +exploded; And the _Ease_ of each other is the Point most peculiarly +consulted by _well-bred_ Persons. + +If this Attention to _Ease_ was properly conducted, so that it might +always appear to have _Respect_ for its Motive; And only to act in +Obedience to _that_, as the ruling Principle, it would then comprehend +the just Plan of _good Breeding_; But as _this_ was formerly +encumber'd with Ceremonies and Embarrassments, so the modern _good +Breeding_ perhaps deviates too far into Negligence and Disregard; +--A Fault more unpardonable than the former; As an Inconvenience, +evidently proceeding from the _Respect_ which is paid to us, may be +easily excus'd; But a Freedom, which carries the Air of _Neglect_ with +it, gives a lasting Offence. + + BEAUTY is the delightful _Effect_ which arises from the + _joint Order_, _Proportion_, and _Harmony_ of all the Parts + of an _Object_. +And + to have a good TASTE, is to have a just _Relish_ of BEAUTY. + + * * * * * + +[Transcriber's Note: + +Translations of Horace _Satire_ I.9 are available from Project +Gutenberg as e-text 5419 (verse translation, plain text) or +14020 (prose translation, text or html).] + + * * * * * + * * * * + * * * * * + +[CORBYN MORRIS] + +An / Essay / Towards Fixing the / True Standards / of / Wit, Humour, +Raillery, / Satire, and Ridicule. / To which is Added, an / Analysis / +Of the Characters of / An Humourist, Sir John Falstaff, Sir Roger / De +Coverly, and Don Quixote. / Inscribed, to the Right Honorable / Robert +Earl of Orford. / [rule] / By the Author of a / Letter from a By- +Stander. / [rule] /--Jacta est Alea. / [double rule] / London: / +Printed for J. Roberts, at the Oxford-Arms, in War- / wick-lane; and +W. Bickerton, In the Temple-Ex- / change, near the Inner-Temple-Gate, +Fleet-street. / M DCC XLIV. [Price 2 s.] / + +Collation: A, a-c, in fours; d in two; a-d, in fours; B-K in fours; +L in two. A, title; verso blank; A^2-d, dedication; d^2 erratum and +advertisements; a-d^4, Introduction; B-L^2, text. + +The first edition. A second edition was published in 1758. + +Colton Storm +Clements Library + + * * * * * + + + ANNOUNCING + + the + + _Publications_ + + + of + + + THE AUGUSTAN + + REPRINT SOCIETY + + + +_General Editors_ + +RICHARD C. BOYS +EDWARD NILES HOOKER +H.T. SWEDENBERG, JR. + + + * * * * * + + + _THE AUGUSTAN REPRINT SOCIETY_ + + Makes Available + + + _Inexpensive Reprints of Rare Materials_ + + + from + + ENGLISH LITERATURE OF THE + + SEVENTEENTH AND EIGHTEENTH CENTURIES + + +Students, scholars, and bibliographers of literature, history, and +philology will find the publications valuable. _The Johnsonian News +Letter_ has said of them: "Excellent facsimiles, and cheap in price, +these represent the triumph of modern scientific reproduction. Be sure +to become a subscriber; and take it upon yourself to see that your +college library is on the mailing list." + +The Augustan Reprint Society is a non-profit, scholarly organization, +run without overhead expense. By careful management it is able to +offer at least six publications each year at the unusually low +membership fee of $2.50 per year in the United States and Canada, and +$2.75 in Great Britain and the continent. + +Libraries as well as individuals are eligible for membership. Since +the publications are issued without profit, however, no discount can +be allowed to libraries, agents, or booksellers. + +New members may still obtain a complete run of the first year's +publications for $2.50, the annual membership fee. + +During the first two years the publications are issued in three +series: I. Essays on Wit; II. Essays on Poetry and Language; and III. +Essays on the Stage. + + * * * * * + + +PUBLICATIONS FOR THE FIRST YEAR (1946-1947) + +MAY, 1946: Series I, No. 1--Richard Blackmore's _Essay upon Wit_ +(1716), and Addison's _Freeholder_ No. 45 (1716). + +JULY, 1946: Series II, No. 1--Samuel Cobb's _Of Poetry_ and +_Discourse on Criticism_ (1707) + +SEPT., 1946: Series III, No. 1--Anon., _Letter to A.H. Esq.; +concerning the Stage_ (1698), and Richard Willis' _Occasional Paper_ +No. IX (1698). + +NOV., 1946: Series I, No. 2--Anon., _Essay on Wit_ (1748), together +with Characters by Flecknoe, and Joseph Warton's _Adventurer_ Nos. 127 +and 133. + +JAN., 1947: Series II, No. 2--Samuel Wesley's _Epistle to a Friend +Concerning Poetry_ (1700) and _Essay on Heroic Poetry_ (1693). + +MARCH, 1947: Series III, No. 2--Anon., _Representation of the Impiety +and Immorality of the Stage_ (1704) and anon., _Some Thoughts +Concerning the Stage_ (1704). + + +PUBLICATIONS FOR THE SECOND YEAR (1947-1948) + +MAY, 1947: Series I, No. 3--John Gay's _The Present State of Wit_; +and a section on Wit from _The English Theophrastus_. With an +Introduction by Donald Bond. + +JULY, 1947: Series II, No. 3--Rapin's _De Carmine Pastorali_, +translated by Creech. With an Introduction by J. E. Congleton. + +SEPT., 1947: Series III, No. 3--T. Hanmer's (?) _Some Remarks on the +Tragedy of Hamlet_. With an Introduction by Clarence D. Thorpe. + +NOV., 1947: Series I, No. 4--Corbyn Morris' _Essay towards Fixing the +True Standards of Wit_, etc. With an Introduction by James L. +Clifford. + +JAN., 1948: Series II, No. 4--Thomas Purney's _Discourse on the +Pastoral_. With an Introduction by Earl Wasserman. + +MARCH, 1948: Series III, No. 4--Essays on the Stage, selected, with +an Introduction by Joseph Wood Krutch. + + +The list of publications is subject to modification in response to +requests by members. From time to time Bibliographical Notes will be +included in the issues. Each issue contains an Introduction by a +scholar of special competence in the field represented. + +The Augustan Reprints are available only to members. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: An Essay towards Fixing the True Standards of Wit, Humour, Railery, Satire, and Ridicule (1744) + +Author: Corbyn Morris + +Commentator: James L. Clifford + +Release Date: July 7, 2005 [EBook #16233] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FIXING THE TRUE STANDARDS OF WIT *** + + + + +Produced by David Starner, Louise Hope and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. + + + + + + +</pre> + +<br> +<p align = "center"><font size = "+2">Series One:<br> +<i>Essays on Wit</i></font><br> +<br> +<br> +<font size = "+1">No. 4</font><br> +<br> +<br> +[Corbyn Morris] <i>An Essay towards Fixing the True Standards<br> +of Wit, Humour, Raillery, Satire, and Ridicule</i> (1744)<br> + +<font size = "-1"><br> +<br> +With an Introduction by<br> +<br></font> +James L. Clifford +<font size = "-1"><br> +<br> +and<br> +<br> +a Bibliographical Note</font><br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +The Augustan Reprint Society<br> +<font size = "-1">November, 1947<br> +<i>Price</i>: $1.00</font><br> +</p> +<hr> +<br> +<p align = "center"><i>GENERAL EDITORS</i><br> +<br> +<span class = "smallcaps">Richard C. Boys</span>, <i>University of +Michigan</i><br> +<span class = "smallcaps">Edward Niles Hooker</span>, <i>University of +California, Los Angeles</i><br> +<span class = "smallcaps">H. T. Swedenberg, Jr.</span>, <i>University +of California, Los Angeles</i><br> +<br> +<br> +<i>ADVISORY EDITORS</i><br> +<br> +<span class = "smallcaps">Emmett L. Avery</span>, <i>State College of +Washington</i><br> +<span class = "smallcaps">Louis I. Bredvold</span>, <i>University of +Michigan</i><br> +<span class = "smallcaps">Benjamin Boyce</span>, <i>University of +Nebraska</i><br> +<span class = "smallcaps">Cleanth Brooks</span>, <i>Yale +University</i><br> +<span class = "smallcaps">James L. Clifford</span>, <i>Columbia +University</i><br> +<span class = "smallcaps">Arthur Friedman</span>, <i>University of +Chicago</i><br> +<span class = "smallcaps">Samuel H. Monk</span>, <i>University of +Minnesota</i><br> +<span class = "smallcaps">James Sutherland</span>, <i>Queen Mary +College, London</i><br> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<div class = "mynote"><a href="#edintro">Editor's Introduction</a><br> +<br> +<a href="#errata">Errata</a><br> +<br> +<a href="#title">Title Page</a><br> +<br> +<a href= "#authintro">Author's Introduction</a><br> +<br> + <a href = "#ode">Cowley, <i>Ode upon Wit</i></a><br> +<br> +<a href= "#essay">Essay on Wit</a><br> +<br> + <a href = "#horace">Horace, <i>Satire</i> I.9</a><br> +<br> +<a href= "#biblio">Bibliographic Note</a></div> +<br> +<hr> + +<a name = "edintro"> <br></a> +<p align = "center"><tt><u>INTRODUCTION</u></tt></p> + +<p><tt>The <u>Essay</u> here reproduced was first advertised in +the London <u>Daily</u> <u>Advertiser</u> as "this day was +published" on Thursday, 17 May 1744 (The same advertisement, +except for the change of price from one shilling to two, appeared +in this paper intermittently until 14 June). Although on the +title-page the authorship is given as "By the Author of a Letter +from a By-stander," there was no intention of anonymity, since +the Dedication is boldly signed "Corbyn Morris, Inner Temple, +Feb. 1, 1743 [44]."<br> +<br> +Not much is known of the early life of Corbyn Morris. Born 14 +August 1710, he was the eldest son of Edmund Morris of Bishop's +Castle, Salop. (<u>Alumni</u> <u>Cantabrigienses</u>). On 17 +September 1727 he was admitted (pensioner) at Queen's College, +Cambridge, as an exhibitioner from the famous Charterhouse +School. Exactly when he left the university, or whether he took a +degree, is not certain.<br> +<br> +Morris first achieved some prominence, though anonymously, with +<u>A Letter from a By-stander to a Member of Parliament; wherein +is examined what necessity there is for the maintenance of a +large regular land-force in this island</u>. This pamphlet, dated +at the end, 26 February 1741/42, is a wholehearted eulogy of the +Walpole administration and is filled with statistics and +arguments for the Mercantilist theories of the day. At the time +there was some suspicion that the work had been written either by +Walpole himself or by his direction. When the <u>Letter from a +By-stander</u> was answered by the <span class = "pagenum">-2- +</span>historian Thomas Carte, an angry pamphlet controversy +ensued, with Morris writing under the pseudonym of "A Gentleman +of Cambridge." Throughout, Morris showed himself a violent Whig, +bitter in his attacks on Charles II and the non-jurors; and it +was undoubtedly this fanatical party loyalty which laid the +foundation for his later government career.<br> +<br> +The principal facts of Morris's later life may be briefly +summarized. On 17 June 1743 he was admitted at the Inner Temple. +Throughout the Pelham and Newcastle administrations he was +employed by the government, as he once put it, "in conciliating +opponents." From 1751 to 1763 be acted as Secretary of the +Customs and Salt Duty in Scotland, in which post he was +acknowledged to have shown decided ability as an administrator. +From 1763 to 1778 he was one of the commissioners of customs. He +died at Wimbledon 22 December 1779 (<u>Musgrave's</u> +<u>Obituary</u>), described in the <u>Gentleman's</u> +<u>Magazine</u> as a "gentleman well known in the literary world, +and universally esteemed for his unwearied services and +attachment to government."<br> +<br> +Throughout his long years of public service he wrote numerous +pamphlets, largely on economic and political questions. Merely +the titles of a few may be sufficient to indicate the nature of +his interests. <u>An Essay towards Deciding the Question whether +Britain be Permitted by Right Policy to Insure the Ships of Her +Enemies </u>(1747); <u>Observations on the Past Growth and +Present State of the City of London</u> (containing a complete +table of christenings and burials 1601-1750) (175l); <u>A Letter +Balancing the Causes of the Present Scarcity of Our Silver +Coin</u> (1757).<br> +<br> +<span class = "pagenum">-3-</span> +It would be a mistake, however, to consider Morris merely as a +statistical economist and Whig party hack. A gentleman of taste +and wit, the friend of Hume, Boswell, and other discerning men of +the day, he was elected F.R.S. in 1757, and appears to have been +much respected. In later life Morris had a country place at +Chiltern Vale, Herts., where he took an active delight in country +sports. One of his late pamphlets, not listed in the +<u>D.N.B</u>. account of him, entertainingly illustrates one of +his hobbies. <u>The Bird-fancier's Recreation and Delight, with +the newest and very best instructions for catching, taking, +feeding, rearing, &c all the various sorts of SONG BIRDS... +containing curious remarks on the nature, sex, management, and +diseases of ENGLISH SONG BIRDS, with practical instructions for +distinguishing the cock and hen, for taking, choosing, breeding, +keeping, and teaching them to sing, for discovering and caring +their diseases, and of learning them to sing to the greatest +perfection</u>.<br> +<br> +Although there is little surviving evidence of Morris's purely +literary interests, a set of verses combining his economic and +artistic views appeared in a late edition of <u>The New Foundling +Hospital for Wit</u> (new edition, 1784, VI, 95). Occasioned by +seeing Bowood in Wiltshire, the home of the Earl of Shelburne, +the lines are entitled: "On Reading Dr. Goldsmith's Poem, the +Deserted Village."<br> +<br> +This was the man who at the age of thirty-three brought out +<u>An</u> <u>Essay</u> <u>towards</u> <u>Fixing</u> <u>the</u> +<u>True</u> <u>Standards</u> <u>of</u> <u>Wit</u>, <u>Humour</u>, +<u>Raillery</u>, <u>Satire</u>, <u>and</u> <u>Ridicule</u>. That +it was ever widely read we have no evidence, but at least a +number of men of wit and judgment found it interesting. <span +class = "pagenum">-4-</span>Horace Walpole included it in a +packet of "the only new books at all worth reading" sent to +Horace Mann, but the fulsome dedication to the elder Walpole +undoubtedly had something to do with this recommendation. More +disinterested approval is shown in a letter printed in the +<u>Daily</u> <u>Advertiser</u> for 31 May 1744. Better than any +modern critique the letter illustrates the contemporary reaction +to the <u>Essay</u>.</tt></p> +<br> +<p align = "right"><tt>Christ Church College, +Oxford,  </tt></p> +<blockquote> +<tt>SIR:<br> +<br> +I have examin'd the <u>Essay</u> you have sent me for <u>fixing +the true Standards of Wit, Humour, &c.</u> and cannot +perceive upon what pretence the Definitions, as you tell me, are +censured for Obscurity, even by Gentlemen of Abilities, and such +as in other Parts of the Work very frankly allow it's Merit: the +Definition of Wit, which presents itself at first, you say is, +particularly objected to, as dark and involv'd; in answer to +which I beg Leave to give you my plain Sentiments upon it, and +which I apprehend should naturally occur to every Reader: In +treating upon Wit, the Author seems constantly to carry in his +View a Distinction between <u>This</u> and <u>Vivacity</u>: there +is a Lustre or Brilliancy which often results from wild +unprovok'd Sallies of Fancy; but such unexpected Objects, which +serve not to <u>elucidate</u> each other, discover only a Flow of +Spirits, or rambling Vivacity; whereas, says he, Wit is the +Lustre which results from the quick <u>Elucidation</u> of one +Subject, by the just and unexpected Arrangement of it with +another Subject.--To constitute <u>Wit</u>, there must not only +arise a <u>Lustre</u> from the quick Arrangement together of two +Subjects, but the new Subject must be naturally introduced, and +also serve to <u>elucidate</u> the original one: the Word +<u>Elucidation</u>, though it be not new, is elegant, and very +happily applied in this Definition; yet I have seen some old +Gentlemen here stumble at it, and have found it difficult to +persuade them to advance farther:--I have also heard Objections +made to the Words <u>Lustre</u> and <u>Brilliancy</u> of Ideas, +though they are Terms which have been used by the <u>Greeks</u> +and <u>Romans</u>, and by elegant Writers of all Ages and +Nations; and the Effect which they express, is perfectly +conceiv'd and felt by every Person of true Genius and +Imagination.<br> +<br> +The Distinctions between <u>Wit</u> and <u>Humour</u>, and the +Reasons why <u>Humour</u> is more pleasurably felt than +<u>Wit</u>, are new and excellent: as is the Definition of an +<u>Humourist</u>, and the happy Analysis of the Characters of +<u>Falstaff</u>, <u>Sir Roger de Coverly</u>, and <u>Don +Quixote</u>; But, as you say, the Merit of these Parts is +universally allowed; as well as the Novelty, <span class = +"pagenum">-5-</span>and liberal Freedom of the [word apparently +omitted]; which have such Charms in my Eye, as I had long ceased +to expect in a Modern Writer.<br> +<br> +25 May, 1744<br> +  I am, &c<br> +   J---- W----<br> +    [not identified]</tt> +</blockquote> +<br> +<p><tt>If the "Gentlemen of Abilities" of the day found some of +Morris's definitions obscure, modern readers will find them more +precise than those of most of his predecessors. All who had gone +before--Cowley, Barrow, Dryden, Locke, Addison, and Congreve (he +does not mention Hobbes)--Morris felt had bungled the job. And +although he apologizes for attempting what the great writers of +the past had failed to do, he has no hesitation in setting forth +exactly what he believes to be the proper distinctions in the +meanings of such terms as wit, humour, judgment, invention, +raillery, and ridicule. The mathematician and statistician in +Morris made him strive for precise accuracy. It was all very +clear to him, and by the use of numerous anecdotes and examples +he hoped to make the distinctions obvious to the general +reader.<br> +<br> +The <u>Essay</u> shows what a man of some evident taste and +perspicacity, with an analytical mind, can do in defining the +subtle semantic distinctions in literary terms. Trying to fix +immutably what is certain always to be shifting, Morris is +noteworthy not only because of the nature of his attempt, but +because he is relatively so successful. As Professor Edward +Hooker has pointed out in an Introduction to an earlier +<u>ARS</u> issue (Series I, No. 2), his is "probably the best and +clearest treatment of the subject in the first half of the +eighteenth century." It may be regretted that political and +economic concerns occupied so much of his later life, leaving him +no time for further literary essays.<br> +<br> +<span class = "pagenum">-6-</span>In the present facsimile +edition, for reasons of space, only the Introduction and the main +body of the <u>Essay</u> are reproduced. Although Morris once +remarked to David Hume that he wrote all his books "for the sake +of the Dedications" (<u>Letters</u> <u>of</u> <u>David</u> +<u>Hume</u> ed. Greig, I, 380), modern readers need not regret +<ins class = "correction" title = +"text reads 'too much of the omission'">too much +the omission</ins> of the fulsome 32 page +dedication to Walpole (The Earl of Orford). Morris insists at the +beginning that the book was inspired by a fervent desire of +"attempting a Composition, independent of Politics, which might +furnish an occasional Amusement" to his patron. The praise which +follows, in which Walpole is said to lead "the <u>Empire</u> of +<u>Letters</u>," is so excessive as to produce only smiles in +twentieth century readers. Walpole is praised for <ins class = +"correction" title = "text reads 'not curbing the theatre;'">not +curbing the press while necessarily curbing the theatre,</ins> +his aid to commerce, indeed almost every act of his +administration, is lauded to the skies. The Church of England, in +which "the <u>Exercise</u> of <u>Reason</u> in the solemn Worship +of God, is the sacred <u>Right</u>, and indispensible +<u>Duty</u>, of Man," receives its share of eulogy. In every +connection the Tories are violently attacked.<br> +<br> +The Dedication ends in a peroration of praise for Walpole's +public achievements which "shall adorn the History of +<u>Britain</u>," and for his "<u>Private</u> <u>Virtues</u> and +all the <u>softer</u> <u>Features</u>" of his mind. His home of +retirement is referred to in the lines of Milton:<br> +<br> + "Great Palace now of Light!<br> + Hither, as to their Fountain, other Stars<br> + Repairing, in their golden Urns, draw Light;<br> + And here [sic] the Morning Planet gilds her Horns."<br> +   [P.L. 7. 363-66]<br> +<br> +"Thus splendid, and superior, your Lordship now flourishes in +honourable Ease, exerting universal Benevolence...." But in +dedications, as in <span class = "pagenum">-7-</span>lapidary +inscriptions, as Dr. Johnson might have agreed, a writer need not +be upon oath.<br> +<br> +At the end of the <u>Essay</u> Morris reprinted two essays from +<u>The Spectator</u>, Nos. 35 and 62, and William Congreve's "An +Essay concerning Humour in Comedy. To Mr. Dennis" (Congreve's +<u>Works</u>, ed. Summers, +III, 161-68). Since these are readily available, they have not +been included in this edition.<br> +<br> +The present facsimile is made from a copy owned by Louis I. +Bredvold, with his kind permission.<br> +<br> +James L. Clifford<br> +<br> +Columbia University</tt> +<br> +</p> + +<hr> +<a name = "errata"> <br></a> +<div class = "mynote">[Transcriber's Note:<br> +<br> +The ARS edition included an errata slip, reproduced here. A few +typographical errors have also been corrected in the <i>Essay</i> +itself. Changes to the text are marked <ins class = "correction" +title = "explanation will pop up">like this</ins>.]</div> +<br> +<p align = "center">Please paste the following in your copy of +Corbyn Morris's<br> <i>Essay towards Fixing the True Standards of +Wit</i>....<br> +(<u>ARS</u>, Series One, No. 4)</p> + +<p align = "center"><b>ERRATA</b></p> + +<table> +<tr> +<td>INTRODUCTION:</td> +<td>page 5, line 1--"word apparently omitted" should be inclosed +in brackets.<br> +page 5, line 6--"not identified" should be inclosed in +brackets.<br> +page 6, line 5--the first "of" should be omitted.<br> +page 6, line 12, should read "Walpole is praised for not curbing +the press while necessarily curbing the theatre, his aid to +commerce".<br> +page 6, line 25--"sic" should be inclosed in brackets, as also +"P.L. 7. 363-66" in the next line. +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>ESSAY ON WIT:<br> +(as noted by transcriber)</td> +<td>page ix--Greek <span class = "Greek">epidexioi</span> may have +been printed <span class = "Greek">epidezioi</span>; letter-form is +ambiguous<br> +page 14--"Oddistie" changed to "Oddities"<br> +page 20 <i>and elsewhere</i>--"Biass" is an attested variant +spelling<br> +page 25--"teizes" (modern "teases") is an attested variant +spelling<br> +page 40--"Quoxote" changed to "Quixote"<br> +</td> +</tr> + +</table> + +<br> +<hr> +<a name = "title"> <br></a> +<p align = "center">AN<br> +<br> +<font size = "+3"><span class = "extended"> ESSAY</span></font><br> +<br> +Towards Fixing the<br> +<br> +<font size = "+1"><b>TRUE STANDARDS</b></font> + +<font size = "-1"><br><br>OF<br><br></font> + +<font size = "+1"><span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit, Humour, Raillery,<br> +Satire</span>, and <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Ridicule.</span></font><br> + +<font size = "-1"><br>To which is Added, an<br><br></font> + +<font size = "+1"><b><span class = "extended"> ANALYSIS</span></b></font><br> + +<font size = "-1"><br>Of the <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Characters</span> +of<br><br></font> + +An <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humourist</span>, Sir <i>JohnFalstaff,</i> +Sir <i>Roger<br> De Coverly,</i> and Don <i>Quixote</i>.<br> + +<font size = "-1"><br>Inscribed to the <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Right +Honorable</span><br> +<br></font> + +<span class = "essaysmallcaps">Robert</span> Earl of +<span class = "essaysmallcaps">Orford</span>.</p> +<hr> +<p align = "center"><font size = "-1">By the +<span class = "essaysmallcaps">Author</span> of a</font><br> +LETTER from a BY-STANDER.</p> +<hr> +<p align = "center"><font size = "-1">---- <i>Jacta est Alea</i>.</font></p> +<hr> +<hr> +<p align = "center"><font size = "-1"><i><span class = "extended">LONDON:</span></i><br> +Printed for <span class = "essaysmallcaps">J. Roberts</span>, +at the <i>Oxford-Arms,</i> in <i>Warwick-<br> +lane</i>; and <span class = "essaysmallcaps">W. Bickerton</span>, +in the <i>Temple-Exchange,</i><br> +near the <i>Inner-Temple-Gate,</i> <i>Fleet-Street.</i><br> +<span class = "essaysmallcaps">M dcc xliv.</span>  [Price 2<i>s.</i>]</font></p> +<hr> +<span class = "folionum">a</span> +<span class = "pagenum">i</span> +<a name = "authintro"> <br></a> +<p align = "center"><font size = "+3">INTRODUCTION.</font></p> + +<p><span class = "firstletter">A</span>N Attempt to +<i>describe</i> the precise <i>Limits</i> of <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit, Humour, Raillery, Satire</span> and <span +class = "essaysmallcaps">Ridicule</span>, I am sensible, is no +easy or slight Undertaking. To give a <i>Definition</i> of <span +class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, has been declared by Writers +of the greatest Renown, to exceed their Reach and Power; and +Gentlemen of no less Abilities, and Fame, than <i>Cowley,</i> +<i>Barrow,</i> <i>Dryden,</i> <i>Locke,</i> <i>Congreve,</i> and +<i>Addison,</i> have tryed their Force upon this Subject, and +have all left it free, and unconquered. This, I perceive, will be +an Argument with some, for condemning an <i>Essay</i> upon this +Topic by a young Author, as rash and presumptious. But, though I +desire to pay all proper Respect to these eminent Writers, if a +tame Deference to great Names shall become fashionable, and the +Imputation of Vanity be laid upon those who examine their Works, +all Advancement in Knowledge will be absolutely stopp'd; and +<i>Literary</i> Merit will be soon placed, in an <i>humble +Stupidity,</i> and <i>solemn Faith</i> in the Wisdom of our +Ancestors.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">ii</span> +<p>Whereas, if I rightly apprehend, <i>an Ambition to excell</i> +is the Principle which should animate a Writer, directed by a +<i>Love</i> of <i>Truth,</i> and a <i>free Spirit</i> of +<i>Candour</i> and <i>Inquiry</i>. This is the <i>Flame</i> which +should warm the rising Members of every Science, not a poor +Submission to those who have preceded. For, however it may be +with a <i>Religious</i> <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Devotion</span>, a <i>Literary</i> One is +certainly the <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Child</span> of +<i>Ignorance</i>.</p> + +<p>However, I must acknowledge, that where I have differed from +the great Authors before mentioned, it has been with a +Diffidence, and after the most serious and particular Examination +of what they have delivered. It is from hence, that I have +thought it my Duty, to exhibit with the following <i>Essay,</i> +their several Performances upon the same Subject, that every +Variation of mine from their Suffrage, and the Reasons upon which +I have grounded it, may clearly appear.</p> + +<p>The following <i>Ode</i> upon <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> +is written by Mr. <i>Cowley</i>.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">iii</span> +<a name = "ode"> <br></a> +<p align = "center"><font size = "+3"><span class = "extended">O D E</span></font><br> +O F <br> +<font size = "+2"><span class = "extended">W I </span>T. </font></p> +<br> +<div class = "verse"> +    I.<br> +<i>Tell me, oh tell!, what kind of Thing is</i> +<span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>,<br> + <i>Thou who</i> Master <i>art of it;<br> +For the</i> first Matter <i>loves Variety</i> less;<br> +<i>Less</i> Women <i>love't, either in</i> Love <i>or</i> Dress.<br> + <i>A thousand diff'rent Shapes it bears,<br> + Comely in thousand Shapes appears;<br> +Yonder we saw it plain, and here 'tis now,<br> +Like</i> Spirits <i>in a Place, we know not</i> how.<br> +<br> +    II.<br> +London, <i>that vents of</i> false Ware <i>so much Store,</i><br> + <i>In no</i> Ware <i>deceives us more;<br> +For Men, led by the</i> Colour, <i>and the Shape,<br> +Like</i> Zeuxis' Bird, <i>fly to the painted Grape.<br> + Some things do through our Judgment pass,<br> + As through a</i> Multiplying Glass:<br> +<i>And sometimes, if the</i> Object <i>be too far,<br> +We take a</i> falling Meteor <i>for a,</i> Star.<br> +<span class = "pagenum">iv</span> +<br> +    III.<br> +<i>Hence 'tis a</i> Wit, <i>that greatest</i> Word <i>of Fame,<br> + Grows such a common Name;<br> +And</i> Wits, <i>by our</i> Creation, <i>they become;<br> +Just so as</i> Tit'lar Bishops <i>made at</i> Rome.<br> + <i>'Tis not a</i> Tale, <i>'tis not a</i> Jest,<br> + <i>Admir'd with</i> Laughter <i>at a Feast,<br> +Nor florid</i> Talk <i>which can that</i> Title <i>gain;<br> +The</i> Proofs <i>of</i> Wit <i>for ever must remain</i>.<br> +<br> +    IV.<br> +<i>'Tis not to force some Lifeless</i> Verses <i>meet,<br> + With their five gouty Feet.<br> +All ev'ry where, like</i> Man's, <i>must be the</i> Soul,<br> +<i>And</i> Reason <i>the</i> inferior Pow'rs <i>controul.<br> + Such were the</i> Numbers <i>which could call <br> + The</i> Stones <i>into the</i> Theban <i>Wall.<br> +Such</i> Miracles <i>are ceas'd, and now we see<br> +No</i> Towns <i>or</i> Houses <i>rais'd by</i> Poetry.<br> +<br> +    V.<br> +<i>Yet 'tis not to adorn, and gild each Part,<br> + That shews more</i> Cost <i>than</i> Art.<br> +Jewels <i>at</i> Nose, <i>and</i> Lips, <i>but ill appear;<br> +Rather than</i> all Things Wit, <i>let</i> none <i>be there.<br> + Several</i> Lights <i>will not be seen,<br> + If there be nothing else between.<br> +Men doubt; because they stand so thick i' th' Sky.<br> +If those be</i> Stars <i>which paint the</i> Galaxy.<br> +<span class = "pagenum">v</span> +<br> +    VI.<br> +<i>'Tis not when two like Words make up one Noise;<br> + Jests for</i> Dutch Men, <i>and</i> English Boys.<br> +<i>In which, who finds out</i> Wit, <i>the same may see<br> +In</i> An'grams <i>and</i> Acrostiques Poetry.<br> + <i>Much less can that have any Place,<br> + At which a</i> Virgin <i>hides her Face;<br> +Such</i> Dross <i>the</i> Fire <i>must purge away; 'Tis just<br> +The</i> Author blush, <i>there where the</i> Reader <i>must</i>.<br> +<br> +    VII.<br> +<i>'Tis not such</i> Lines <i>as almost crack the</i> Stage,<br> + <i>When</i> Bajazet <i>begins to rage;<br> +Not a tall</i> Metaphor <i>in th'</i> bombast Way,<br> +<i>Nor the dry Chips of short-lung'd</i> Seneca.<br> + <i>Nor upon all Things to obtrude,<br> + And force some odd</i> Similitude.<br> +<i>What is it then, which like the</i> Pow'r Divine,<br> +<i>We only can by</i> Negatives <i>define</i>?<br> +<br> +    VIII.<br> +<i>In a true Piece of</i> Wit, <i>all Things must be,<br> + Yet all Things there</i> agree;<br> +<i>As in the</i> Ark, <i>join 'd without Force or Strife,<br> +All</i> Creatures <i>dwelt; all</i> Creatures <i>that had Life.<br> + Or as the</i> primitive Forms <i>of all,<br> + (If we compare great Things with small)</i><br> +<span class = "pagenum">vi</span> +<i>Which without</i> Discord <i>or</i> Confusion <i>lie,<br> +In the strange</i> Mirror <i>of the</i> Deity.<br> +<br> +    IX.<br> +<i>But</i> Love, <i>that moulds</i> one Man <i>up out of</i> two,<br> + <i>Makes me forget, and injure you.<br> +I took</i> You <i>for</i> Myself, <i>sure when I thought<br> +That You in any thing were to be taught.<br> + Correct my Error with thy Pen,<br> + And if any ask me then,<br> +What thing right</i> Wit, <i>and Height of</i> Genius <i>is,<br> +I'll only shew your</i> Lines, <i>and say,</i> 'Tis this.</div> +<br> + +<p>The <i>Spirit</i> and <i>Wit</i> of this <i>Ode</i> are +excellent; and yet it is evident, through the whole, that Mr. +<i>Cowley</i> had no clear Idea of <i>Wit,</i> though at the same +time it <i>shines</i> in most of these Lines: There is little +Merit in saying what <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> +<i>is not,</i> which is the chief Part of this <i>Ode</i>. +Towards the End, he indeed attempts to describe what <i>it +is,</i> but is quite vague and perplex'd in his Description; and +at last, instead of collecting his scatter'd Rays into a +<i>Focus,</i> and exhibiting succinctly the clear Essence and +Power of <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, he drops the +whole with a trite Compliment.</p> + +<p>The learned Dr. <i>Barrow,</i> in his <i>Sermon against +foolish Talking and Jesting,</i> gives the following profuse +Description of <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">vii</span> +<blockquote> +<i>But first it may be demanded, What the Thing we speak of is? +Or what the Facetiousness</i> (or <i>Wit</i> as he calls it +before) <i>doth import? To which Questions I might reply, as</i> +Democritus <i>did to him that asked the Definition of a Man,</i> +'Tis that we all see and know. <i>Any one better apprehends what +it is by Acquaintance, than I can inform him by Description. It +is indeed a Thing so versatile and multiform, appearing in so +many Shapes, so many Postures, so many Garbs, so variously +apprehended by several Eyes and Judgments, that it seemeth no +less hard to settle a clear and certain Notion thereof, than to +make a Portrait of</i> Proteus, <i>or to define the Figure of the +fleeting Air. Sometimes it lieth in pat Allusion to a known +Story, or in seasonable Application of a trivial Saying, or in +forging an apposite Tale: Sometimes it playeth in Words and +Phrases, taking Advantage from the Ambiguity of their Sense, or +the Affinity of their Sound: Sometimes it is wrapp'd in a Dress +of humorous Expression: Sometimes it lurketh under an odd +Similitude: Sometimes it is lodged in a sly Question, in a smart +Answer, in a quirkish Reason, in a shrewd Intimation, in +cunningly diverting, or cleverly retorting an Objection: +<span class = "pagenum">viii</span> +Sometimes it is couched in a bold Scheme of Speech, in a tart +Irony, in a lusty Hyperbole, in a startling Metaphor, in a +plausible Reconciling of Contradictions, or in acute Nonsense; +Sometimes a scenical Representation of Persons or Things, a +counterfeit Speech, a mimical Look or Gesture passeth for it. +Sometimes an affected Simplicity, sometimes a presumptuous +Bluntness giveth it Being. Sometimes it riseth from a lucky +Hitting upon what is Strange; sometimes from a crafty wresting +obvious Matter to the Purpose. Often it' consisteth in one knows +not what, and springeth up one can hardly tell how. Its ways are +unaccountable, and inexplicable, being answerable to the +numberless Rovings of Fancy, and Windings of Language. It is, in +short, a Manner of Speaking out of the simple and plain Way +(such as Reason teacheth, and proveth Things by) which by a +pretty, surprizing Uncouthness in Conceit or Expression, doth +affect and amuse the Fancy, stirring in it some Wonder, and +breeding some Delight thereto. It raiseth Admiration, as +signifying a nimble Sagacity of Apprehension, a special Felicity +of Invention, a Vivacity of Spirit, and Reach of Wit, more than +vulgar; it seeming to argue a rare</i> +<span class = "folionum">b</span> +<span class = "pagenum">ix</span> +<i>Quickness of Parts, that one can fetch in remote Conceits +applicable; a notable Skill that he can dextrously accommodate +them to the Purpose before him; together with a lively Briskness +of Humour, not apt to damp those Sportful Flashes of Imagination. +(Whence in </i>Aristotle<i> such Persons are termed</i> <ins +class = "correction" title = "text may read 'epidezioi'"><span +class = "greek">epidexioi</span></ins>, <i>dexterous Men, and</i> +<span class = "greek">eutropoi</span>, <i>Men of facile or +versatile Manners, who can easily turn themselves to all Things, +or turn all Things to themselves.) It also procureth Delight, by +gratifying Curiosity with its Rareness, or Semblance of +Difficulty. (As Monsters, not for their Beauty, but their +Rarity; as juggling Tricks, not for their Use, but their +Abstruseness, are beheld with Pleasure;) by diverting the Mind +from its Road of serious Thoughts, by instilling Gaiety, and +Airiness of Spirit; by provoking to such Disposition of Spirit in +Way of Emulation, or Complaisance; and by seasoning Matters +otherwise distasteful or insipid, with an unusual and thence +grateful Tange.</i> +</blockquote> + +<p>This Description, it is easy to perceive, must have cost the +Author of it a great deal of Labour. It is a very full Specimen +of that Talent of entirely <i>exhausting</i> a Subject, for +<span class = "pagenum">x</span> +which Dr. <i>Barrow</i> was remarkable; and if the <i>Point</i> +was, to exhibit all the various Forms and Appearances, not of +<span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> only, but of +<i>Raillery,</i> <i>Satire,</i> <i>Sarcasms,</i> and of every +Kind of <i>Poignancy</i> and <i>Pleasantry</i> of Sentiment, and +Expression, he seems to have perfectly succeeded; there being +perhaps no Variety, in all the Extent of these Subjects, which he +has not presented to View in this Description.--But he does not +pretend to give any <i>Definition</i> of <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, intimating rather that it is quite +impossible to be given: And indeed from his Description of it, as +a <i>Proteus,</i> appearing in numberless various Colours, and +Forms; and from his mistaking, and presenting for <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, other different Mixtures and +Substances, it is evident that his Idea of it was quite confused +and uncertain: It is true, he has discovered a vast Scope of +Fertility of Genius, and an uncommon Power of collecting together +a Multitude of Objects upon any Occasion, but he has here +absolutely mistaken his work; for instead of exhibiting the +Properties of <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> in a +clearer Light, and confuting the <i>false Claims</i> which are +made to it, he has made it his whole Business to perplex it the +more, by introducing, from all Corners, a monstrous Troop of new +unexpected <i>Pretenders</i>.</p> + +<span class = "folionum">b2</span> +<span class = "pagenum">xi</span> +<p><i>Dryden,</i> in the Preface to his <i>Opera,</i> entitled, +<i>The State of Innocence,</i> or <i>Fall of Man,</i> gives the +following <i>Decree</i> upon <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>.</p> + +<blockquote> +<i>The</i> Definition of <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, <i>(which has been so often +attempted, and ever unsuccessfully by many Poets) is only this: +That it is</i> a Propriety of Thoughts and Words; or in other +Terms, Thoughts and Words elegantly adapted to the Subject. +</blockquote> + +<p>If Mr. <i>Dryden</i> imagined, that he had succeeded +<i>himself</i> in this <i>Definition,</i> he was extremely +mistaken; for nothing can be more distant from the Properties of +<span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, than those he +describes. He discovers no Idea of the <i>Surprize,</i> and +<i>Brilliancy</i> of <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, +or of the sudden <i>Light</i> thrown upon a Subject. Instead of +once pointing at these, he only describes the Properties of clear +<i>Reasoning,</i> which are <i>a Propriety of Thoughts and +Words</i>;--Whereas <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, in +its sudden <i>Flashes,</i> makes no Pretension to +<i>Reasoning</i>; but is perceived in the pleasant +<i>Surprize</i> which it starts, and in the <i>Light</i> darted +upon a Subject, which instantly vanishes again, without abiding a +strict Examination.</p> + +<p>The other Definition he gives, which is, <i>Thoughts and Words +elegantly adapted to the Subject,</i> is very different from the +former, but equally unhappy.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">xii</span> +<p>For <i>Propriety,</i> in <i>Thoughts</i> and <i>Words,</i> +consists in exhibiting <i>clear, pertinent Ideas,</i> +in <i>precise</i> and <i>perspicuous Words</i>.</p> + +<p>Whereas <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Elegance</span> +consists in the <i>compt,</i> <i>well pruned</i> and <i>succinct +Turn</i> of a Subject.</p> + +<p>The Object of the <i>First,</i> is to be <i>clear,</i> and +<i>perspicuous</i>; whence it often appears in pursuit of these, +not <i>compt</i> or <i>succinct</i>: Whereas the <i>Essence</i> +of <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Elegance</span> is to be +<i>compt</i> and <i>succinct,</i> for the Sake of which Ornaments +it often neglect <i>Perspicuity,</i> and <i>Clearness</i>.--In +short, a <i>Propriety</i> of Thoughts and Words, may subsist +without any <i>Elegance</i>; as an <i>Elegance</i> of Thoughts +and Words may appear without a perfect <i>Propriety</i>.</p> + +<p>The last <i>Definition,</i> as it is thus very different from +the former is also equally unhappy: For <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Elegance</span> is no <i>essential</i> Property +of <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>. <i>Pure</i> <span +class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> resulting solely from the +<i>quick Elucidation</i> of one Subject, by the sudden +<i>Arrangement,</i> and <i>Comparison</i> of it, with another +Subject.--If the two Objects <i>arranged</i> together are +<i>elegant,</i> and <i>polite,</i> there will then be superadded +to the <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, an +<i>Elegance</i> and <i>Politeness</i> of Sentiment, which will +render the <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> more +amiable. But if the Objects are <i>vulgar,</i> <i>obscene,</i> or +<i>deformed,</i> provided the <i>first</i> be <i>elucidated,</i> +in a lively Manner, by, the sudden <i>Arrangement</i> of it with +the <i>second,</i> there will be equally <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>; though, the +<span class = "pagenum">xiii</span> +Indelicacy of Sentiment attending it, will render such <span +class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> shocking and abominable.</p> + +<p>It is with the highest Respect for the great Mr. <i>Locke,</i> +that I deliver his Sentiments upon this Subject.</p> + +<blockquote> +<i>And hence, perhaps, may be given some Reason of that common +Observation, that Men who have a great deal of</i> Wit, <i>and +prompt Memories, have not always the clearest Judgment or deepest +Reason: For</i> Wit <i>lying most in the Assemblage of</i> +Ideas, <i>and putting those together with Quickness and Variety, +wherein can be found any Assemblance or Congruity, thereby to +make up pleasant Pictures, and agreeable Visions in the +Fancy</i>. Judgment, <i>on the contrary, lies quite on the other +side; in separating carefully one from another,</i> Ideas, +<i>wherein can be found the least Difference, thereby to avoid +being missed by Similitude, and by Affinity to take one thing for +another. This is a Way of proceeding quite contrary to Metaphor +and Allusion; wherein for the most Part lies that Entertainment +and Pleasantry of</i> Wit, <i>which strikes so lively on the +Fancy, and therefore is acceptable to all People, because its +Beauty appears at first Sight, and there is required no Labour of +Thoughts +<span class = "pagenum">xiv</span> +to examine what Truth, or Reason, there is in it. The Mind, +without looking any further, rests satisfied with the +Agreeableness of the Picture, and the Gaiety of the Fancy. And it +is a kind of an Affront to go about to examine it by the severe +Rules of Truth, and good Reason, whereby it appears, that it +conflicts in something that is not perfectly conformable to +them.</i> +</blockquote> + +<p>It is to be observed that Mr. <i>Locke</i> has here only +occasionally, and passantly, delivered his Sentiments upon this +Subject; but yet he has very happily explained the chief +Properties of <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>. It was +<i>his</i> Remark <i>First,</i> that it lies for the most +<i>Part</i> in <i>assembling</i> together with <i>Quickness</i> +and <i>Variety</i> Objects, which possess an <i>Affinity,</i> or +<i>Congruity,</i> with each other; which was the <i>first</i> +just Information obtained by the literary World, upon this +Subject.</p> + +<p>As to what he adds, That the Intention, and Effects, of this +<i>Assemblage</i> of <i>similar</i> Objects, is <i>to make up +pleasant Pictures, and agreeable Visions in the Fancy,</i> it is, +as I humbly apprehend, not quite perfect: For the Business of +this <i>Assemblage</i> is not merely to raise pleasant Pictures +in the Fancy, but also to <i>enlighten</i> thereby the +<i>original</i> Subject.--This is evident; because in such +<span class = "pagenum">xv</span> +<i>Assemblages,</i> the only Foundation upon which the <i>new +Subject</i> is suddenly introduced, is the <i>Affinity,</i> and +consequently the <i>Illustration,</i> it bears to the +<i>first</i> Subject.--The Introduction of pleasant Pictures and +Visions, which present not a new <i>Illustration,</i> and +<i>Light,</i> to the <i>original</i> Subjects, being rather wild +Sallies of <i>Vivacity,</i> than well-aimed, apposite Strokes of +<span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>.</p> + +<p>It is Mr. <i>Locke</i>'s Conclusion, at last, That <span class += "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> <i>consists in something that is +not perfectly conformable to Truth, and good Reason</i>.--This is +a <i>Problem</i> of some Curiosity; and I apprehend Mr. +<i>Locke</i>'s Determination upon it to be right:--For the +<i>Direction</i> of <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> is +absolutely different from the <i>Direction of</i> <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Truth</span> and <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Good Reason</span>; It being the Aim of <span +class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> to strike the +<i>Imagination</i>; of <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Truth</span> and <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Good Reason</span>, to convince the +<i>Judgment</i>: From thence they can never be perfectly +coincident.</p> + +<p>It is however true, that there may be Instances of <span class += "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, wherein the <i>Agreement</i> +between the two Objects shall be absolutely <i>just,</i> and +perceived to be such at the first Glance. Such Instances of <span +class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, will be then also <i>Self- +evident</i> <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Truths</span>. They +will <i>both</i> agree in their obvious, and quick +<i>Perspicuity</i>; but will be still different in this, that the +Effort of the <i>One</i> is to strike the +<span class = "pagenum">xvi</span> +<i>Fancy,</i> whereas the <i>Other</i> is wholly exerted in +gratifying the <i>Judgment</i>.</p> + +<p>The Sentiments of Mr. <i>Addison</i> upon <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, are professedly delivered in the +<i>Spectator</i> Nš. 62. annexed to the following <i>Essay</i>. +He has there justly commended Mr. <i>Locke</i>'s Description of +<span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>; but what he adds, by +Way of Explanation to it, that the <i>Assemblage</i> of Ideas +must be such as shall give <i>Delight,</i> and <i>Surprize,</i> +is not true, in regard to the Former, <i>Delight</i> being no +<i>essential</i> Property of <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>; for if the <i>original</i> Subject +be unpleasant, or deformed, the sudden unexpected +<i>Arrangement</i> of a <i>similar</i> Object with it, may give +us <i>Surprize,</i> and be indisputably <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, and yet be far from creating any +<i>Delight</i>.</p> + +<p>This Gentleman has also given the following Example, in order +to illustrate the Necessity there is, that <i>Surprize</i> should +be always an Attendant upon <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>. <i>"When a Poet tells us, the Bosom +of his Mistress is as white as Snow, there is no</i> Wit <i>in +the Comparison; but when he adds, with a Sigh, that it as cold +too, it then grows to Wit.</i>" --To compare a Girl's +<i>Bosom</i> to <i>Snow</i> for its <i>Whiteness</i> I apprehend +to be <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, notwithstanding +the Authority of so great a Writer to the contrary. For there is +a <i>Lustre</i> resulting from the <i>natural</i> and +<span class = "folionum">c</span> +<span class = "pagenum">xvii</span> +<i>splendid Agreement</i> between these Objects, which will +<i>always</i> produce <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>; +such, as cannot be destroyed, though it will quickly be rendered +<i>trite,</i> by frequent Repetition.</p> + +<p>This <i>Problem,</i> <i>How far</i> <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Surprize</span> <i>is, or is not, necessary +to</i> <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, I humbly +apprehend, may be thus solved.--In Subjects which have a +<i>natural</i> and <i>splendid Agreement,</i> there will always +be <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> upon their +<i>Arrangement</i> together; though when it becomes <i>trite,</i> +and not accompanied with <i>Surprize,</i> the <i>Lustre</i> will +be much faded;--But where the <i>Agreement</i> is <i>forced</i> +and <i>strained,</i> <i>Novelty</i> and <i>Surprize</i> are +absolutely necessary to usher it in; An unexpected +<i>Assemblage</i> of this Sort, striking our Fancy, and being +gaily admitted at first to be <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>; which upon frequent Repetition, the +<i>Judgment</i> will have examined, and rise up against it +wherever it appears;--So that in short, in Instances where the +<i>Agreement</i> is <i>strained</i> and <i>defective,</i> which +indeed are abundantly the most general, <i>Surprize</i> is a +necessary <i>Passport</i> to <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>; but <i>Surprize</i> is not necessary +to <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, where the +<i>Agreement</i> between the two Subjects is <i>natural</i> and +<i>splendid</i>; though in these Instances it greatly heightens +the <i>Brillancy</i>.</p> + +<p>The subsequent Remark of Mr. <i>Addison,</i> <i>That the Poet, +after saying his Mistress's +<span class = "pagenum">xviii</span> +Bosom is as white as Snow, should add, with a Sigh, that it is as +cold too, in order that it may grow to</i> <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, is I fear, very incorrect. For as to +the <i>Sigh,</i> it avails not a Rush; and this Addition will be +found to be only a <i>new</i> Stroke of <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, equally <i>trite,</i> and less +perfect, and natural, than the former Comparison.</p> + +<p>It may also be observed, That Mr. <i>Addison</i> has omitted +the <i>Elucidation</i> of the <i>original</i> Subject, which is +the grand Excellence of <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>. Nor has he prescribed any +<i>Limits</i> to the Subjects, which are to be arranged together; +without which the Result will be frequently the <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Sublime</span> or <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Burlesque</span>; In which, it is true, <span +class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> often appears, but taking +their whole Compositions together, they are different Substances, +and usually ranked in different <i>Classes</i>.</p> + +<p>All that Mr. <i>Congreve</i> has delivered upon <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, as far as I know, appears in his +<i>Essay</i> upon <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>, +annexed to this Treatise. He there says, <i>"To define</i> <span +class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>, <i>perhaps, were as +difficult, as to define</i> <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>; <i>for, like that, it is of infinite +Variety"</i>. --Again, he afterwards adds, <i>"But though we +cannot certainly tell what</i> <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span><i> is, or what</i> <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Humour</span> <i>is, yet we may</i> go near +<i>to shew something, which is not</i> <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, <i>or not</i> <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>, <i>and yet often +<span class = "folionum">c2</span> +<span class = "pagenum">xix</span> +mistaken for both"</i>. --In this <i>Essay,</i> wherein he +particularly considers <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>, and the Difference between +<i>this,</i> and <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, he +may be expected to have delivered his best Sentiments upon both: +But these Words, which I have quoted, seem to be as important and +precise, as any which he has offered upon the Subject of <span +class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>. As such, I present them, +without any Remarks, to my Reader, who, if he only <i>goes +near</i> to be <i>edified</i> by them, will discover a great +Share of <i>Sagacity</i>.</p> + +<p>The Sentiments of these eminent Writers upon <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, having thus been exhibited, I come +next to the Subject of <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>. This has been <i>defined</i> by +some, in the following Manner, with great <i>Perspicuity.</i>-- +<span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span> is the genuine <span +class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> of <i>Comedies,</i>--which +has afforded vast Satisfaction to many <i>Connoissures</i> in the +<i>Belles Lettres</i>; especially as <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> has been supposed to be incapable of +any <i>Definition.</i></p> + +<p>This Subject has also been particularly considered by the +<i>Spectatator</i> Nš. 35. inserted at the End of the following +<i>Essay</i>. Mr. <i>Addison</i> therein <i>gravely</i> remarks, +that <i>"It is indeed much easier to describe what is not</i> +<span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>, <i>than what it +is;"</i> which, I humbly apprehend, is no very <i>important</i> +Piece of Information.--He adds, <i>"And +<span class = "pagenum">xx</span> +very difficult to define it otherwise, than as</i> Cowly <i>has +done</i> <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, <i>by +Negatives."</i> This Notion of <i>defining</i> a Subject by +<i>Negatives,</i> is a favourite <i>Crotchet,</i> and may perhaps +be assumed upon other Occasions by future Writers: I hope +therefore I shall be pardoned, if I offer a proper Explanation of +so good a <i>Conceit</i>;--To declare then, <i>That a Subject is +only to be</i> <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Defined</span> +<i>by</i> <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Negatives</span>, is to +cloath it in a <i>respectable</i> Dress of <i>Darkness</i>. And +about as much as to say, That it is a <i>Knight</i> of +<i>tenebrose Virtues</i>; or a <i>serene Prince,</i> of the +<i>Blood</i> of <i>Occult Qualities</i>.</p> + +<p>Mr. <i>Addison</i> proceeds, <i>"Were I to give my own Notions +of</i> <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>, <i>I should +deliver them after</i> Plato's <i>Manner, in a Kind of Allegory; +and by supposing</i> <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span> +<i>to be a Person, deduce to him, all his Qualifications, +according to the following Genealogy</i>: <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Truth</span> <i>was the Founder of the Family, +and the Father of</i> <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Good Sense; +Good Sense</span> <i>was the Father of</i> <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, <i>who married a Lady of a +collateral Line called</i> <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Mirth</span>, <i>by whom he had Issue</i> <span +class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>". --It is very unfortunate +for this <i>Allegorical</i> Description, that there is not one +Word of it just: For <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Truth, Good +Sense, Wit</span>, and <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Mirth</span>, represented to be the immediate +<span class = "pagenum">xxi</span> +<i>Ancestors</i> of <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>; +whereas <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span> is derived +from the <i>Foibles,</i> and whimsical <i>Oddities</i> of +<i>Persons</i> in real Life, which flow rather from their +<i>Inconsistencies,</i> and <i>Weakness,</i> than from <span +class = "essaysmallcaps">Truth</span> and <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Good Sense</span>; Nor is <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> any <i>Ancestor</i> of <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>, but of a quite different +<i>Family</i>; it being notorious that much <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Humour</span> may be drawn from the Manners of +<i>Dutchmen,</i> and of the most formal and dull Persons, who are +yet never guilty of <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>. +Again, <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Mirth</span> is not so +properly the <i>Parent</i> of <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>, as the <i>Offspring</i>.--In +short, this whole <i>Genealogy</i> is a <i>nubilous</i> Piece of +Conceit, instead of being any <i>Elucidation</i> of <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>. It is a formal Method of +trifling, introduced under a deep Ostentation of Learning, which +deserves the severest Rebuke.--But I restrain my Pen, +recollecting the <i>Visions</i> of <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Mirza</span>, and heartily profess my high +Veneration for their admirable Author.</p> + +<p>The <i>Essay</i> upon <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>, at the End of this Treatise, +written by Mr. <i>Congreve,</i> is next to be considered. It +appears, that at first he professes his absolute Uncertainty in +regard to this Subject; and says, "<i>We cannot certainly tell +what</i> <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> <i>is, or +what</i> <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span> <i>is</i>." +But yet, through his whole Piece, he neglects the Subject of +<span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span> in general, and only +discourses upon the <span class = "pagenum">xxii</span><span +class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>, by which he means barely +the <i>Disposition,</i> of Persons: This may particularly appear +from the following Words.</p> + +<blockquote> +<i>"A Man may change his Opinion, but I believe he will find it a +Difficulty to part with his</i> <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>; <i>and there is nothing more +provoking than the being made sensible of that Difficulty. +Sometimes we shall meet with those, who perhaps indifferently +enough, but at the same time impertinently, will ask the +Question,</i> <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Why are you not +merry? Why are you not gay, pleasant, and chearful?</span> +<i>Then instead of answering, could I ask such a Person,</i> +<span class = "essaysmallcaps">Why are you not handsome? Why have +you not black Eyes, and a better Complexion?</span> <i>Nature +abhors to be forced.</i><br> +<br> +<i>"The two famous Philosophers of</i> Ephesus <i>and</i> Abdera, +<i>have their different Sects at this Day. Some weep, and others +laugh at one and the same Thing.</i><br> +<br> +<i>"I don't doubt but you have observed several Men laugh when +they are angry; others, who are silent; some that are loud; yet I +cannot suppose that it is the Passion of</i> <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Anger</span>, <i>which is in itself different, +or more or less in one than t'other, but that it is the</i> <span +class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span> <i>of the Man that is +predominant, and urges him to express it <span class = +"pagenum">xxiii</span>in that Manner. Demonstrations of</i> <span +class = "essaysmallcaps">Pleasure</span>, <i>are as various: One +Man has a</i> <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span> <i>of +retiring from all Company, when any thing has happened to please +him beyond Expectation; he hugs himself alone, and thinks it an +Addition to the Pleasure to keep it a Secret,</i> &c." +</blockquote> + +<p>All which, I apprehend, is no more than saying; That there are +different <i>Dispositions</i> in different <i>Persons</i>.</p> + +<p>In another Place, he seems to understand by <i>Humour,</i> not +only the <i>Disposition,</i> but the <i>Tone</i> of the +<i>Nerves,</i> of a Person, thus,</p> + +<blockquote> +<i>"Suppose</i> <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Morose</span> +<i>to be a Man naturally splenetic, and melancholy; is there any +thing more offensive to one of such a</i> <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Disposition</span> (where he uses the Word +instead of <i>Humour</i>) <i>than Noise and Clamour? Let any Man +that has the Spleen (and there are enough in England) be Judge. +We see common Examples of this</i> <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Humour</span> <i>in little every Day. 'Tis ten +to one, but three Parts in four of the Company you dine with, +are discomposed, and started at the cutting of a Cork, or +scratching of a Plate with a Knife; it is a Proportion of the +same</i> <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>, <i>that +makes such, or any other Noise, offensive to the Person that +hears it; for there are others who will not be disturbed at all +<span class = "pagenum">xxiv</span>by it."</i> +</blockquote> + +<p>At this Rate every <i>Weakness</i> of <i>Nerves,</i> or +<i>Particularity</i> of <i>Constitution,</i> is <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>.</p> + +<p>It is true, he justly points out in another Place the +different Sentiments, which ought to be adapted to different +<i>Characters</i> in <i>Comedy,</i> according to their different +<i>Dispositions,</i> or, as he phrases it, <i>Humours</i>: As for +Instance, he very rightly observes, <i>That a Character of a +splenetic and peevish</i> <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>, <i>Should have a satirical</i> +<span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>. <i>A jolly and +sanguine</i> <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span> +<i>should have a facetious</i> <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>. --But still this is no Description +of what is well felt, and known, by the general Name of <span +class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>.</p> + +<p>However, as what I have already quoted, may appear to be only +his looser Explanations, it will be necessary to deliver his more +closed and collected Sentiments upon this Subject. These he gives +in the following Words,</p> + +<blockquote>"I should be unwilling to venture, even in a bare +<i>Description</i> of <i>Humour,</i> much more to make a +<i>Definition</i> of it; but now my Hand is in, I will tell you +what serves me instead of either. I take it to be, <i>A singular +and unavoidable Manner of doing or saying any thing, peculiar and +natural to one Man only, by which his Speech and Actions are +distinguished from those of other Men</i>." +</blockquote> + +<p>--This +<span class = "folionum">d</span> +<span class = "pagenum">xxv</span> +Description is very little applicable to <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>, but tolerably well adapted to +other Subjects.--Thus, a Person, who is happy in a particular +<i>Grace,</i> which accompanies all his Actions, may be said to +possess <i>a singular and unavoidable Manner of doing or saying +any thing, peculiar and natural to him only, by which his Speech +and Actions are distinguished from those of other Men</i>. And +the same may be said of a Person of a peculiar <i>Vivacity,</i> +<i>Heaviness,</i> or <i>Awkwardness</i>.--In short, this +Description is suited to any <i>Particularity</i> of a Person in +general, instead of being adapted to the <i>Foibles</i> and +<i>whimsical Oddities</i> of Persons, which alone constitute +<span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>.</p> + +<p>These are the only Pieces upon <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, and <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>, which have fallen within my +Knowledge; I have here fairly delivered them at length; and from +the Respect which is due to such eminent Writers, have distinctly +and deliberately examined the Merit of each.--As to my own +<i>Performance,</i> which is now submitted to the Public, I have +to wish, that it may gain a candid and strict Examination. It has +been my Endeavour to give <i>Definitions</i> of the Subjects, +upon which I have treated; A <i>Plan</i> the most difficult of +all others to be executed by an Author; But such an one, as I +apprehend, deserves to be <span class = "pagenum">xxvi</span>more +generally introduced, and established. If once it was expected by +the Public, that <i>Authors</i> should strictly <i>define</i> +their Subjects, it would instantly checque an Inundation of +Scribbling. The <i>desultory</i> Manner of Writing would be +absolutely exploded; and <i>Accuracy</i> and <i>Precision</i> +would be necessarily introduced upon every Subject.</p> + +<p>This is the <i>Method</i> pursued in Subjects of +<i>Philosophy</i>; Without clear and precise <i>Definitions</i> +such noble Advances could never have been made in those Sciences; +And it is by the Assistance of <i>these</i> only, that Subjects +of <i>Polite Literature,</i> can ever be enlightened and +embellished with just Ornaments. If <i>Definitions</i> had been +constantly exacted from Authors there would not have appeared +<i>one hundreth</i> Part of the present Books, and yet every +Subject had been better ascertained.--Nor will this Method, as +some may imagine, be encumbered with Stiffness; On the contrary, +in <i>illustrating</i> the Truth of <i>Definitions</i> there is a +full Scope of the utmost Genius, Imagination, and Spirit of a +Writer; and a Work upon this <i>Plan</i> is adorned with the +highest Charms appearing with <i>Propriety,</i> <i>Clearness,</i> +and <i>Conviction,</i> as well as Beauty.</p> + +<span class = "folionum">d2</span> +<span class = "pagenum">xvii</span> +<p>It is true, that the Difficulties, which attend an able +Execution of this <i>Method,</i> are not open to a careless Eye; +And it is some Mortification to an <i>Author</i> upon this +<i>Plan,</i> that his greatest <i>Merit</i> is likely to lie +concealed; A <i>Definition,</i> or <i>Distinction,</i> which +after much Attention and Time he has happily delivered with +<i>Brevity</i> and <i>Clearness,</i> appearing hereby quite +obvious, to others, and what they cannot imagine could require +Pains to discover.</p> + +<p>As to the <i>Examples,</i> by which I have illustrated the +<i>Definition</i> of <i>Wit,</i> they are <i>common</i> and +<i>trite</i>; but are the best, which I could find upon +deliberate Enquiry. Many Modern instances of <i>Wit,</i> which +left very lively Impressions upon me, when I heard them, +appearing upon Re-examination to be quite strained and defective. +These, which I have given, as they are thus <i>trite,</i> are not +designed in themselves for any Entertainment to the Reader; but +being various, and distant from each other, they very properly +serve to explain the Truth, and Extent of the +<i>Definition</i>.</p> + +<p>The Character of an <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Humourist</span>, I expect, will be strange to +most of my Readers; and if no Gentleman is acquainted with a +<i>Person</i> of this <i>Cast,</i> it must pass for a <i>Mon<span +class = "pagenum">xviii</span>ster</i> of my own Creation;--As to +the Character of Sir <i>John Falstaff,</i> it is chiefly +extracted from <i>Shakespear,</i> in his 1st Part of King +<i>Henry</i> the <i>IVth</i>; But so far as <i>Sir John</i> in +<i>Shakspear's</i> Description, sinks into a <i>Cheat</i> or a +<i>Scoundrel,</i> upon any Occasion, he is different from that +<i>Falstaff,</i> who is designed in the following <i>Essay,</i> +and is entirely an amiable Character.</p> + +<p>It is obvious, that the Appearance, which <i>Falstaff</i> +makes, in the unfinished Play of <i>The Merry Wives of +Windsor,</i> is in general greatly below his true Character. His +Imprisonment and Death in the latter Part of King <i>Henry</i> +the <i>IVth,</i> seem also to have been written by +<i>Shakespear</i> in Compliance with the <i>Austerity</i> of the +Times; and in order to avoid the Imputation of encouraging +<i>Idleness</i> and mirthful <i>Riot</i> by too amiable and happy +an Example.</p> + +<p>The Criticism, which I have made, upon <i>Horace</i>'s +Narrative of his <i>Adventure</i> with an <i>Impertinent +Fellow,</i> I offer with Respect; And beg leave to observe that +the chief Part which I object to, is the <i>Propriety</i> of his +introducing himself in so <i>ridiculous a Plight</i>;</p> +<span class = "pagenum">xxix</span> +<div class = "verse"> + <i>----Dum sudor ad imos<br> +Manaret Talos;</i> +</div> +<p>And</p> +<div class = "verse"> +<i>Demitto Auriculas, ut iniquæ mentis Acellus<br> +Cum gravius dorso subiit onus.</i> +</div> + +<p>And other Representations of the same sort, seem to place +<i>Horace</i> in a very mean and ludicrous Light; which it is +probable he never apprehended in the full Course of exposing his +Companion;--Besides, the Conduct of his Adversary is in several +Places, excessively, and, as it may be construed, +<i>designedly,</i> insolent and contemptuous; and as no Merit or +Importance belongs to this Person, there appears no Reason why +<i>Horace</i> should endure such Treatment; or, if the other was +too <i>powerful</i> for him, it is not an <i>Adventure</i> of +<i>Honour</i>; or what <i>Horace</i> should chuse to expose to +the World in this manner, with all the Particulars of his own +despicable Distress.</p> + +<p>However, the <i>Mirth</i> which results from this Narrative, +as it now stands, is perhaps rather the stronger at first, by the +full <i>Ridicule</i> which lies against <i>Horace,</i> and his +Adversary;--But, upon Reflection, there arises a Disgust, at the +Impropriety of <i>Ho<span class = "pagenum">xxx</span>race's</i> +exposing his own <i>Meanness,</i> as well as at the nauseous +<i>Impudence</i> of his Companion.</p> + +<p>As to <i>uncommon</i> Words, if any such appear in this +<i>Introduction,</i> or in the following <i>Essay,</i> I hope +they want neither <i>Propriety,</i> <i>Clearness,</i> nor +<i>Strength</i>;--And if the <i>Length</i> of this Piece to an +<i>Essay</i> so <i>short</i> shall happen at first to +<i>disturb</i> any <i>Critic,</i> I beg leave to inform him, that +all, which can be fairly collected from it, is only, that it may +have cost <i>me</i> the more Trouble;--But upon mentioning the +<i>Length</i> of this Piece, what behoves me the most, is, to +return my Thanks to two <i>Gentlemen,</i> who suffered me to read +to them the whole, as it was gradually written; And by whose +<i>judicious</i> and <i>friendly Instructions</i> in the Course +of it, my own <i>Imagination</i> was often prevented from running +into <i>Riots</i>.</p> + +<p>However, I am far from imagining, that I have always been +reduced within just Bounds; And now feel a sufficient Share of +<i>Concern</i> and <i>Anxiety,</i> for the <i>Fate</i> of this +Work;--Yet, I humbly apprehend, that <i>this</i> must freely be +allowed me, that I have not been a <i>Plagiary</i>; But have +constantly delivered my own <i>original</i> Sentiments, without +<i>purloining</i> or <i>disfiguring</i> the Thoughts +<span class = "pagenum">xxxi</span> +of others; An <i>Honesty,</i> which, I hope, is laudable in an +<i>Author</i>; And as I have not <i>stolen,</i> neither have I +<i>concealed,</i> the <i>Merit</i> of other Writers.</p> + +<p>It will also be found, as I humbly apprehend, that I have +never <i>shunned</i> the Subject: I mention this particularly, +because it is the Practice of many eminent Writers, after much +<i>curvetting</i> and <i>prauncing,</i> suddenly to wheel, and +retire, when they are expected to make their most full Attack.-- +These Gentlemen, it is true, very happily avoid <i>Danger,</i> +and advance and retreat in <i>excellent Order</i>: But, with +their Leave, I must observe that they never do any +<i>Execution</i>; For Subjects, which have not been surveyed, and +laid open, are like <i>fortified Places</i>; and it is the +Business of a <i>Writer,</i> as well as of a <i>Soldier,</i> to +make an Attack;--This has been the Conduct I have held in the +following <i>Essay</i>; and however I may be <i>shattered</i> +upon any Occasion, I hope it will appear (if I may be allowed the +Expression) that I have fairly <i>charged</i> the Subjects.</p> + +<p>Having offered these Circumstances in my Favour, I must +frankly acknowledge, that I am not able to plead any <i>Hurry</i> +or <i>Precipitancy</i> in the publishing of this Work, in Excuse +of its Errors; Though I clearly un<span class = +"pagenum">xxxii</span>derstand, that by making this Discovery, I +absolutely deprive myself of the most <i>genteel</i> and +<i>fashionable Screen</i> now used by Authors;--But I imagined, +that it became me to spare no Labour or Attention upon a Work, +which I should presume to offer to the World; Happening to esteem +this <i>Care</i> and <i>Concern,</i> a <i>Respect</i> due to the +<i>Public,</i> and the proper Species of <i>Humility</i> and +<i>Modesty</i> in an <i>Author</i>.</p> +<br> +<p align = "center"> +*&emsp&emsp*&emsp&emsp*&emsp&emsp*&emsp&emsp*<br> +*&emsp&emsp*&emsp&emsp*&emsp&emsp*<br> +*&emsp&emsp*&emsp&emsp*<br> +*&emsp&emsp*<br> +*</p> +<br> +<hr> +<hr> +<span class = "folionum">B</span> +<span class = "pagenum">1</span> +<a name = "essay"> <br></a> +<p align = "center">A N<br> +<br> +<font size = "+3"><b><span class = "extended"> ESSAY</span></b></font><br> +<br> +O N<br> +<br> +<font size = "+2">Wit, Humour, Raillery, & <i>c.</i></font></p> +<br> +<p><span class = "firstletter">W</span>IT <i>is the</i> <span +class = "essaysmallcaps">Lustre</span> <i>resulting from the +quick</i> <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Elucidation</span> <i>of +one Subject, by a</i> just <i>and</i> unexpected <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Arrangement</span> <i>of it with another +Subject.</i></p> + +<p>This <i>Definition</i> of <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> will more clearly appear by a short +Explanation.</p> + +<p>It is the Province of <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> to <i>elucidate,</i> or +<i>enlighten</i> a Subject, not by reasoning upon that Subject, +but by a just and unexpected Introduction of another +<i>similar,</i> or <i>opposite</i> Subject; whereby, upon their +<i>Arrangement</i> together, the <i>original</i> Subject may be +<i>set off,</i> and more clearly <i>enlighten'd,</i> by their +obvious Comparison.</p> + +<p>It may be proper, for the sake of Distinction, to call the +Subject, which is the Basis +<span class = "pagenum">2</span> +and Ground-work, the <i>original</i> Subject; and that which is +introduced, in order to <i>elucidate</i> it, the <i>auxiliary</i> +Subject.</p> + +<p>That there be always an apparent Chain or Connexion, or else +an obvious Agreement or Contrast, between the two Subjects, is +absolutely requir'd, in order that the <i>Auxiliary</i> one may +be <i>justly</i> introduced; otherwise, instead of <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, there will only appear a rambling +<i>Vivacity,</i> in wild, unprovoked Sallies.</p> + +<p>And yet <i>every just</i> or <i>natural</i> Introduction of an +<i>auxiliary</i> Subject will not produce <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, unless a new <i>Lustre</i> is +reflected from thence upon the <i>original</i> Subject.</p> + +<p>It is further to be observed, that the Introduction of the +<i>auxiliary</i> Subject ought not only to be <i>just,</i> but +also <i>unexpected,</i> which are entirely consistent together; +For as every Subject bears various Relations and Oppositions to +other Subjects, it is evident that each of these Relations and +Oppositions upon being exhibited, will be <i>unexpected</i> to +the Persons, who did not perceive them before; and yet they are +<i>just</i> by Supposition.</p> + +<p>It is upon such <i>unexpected</i> Introductions of +<i>auxiliary</i> Subjects, that we are struck with a +<i>Surprize</i>; from whence the high <i>Brilliancy</i> and +<i>Sparkling</i> of <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, +result.</p> + +<p>Whereas <i>Auxiliary</i> Subjects, introduced upon such +Occasions, as they have been frequently exhibited before, are apt +to fall dull, and heavy upon the Fancy; and unless they +<span class = "folionum">B2</span> +<span class = "pagenum">3</span> +possess great natural Spirit, will excite no sprightly +Sensation.</p> + +<p>It is also necessary to observe, that, in <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, the Subjects concern'd must be +<i>ordinary</i> and <i>level</i>; By which are intended, not such +as are <i>common,</i> but such as have no <i>extraordinarily +exalted,</i> or <i>enlarged,</i> Qualities; and are not +<i>unsizeable</i> in the particular Circumstances in which they +are compared to each other;--otherwise it is easy to perceive, +that the Result of their <i>Arrangement</i> will not be so +properly <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, as either the +<span class = "essaysmallcaps">Sublime</span>, or <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Burlesque</span>.</p> + +<p>To all this is to be added, that either <i>Gallantry</i>, +<i>Raillery</i>, <i>Humour</i>, <i>Satire</i>, <i>Ridicule</i>, +<i>Sarcasms</i>, or other Subjects, are generally blended with +<span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>; It has been for want +of this Discovery, and of a proper Separation of these Subjects, +that the Attempts which have hitherto been made to <i>define</i> +<span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, have been all involv'd +and overwhelm'd in Perplexity; For the different Mixtures of +these foreign Ingredients with <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, have discover'd such various and +opposite <i>Colours</i> and <i>Substances,</i> as were impossible +to be comprehended in one certain steady <i>Definition</i>;-- +Whereas <i>pure</i> <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> +alone, constantly appears in <i>one uniform</i> Manner; which is, +<i>In the </i>quick Elucidation<i> of one Subject, by +</i>unexpectedly<i> exhibiting its </i>Agreement<i> or +</i>Contrast<i> with another Subject</i>.</p> + +<p>It is proper in this Place, to distinguish between <span class += "essaysmallcaps">Wit, Similes</span>, and <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Metaphors</span>. +<span class = "pagenum">4</span> +<span class = "essaysmallcaps">Similes</span>, though they +<i>illustrate</i> one Subject, by <i>arranging</i> it with +another Subject, are yet different from <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, as they want its <i>sudden</i> and +<i>quick Elucidation</i>.</p> + +<p>Again; In <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, the +<i>Elucidation</i> is thrown only upon <i>one</i> Point of a +Subject; or if more Points be <i>elucidated,</i> they are so many +different Strokes of <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>;-- +Whereas every <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Simile</span> +touches the Subject it <i>illustrates</i> in <i>several +Points</i>.</p> + +<p>It is from hence, that the <i>Elucidation,</i> as before +mention'd, arising from a <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Simile</span>, is <i>slower</i> than from <span +class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>; But then is is generally +more <i>accurate</i> and <i>compleat</i>;--In short, <span class += "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, from its <i>Quickness,</i> +exhibits more <i>Brilliancy,</i> But <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Similes</span> possess greater +<i>Perfection</i>.</p> + +<p><i>A </i><span class = "essaysmallcaps">Metaphor</span><i>, is +the </i>Arrayment<i> of one Subject, +with the </i>Dress<i>, or </i>Colour<i>, or any +</i>Attributes<i>, of another Subject</i>.</p> + +<p>In <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, the two Subjects +are suddenly confronted with each other, and upon their joint +View, the <i>original</i> one is <i>elucidated</i> by the obvious +<i>Agreement</i> or <i>Contrast</i> of the <i>auxiliary</i> +Subject.</p> + +<p>But <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Metaphor</span> goes +further, and not content with <i>arranging</i> the two Subjects +together, and exhibiting from thence their <i>Agreement</i> or +<i>Contrast,</i> it actually snatches the Properties of the +<i>auxiliary</i> one, and fits them at once upon the +<i>original</i> Subject.</p> + +<p>It is evident from hence, that there may be <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> without any <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Metaphor</span>; But in every +<span class = "pagenum">5</span> +just <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Metaphor</span> there is +<span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>; The <i>Agreement</i> +of the two Subjects being in a <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Metaphor</span> more strictly and sensibly +presented.</p> + +<p>There is also this Difference between <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> and <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Metaphor</span>, that in <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> the <i>original</i> Subject is +<i>enlighten'd,</i> without altering its <i>Dress</i>; whereas in +<span class = "essaysmallcaps">Metaphor</span> the +<i>original</i> Subject is cloathed in a <i>new Dress,</i> and +struts forwards at once with a different <i>Air,</i> and with +strange <i>unexpected Ornaments</i>.</p> + +<p>It is from hence, that by <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Metaphor</span> a more masculine Air and Vigour +is given to a Subject, than by <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>; But it too often happens, that the +<span class = "essaysmallcaps">Metaphor</span> is carried so far, +as instead of <i>elucidating,</i> to obscure and disfigure, the +<i>original</i> Subject.</p> + +<p>To exhibit some Examples of <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>.</p> +<br> +<p align = "center">1.</p> +<p><i>Henry</i> the IVth of <i>France,</i> intimating to the +<i>Spanish</i> Ambassador the Rapidity, with which he was able to +over-run <i>Italy,</i> told him, that <i>if once he mounted on +Horseback, he should breakfast at</i> Milan, <i>and dine at</i> +Naples; To which the Ambassador added, <i>Since your Majesty +travels at this rate, you may be at Vespers in</i> Sicily.</p> + +<p>The Introduction of the <i>Vespers</i> at <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Sicily</span> is here <i>natural,</i> and easy; +as it seems only to be carrying on his Majesty's Journey at the +same rate, and to compleat the Progress of the Day; But it ushers +at once into View the <span class = +"pagenum">6</span><i>Destruction</i> of the <i>French</i> upon a +<i>similar</i> Occasion, when they formerly over-ran <span class += "essaysmallcaps">Sicily</span>, and were all massacred there at +the ringing of the Bell for <i>Vespers</i>;--The sudden +Introduction and <i>Arrangement</i> of this Catastrophe, with the +Expedition then threaten'd, sets the Issue of such a Conquest in +a new <i>Light</i>; And very happily exhibits and +<i>elucidates</i> the Result of such vain and restless +Adventures.</p> + +<p>It may be observed, that the <i>quick</i> Introduction and +<i>Arrangement</i> of any former Conquest of <i>Italy</i> by the +<i>French,</i> with the Expedition then threaten'd, would have +exhibited <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>; whatever the +Issue had been of such former Conquest; But in this Instance, +there sits couched under the <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, a very <i>severe Rebuke</i> upon the +<i>French</i> Monarch.</p> +<br> +<p align = "center">2.</p> +<p><i>Alexander</i> the VIth was very busily questioning the +Ambassador of <i>Venice,</i> Of whom his Masters held their +Customs and Prerogatives of the Sea? To which the Ambassador +readily answer'd; <i>If your</i> <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Holiness</span> <i>will only please to examine +your Charter of St.</i> <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Peter</span>'s <i>Patrimony, you will find upon +the Back of it, the Grant made to the</i> <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Venetians</span> <i>of the</i> <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Adriatic</span>.</p> + +<p>The Authority of the <i>Grant</i> to the <i>Venetians</i> is +in this Instance the <i>original</i> Subject, which is thus +suddenly <i>elucidated</i> to the <i>Pope,</i> by +<i>arranging,</i> and connecting it with the holy <span class = +"pagenum">7</span><i>Charter</i> of St. <i>Peter's</i> Patrimony; +There is a peculiar Happiness in the Address of this Answer to +the <i>Pope,</i> as he was obliged to receive it as a +satisfactory Account of the Truth of the <i>Grant,</i> and a +clear <i>Elucidation</i> of its sacred Authority.</p> + +<p>In this Instance, besides the <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> which shines forth, the <i>Pope</i> +is severely expos'd to your <i>Raillery,</i> from the Scrape into +which he has brought the <i>Charter</i> of St. <i>Peter</i>'s +Patrimony, by his Attack of the <i>Ambassador</i>; The +<i>fictitious</i> Existence of both the <i>Charter</i> and +<i>Grant</i> being sarcastically pointed out, under this +respectable Air of <i>Authenticity</i>.</p> +<br> +<p align = "center">3.</p> +<p>Upon the Restoration Mr. <i>Waller</i> presented a +congratulatory Copy of Verses to King <i>Charles</i>; His +Majesty, after reading them, said,--<i>Mr</i>. Waller, <i>these +are very good, but not so fine as you made upon the</i> <span +class = "essaysmallcaps">Protector</span>.--To which Mr. +<i>Waller</i> return'd,--<i>Your Majesty will please to +recollect, that we Poets always write best upon</i> <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Fictions</span>.</p> + +<p>The <i>original</i> Subject in this Instance is <i>the +superior Excellence of Mr</i>. <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Waller</span>'s <i>Verses upon</i> Cromwell; +This he most happily excuses, by starting at once, and +<i>arranging</i> along with them, the Remark, that <i>Poets have +always excell'd upon Fiction</i>; whereby he unexpectedly +exhibits his <i>more excellent</i> Verses to <i>Cromwell,</i> as +a plain <i>Elucidation</i> of the <i>ficti<span class = +"pagenum">8</span>tious</i> Glory of the Protector; And intimates +at the same time, that the <i>Inferiority</i> of his present +Performance was a natural <i>Illustration</i> of his Majesty's +<i>real</i> Glory;--Never was a deep Reproach averted by a more +happy Reply; which comprehends both the highest Compliment to his +Majesty, and a very firm poetical Excuse of the different +Performances.</p> +<br> +<p align = "center">4.</p> +<p><i>Leonidas</i> the <i>Spartan</i> General, when he advanced +near the <i>Persian</i> Army, was told by one of his own +Captains, that <i>their Enemies were so numerous, it was +impossible to see the Sun for the Multitude of their Arrows</i>; +To which he gallantly reply'd, <i>We shall then have the Pleasure +of fighting in the Shade</i>.</p> + +<p>The vast Cope of <i>Persian</i> Arrows is here the +<i>original</i> Subject; which instead of being observed by +<i>Leonidas</i> with Terror, presents to his Fancy the pleasant +Idea of a cool <i>Canopy</i>. There is an <i>Agreement</i> and +Affinity between the two Objects, in regard to the <i>Shelter +from the Sun,</i> which is at once obvious, and +<i>unexpected</i>; And the Cloud of the Enemies Arrows is thus +gaily <i>elucidated,</i> by the <i>Arrangement</i> and Comparison +of it with so desirable an Object as <i>shady Covering</i>.</p> + +<p>This Saying of the <i>Spartan</i> General has been handed +through many Ages to the present Time; But the chief Part of the +Pleasure it gives us, results not so much from the +<span class = "folionum">C</span> +<span class = "pagenum">9</span> +<span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> it contains, as from +the <i>Gallantry,</i> and <i>chearful Spirit,</i> discover'd in +Danger, by <i>Leonidas</i>.</p> +<br> +<p align = "center">5.</p> +<p>An Instance of <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> in +the <i>Opposition,</i> I remember to have read somewhere in the +<i>Spectators</i>; where Sir <i>Roger de Coverley</i> intimating +the Splendor which the perverse Widow should have appear'd in, if +she had commenced Lady <i>Coverley,</i> says:</p> + +<p><i>That he would have given her a</i> Coalpit <i>to have kept +her in</i> clean Linnen: <i>And that her Finger should have</i> +sparkled <i>with one hundred of his richest</i> Acres.</p> + +<p>The joint Introduction of these <i>opposite</i> Objects, as a +<i>Coalpit</i> with <i>clean Linnen,</i> and <i>dirty Acres</i> +with the <i>Lustre</i> of a <i>Jewel,</i> is <i>just</i> in this +Instance, as they really produce each other in their +Consequences; The <i>natural Opposition</i> between them, which +is strongly <i>elucidated</i> by their <i>Arrangement</i> +together, and at the same time their <i>unexpected Connexion</i> +in their Consequences, strike us with a <i>Surprize,</i> which +exhibits the <i>Brilliancy</i> and <i>Sparkling</i> of <span +class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>.</p> + +<p>There is also in this Instance, besides the <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, a Spirit of <i>Generosity,</i> and +<i>Magnificence,</i> discover'd by Sir <i>Roger,</i> from the +known Value of a <i>Coalpit,</i> and of so many rich +<i>Acres</i>.</p> + +<p>This Kind of <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, +resulting from the sudden <i>Arrangement</i> together of two +<i>opposite</i> Objects, is rarer, than that which is obtained +<span class = "pagenum">10</span> +from two <i>similar</i> Objects; It abounds with a high +<i>Surprize,</i> and <i>Brilliancy</i>; and also strongly +<i>elucidates</i> the <i>original</i> Object, from the +<i>Contrast</i> presented between <i>this,</i> and the +<i>auxiliary</i> one; In the same manner as <i>White</i> is more +clearly set <i>off,</i> by being arranged with <i>Black</i>.</p> + +<p>It may be proper to observe, that <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, besides being struck out by +<i>just,</i> and <i>direct</i> Introductions of <i>auxiliary</i> +Subjects, is also sometimes obtain'd by <i>Transitions</i> from +one Subject to another, by the Help of an <i>equivocal Word</i>; +which like a <i>Bridge,</i> with two Roads meeting at the End of +it, leads to two different Places. <i>Transitions,</i> thus made +from the right Course, have indeed the Pretence of being +<i>natural</i>; but they ought always to lead us to something +<i>brilliant</i> or poignant, in order to justify their +<i>Deviation</i>; and not to end only at a ridiculous <span class += "essaysmallcaps">Pun</span>, void of all Spirit and +Poignancy.</p> + +<p>The <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, in such +Instances, results, as in all others, from the quick +<i>Arrangement</i> together of two Subjects; But that, which was +first intended for the <i>original</i> one, is dropped; And a new +<i>original</i> Subject is started, through the <i>double +Meaning</i> of a Word, and suddenly <i>enlighten'd</i>.</p> + +<p>To give a <i>trite</i> Instance of this kind of <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>.</p> + +<p>A <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Peer</span> coming out of the +House of Lords, and wanting his Servant, called out, <i>Where's +my Fellow?</i> To which another <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Peer</span>, who stood by him, returned, +<i>Faith, my Lord, not in</i> England.</p> + +<span class = "folionum">C2</span> +<span class = "pagenum">11</span> +<p>A Transition is here unexpededly made from the Sense intended +in the Question to another Point, through the double Meaning of +the word <i>Fellow</i>; it being obvious, that his Lordship's +<i>Servant</i> is the Sense of the Word in the Question; and what +Person is <i>like</i> to his Lordship, the Construction put upon +it in the Answer: Thus a new <i>original</i> Subject is started, +and being suddenly <i>arranged</i> with all that appear +<i>similar</i> to it, is <i>enlighten'd</i> thereby, being found +to have no <i>equal</i> in <i>England</i>.</p> + +<p>However, though <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> may +be <i>thus</i> struck out, and also appears in the +<i>Contrast</i> with great <i>Brilliancy,</i> yet the highest and +most perfect Instances of it result from the sudden and <i>direct +Arrangement</i> together of two Objects, which hold a perspicuous +and splendid <i>Agreement</i> with each other; It is then adorn'd +with the Charms of <i>Propriety,</i> <i>Clearness</i> and +<i>Illustration</i>; It dispels the Darkness around an Object, +and presents it diftinctly and perfectly to our View; chearing us +with its <i>Lustre,</i> and at the same time informing us with +its <i>Light</i>.</p> + +<p>Thus, a Gentleman was observing, that <i>there was</i> +somewhat <i>extremely pleasing in an excellent</i> Understanding, +<i>when it appeared in a beautiful</i> Person; To which another +returned, <i>It is like a fine</i> Jewel <i>well set</i>; You are +here pleased with the Happiness, Propriety, and Splendor of this +<i>new</i> Object, which finely +<span class = "pagenum">12</span> +<i>elucidates</i> the original Sentiment;--In short, it is the +Excellence of <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, <i>to +present the</i> first Image <i>again to your mind, with new +unexpected</i> Clearness <i>and</i> Advantage.</p> + +<p>It is also proper to add, that there may be <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> in a <i>Picture,</i> +<i>Landscape,</i> or in any <i>Prospect,</i> where a gay +unexpected <i>Assemblage</i> of <i>similar,</i> or +<i>opposite</i> Objects, is presented.</p> + +<p><span class = "essaysmallcaps">Judgment</span>, <i>is the +Faculty of discerning the various</i> Dimensions, <i>and</i> +Differences, <i>of Subjects</i>.</p> + +<p><span class = "essaysmallcaps">Invention</span> <i>is the +Faculty of finding out new</i> Assortments, <i>and</i> +Combinations, <i>of</i> Ideas.</p> + +<p><span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span> <i>is any</i> +whimsical Oddity <i>or</i> Foible, <i>appearing in the</i> Temper +<i>or</i> Conduct <i>of a</i> Person <i>in</i> real Life.</p> + +<p>This <i>whimsical Oddity</i> of Conduct, which generally +arises from the strange <i>Cast,</i> or <i>Turn</i> of Mind of a +<i>queer</i> Person, may also result from <i>accidental</i> +Mistakes and Embarrassments between other Persons; who being +misled by a wrong Information and Suspicion in regard to a +Circumstance, shall act towards each other upon this Occasion, in +the same <i>odd whimsical</i> manner, as <i>queer</i> +Persons.</p> + +<p>If a <i>Person</i> in real Life, discovers any odd and +remarkable <i>Features</i> of Temper or Conduct, I call such a +Person in the <i>Book</i> of <i>Mankind,</i> a <i>Character</i>. +So that the chief Subjects of <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Humour</span> are Persons in real Life, who are +<i>Characters</i>.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">13</span> +<p>It is easy to be perceived, that <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>, and <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> are extremely different.</p> + +<p><span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span> appears only in +the <i>Foibles</i> and <i>whimsical Conduct</i> of <i>Persons</i> +in real Life; <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> appears +in <i>Comparisons,</i> either between <i>Persons</i> in real +Life, or between <i>other Subjects</i>.</p> + +<p><span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span> is the +<i>whimsical Oddity,</i> or <i>Foible,</i> which fairly appears +in its Subject, of itself; whereas <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, is the <i>Lustre</i> which is thrown +upon <i>one</i> Subject, by the <i>sudden Introduction</i> of +another Subject.</p> + +<p>To constitute <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>, +there need be no more than <i>one</i> Object concern'd, and this +must be always some <i>Person</i> in <i>real Life</i>;--whereas +to produce <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, there must +be always <i>two</i> Objects <i>arranged</i> together, and either +or both of these may be <i>inanimate</i>.</p> + +<p>However, though <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span> +and <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> are thus absolutely +different in themselves, yet we frequently see them blended +together.</p> + +<p>Thus if any <i>Foible</i> of a <i>Character</i> in real Life +is <i>directly</i> attacked, by pointing out the unexpected and +ridiculous <i>Affinity</i> it bears to some <i>inanimate</i> +Circumstances, this Foible is then ridiculed with <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, from the <i>Comparison</i> which is +made.--At the same time, as the <i>whimsical Oddity</i> of a +<i>Character</i> in real Life is the <i>Ground</i> of the whole, +there is also <i>Humour</i> contain'd in the Attack.</p> + +<p>If instead of referring the <i>Foible</i> of a Person to any +<i>inanimate</i> Circumstance, the <i>Al<span class = +"pagenum">14</span>lusion</i> had been made to any other +ridiculous <i>Person</i> in <i>real Life</i>; As a <i>conceited +Fellow,</i> perpetually recommending his own Whims, to a +<i>Quack-Doctor</i>;--This <i>Foible</i> will then be ridiculed +with <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>; which is +likewise the original <i>Ground</i>: At the same Time, from the +<i>Comparison</i> which is made, there is apparently <span class += "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> in the Description.</p> + +<p>So that where-ever the <i>Foible</i> of a <i>Character</i> in +real Life is concern'd, there <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Humour</span> comes in; and wherever a sprightly +unexpected <i>Arrangement</i> is presented of two <i>similar,</i> +or <i>opposite</i> Subjects, whether animate or inanimate, there +<span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> is exhibited.</p> + +<p><span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span> and <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, as they may thus both be united in +the same Subject, may also separately appear without the least +Mixture together; that is, there may be <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Humour</span> without <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, and <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> without <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>.</p> + +<p>Thus, if in order to expose the <i>Foible</i> of a +<i>Character,</i> a <i>real Person</i> is introduc'd, abounding +in this <i>Foible,</i> gravely persisting in it, and valuing +himself upon the Merit of it, with great Self-sufficiency, and +Disdain of others; this <i>Foible</i> is then solely ridiculed +with <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>.</p> + +<p>Again, if a gay unexpected <i>Allusion</i> is made from one +<i>inanimate</i> Object to another, or from one <i>Person</i> +in <i>real</i> Life to another, without any Reference to their +whimsical <ins class = "correction" +title = "text reads 'Oddistie'"> +<i>Oddities</i></ins> or <i>Foibles</i>; there <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> only appears.--Various Instances of +which, +independent of <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>, have +been +already exhibited.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">15</span> +<p>A <i>Man</i> of <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> is +<i>he, who is happy in</i> elucidating <i>any Subject,</i> by a +just and unexpected Arrangement <i>and</i> Comparison <i>of it +with another Subject</i>.</p> + +<p>It may be also proper to describe a <i>Man</i> of <span class += "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>, and an <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Humourist</span>, which are very different +Persons.</p> + +<p>A <i>Man</i> of <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span> +is <i>one, who can happily exhibit a weak and ridiculous</i> +Character <i>in real Life, either by assuming it himself, or +representing another in it, so naturally, that the</i> whimsical +Oddities, <i>and</i> Foibles, <i>of that</i> Character, <i>shall +be palpably expos'd</i>.</p> + +<p>Whereas an <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humourist</span> +<i>is a</i> Person <i>in real Life, obstinately attached to +sensible peculiar</i> Oddities <i>of his own genuine Growth, +which appear in his Temper and Conduct</i>.</p> + +<p>In short, a <i>Man</i> of <i>Humour</i> is one, who can +happily exhibit and expose the Oddities and Foibles of an +<i>Humourist,</i> or of other <i>Characters</i>.</p> + +<p>The <i>Features</i> of an <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Humourist</span> being very remarkable and +singular, seem justly to deserve an explicit Description. It is +then to be observ'd, that an <i>Humourist,</i> at the same time +that he is guided in his Manners and Actions by his own genuine +original Fancy and Temper, disdains all <i>Ostentation</i>; +excepting that alone of his <i>Freedom</i> and +<i>Independency,</i> which he is forward of shewing upon every +Occasion, without Ceremony; he is quite superior to the +<i>Affectation</i> of a Virtue or Accomplishment, <span class = +"pagenum">16</span>which he thinks does not belong to him; scorns +all <i>Imitation</i> of others; and contemns the rest of the +World for being servilely obedient to Forms and Customs; +disclaiming all such Submission himself, and regulating his +Conduct in general by his own <i>Conviction</i>,</p> + +<p>The <i>Humourist</i> is forward upon many Occasions to deliver +his Opinion, in a peremptory Manner, and before he is desir'd; +but he gives it sincerely, unbiass'd by <i>Fear</i> or +<i>Regard,</i> and then leaves it to the Persons concern'd to +determine for themselves; For he is more pleas'd in the Bottom to +find his Opinion <i>slighted,</i> and to see the Conduct of +others agreeable to that System of Folly and Weakness, which he +has established with himself, to be the Course of their Actions.- +-To view a rational Conduct, even in pursuance of his own Advice, +would greatly disappoint him; and be a Contradiction to this +<i>System</i> he has laid down;--Besides it would deprive him of +an Occasion of gratifying his Spleen, with the Contempt of that +Folly, which he esteems to be natural to the rest of Mankind; For +he considers himself in the World, like a <i>sober</i> Person in +the Company of Men, who are <i>drunken</i> or <i>mad</i>; He may +advise them to be calm, and to avoid hurting themselves, but he +does not expect they will regard his Advice; On the contrary, he +is more pleas'd with observing their <i>Freaks</i> and +<i>Extravagancies</i>.--It is from hence that he discourages and +<span class = "folionum">D</span> +<span class = "pagenum">17</span> +depreciates all who pretend to <i>Discretion</i>; Persons of this +Temper not yielding him Sport or Diversion.</p> + +<p>It is certain that the <i>Humourist</i> is excessively +<i>proud,</i> and yet without knowing or suspecting it. For from +the Liberty which he frankly allows to others, of rejecting his +Opinion, he is fully persuaded, that he is free from all +<i>Pride</i>; But tho' he acts in this Circumstance without over- +bearing, it has already appear'd, not to be the Effect of his +<i>Humility,</i> but of a different Motive; a Pleasure which he +takes in observing the Extravagancies of others, rather than +their Discretion. But to demonstrate his <i>Pride,</i> besides +the peremptory Manner in which he delivers his Opinion, and +conducts himself upon every Occasion, without any Deference to +others, there is this Circumstance against him; that he is the +most stung by a Defeat, upon any Topic, of all Men living; And +although he disregards Accusations of Roughness and Oddity, and +rather esteems them to be meritorious; yet he will never admit, +that he has been fairly overthrown in a Debate.</p> + +<p>It is odd to observe how the <i>Humourist</i> is affected by +<i>contemptuous</i> Treatment. An Insult of this Sort, which +justly excites the <i>Resentment</i> of others, <i>terrifies</i> +him: It sets him upon <i>suspecting</i> himself, and upon +doubting whether he be really that Person of superior Sense to +the rest of the World, which he has <span class = +"pagenum">18</span>long fancied. The Apprehension, that he +actually deserves the Contempt which is put upon him, and that he +is no more than one of the common Herd, almost distracts him; And +instead of violently depreciating, or attacking again, the Person +who has contemn'd him, he will incessantly court his Favour and +good Opinion, as a Cordial he wants, though without seeming to do +so. This is a very extraordinary Weakness, and such as the +<i>Humourist</i> would be infinitely uneasy to find ever +observ'd.</p> + +<p>The <i>Humourist,</i> though he quickly espies, and contemns +the <i>Contradictions</i> of others, is yet wilfully attach'd to +several himself, which he will sometimes persue through a long +Course of his own Mortification.--It may be often observ'd, that +he will avoid the Company he likes, for fear they should think he +needs their Support.--At the same time, if he happens to fall +into Company, which he tallies not with, instead of avoiding this +Company, he will continually haunt them: For he is anxious, lest +any Imputation of a Defeat should stand out against him, and +extremely sollicitous to wipe it away; Besides, he cannot endure +it should be thought that he is driven from the Pit.--Thus, in +the first Instance, his <i>Pride</i> shall persuade him to +neglect the Company he likes; and shall force him, in the last, +to follow the Company he hates and despises.</p> + +<span class = "folionum">D2</span> +<span class = "pagenum">19</span> +<p>It is also observable that the <i>Humourist,</i> though he +makes it his Point to regulate his Conduct only by his own +Conviction, will sometimes run counter to it, merely from his +Disdain of all <i>Imitation</i>. Thus he will persist in a wrong +Course, which he knows to be such, and refuse his Compliance with +an Amendment offer'd by others, rather than endure the Appearance +of being an <i>Imitator</i>. This is a <i>narrow</i> Side of the +<i>Humourist</i>; and whenever he is turn'd upon it, he feels +great Uneasiness himself. It strikes a durable Pain into his +Breast, like the constant gnawing of a Worm; and is one +considerable Source of that Stream of Peevishnesss incident to +<i>Humourists</i>.</p> + +<p>Upon the same Principle of scorning all <i>Imitation,</i> the +<i>Humourist</i> seldom heartily assents to any speculative +Opinion, which is deliver'd by another; for he is above being +inform'd or set right in his Judgment by any Person, even by a +Brother <i>Humourist</i>. If two of this <i>Cast</i> happen to +meet, instead of uniting together, they are afraid of each other; +and you shall observe <i>one,</i> in order to court the good +Opinion of the <i>other,</i> produce a Specimen of his own +Perfection as an <i>Humourist</i>; by exhibiting some unusual +Strain of <i>sensible Oddity,</i> or by unexpectedly biting a +poor <i>Insipid</i>; which the other <i>Humourist</i> shall +answer again in the same manner, in order to display <i>his</i> +Talents.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">20</span> +<p>These are the <i>Foibles</i> and <i>narrow</i> Whims of a +perfect <i>Humourist</i>. But, on the other hand, he stands upon +a very enlarged Basis; Is a Lover of Reason and Liberty; and +scorns to flatter or betray; nor will he falsify his Principles, +to court the Favour of the Great. He is not credulous, or fond of +Religious or Philosophical Creeds or Creed-makers; But then he +never offers himself to forge Articles of Faith for the rest of +the World. Abounding in poignant and just Reflections; The +Guardian of Freedom, and Scourge of such as do wrong. It is +<i>He</i> checks the Frauds, and curbs the Usurpations of every +Profession. The venal Biass of the assuming Judge, the cruel +Pride of the starch'd Priest, the empty Froth of the florid +Counsellor, the false Importance of the formal Man of Business, +the specious Jargon of the grave Physician, and the creeping +Taste of the trifling Connoisseur, are all bare to his Eye, and +feel the Lash of his Censure; It is <i>He</i> that watches the +daring Strides, and secret Mines of the ambitious Prince, and +desperate Minister: <i>He</i> gives the Alarm, and prevents their +Mischief. Others there are who have Sense and Foresight; but +<i>they</i> are brib'd by Hopes or Fears, or bound by softer +Ties; It is <i>He</i> only, the <i>Humourist,</i> that has the +Courage and Honesty to cry out, unmov'd by personal Resentment: +He flourishes only in a Land of <i>Freedom,</i> and when +<i>that</i> ceases he dies too, +<span class = "pagenum">21</span> +the last and noblest <i>Weed</i> of the Soil of +<i>Liberty</i>.</p> + +<p>It is a palpable <i>Absurdity</i> to suppose a Person an +<i>Humourist,</i> without excellent Sense and Abilities; as much +as to suppose a <i>Smith</i> in his full Business, without his +<i>Hammers</i> or <i>Forge</i>.--But the <i>Humourist,</i> as he +advances in Years, is apt to grow intolerable to himself and the +World; becoming at length, uneasy, and fatigued with the constant +View of the same Follies; like a Person who is tir'd with seeing +the same Tragi-Comedy continually acted. This sowres his Temper; +And unless some favorable Incidents happen to mellow him, he +resigns himself wholly to Peevishness.--By which Time he +perceives that the World is quite tir'd of <i>him</i>.--After +which he drags on the Remainder of his Life, in a State of +<i>War</i> with the rest of Mankind.</p> + +<p>The <i>Humourist</i> is constitutionally, and also from +Reflection, a Man of <i>Sincerity</i>.--If he is a <i>Rogue</i> +upon any Occasion, he is more wilfully one, and puts greater +Violence upon himself in being such, than the rest of the World; +And though he may generally seem to have little +<i>Benevolence,</i> which is the common Objection against him, +it is only for want of proper Objects; for no Person has +certainly a quicker <i>Feeling</i>; And there are Instances +frequent, of greater Generosity and humane Warmth flowing from an +<i>Humourist,</i> than are capable of proceeding from a weak +<i>Insipid,</i> +<span class = "pagenum">22</span> +who labours under a continual Flux of Civility.</p> + +<p>Upon the whole, the <i>Humourist</i> is perhaps the least of +all others, a <i>despicable</i> Character. But Imitations, which +are frequently seen of this Character, are excessively +despicable.--What can be more ridiculous, than a Wretch setting +up for an <i>Humourist,</i> merely upon the Strength of +disrelishing every Thing, without any Principle;--The Servants, +Drawers, Victuals, Weather,--and growling without Poignancy of +Sense, at every new Circumstance which appears, in public or +private. A perfect and compleat <i>Humourist</i> is rarely to be +found; and when you hear his <i>Voice,</i> is a different +Creature.--In writing to <i>Englishmen,</i> who are generally +tinged, deeply or slightly, with the <i>Dye</i> of the +<i>Humourist,</i> it seem'd not improper to insist the longer +upon this Character; However, let none be too fond of it; For +though an <i>Humourist</i> with his Roughness is greatly to be +preferr'd to a smooth <i>Insipid,</i> yet the Extremes of both +are equally wretched: <i>Ideots</i> being only the lowest Scale +of <i>Insipids,</i> as <i>Madmen</i> are no other than +<i>Humourists</i> in Excess.</p> + +<p>It may be proper to observe in this place, that though all +<i>Ostentation,</i> <i>Affectation,</i> and <i>Imitation</i> are +excluded from the Composition of a perfect <i>Humourist</i>; yet +as they are the obvious <i>Foibles</i> of some Persons in Life, +<span class = "pagenum">23</span> +they may justly be made the Subject of <i>Humour</i>.</p> + +<p>For <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span> extensively +and fully understood, is <i>any remarkable</i> Oddity <i>or</i> +Foible <i>belonging to a</i> Person <i>in</i> real Life; +<i>whether this</i> Foible <i>be constitutional, habitual,</i> or +<i>only affected; whether partial in one or two Circumstances; or +tinging the whole Temper and Conduct of the</i> Person.</p> + +<p>It has from hence been observ'd, that there is more <span +class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span> in the <i>English</i> +Comedies than in others; as we have more various odd +<i>Characters</i> in real Life, than any other Nation, or perhaps +than all other Nations together.</p> + +<p>That <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span> gives more +Delight, and leaves a more pleasurable Impression behind it, than +<span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, is universally felt +and established; Though the Reasons for this have not yet been +assign'd.--I shall therefore beg Leave to submit the +following.</p> + +<p>1. <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span> is more +<i>interesting</i> than <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> +in general, as the <i>Oddities</i> and <i>Foibles</i> of +<i>Persons</i> in <i>real Life</i> are more apt to affect our +Passions, than any Oppositions or Relations between +<i>inanimate</i> Objects.</p> + +<p>2. <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span> is +<i>Nature,</i> or what really appears in the Subject, without any +Embellishments; <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> only a +Stroke of <i>Art,</i> where the original Subject, being +insufficient of itself, is garnished and deck'd with auxiliary +Objects.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">24</span> +<p>3. <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>, or the Foible +of a <i>Character</i> in real Life, is usually insisted upon for +some Length of Time. From whence, and from the common Knowledge +of the Character, it is universally felt and understood.--Whereas +the Strokes of <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> are like +sudden <i>Flashes,</i> vanishing in an Instant, and usually +flying too fast to be sufficiently marked and pursued by the +Audience.</p> + +<p>4. <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>, if the +Representation of it be just, is compleat and perfect in its +Kind, and entirely fair and unstrain'd.--Whereas in the Allusions +of <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, the Affinity is +generally imperfect and defective in one Part or other; and even +in those Points where the Affinity may be allow'd to subsist, +some Nicety and Strain is usually requir'd to make it appear.</p> + +<p>5. <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span> generally +appears in such Foibles, as each of the Company thinks himself +superior to.--Whereas <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> +shews the Quickness and Abilities of the Person who discovers it, +and places him superior to the rest of the Company.</p> + +<p>6. Humour, in the Representation of the <i>Foibles</i> of +<i>Persons</i> in <i>real Life,</i> frequently exhibits very +<i>generous benevolent</i> Sentiments of Heart; And these, tho' +exerted in a particular odd Manner, justly command our Fondness +and Love.--Whereas in the Allusions of <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, <i>Severity,</i> <i>Bitterness,</i> +and <i>Satire,</i> are frequently exhibited.--And where these are +avoided, +<span class = "folionum">E</span> +<span class = "pagenum">25</span> +not worthy amiable Sentiments of the <i>Heart</i>, but quick +unexpected Efforts of the <i>Fancy,</i> are presented.</p> + +<p>7. The odd Adventures, and Embarrassments, which +<i>Persons</i> in <i>real Life</i> are drawn into by their +<i>Foibles,</i> are fit Subjects of <i>Mirth</i>.--Whereas in +pure <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, the Allusions are +rather <i>surprizing,</i> than <i>mirthful</i>; and the +<i>Agreements</i> or <i>Contrasts</i> which are started between +Objects, without any relation to the <i>Foibles</i> of +<i>Persons</i> in real Life, are more fit to be <i>admired</i> +for their <i>Happiness</i> and <i>Propriety,</i> than to excite +our <i>Laughter</i>.--Besides, <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>, in the frequent Repetition of it, +tires the Imagination with its precipitate Sallies and Flights; +and teizes the Judgment.--Whereas <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Humour</span>, in the Representation of it, puts +no Fatigue upon the <i>Imagination,</i> and gives exquisite +Pleasure to the <i>Judgment</i>.</p> + +<p>These seem to me to be the different Powers and Effects of +<span class = "essaysmallcaps">Humour</span> and <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Wit</span>. However, the most agreeable +Representations or Competitions of all others, appear not where +they <i>separately</i> exist, but where they are <i>united</i> +together in the same Fabric; where <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Humour</span> is the <i>Ground-work</i> and +chief Substance, and <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Wit</span> +happily spread, <i>quickens</i> the whole with +Embellishments.</p> + +<p>This is the Excellency of the <i>Character</i> of Sir <i>John +Falstaff</i>; the <i>Ground-work</i> is <i>Humour,</i> the +Representation and Detection of a bragging and vaunting +<i>Coward</i> in <i>real Life</i>; +<span class = "pagenum">26</span> +However, this alone would only have expos'd the <i>Knight,</i> as +a meer <i>Noll Bluff,</i> to the Derision of the Company; And +after they had once been gratify'd with his Chastisement, he +would have sunk into Infamy, and become quite odious and +intolerable: But here the inimitable <i>Wit</i> of Sir +<i>John</i> comes in to his Support, and gives a new <i>Rise</i> +and <i>Lustre</i> to his Character; For the sake of his +<i>Wit</i> you forgive his <i>Cowardice</i>; or rather, are fond +of his <i>Cowardice</i> for the Occasions it gives to his +<i>Wit</i>. In short, the <i>Humour</i> furnishes a Subject and +Spur to the <i>Wit,</i> and the <i>Wit</i> again supports and +embellishes the <i>Humour</i>.</p> + +<p>At the <i>first</i> Entrance of the <i>Knight,</i> your good +Humour and Tendency to <i>Mirth</i> are irresistibly excited by +his jolly Appearance and Corpulency; you feel and acknowledge +him, to be the fittest Subject imaginable for yielding +<i>Diversion</i> and <i>Merriment</i>; but when you see him +immediately set up for <i>Enterprize</i> and <i>Activity,</i> +with his evident <i>Weight</i> and <i>Unweildiness,</i> your +Attention is all call'd forth, and you are eager to watch him to +the End of his Adventures; Your Imagination pointing out with a +full Scope his future Embarrassments. All the while as you +accompany him forwards, he <i>heightens</i> your Relish for his +future Disasters, by his happy Opinion of his own Sufficiency, +and the gay Vaunts which he makes of his Talents and +Accomplishments; so that at last when he falls into +<span class = "folionum">E2</span> +<span class = "pagenum">27</span> +a Scrape, your Expectation is exquisitely gratify'd, and you have +the full Pleasure of seeing all his trumpeted Honour laid in the +Dust. When in the midst of his Misfortunes, instead of being +utterly demolish'd and sunk, he rises again by the superior Force +of his <i>Wit,</i> and begins a <i>new</i> Course with fresh +Spirit and Alacrity; This excites you the more to <i>renew</i> +the Chace, in full View of his <i>second</i> Defeat; out of which +he recovers again, and triumphs with new Pretensions and +Boastings. After this he immediately starts upon a <i>third</i> +Race, and so on; continually detected and caught, and yet +constantly extricating himself by his inimitable <i>Wit</i> and +<i>Invention</i>; thus yielding a perpetual <i>Round</i> of Sport +and Diversion.</p> + +<p>Again, the genteel <i>Quality</i> of Sir <i>John</i> is of +great Use in supporting his Character; It prevents his +<i>sinking</i> too low after several of his Misfortunes; Besides, +you allow him, in consequence of his <i>Rank</i> and +<i>Seniority,</i> the Privilege to dictate, and take the Lead, +and to rebuke others upon many Occasions; By this he is sav'd +from appearing too <i>nauseous</i> and <i>impudent</i>. The good +<i>Sense</i> which he possesses comes also to his Aid, and saves +him from being <i>despicable,</i> by forcing your Esteem for his +real Abilities.--Again, the <i>Privilege</i> you allow him of +rebuking and checking others, when he assumes it with proper +Firmness and Superiority, helps to <i>settle</i> <span class = +"pagenum">28</span>anew, and <i>compose</i> his Character after +an Embarrassment; And reduces in some measure the <i>Spirit</i> +of the Company to a proper <i>Level,</i> before he sets out again +upon a fresh Adventure;--without this, they would be kept +continually <i>strain'd,</i> and <i>wound up</i> to the highest +Pitch, without sufficient Relief and Diversity.</p> + +<p>It may also deserve to be remark'd of <i>Falstaff,</i> that +the <i>Figure</i> of his <i>Person</i> is admirably suited to the +<i>Turn</i> of his <i>Mind</i>; so that there arises before you a +perpetual <i>Allusion</i> from one to the other, which forms an +incessant Series of <i>Wit,</i> whether they are in +<i>Contrast</i> or <i>Agreement</i> together.--When he pretends +to <i>Activity,</i> there is <i>Wit</i> in the <i>Contrast</i> +between his <i>Mind</i> and his <i>Person,</i>--And <i>Wit</i> in +their <i>Agreement,</i> when he triumphs in <i>Jollity</i>.</p> + +<p>To compleat the whole,--you have in this Character of +<i>Falstaff,</i> not only a free Course of <i>Humour,</i> +supported and embellish'd with admirable <i>Wit</i>; but this +<i>Humour</i> is of a Species the most <i>jovial</i> and +<i>gay</i> in all Nature.--Sir <i>Jobn Falstaff</i> possesses +Generosity, Chearfulness, Alacrity, Invention, Frolic and Fancy +superior to all other Men;--The <i>Figure</i> of his +<i>Person</i> is the Picture of Jollity, Mirth, and Good-nature, +and banishes at once all other Ideas from your Breast; He is +happy himself, and makes you happy.--If you examine him further, +he has no Fierceness, Reserve, Malice or Peevishness lurking in +his +<span class = "pagenum">29</span> +Heart; His Intentions are all pointed at innocent Riot and +Merriment; Nor has the Knight any inveterate Design, except +against <i>Sack,</i> and that too he <i>loves</i>.--If, besides +this, he desires to pass for a Man of <i>Activity</i> and +<i>Valour,</i> you can easily excuse so harmless a <i>Foible,</i> +which yields you the highest Pleasure in its constant +<i>Detection</i>.</p> + +<p>If you put all these together, it is impossible to <i>hate</i> +honest <i>Jack Falstaff</i>; If you observe them again, it is +impossible to avoid <i>loving</i> him; He is the gay, the witty, +the frolicksome, happy, and fat <i>Jack Falstaff,</i> the most +delightful <i>Swaggerer</i> in all Nature.--You must <i>love</i> +him for your <i>own</i> sake,--At the same time you cannot but +<i>love</i> him for <i>his own</i> Talents; And when you have +<i>enjoy'd</i> them, you cannot but <i>love</i> him in +<i>Gratitude</i>;--He has nothing to disgust you, and every thing +to give you Joy;--His <i>Sense</i> and his <i>Foibles</i> are +equally directed to advance your Pleasure; And it is impossible +to be tired or unhappy in his Company.</p> + +<p>This <i>jovial</i> and <i>gay</i> Humour, without any thing +<i>envious,</i> <i>malicious,</i> <i>mischievous,</i> or +<i>despicable,</i> and continually <i>quicken'd</i> and adorn'd +with <i>Wit,</i> yields that peculiar Delight, without any +<i>Alloy,</i> which we all feel and acknowledge in +<i>Falstaff</i>'s Company.--<i>Ben Johnson</i> has <i>Humour</i> +in his <i>Characters,</i> drawn with the most masterly Skill and +Judgment; In Accuracy, Depth, Propriety, and Truth, +<span class = "pagenum">30</span> +he has no <i>Superior</i> or <i>Equal</i> amongst <i>Ancients</i> +or <i>Moderns</i>; But the <i>Characters</i> he exhibits are of +<i>satirical,</i> and <i>deceitful,</i> or of a <i>peevish</i> or +<i>despicable</i> Species; as <i>Volpone,</i> <i>Subtle,</i> +<i>Morose,</i> and <i>Abel Drugger</i>; In all of which there is +something very justly to be <i>hated</i> or <i>despised</i>; And +you feel the same Sentiments of <i>Dislike</i> for every other +<i>Character</i> of <i>Johnson</i>'s; so that after you have been +<i>gratify'd</i> with their <i>Detention</i> and +<i>Punishment,</i> you are quite tired and disgusted with their +Company:--Whereas <i>Shakespear,</i> besides the peculiar +<i>Gaiety</i> in the <i>Humour</i> of <i>Falstaff,</i> has +guarded him from disgusting you with his <i>forward Advances,</i> +by giving him <i>Rank</i> and <i>Quality</i>; from being +<i>despicable</i> by his real good <i>Sense</i> and excellent +<i>Abilities</i>; from being <i>odious</i> by his <i>harmless +Plots</i> and <i>Designs</i>; and from being <i>tiresome</i> by +his inimitable Wit, and his new and incessant <i>Sallies</i> of +highest <i>Fancy</i> and <i>Frolick</i>.</p> + +<p>This discovers the <i>Secret</i> of carrying <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Comedy</span> to the highest Pitch of Delight; +Which lies <i>in drawing the Persons exhibited, with such +chearful and amiable</i> Oddities <i>and</i> Foibles, <i>as you +would chuse in your own</i> Companions <i>in</i> real Life;-- +otherwise, tho' you may be diverted at first with the +<i>Novelty</i> of a Character, and with a proper <i>Detection</i> +and <i>Ridicule</i> of it, yet its <i>Peevishness,</i> +<i>Meanness,</i> or <i>Immorality,</i> will begin to disgust you +after a little Reflection, and become soon <i>tiresome</i> and +<i>odious</i>; +<span class = "pagenum">31</span> +It being certain, that <i>whoever cannot be endured as an</i> +accidental <i>Companion in</i> real Life, <i>will never become, +for the very same Reasons, a</i> favorite comic Character <i>in +the Theatre</i>.</p> + +<p>This <i>Relish</i> for <i>generous</i> and <i>worthy</i> +Characters alone, which we all feel upon the <i>Theatre,</i> +where no Biass of Envy, Malice, or personal Resentment draws us +aside, seems to be some Evidence of our <i>natural</i> and +<i>genuin</i> Disposition to <i>Probity</i> and <i>Virtue</i>; +tho' the Minds of most Persons being early and deeply +<i>tinged</i> with vicious Passions, it is no wonder that +<i>Stains</i> have been generally mistaken for <i>original +Colours</i>.</p> + +<p>It may be added, that <i>Humour</i> is the most exquisite and +delightful, when the <i>Oddities</i> and <i>Foibles</i> +introduc'd are not <i>mischievous</i> or <i>sneaking,</i> but +<i>free,</i> <i>jocund,</i> and <i>liberal</i>; and such as +result from a generous Flow of Spirits, and a warm universal +<i>Benevolence</i>.</p> + +<p>It is obviously from hence, that the <i>Character</i> of Sir +<i>Roger</i> de <i>Coverly</i> in the <i>Spectators</i> is so +extremely agreeable. His <i>Foibles</i> are all derived from some +amiable Cause.--If he believes that <i>one Englishman</i> can +conquer <i>two Frenchmen,</i> you laugh at his <i>Foible,</i> and +are fond of a <i>Weakness</i> in the Knight, which proceeds from +his high Esteem of his <i>own Country-men</i>.--If he chuses you +should employ a <i>Waterman</i> or <i>Porter</i> with <i>one</i> +Leg, you readily excuse the Inconvenience he puts you to, for his +worthy regard to the Suffering of a brave +<span class = "pagenum">32</span> +<i>Soldier</i>.--In short, though he is guilty of continual +Absurdities, and has little Understanding or real Abilities, you +cannot but <i>love</i> and <i>esteem</i> him, for his +<i>Honour,</i> <i>Hospitality,</i> and universal +<i>Benevolence</i>.</p> + +<p>It is indeed true, that his <i>Dignity,</i> <i>Age,</i> and +<i>Rank</i> in his Country, are of constant Service in +<i>upholding</i> his Character. These are a perpetual +<i>Guard</i> to the Knight, and preserve him from <i>Contempt</i> +upon many Occasions.--All which corresponds entirely with the +fore-going <i>Remark</i>. For you would be fond of Sir +<i>Roger's</i> Acquaintaince and Company in <i>real Life,</i> as +he is a Gentleman of <i>Quality</i> and <i>Virtue</i>; You love +and admire him in the <i>Spectators</i> for the <i>same</i> +Reasons; And for these also he would become, if he was rightly +exhibited, a <i>favorite</i> Character in the <i>Theatre</i>.</p> + +<p>It may be proper to observe in this Place, that the +<i>Business</i> of <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Comedy</span> +is to exhibit the whimsical <i>unmischievous Oddities,</i> +<i>Frolics,</i> and <i>Foibles</i> of <i>Persons</i> in <i>real +Life</i>; And also to <i>expose</i> and <i>ridicule</i> their +<i>real Follies,</i> <i>Meanness,</i> and <i>Vices</i>. The +<i>former,</i> it appears, is more pleasurable to the Audience, +but the <i>latter</i> has the Merit of being more +instructive.</p> + +<p>The <i>Business</i> of <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Tragedy</span> is to exhibit the +<i>Instability</i> of <i>human</i> Grandeur, and the unexpected +<i>Misfortunes</i> and <i>Distresses</i> incident to the +<i>Innocent</i> and <i>Worthy</i> in all Stations.--And also to +shew the terrible Sallies and the miserable +<span class = "folionum">F</span> +<span class = "pagenum">33</span> +Issue and Punishment of ungovern'd Passions and Wickedness.--The +<i>former</i> softens the Heart and fills it with Compassion, +Humility and Benevolence.--Compositions of this Sort are the +highest, most admirable, and useful in all Nature, when they are +finish'd with Propriety and Delicacy, and justly wrought up with +the Sublime and Simplicity.--The <i>latter</i> Species of +<i>Tragedy</i> terrifies and shocks us, in exhibiting both the +Crimes and the Punishments. It threatens us into Moderation and +Justice, by shewing the terrible Issue of their Contraries. +Pieces of this Sort, conducted with Propriety, and carrying +Application to ourselves, can scarcely be desireable; But as they +are generally conducted, they amount only to giving us an absurd +Representation of a Murther committed by some furious foaming +<i>Basha,</i> or <i>Sultan</i>.</p> + +<p>To return.--<i>Johnson</i> in his <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">comic</span> Scenes has expos'd and ridicul'd +<i>Folly</i> and <i>Vice</i>; <i>Shakespear</i> has usher'd in +<i>Joy,</i> <i>Frolic</i> and <i>Happiness</i>.--The +<i>Alchymist,</i> <i>Volpone</i> and <i>Silent Woman</i> of +<i>Johnson,</i> are most exquisite <i>Satires</i>. The +<i>comic</i> Entertainments of <i>Shakespear</i> are the highest +Compositions of <i>Raillery,</i> <i>Wit</i> and <i>Humour</i>. +<i>Johnson</i> conveys some Lesson in every Character. +<i>Shakespear</i> some new Species of Foible and Oddity. The one +pointed his Satire with masterly Skill; the other was inimitable +in touching the Strings of Delight. With <i>Johnson</i> you are +confin'd and instructed, with <i>Shakespear</i> unbent and +<span class = "pagenum">34</span> +dissolv'd in Joy. <i>Johnson</i> excellently concerts his Plots, +and all his Characters unite in the one Design. <i>Shakespear</i> +is superior to such Aid or Restraint; His Characters continually +sallying from one independent Scene to another, and charming you +in each with fresh Wit and Humour.</p> + +<p>It may be further remark'd, that <i>Johnson</i> by pursuing +the most useful Intention of <i>Comedy,</i> is in Justice oblig'd +to <i>hunt down</i> and <i>demolish</i> his own Characters. Upon +this Plan he must necessarily expose them to your <i>Hatred,</i> +and of course can never bring out an amiable Person. His +<i>Subtle,</i> and <i>Face</i> are detected at last, and become +mean and despicable. Sir <i>Epicure Mammon</i> is properly +trick'd, and goes off ridiculous and detestable. The <i>Puritan +Elders</i> suffer for their Lust of Money, and are quite nauseous +and abominable; And his <i>Morose</i> meets with a severe +Punishment, after having sufficiently tir'd you with his +Peevishness.--But <i>Shakespear,</i> with happier Insight, always +supports his Characters in your <i>Favour</i>. His Justice +<i>Shallow</i> withdraws before he is tedious; The <i>French</i> +Doctor, and <i>Welch</i> Parson, go off in full Vigour and +Spirit; Ancient <i>Pistoll</i> indeed is scurvily treated; +however, he keeps up his Spirits, and continues to threaten so +well, that you are still desirous of his Company; and it is +impossible to be tir'd or dull with the gay unfading Evergreen +<i>Falstaff</i>.</p> + +<span class = "folionum">F2</span> +<span class = "pagenum">35</span> +<p>But in remarking upon the Characters of <i>Johnson,</i> it +would be unjust to pass <i>Abel Drugger</i> without notice; This +is a little, mean, sneaking, sordid Citizen, hearkening to a +Couple of Sharpers, who promise to make him rich; they can +scarcely prevail upon him to resign the least Tittle he +possesses, though he is assur'd, it is in order to get more; and +your Diversion arises, from seeing him <i>wrung</i> between +<i>Greediness</i> to <i>get</i> Money, and <i>Reluctance</i> to +<i>part</i> with any for that Purpose. His Covetousness +continually prompts him to follow the Conjurer, and puts him at +the same Time upon endeavouring to stop his Fees. All the while +he is excellently managed, and spirited on by <i>Face</i>. +However, this Character upon the whole is <i>mean</i> and +<i>despicable,</i> without any of that free spirituous jocund +Humour abounding in <i>Shakespear</i>. But having been strangely +exhibited upon the Theatre, a few Years ago, with odd Grimaces +and extravagant Gestures, it has been raised into more Attention +than it justly deserved; It is however to be acknowledg'd, that +<i>Abel</i> has no Hatred, Malice or Immorality, nor any assuming +Arrogance, Pertness or Peevishness; And his eager Desire of +getting and saving Money, by Methods he thinks lawful, are +excusable in a Person of his Business; He is therefore not odious +or detestable, but harmless and inoffensive in private Life; and +from thence, correspondent with the Rule already laid down, he is +the +<span class = "pagenum">36</span> +most capable of any of <i>Johnson</i>'s Characters, of being a +Favourite on the Theatre.</p> + +<p>It appears, that in Imagination, Invention, Jollity and gay +Humour, <i>Johnson</i> had little Power; But <i>Shakespear</i> +unlimited Dominion. The first was cautious and strict, not daring +to sally beyond the Bounds of Regularity. The other bold and +impetuous, rejoicing like a Giant to run his Course, through all +the Mountains and Wilds of Nature and Fancy.</p> + +<p>It requires an almost painful Attention to mark the Propriety +and Accuracy of <i>Johnson,</i> and your Satisfaction arises from +Reflection and Comparison; But the Fire and Invention of +<i>Shakespear</i> in an Instant are shot into your Soul, and +enlighten and chear the most indolent Mind with their own Spirit +and Lustre.--Upon the whole, <i>Johnson</i>'s Compositions are +like finished Cabinets, where every Part is wrought up with the +most excellent Skill and Exactness;--<i>Shakespear</i>'s like +magnificent Castles, not perfectly finished or regular, but +adorn'd with such bold and magnificent Designs, as at once +delight and astonish you with their Beauty and Grandeur.</p> +<br> + +<p><span class = "essaysmallcaps">Raillery</span> <i>is a genteel +poignant Attack of a</i> Person <i>upon any</i> slight Foibles, +Oddities, <i>or</i> Embarrassments <i>of his, in which he is +tender, or may be supposed to be tender, and unwilling to come to +a free Explanation.</i></p> + +<span class = "pagenum">37</span> +<p><span class = "essaysmallcaps">Satire</span> <i>is a witty and +severe Attack of</i> mischievous Habits <i>or</i> Vices;</p> + +<p><span class = "essaysmallcaps">Ridicule</span> <i>is a +free</i> Attack <i>of any</i> Motly Composition, <i>wherein a +real or affected</i> Excellence <i>and</i> Defect <i>both jointly +appear,</i> glaring <i>together, and</i> mocking <i>each other, +in the same</i> Subject.</p> + +<p>Hence the Aim of <i>Raillery,</i> is to please you, by some +little <i>Embarrassment</i> of a <i>Person</i>; Of <i>Satire,</i> +to scourge <i>Vice,</i> and to deliver it up to your just +<i>Detestation</i>; And of <i>Ridicule,</i> to set an Object in a +mean ludicrous Light, so as to expose it to your <i>Derision</i> +and <i>Contempt</i>.</p> + +<p>It appears therefore that <i>Raillery</i> and <i>Ridicule</i> +differ in several Circumstances.</p> + +<p>1. <i>Raillery</i> can only be employ'd in relation to +<i>Persons,</i> but <i>Ridicule</i> may be employ'd in what +relates either to <i>Persons,</i> or other <i>Objects</i>.</p> + +<p>2. <i>Raillery</i> is us'd only upon <i>slight</i> Subjects, +where no real Abilities or Merit are questioned, in order to +avoid degrading the Person you attack, or rendering him +contemptible; Whereas <i>Ridicule</i> observes no such Decency, +but endeavours really to degrade the Person attack'd, and to +render him contemptible.</p> + +<p>3. <i>Raillery</i> may be pointed at a whimsical Circumstance, +only because a Person is known to be tender upon it; and your +Pleasure will arise from the <i>Embarrassment</i> he suffers, in +being put to an Explanation;--Thus a <span class = +"pagenum">38</span>young Gentleman may be <i>rallied</i> upon his +Passion for a Lady;--At the same Time there may be no Ground for +<i>Ridicule</i> in this Circumstance, as it may no way deserve +your <i>Derision</i> or <i>Contempt</i>.</p> + +<p>4. As it thus appears that there are Subjects of +<i>Raillery,</i> into which <i>Ridicule</i> cannot justly be +admitted; So there are Subjects of <i>Ridicule,</i> wherein your +Derision and Contempt are so strongly excited, that they are too +gross for <i>Raillery</i>;--As a person tossed in a Blanket; or +the unfortunate Attack which another has made upon a +Windmill.</p> + +<p>5. In short, <i>Raillery,</i> if the Adventures it is turn'd +upon are too <i>gross</i> and <i>luscious,</i> becomes +<i>Ridicule</i>; And therefore, in Comparison together, +<i>Raillery</i> appears like <i>Wine</i> of a thin Body, and +delicate poignant Flavour; <i>Ridicule,</i> like a <i>Wine</i> +which is fuller, and more rich, and luscious.</p> + +<p><i>Quixote</i> is a Character, wherein <i>Humour</i> and +<i>Ridicule</i> are finely interwoven;--It is not a Subject of +<i>Satire,</i> as the Knight is free from all Badness of Heart, +and Immorality; Nor properly of <i>Raillery,</i> his Adventures +in general being too <i>gross</i> and <i>disastrous</i>;-- The +<i>Humour</i> appears, in the Representation of a Person in real +Life, fancying himself to be, under the most solemn Obligations +to attempt <i>hardy</i> Atchievements; and upon this Whimsy +immediately pursuing the most romantic Adventures, with great +Gravity, Importance, +<span class = "pagenum">39</span> +and Self-sufficiency; To heighten your Mirth, the <i>hardy</i> +Atchievements to be accomplish'd by this Hero, are wittily +contrasted by his own meagre weak Figure, and the <i>desperate +Unfierceness</i> of his Steed <i>Rozinante</i>;--The +<i>Ridicule</i> appears in the strange Absurdity of the Attempts, +upon which the Knight chuses to exercise his Prowess; Its +Poignancy is highly quicken'd, and consequently the Pleasure it +gives you, by his miserable Disasters, and the doleful +Mortifications of all his Importance and Dignity;--But here, +after the Knight, by diverting you in this manner, has brought +himself down to the lowest Mark, he rises again and forces your +Esteem, by his excellent Sense, Learning and Judgment, upon any +Subjects which are not ally'd to his Errantry; These continually +act for the Advancement of his Character; And with such Supports +and Abilities he always obtains your ready Attention, and never +becomes heavy or tedious.</p> + +<p>To these you are to add the perfect <i>good Breeding</i> and +<i>Civility</i> of the Knight upon every Occasion; which are some +Kind of Merit in his Favour, and entitle him to Respect, by the +Rules of common Gentility and Decency; At the same time his +Courage, his Honour, Generosity, and Humanity, are conspicuous in +every Act and Attempt; The <i>Foibles</i> which he possesses, +besides giving you exquisite Pleasure, are wholly inspir'd by +<span class = "pagenum">40</span> +these worthy Principles; Nor is there any thing base, or +detestable, in all his Temper or Conduct; It was from hence that +the <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Duke</span> and the <span +class = "essaysmallcaps">Dutchess</span> were extremely delighted +with his Visit at their <i>Castle</i>; And you yourself, if he +existed in real Life, would be fond of his Company at your own +Table; which proves him, upon the whole, to be an amiable +Character;--It is therefore no wonder that Signior <i>Don <ins +class = "correction" title = "text reads 'Quoxote'">Quixote</ins> +of la Mancha</i> has been so courteously receiv'd in every +Country of <i>Europe</i>.</p> + +<p>Thus delightfully wrought, as this History is, with +<i>Humour</i> and <i>Ridicule,</i> yet <i>Cervantes,</i> still +fearful of tiring you with too much of the <i>Errantry,</i> has +introduc'd the most charming Variety of other Adventures; --All +along in the pacific Intervals, you are inform'd of the private +Occurrences between the Knight and his 'Squire; And from these, +where it is least to be expected, you are surpriz'd with the most +high and delicious Repast;-- Nothing can be more pregnant with +Mirth, than the Opposition continually working between the grave +Solemnity and Dignity of <i>Quixote,</i> and the arch Ribaldry +and Meanness of <i>Sancho</i>; And the Contrast can never be +sufficiently admir'd, between the <i>excellent fine Sense</i> of +the <span class = "essaysmallcaps">One</span>, and the +<i>dangerous common Sense</i> of the <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Other</span>.</p> + +<p>It is here that the Genius and Power of <i>Cervantes</i> is +most admirably shewn; He was +<span class = "folionum">G</span> +<span class = "pagenum">41</span> +the greatest Master that ever appear'd, in finely opposing, and +contrasting his Characters. It is from hence that you feel a +Poignancy and Relish in his Writings, which is not to be met with +in any others; The natural Reflexions and Debates of +<i>Quixote</i> and <i>Sancho</i> would have been barren, insipid, +and trite, under other Management; But <i>Cervantes,</i> by his +excellent Skill in the <i>Contrast,</i> has from these drawn a +Regale, which for high, quick, racy Flavour, and Spirit, has yet +never been equall'd.</p> + +<p>It may here be enquir'd, What Species of Composition or +Character is the most pleasurable, and mirthful, in all Nature?-- +In <i>Falstaff,</i> you have <i>Humour</i> embelish'd with +<i>Wit</i>; In <i>Quixote,</i> <i>Humour</i> made poignant with +<i>Ridicule</i>; And it is certain that <i>Humour</i> must always +be the Ground-work of such Subjects, no Oddities in inanimate +Objects being capable of interesting our Passions so strongly, as +the Foibles of Persons in real Life;--The chief Substance of +<i>Johnson</i>'s Compositions is <i>Humour</i> and <i>Satire</i>; +upon which Plan, as hath been already observ'd, he is oblig'd to +demolish, and render detestable, his own Characters;-- +<i>Humour</i> and <i>Raillery</i> are also capable of furnishing +a Repast of quick Relish and Flavour; In written Compositions, +the Attack of the <i>Raillery,</i> as well as the Reception of +it, may be happily conducted, which in other accidental +Encounters are liable to Hazard; All Peevishness +<span class = "pagenum">42</span> +or Offence is thus easily avoided, and the Character attack'd is +sav'd from being really contemptible;--But then indeed the +Pleasure you are to receive generally depends upon the Confusion +of the Person attack'd, without there being in reason a +sufficient Cause for this Confusion;--It is for want of this just +Foundation, that the Pleasure arising from <i>Raillery</i> is +apt to come forth with less Freedom, Fulness, and Conviction, +though with more Delicacy, than that which is derived from +<i>Wit,</i> or <i>Ridicule</i>;--However, <i>Humour</i> and +<i>Raillery</i> united together, when the <i>Raillery</i> is +founded upon some <i>real</i> Embarrassment in the Circumstance, +as well as in the Confusion of the Person attack'd, will furnish +a very high Entertainment; which has Pretensions to rival either +<i>Humour</i> and <i>Wit,</i> or <i>Humour</i> and +<i>Ridicule</i>.</p> + +<p><a name = "horace">To give an Instance</a> of <i>Humour</i> +and <i>Raillery,</i> I shall insert <i>Horace</i>'s famous +Description of his Embarrassment with an impertinent Fellow. This +indeed is entitl'd, in almost all the Editions of <i>Horace,</i> +a <i>Satire,</i> but very improperly, as the Subject is not +<i>Vice</i> or <i>Immorality</i>;</p> + +<div class = "verse"> +Ibam fortč viâ sacrâ, sicut meus est mos,<br> +Nescio quid meditans nugarum, at totus in illis:<br> +Accurrit quidam notus mihi nomine tantum;<br> +Arreptâque manu, Quid agis, dulcissime rerum?<br> +Suaviter, ut nunc est, inquam: & cupio omnia quæ vis.<br> +Cum affectaretur, Num quid vis? occupo. At ille,<br> +<span class = "folionum">G2</span> +<span class = "pagenum">43</span> +Nôris nos, inquit; docti sumus. Hėc ego: Pluris<br> +Hoc, inquam, mihi eris. Miserč discedere quærens,<br> +Ire modō ocyųs, interdum consistere: in aurem<br> +Dicere nescio quid puero: cųm sudor ad imos<br> +Manaret talos. O te, Bollane, cerebri<br> +Felicem: aiebam tacitus! Cųm quidlibet ille<br> +Garriret, vicos, urbem laudaret; ut illi<br> +Nil respondebam: Miserč cupis, inquit abire.<br> +Jamdudum video: sed nil agis: usque tenebo:<br> +Persequar: hinc quō nunc iter est tibi? Nil opus est te<br> +Circumagi: quemdam volo visere, non tibi notum:<br> +Trans Tiberim longč cubat is, propč Cæsaris hortos.<br> +Nil habeo quod agam, & non sum piger: usque sequar te,<br> +Demitto auriculas ut iniquæ mentis asellus,<br> +Cųm gravius dorso subiit onus. Incipit ille:<br> +Si benč me novi, non Viscum pluris amicum,<br> +Non Varium facies; nam quis me scribere plures<br> +Aut citiųs possit versus? quis membra movere<br> +Mollius? invideat quod & Hermogenes, ego canto.<br> +Interpellandi locus hic erat: Est tibi mater,<br> +Cognati, queis te salvo est opus? Haud mihi quisquam:<br> +Omnes composui. Felices! nunc ego resto:<br> +Confice: namque instat fatum mihi triste, Sabella<br> +Quōd puero cecinit divinâ mota anus urnâ,<br> +Hunc neque dira venena, nec hosticus auferret ensis,<br> +Nec laterum dolor, aut tussis, nec tarda podagra;<br> +Garrulus hunc quando consumet cumque loquaces.<br> +Si sapiat, vitet, simul atque adoleverit ætas.<br> +Ventum erat ad Vestæ, quartâ jam parte diei<br> +Præteritâ; & casu tunc respondere vadato<br> +Debebat: quōd ni fecisset, perdere litem.<br> +Si me amas, inquit, paulųm hîc ades. Inteream, si<br> +Aut valeo stare, aut novi civilia jura:<br> +Et propero quō scis. Dubius sum quid faciam, inquit;<br> +Tenč relinquam, an rem. Me, sodes. Non faciam, ille;<br> +Et præcedere coepit. Ego, ut contendere durum est<br> +Cum victore, sequor. Mecænas quomodo tecum?<br> +Hinc repetit. Paucorum hominum, & mentis benč sanæ.<br> +Nemo dexteriųs fortuna est usus. Haberes<br> +Magnum adjutorem, posset qui ferre secundas, <br> +<span class = "pagenum">44</span> +Hunc hominem velles si tradere: dispeream, ni<br> +Summôsses omnes. Non isto vivimus illic<br> +Quō tu rere modo, domus hac nec purior ulla est,<br> +Nec magis his aliena malis: nil mî officit unquam,<br> +Ditior hic, aut est quia doctior: est locus uni<br> +Cuique suus. Magnum narras, vix credibile. Atqui<br> +Sic habet. Accendis, quare cupiam magis illi<br> +Proximus esse. Veils tantummodō: quæ tua virtus,<br> +Expugnabis; & est qui vinci possit: eoque<br> +Difficiles aditus primos habet. Haud mihi deero,<br> +Muneribus servos corrumpam: non, hodie si<br> +Exclusus fuero, desistam: tempera quæram:<br> +Occurram in triviis: deducam. Nil sine magno<br> +Vita labore dedit mortalibus. Hæc dum agit, ecce<br> +Fuscus Aristius occurrit mihi carus, & illum<br> +Qui pulchrč nôsset. Consistimus. Unde venis? &<br> +Quo tendis? rogat, & respondet. Vellere coepi,<br> +Et prensare manu lentissima brachia, nutans,<br> +Distorquens oculos, ut me eriperet. Malč salsus<br> +Ridens dissimulare: mecum jecur urere bilis.<br> +Certč nescio quid secretō velle loqui te<br> +Aiebas mecum. Memini benč; sed meliori<br> +Tempora dicam: hodie tricesima sabbata, vin'tu<br> +Curtis Judæis oppedere? Nulla mihi, inquam,<br> +Religio est. At mî, sum paulo infirmior; unus<br> +Multorum ignosces; aliās loquar. Hunccine solem<br> +Tam nigrum surrexe mihi: Fugit improbus, ac me<br> +Sub cultro linquit. Casu venit obvius illi<br> +Adversarius; &, Quō tu turpissime! magnâ<br> +Inclamat voce; &, Licet antestari? Ego verō<br> +Oppono auriculam; rapit in jus. Clamor utrinque<br> +Undique concursus. Sic me servavit <i>Apollo</i>. +<a href = "#note1" name = "ref1"> * </a> +</div> + +<p>The Intention of <i>Horace</i> in this Piece, is to expose an +<i>impertinent</i> Fellow, and to give a ludicrous Detail of his +own <i>Embarrassment</i>; Your Pleasure arises from the View +which he gives you of his own Mortification, whereby he lays +himself fairly open to your <i>Raillery</i>; <span class = +"pagenum">45</span>This is the more poignant, and quick, from the +real Distress which you see he endur'd, in this odd Attack; At +the same Time the particular Turn of the Fellow, who chose in +this Manner to pin himself upon another, is a very odd Species of +impertinent <i>Humour</i>.--This Piece, as it stands, +irresistibly forces your Mirth, and shakes you with Laughter; But +to a Person of Discernment, it is chiefly at <i>Horace</i>'s +Expence; Who in receiving and enduring such insolent Treatment, +appears in a Light too low and ridiculous, though he has thought +fit himself to exhibit the Scene again for the Diversion of the +Public;</p> + +<p>The</p> +<div class = "verse"> + Misere, cupis, ---- abire,<br> +Jamdudum video, sed nil agis, usque tenebo,<br> +Persequar;-- +</div> +<p>was an absolute Insult; And very unfit to be related by the +Person who suffer'd it, as a Matter of Merriment;--Besides this +Tameness of <i>Horace,</i> the Impudence of the Fellow is +excessively nauseous and disgusting at the Bottom, though the +whole carries a Froth of <i>Raillery</i> and <i>Humour</i> upon +the Surface.</p> + +<p>The Truth is, that this Piece, as it stands, would have +properly proceeded from another Person, who had intended to +expose the Impertinence and Impudence of the Fellow, and freely +to <i>rally</i> poor <i>Horace,</i> with some Mixture of +<i>Ridicule,</i> upon his unfortunate Embarrassment; upon this +Basis it will ap<span class = "pagenum">46</span>pear with +Propriety; Without which all Compositions of <i>Wit,</i> or +<i>Humour,</i> or <i>Taste,</i> tho' at first they may +pleasurably strike the Fancy or Sight, are at last disgusting to +the Judgment.</p> + +<p>Having here occasionally offer'd some Remarks upon this +Composition, as it now stands, it may be proper to point out the +Manner in which the <i>Humour</i> and <i>Raillery</i> of such an +Embarrassment, might have been carried to the highest Pitch; And +the Description of it have been given by <i>Horace</i> himself, +without any Diminution of his own Gentility or Importance;-- +Imagine then that he had been join'd in his Walk by a weak, +ignorant Person, of Good-nature, and the utmost Civility; one +who fancy'd himself possessed of the greatest Talents, and fully +persuaded that he gave all he convers'd with a particular +Pleasure;--Upon such an Attack, no Resentment or Anger could have +been decently shewn by <i>Horace,</i> As the Person thus +pestering him, was all the while intending the highest +Compliment; And must therefore be received, and attended to, with +perfect Complaisance; The <i>Humour</i> of this Person would have +been very entertaining, in the strange Conceit which he held of +his own Abilities, and of the paticular Pleasure he was granting +to <i>Horace,</i> in condescending to give him so much of his +Company; In these Sentiments he should regard all <i>Horace</i>'s +Excuses, Endeavours, and Struggles to be +<span class = "pagenum">47</span> +gone, as Expressions of his Sense of the Honour done him; which +should be an Argument with this Person for obstinately persisting +to honour him still further; All the while he must be supported +by some <i>real Importance</i> belonging to him, attended with +<i>good Breeding,</i> and strengthened by such occasional +Instances of <i>Sense,</i> as may secure him from being trampled +upon, or becoming absolutely contemptible; In such an Adventure +the Mortification, and Distress of <i>Horace,</i> would be +excessively whimsical and severe; especially as he would be +depriv'd of all Succour and Relief; being in Decency oblig'd, not +only to suppress all Anger or Uneasiness, but, what is +exquisitely quick, to receive this whole Treatment with the +utmost Complacency; An <i>Embarrassment</i> of this sort, finely +described, would have yielded the greatest Pleasure to the +Reader, and carried the <i>Raillery</i> upon <i>Horace,</i> +without hurting or degrading him, to the highest Degree of +<i>Poignancy</i>; And from hence may be conceiv'd, what +delightful Entertainments are capable of being drawn from +<i>Humour</i> and <i>Raillery</i>.</p> + +<p>It is also easy to apprehend, that the several Subjects of +<i>Wit,</i> <i>Humour,</i> <i>Raillery,</i> <i>Satire,</i> and +<i>Ridicule,</i> appear not only <i>singly</i> upon many +Occasions, or <i>two</i> of them combined together, but are also +frequently united in other Combinations, which are more +<i>complicate</i>; An Instance of the Union together <span class += "pagenum">48</span>of <i>Humour,</i> <i>Raillery,</i> and +<i>Ridicule,</i> I remember to have read somewhere in +<i>Voiture</i>'s Letters; He is in <i>Spain,</i> and upon the +Point of proceeding from thence to some other Place in an +<i>English</i> Vessel; After he has written this Account of +himself to a Lady at <i>Paris,</i> he proceeds in his Letter to +this Purpose;</p> + +<blockquote>"You may perhaps apprehend, that I shall be in some +Danger this Voyage, of falling into the Hands of a <i>Barbary</i> +Corsair; But to relieve you from all such Fears, I shall beg +Leave to tell you, what my honest Captain has inform'd me +himself, for my own Satisfaction; He suspected, it seems, that I +might have some Uneasiness upon this Head; and has therefore +privately assured me, that I have no need to be afraid of being +taken with him; for that whenever it is likely to come to this, +he will infallibly blow up the Ship with his own Hands;--After +this, I presume, you will be perfectly easy, that I am in no +Danger of going to <i>Sallee</i>;" +</blockquote> + +<p>This is exquisitely <i>rich</i>; The brave and odd Fancy of +the <i>English</i> Captain, in finding out for himself, and +<i>privately</i> communicating to <i>Voiture,</i> this Method of +Security from Slavery, abounds with the highest <i>Humour</i>; At +the same time the honest Tar, as a <i>Projecter,</i> is +excessively open to <i>Ridicule,</i> for his Scheme to blow them +all up, in order to prevent their being taken Prisoners; There is +besides these, +<span class = "folionum">H</span> +<span class = "pagenum">49</span> +a very full <i>Raillery,</i> which <i>Voiture</i> here opens upon +<i>himself</i>; For as this Adventure, which he is going to be +engaged in, has been attended, as yet, with no Mischief; nor is +certain to be so, the whole is to be consider'd, at present, as +only a slight Scrape; especially as he exhibits it in this manner +himself, and invites you to make it the Object of your Pleasure, +and <i>Raillery</i>;--It may also be observ'd, that the +<i>Humour</i> in this Subject, which flows from the +<i>Captain,</i> is adorn'd with a very peculiar, and pleasing +<i>Propriety</i>; As it is not barely a <i>Whim,</i> or the +Result of an <i>odd Sourness</i> or <i>queer Pride,</i> but the +Effect of his <i>Courage,</i> and of that Freedom from all Terror +at Death, which is perfectly amiable in his Character.</p> + +<p>There are other Combinations of <i>Wit,</i> <i>Humour,</i> +<i>Raillery,</i> <i>Satire,</i> and <i>Ridicule,</i> where +<i>four</i> of them, or all <i>five,</i> are united in one +Subject;--Like various <i>Notes</i> in <i>Music,</i> sounding +together, and jointly composing one exquisite Piece of Harmony;-- +Or like different <i>Rays</i> of <i>Light,</i> shining together +in one <i>Rainbow</i>: It is pleasant to <i>divide</i> these +<i>Combinations,</i> and to view as with a <i>Prism,</i> the +different Rays united in each; of which <i>Humour,</i> like the +<i>Red,</i> is eminent for its superior Force and Excellence;-- +When the Judgment is thus capable of parting, and easily +assigning the several Quan<span class = +"pagenum">50</span>tities, and Proportions of each, it heightens +our Pleasure, and gives us an absolute Command over the Subject; +But they are often so intimately mix'd, and blended together, +that it is difficult to separate them clearly, tho' they are all +certainly felt in the same Piece;--Like the different +<i>Flavours</i> of rich <i>Fruits,</i> which are inseparably +mix'd, yet all perfectly tasted, in one <i>Pine-Apple</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Raillery,</i> and <i>Satire,</i> are extremely +different;</p> + +<p>1. <i>Raillery,</i> is a genteel poignant Attack of +<i>slight</i> Foibles and Oddities; <i>Satire</i> a witty and +severe Attack of <i>mischievous</i> Habits and Vices.</p> + +<p>2. The <i>Intention</i> of <i>Raillery,</i> is to procure your +<i>Pleasure,</i> by exposing the little Embarrassment of a +Person; But the <i>Intention</i> of <i>Satire,</i> is to raise +your <i>Detestation,</i> by exposing the real Deformity of his +Vices.</p> + +<p>3. If in <i>Raillery</i> the Sting be given too deep and +severe, it will sink into Malice and Rudeness, And your Pleasure +will not be justifiable; But <i>Satire,</i> the more deep and +severe the Sting of it is, will be the more excellent; Its +Intention being entirely to root out and destroy the Vice.</p> + +<p>4. It is a just Maxim upon these Subjects, that in +<i>Raillery</i> a good-natur'd Esteem ought always to appear, +without any Resentment or Bitterness; In <i>Satire</i> a generous +free Indignation, without any sneaking Fear or +<span class = "folionum">H2</span> +<span class = "pagenum">51</span> +Tenderness; It being a sort of partaking in the Guilt to keep any +Terms with Vices.</p> + +<p>It is from hence that <i>Juvenal,</i> as a <i>Satirist,</i> is +greatly superior to <i>Horace</i>; But indeed many of the short +Compositions of <i>Horace,</i> which are indiscriminately ranged +together, under the general Name of <i>Satires,</i> are not +properly such, but Pieces of <i>Raillery</i> or +<i>Ridicule</i>.</p> + +<p>As <i>Raillery,</i> in order to be decent, can only be +exercised upon <i>slight</i> Misfortunes and Foibles, attended +with no deep Mischief, nor with any Reproach upon real Merit, so +it ought only to be used between <i>Equals</i> and +<i>Intimates</i>; It being evidently a Liberty too great to be +taken by an <i>Inferior</i>; and too inequitable to be taken by a +<i>Superior,</i> as his Rank shields him from any Return.</p> + +<p><i>Raillery</i> is the most agreeable, when it is founded on a +<i>slight</i> Embarrassment or Foible, which upon being unfolded, +appears to have arisen from the <i>real Merit,</i> or from the +<i>Excess</i> of any <i>Virtue,</i> in the Person attack'd.</p> + +<p>But yet this Embarrassment must always be <i>real,</i> and +attended with the Chagrin or Confusion of the <i>rally'd</i> +Person, or capable of being fairly suppos'd to have been so; +otherwise the Attack will be void of all Poignancy, and Pleasure +to the Company; And evaporate either into <i>indirect +Flattery,</i> or else into the <i>Insipid</i>.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">52</span> +<p>Thus, to attack a <i>fine Lady</i> upon the Enemies she has +made, by the mischievous Effects of her Beauty, will be properly +genteel indirect <i>Flattery</i>--if it be well conducted,-- +otherwise, the <i>Insipid</i>; But it cannot be deem'd +<i>Raillery</i>; It being impossible to suppose the Lady +<i>really</i> chagrin'd by such an imaginary Misfortune, or +uneasy at any Explanation upon this Subject;</p> + +<p><i>Raillery</i> ought soon to be ended; For by long keeping +the Person attack'd, even in a <i>slight</i> Pain, and continuing +to dwell upon his Mis-adventures, you become rude and ill- +natur'd;--Or if the <i>Raillery</i> be only turn'd upon an +Embarrassment, arising from the Excess of Merit or Abilities, Yet +if it be long confined upon the same Subject, the Person it is +pointed at, will either suspect that your Aim is, to leave some +<i>Impression</i> against him, or else that you are designing him +a tedious dark <i>Compliment</i>; And accordingly he will either +regard you with Hatred or Contempt;--Much less should a Person, +who introduces himself as a Subject of <i>Raillery,</i> insist +long upon it; For either he will be offensive in engrossing all +Attention to himself; or if the Company are pleas'd, it must be +by his Buffoonery.</p> + +<p>The Difference between <i>Satire,</i> and <i>Ridicule,</i> has +been already pointed out;--<i>Satire</i> being always concerned +with the <i>Vices</i> of +<span class = "pagenum">53</span> +<i>Persons</i>;--Whereas <i>Ridicule</i> is justly employ'd, not +upon the <i>Vices,</i> but the <i>Foibles</i> or +<i>Meannesses</i> of <i>Persons,</i> And also upon the +<i>Improprieties</i> of other Subjects; And is directed, not to +raise your <i>Detestation,</i> but your <i>Derision</i> and +<i>Contempt</i>;--It being evident that <i>Immoralities</i> and +<i>Vice</i> are too <i>detestable</i> for <i>Ridicule,</i> and +are therefore properly the Subject of <i>Satire</i>; Whereas +<i>Foibles</i> and <i>Meannesses</i> are too <i>harmless</i> for +<i>Satire,</i> and deserve only to be treated with +<i>Ridicule</i>.</p> + +<p>The usual Artillery of <i>Ridicule</i> is <i>Wit</i>; whereby +the <i>Affinity</i> or <i>Coincidence</i> of any Object with +others, which are absurd and contemptible, is unexpectedly +exhibited;--There is also another, very forcible, Manner in which +<i>Ridicule</i> may act; And that is by employing <i>Humour</i> +alone; Thus the Foible or Queerness of any Person will be most +fully <i>ridicul'd,</i> by naturally dressing yourself, or any +other Person in that Foible, and exerting its full Strength and +Vigour. </p> + +<p><i>The</i> <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Politeness</span> +<i>of a Subject is the</i> Freedom <i>of that Subject from +all</i> Indelicacy, Aukardness, <i>and</i> Roughness.</p> + +<p><span class = "essaysmallcaps">Good Breeding</span> +<i>consists in a</i> respectful <i>Carriage to others, +accompany'd with</i> Ease <i>and</i> Politeness.</p> + +<p>It appears from hence that <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Good +Breeding</span> and <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Politeness</span> differ in this; that <span +class = "essaysmallcaps">Good Breeding</span> relates only to the +Manners of <span class = "pagenum">54</span><i>Persons</i> in +their Commerce together; Whereas Politeness may relate also to +<i>Books,</i> as well as to <i>Persons,</i> or to any Subjects of +Taste and Ornament.</p> + +<p>So that <i>Politeness</i> may subsist in a Subject, as in a +<i>Cornish,</i> or <i>Architrave,</i> where <i>good Breeding</i> +can't enter; But it is impossible for <i>good Breeding</i> to be +offer'd without <i>Politeness</i>.</p> + +<p>At the same time <i>good Breeding</i> is not to be understood, +as merely the <i>Politeness</i> of <i>Persons</i>; But as +<i>Respect,</i> tender'd with <i>Politeness,</i> in the Commerce +between <i>Persons</i>.</p> + +<p>It is easy to perceive, that <i>good Breeding</i> is a +different Behaviour in different Countries, and in the same +Countries at different Periods, according to the Manners which +are us'd amongst <i>polite</i> Persons of those Places and +Seasons.</p> + +<p>In <i>England</i> the chief Point of it <i>formerly</i> was +plac'd, in carrying a <i>Respect</i> in our Manners to all we +convers'd with; whence every Omission of the slightest Ceremony, +as it might be construed into a want of <i>Respect,</i> was +particularly to be avoided; So that <i>good Breeding</i> became +then <i>a precise Observance and Exercise of all the Motions and +Ceremonies, expressive of Respect, which might justly be paid so +every Person</i>; --This, as it is easy to imagine, requir'd much +Nicety in the Adjustment upon many Occasions, and created immense +Trouble and Constraint, and most ridiculous Embarrassments.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">55</span> +<p>However, these Modes of <i>good Breeding</i> were not to be +abolished, as it was impossible to dispense with the +<i>Respect</i> annex'd to them, without some further Pretence +than of their <i>Inconvenience</i> only; which no Person could +decently urge, or admit in his own behalf, when it was his +Province to pay any Ceremonies to another; In this Difficulty it +was at last happily observ'd, for the Advantage of genteel +Commerce and Society, that <i>whatever gives Trouble, is +inconsistent with Respect</i>; Upon which Foundation, all +Ceremonies which create Embarrassments or Trouble to either Side, +are now justly exploded; And the <i>Ease</i> of each other is the +Point most peculiarly consulted by <i>well-bred</i> Persons.</p> + +<p>If this Attention to <i>Ease</i> was properly conducted, so +that it might always appear to have <i>Respect</i> for its +Motive; And only to act in Obedience to <i>that,</i> as the +ruling Principle, it would then comprehend the just Plan of +<i>good Breeding</i>; But as <i>this</i> was formerly encumber'd +with Ceremonies and Embarrassments, so the modern <i>good +Breeding</i> perhaps deviates too far into Negligence and +Disregard;--A Fault more unpardonable than the former; As an +Inconvenience, evidently proceeding from the <i>Respect</i> which +is paid to us, may be easily excus'd; But a Freedom, which +carries the Air of <i>Neglect</i> with it, gives a lasting +Offence.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">56</span> +<p><span class = "essaysmallcaps">Beauty</span> <i>is the +delightful</i> Effect <i>which arises from the</i> joint Order, +Proportion, <i>and</i> Harmony <i>of all the Parts of an</i> Object.</p> + +<p>And <i>to have a good</i> <span class = "essaysmallcaps">Taste</span>, +<i>is to have a just</i> Relish <i>of</i> <span class = +"essaysmallcaps">Beauty</span>.</p> +<br> +<br> +<hr> +<div class = "mynote"><a href = "#ref1" name = "note1"> * </a> +[Transcriber's Note:<br> +<br> +Translations of Horace <i>Satire</i> I.9 are available +from Project Gutenberg as <a href = +"https://www.gutenberg.org/etext/5419">e-text 5419</a> +(verse translation, plain text) or <a href = +"https://www.gutenberg.org/etext/14020">e-text 14020</a> +(prose translation, text or html).]</div> +<hr> +<a name = "biblio"> <br></a> +<p><tt>[CORBYN MORRIS]<br> +<br> +An / Essay / Towards Fixing the / True Standards / of / Wit, Humour, +Raillery, / Satire, and Ridicule. / To which is Added, an / Analysis / +Of the Characters of / An Humourist, Sir John Falstaff, Sir Roger / De +Coverly, and Don Quixote. / Inscribed, to the Right Honorable / Robert +Earl of Orford. / [rule] / By the Author of a / Letter from a +By-Stander. / [rule] /--Jacta est Alea. / [double rule] / London: / +Printed for J. Roberts, at the Oxford-Arms, in War- / wick-lane; +and W. Bickerton, In the Temple-Ex- / change, near the +Inner-Temple-Gate, Fleet-street. / M DCC XLIV. +[Price 2 s.] /<br> +<br> +Collation: A, a-c, in fours; d in two; a-d, in fours; B-K in fours; +L in two. A, title; verso blank; A<sup>2</sup>-d, dedication; +d<sup>2</sup> erratum and advertisements; a-d<sup>4</sup>, +Introduction; B-L<sup>2</sup>, text.<br> +<br> +The first edition. A second edition was published in 1758.<br> +<br> +Colton Storm<br> +Clements Library</tt></p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<br> +<p align = "center"><font size = "+1">ANNOUNCING</font><br> +<br> +THE<br> +<br> +<br> +<i><font size = "+2"><span class = +"extended">Publications</span></font></i><br> +<br> +OF<br> +<br> +<font size = "+1">THE AUGUSTAN<br> +REPRINT SOCIETY</font><br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<i>General Editors</i><br> +<br> +<span class = "smallcaps">Richard C. Boys<br> +Edward Niles Hooker<br> +H. T. Swedenberg, Jr.</span></p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<br> +<p align = "center"><font size = "+1"><i>THE AUGUSTAN REPRINT +SOCIETY</i></font><br> +<br> +MAKES AVAILABLE<br> +<br> +<br> +<font size = "+2"><i>Inexpensive Reprints of Rare +Materials</i></font><br> +<br> +<br> +FROM<br> +<br> +ENGLISH LITERATURE OF THE<br> +<br> +SEVENTEENTH AND EIGHTEENTH CENTURIES</p> +<br> +<p>Students, scholars, and bibliographers of literature, history, and +philology will find the publications valuable. <i>The Johnsonian News +Letter</i> has said of them: "Excellent facsimiles, and cheap in +price, these represent the triumph of modern scientific reproduction. +Be sure to become a subscriber; and take it upon yourself to see that +your college library is on the mailing list."</p> + +<p>The Augustan Reprint Society is a non-profit, scholarly +organization, run without overhead expense. By careful management it +is able to offer at least six publications each year at the unusually +low membership fee of $2.50 per year in the United States and Canada, +and $2.75 in Great Britain and the continent.</p> + +<p>Libraries as well as individuals are eligible for membership. Since +the publications are issued without profit, however, no discount can +be allowed to libraries, agents, or booksellers.</p> + +<p>New members may still obtain a complete run of the first year's +publications for $2.50, the annual membership fee.</p> + +<p>During the first two years the publications are issued in three +series: I. Essays on Wit; II. Essays on Poetry and Language; and III. +Essays on the Stage.</p> + +<hr> +<br> +<br> + + +<table> + +<tr align = "center"><td colspan = "2"><i><b>PUBLICATIONS FOR THE +FIRST YEAR (1946-1947)</b></i><br> +<br> +</td></tr> + +<tr> +<td>MAY, 1946:</td> +<td>Series I, No. 1--Richard Blackmore's <i>Essay upon Wit</i> (1716), +and Addison's <i>Freeholder</i> No. 45 (1716).</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>JULY, 1946: </td> +<td>Series II, No. 1--Samuel Cobb's <i>Of Poetry</i> and <i>Discourse +on Criticism</i> (1707)</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>SEPT., 1946:</td> +<td>Series III, No. 1--Anon., <i>Letter to A.H. Esq.; concerning the +Stage</i> (1698), and Richard Willis' <i>Occasional Paper</i> No. IX +(1698).</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>NOV., 1946:</td> +<td>Series I, No. 2--Anon., <i>Essay on Wit</i> (1748), together with +Characters by Flecknoe, and Joseph Warton's <i>Adventurer</i> Nos. 127 +and 133.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>JAN., 1947:</td> +<td>Series II, No. 2--Samuel Wesley's <i>Epistle to a Friend +Concerning Poetry</i> (1700) and <i>Essay on Heroic Poetry</i> +(1693).</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>MARCH, 1947:</td> +<td>Series III, No. 2--Anon., <i>Representation of the Impiety and +Immorality of the Stage</i> (1704) and anon., <i>Some Thoughts +Concerning the Stage</i> (1704).</td> +</tr> + +<tr align = "center"><td colspan = "2"> + <br> + <br> +<i><b>PUBLICATIONS FOR THE SECOND YEAR (1947-1948)</b></i><br> +<br> +</td></tr> + +<tr> +<td>MAY, 1947:</td> +<td>Series I, No. 3--John Gay's <i>The Present State of Wit</i>; and a +section on Wit from <i>The English Theophrastus</i>. With an +Introduction by Donald Bond.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>JULY, 1947:</td> +<td>Series II, No. 3--Rapin's <i>De Carmine Pastorali,</i> translated +by Creech. With an Introduction by J. E. Congleton.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>SEPT., 1947:</td> +<td>Series III, No. 3--T. Hanmer's (?) <i>Some Remarks on the Tragedy +of Hamlet</i>. With an Introduction by Clarence D. Thorpe.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>NOV., 1947:</td> +<td>Series I, No. 4--Corbyn Morris' <i>Essay towards Fixing the True +Standards of Wit,</i> etc. With an Introduction by James L. +Clifford.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>JAN., 1948:</td> +<td>Series II, No. 4--Thomas Purney's <i>Discourse on the +Pastoral</i>. With an Introduction by Earl Wasserman.</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>MARCH, 1948:</td> +<td>Series III, No. 4--Essays on the Stage, selected, with an +Introduction by Joseph Wood Krutch.</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<br> +<p>The list of publications is subject to modification in response to +requests by members. From time to time Bibliographical Notes will be +included in the issues. Each issue contains an Introduction by a +scholar of special competence in the field represented.</p> + +<p>The Augustan Reprints are available only to members. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: An Essay towards Fixing the True Standards of Wit, Humour, Railery, Satire, and Ridicule (1744) + +Author: Corbyn Morris + +Commentator: James L. Clifford + +Release Date: July 7, 2005 [EBook #16233] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FIXING THE TRUE STANDARDS OF WIT *** + + + + +Produced by David Starner, Louise Hope and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. + + + + + + + Series Two: + _Essays on Wit_ + + No. 4 + + + [Corbyn Morris] + _An Essay towards Fixing the True Standards + of Wit, Humour, Raillery, Satire, and Ridicule_ + (1744) + + + + + With an Introduction by + James L. Clifford + and + a Bibliographical Note + + + + +The Augustan Reprint Society +November, 1947 +Price: $1.00 + + * * * * * + + +GENERAL EDITORS + +RICHARD C. BOYS, University of Michigan +EDWARD NILES HOOKER, University of California, Los Angeles +H.T. SWEDENBERG, JR., University of California, Los Angeles + + +ADVISORY EDITORS + +EMMETT L. AVERY, State College of Washington +LOUIS I. BREDVOLD, University of Michigan +BENJAMIN BOYCE, University of Nebraska +CLEANTH BROOKS, Yale University +JAMES L. CLIFFORD, Columbia University +ARTHUR FRIEDMAN, University of Chicago +SAMUEL H. MONK, University of Minnesota +JAMES SUTHERLAND, Queen Mary College, London + + + * * * * * + + + INTRODUCTION + +The _Essay_ here reproduced was first advertised in the London _Daily +Advertiser_ as "this day was published" on Thursday, 17 May 1744 (The +same advertisement, except for the change of price from one shilling +to two, appeared in this paper intermittently until 14 June). Although +on the title-page the authorship is given as "By the Author of a +Letter from a By-stander," there was no intention of anonymity, since +the Dedication is boldly signed "Corbyn Morris, Inner Temple, Feb. 1, +1743 [44]." + +Not much is known of the early life of Corbyn Morris. Born 14 August +1710, he was the eldest son of Edmund Morris of Bishop's Castle, +Salop. (_Alumni Cantabrigienses_). On 17 September 1727 he was +admitted (pensioner) at Queen's College, Cambridge, as an exhibitioner +from the famous Charterhouse School. Exactly when he left the +university, or whether he took a degree, is not certain. + +Morris first achieved some prominence, though anonymously, with +_A Letter from a By-stander to a Member of Parliament; wherein is +examined what necessity there is for the maintenance of a large +regular land-force in this island_. This pamphlet, dated at the end, +26 February 1741/42, is a wholehearted eulogy of the Walpole +administration and is filled with statistics and arguments for the +Mercantilist theories of the day. At the time there was some suspicion +that the work had been written either by Walpole himself or by his +direction. When the _Letter from a By-stander_ was answered by the +historian Thomas Carte, an angry pamphlet controversy ensued, with +Morris writing under the pseudonym of "A Gentleman of Cambridge." +Throughout, Morris showed himself a violent Whig, bitter in his +attacks on Charles II and the non-jurors; and it was undoubtedly this +fanatical party loyalty which laid the foundation for his later +government career. + +The principal facts of Morris's later life may be briefly summarized. +On 17 June 1743 he was admitted at the Inner Temple. Throughout +the Pelham and Newcastle administrations he was employed by the +government, as he once put it, "in conciliating opponents." From +1751 to 1763 be acted as Secretary of the Customs and Salt Duty in +Scotland, in which post he was acknowledged to have shown decided +ability as an administrator. From 1763 to 1778 he was one of the +commissioners of customs. He died at Wimbledon 22 December 1779 +(_Musgrave's Obituary_), described in the _Gentleman's Magazine_ as a +"gentleman well known in the literary world, and universally esteemed +for his unwearied services and attachment to government." + +Throughout his long years of public service he wrote numerous +pamphlets, largely on economic and political questions. Merely the +titles of a few may be sufficient to indicate the nature of his +interests. _An Essay towards Deciding the Question whether Britain be +Permitted by Right Policy to Insure the Ships of Her Enemies _(1747); +_Observations on the Past Growth and Present State of the City of +London_ (containing a complete table of christenings and burials 1601- +1750) (175l); _A Letter Balancing the Causes of the Present Scarcity +of Our Silver Coin_ (1757). + +It would be a mistake, however, to consider Morris merely as a +statistical economist and Whig party hack. A gentleman of taste and +wit, the friend of Hume, Boswell, and other discerning men of the day, +he was elected F.R.S. in 1757, and appears to have been much +respected. In later life Morris had a country place at Chiltern Vale, +Herts., where he took an active delight in country sports. One +of his late pamphlets, not listed in the _D.N.B_. account of him, +entertainingly illustrates one of his hobbies. _The Bird-fancier's +Recreation and Delight, with the newest and very best instructions for +catching, taking, feeding, rearing, &c all the various sorts of SONG +BIRDS... containing curious remarks on the nature, sex, management, +and diseases of ENGLISH SONG BIRDS, with practical instructions for +distinguishing the cock and hen, for taking, choosing, breeding, +keeping, and teaching them to sing, for discovering and caring their +diseases, and of learning them to sing to the greatest perfection_. + +Although there is little surviving evidence of Morris's purely +literary interests, a set of verses combining his economic and +artistic views appeared in a late edition of _The New Foundling +Hospital for Wit_ (new edition, 1784, VI, 95). Occasioned by seeing +Bowood in Wiltshire, the home of the Earl of Shelburne, the lines are +entitled: "On Reading Dr. Goldsmith's Poem, the Deserted Village." + +This was the man who at the age of thirty-three brought out _An Essay +towards Fixing the True Standards of Wit, Humour, Raillery, Satire, +and Ridicule_. That it was ever widely read we have no evidence, but +at least a number of men of wit and judgment found it interesting. +Horace Walpole included it in a packet of "the only new books at all +worth reading" sent to Horace Mann, but the fulsome dedication +to the elder Walpole undoubtedly had something to do with this +recommendation. More disinterested approval is shown in a letter +printed in the _Daily Advertiser_ for 31 May 1744. Better than any +modern critique the letter illustrates the contemporary reaction to +the _Essay_. + + Christ Church College, Oxford, + + SIR: + + I have examin'd the _Essay_ you have sent me for _fixing the true + Standards of Wit, Humour, &c._ and cannot perceive upon what + pretence the Definitions, as you tell me, are censured for + Obscurity, even by Gentlemen of Abilities, and such as in other + Parts of the Work very frankly allow it's Merit: the Definition + of Wit, which presents itself at first, you say is, particularly + objected to, as dark and involv'd; in answer to which I beg Leave + to give you my plain Sentiments upon it, and which I apprehend + should naturally occur to every Reader: In treating upon Wit, the + Author seems constantly to carry in his View a Distinction + between _This_ and _Vivacity_: there is a Lustre or Brilliancy + which often results from wild unprovok'd Sallies of Fancy; but + such unexpected Objects, which serve not to _elucidate_ each + other, discover only a Flow of Spirits, or rambling Vivacity; + whereas, says he, Wit is the Lustre which results from the + quick _Elucidation_ of one Subject, by the just and unexpected + Arrangement of it with another Subject.--To constitute _Wit_, + there must not only arise a _Lustre_ from the quick Arrangement + together of two Subjects, but the new Subject must be naturally + introduced, and also serve to _elucidate_ the original one: the + Word _Elucidation_, though it be not new, is elegant, and very + happily applied in this Definition; yet I have seen some old + Gentlemen here stumble at it, and have found it difficult to + persuade them to advance farther:--I have also heard Objections + made to the Words _Lustre_ and _Brilliancy_ of Ideas, though they + are Terms which have been used by the _Greeks_ and _Romans_, and + by elegant Writers of all Ages and Nations; and the Effect which + they express, is perfectly conceiv'd and felt by every Person of + true Genius and Imagination. + + The Distinctions between _Wit_ and _Humour_, and the Reasons + why _Humour_ is more pleasurably felt than _Wit_, are new and + excellent: as is the Definition of an _Humourist_, and the happy + Analysis of the Characters of _Falstaff_, _Sir Roger de Coverly_, + and _Don Quixote_; But, as you say, the Merit of these Parts is + universally allowed; as well as the Novelty, and liberal Freedom + of the [word apparently omitted]; which have such Charms in my + Eye, as I had long ceased to expect in a Modern Writer. + + I am, &c + 25 May, 1744 + J---- W---- + [not identified] + +If the "Gentlemen of Abilities" of the day found some of Morris's +definitions obscure, modern readers will find them more precise than +those of most of his predecessors. All who had gone before--Cowley, +Barrow, Dryden, Locke, Addison, and Congreve (he does not mention +Hobbes)--Morris felt had bungled the job. And although he apologizes +for attempting what the great writers of the past had failed to do, he +has no hesitation in setting forth exactly what he believes to be the +proper distinctions in the meanings of such terms as wit, humour, +judgment, invention, raillery, and ridicule. The mathematician and +statistician in Morris made him strive for precise accuracy. It was +all very clear to him, and by the use of numerous anecdotes and +examples he hoped to make the distinctions obvious to the general +reader. + +The _Essay_ shows what a man of some evident taste and perspicacity, +with an analytical mind, can do in defining the subtle semantic +distinctions in literary terms. Trying to fix immutably what is +certain always to be shifting, Morris is noteworthy not only because +of the nature of his attempt, but because he is relatively so +successful. As Professor Edward Hooker has pointed out in an +Introduction to an earlier _ARS_ issue (Series I, No. 2), his is +"probably the best and clearest treatment of the subject in the first +half of the eighteenth century." It may be regretted that political +and economic concerns occupied so much of his later life, leaving him +no time for further literary essays. + +In the present facsimile edition, for reasons of space, only the +Introduction and the main body of the _Essay_ are reproduced. Although +Morris once remarked to David Hume that he wrote all his books "for +the sake of the Dedications" (_Letters of David Hume_ ed. Greig, I, +380), modern readers need not regret too much the omission of the +fulsome 32 page dedication to Walpole (The Earl of Orford). Morris +insists at the beginning that the book was inspired by a fervent +desire of "attempting a Composition, independent of Politics, which +might furnish an occasional Amusement" to his patron. The praise which +follows, in which Walpole is said to lead "the _Empire_ of _Letters_," +is so excessive as to produce only smiles in twentieth century +readers. Walpole is praised for not curbing the press while +necessarily curbing the theatre, his aid to commerce and industry, +indeed almost every act of his administration, is lauded to the skies. +The Church of England, in which "the _Exercise_ of _Reason_ in the +solemn Worship of God, is the sacred _Right_, and indispensible +_Duty_, of Man," receives its share of eulogy. In every connection the +Tories are violently attacked. + +The Dedication ends in a peroration of praise for Walpole's public +achievements which "shall adorn the History of _Britain_," and for his +"_Private Virtues_ and all the _softer Features_" of his mind. His +home of retirement is referred to in the lines of Milton: + + "Great Palace now of Light! + Hither, as to their Fountain, other Stars + Repairing, in their golden Urns, draw Light; + And here [sic] the Morning Planet gilds her Horns." + + [P.L. 7. 363-66] + +"Thus splendid, and superior, your Lordship now flourishes in +honourable Ease, exerting universal Benevolence...." But in +dedications, as in lapidary inscriptions, as Dr. Johnson might +have agreed, a writer need not be upon oath. + +At the end of the _Essay_ Morris reprinted two essays from _The +Spectator_, Nos. 35 and 62, and William Congreve's "An Essay concerning +Humour in Comedy. To Mr. Dennis" (Congreve's _Works_, ed. Summers, III, +161-68). Since these are readily available, they have not been included +in this edition. + +The present facsimile is made from a copy owned by Louis I. Bredvold, +with his kind permission. + +James L. Clifford + +Columbia University + + * * * * * + +[Transcriber's Note: +The ARS edition included an errata slip, reproduced here. Where +text was changed or deleted, the original is given in brackets. +Corrections to the _Essay_ itself are listed after the ARS errata.] + +Please paste the following in your copy of Corbyn Morris's +_Essay towards Fixing the True Standards of Wit_.... + +(_ARS_, Series One, No. 4) + +ERRATA + +INTRODUCTION: + +page 5, line 1--"word apparently omitted" should be inclosed in +brackets. + +page 5, line 6--"not identified" should be inclosed in brackets. + +page 6, line 5--the first "of" should be omitted. + ["modern readers need not regret too much of the omission + of the fulsome 32 page dedication"] + +page 6, line 12, should read + "Walpole is praised for not curbing the press while necessarily + curbing the theatre, his aid to commerce". + ["Walpole is praised for not curbing the theatre; his aid to + commerce"] + +page 6, line 25--"sic" should be inclosed in brackets, as also +"P.L. 7. 363-66" in the next line. + + +[ ESSAY ON WIT: + +page viii: Whence in _Aristotle_ such Persons are termed + "epidexioi", dexterous Men + The Greek _may_ read "epidezioi"; the letter-form makes it + uncertain. + +page 14: ... without any Reference to their whimsical _Oddities_ + or _Foibles_; + Text reads _Oddistie_. + +page 20 and elsewhere: "Biass" is an attested variant spelling; + it has not been changed. + +page 25: "teizes" (modern "teases") is an attested variant spelling; + it has not been changed. + +page 40: --It is therefore no wonder that Signior _Don Quixote of + la Mancha_ ... + Text reads _Quoxote_. ] + + + * * * * * + * * * * + * * * * * + + + An + ESSAY + + Towards Fixing the + TRUE STANDARDS + of + WIT, HUMOUR, RAILLERY, + SATIRE, and RIDICULE. + + + To which is Added, an + ANALYSIS + Of the CHARACTERS of + + An HUMOURIST, Sir John Falstaff, + Sir Roger De Coverly, + and Don Quixote. + + + + Inscribed to the RIGHT HONORABLE + ROBERT Earl of ORFORD. + + By the AUTHOR of a + LETTER from a BY-STANDER. + + ---- _Jacta est Alea_. + + + LONDON: + + Printed for J. ROBERTS, at the Oxford-Arms, + in Warwick-lane; and W. BICKERTON, + in the Temple-Exchange, near the + Inner-Temple-Gate, Fleet-Street. + + M DCC XLIV. [Price 2s.] + + * * * * * + + INTRODUCTION. + + +An Attempt to _describe_ the precise _Limits_ of WIT, HUMOUR, +RAILLERY, SATIRE and RIDICULE, I am sensible, is no easy or slight +Undertaking. To give a _Definition_ of WIT, has been declared by +Writers of the greatest Renown, to exceed their Reach and Power; and +Gentlemen of no less Abilities, and Fame, than _Cowley_, _Barrow_, +_Dryden_, _Locke_, _Congreve_, and _Addison_, have tryed their Force +upon this Subject, and have all left it free, and unconquered. This, +I perceive, will be an Argument with some, for condemning an _Essay_ +upon this Topic by a young Author, as rash and presumptious. But, +though I desire to pay all proper Respect to these eminent Writers, +if a tame Deference to great Names shall become fashionable, and the +Imputation of Vanity be laid upon those who examine their Works, all +Advancement in Knowledge will be absolutely stopp'd; and _Literary_ +Merit will be soon placed, in an _humble Stupidity_, and _solemn +Faith_ in the Wisdom of our Ancestors. + +Whereas, if I rightly apprehend, _an Ambition to excell_ is the +Principle which should animate a Writer, directed by a _Love_ of +_Truth_, and a _free Spirit_ of _Candour_ and _Inquiry_. This is the +_Flame_ which should warm the rising Members of every Science, not a +poor Submission to those who have preceded. For, however it may be +with a _Religious_ DEVOTION, a _Literary_ One is certainly the CHILD +of _Ignorance_. + +However, I must acknowledge, that where I have differed from the great +Authors before mentioned, it has been with a Diffidence, and after the +most serious and particular Examination of what they have delivered. +It is from hence, that I have thought it my Duty, to exhibit with the +following _Essay_, their several Performances upon the same Subject, +that every Variation of mine from their Suffrage, and the Reasons upon +which I have grounded it, may clearly appear. + + +The following _Ode_ upon WIT is written by Mr. _Cowley_. + + ODE of WIT. + + I. + +Tell me, oh tell!, what kind of Thing is _WIT_, + Thou who _Master_ art of it; +For the _first Matter_ loves Variety _less_; +Less _Women_ love't, either in _Love_ or _Dress_. + A thousand diff'rent Shapes it bears, + Comely in thousand Shapes appears; +Yonder we saw it plain, and here 'tis now, +Like _Spirits_ in a Place, we know not _how_. + + II. + +_London_, that vents of _false Ware_ so much Store, + In no _Ware_ deceives us more; +For Men, led by the _Colour_, and the Shape, +Like _Zeuxis' Bird_, fly to the painted Grape. + Some things do through our Judgment pass, + As through a _Multiplying Glass_: +And sometimes, if the _Object_ be too far, +We take a _falling Meteor_ for a _Star_. + + III. + +Hence 'tis a _Wit_, that greatest _Word_ of Fame, + Grows such a common Name; +And _Wits_, by our _Creation_, they become; +Just so as _Tit'lar Bishops_ made at _Rome_. + 'Tis not a _Tale_, 'tis not a _Jest_, + Admir'd with _Laughter_ at a Feast, +Nor florid _Talk_ which can that _Title_ gain; +The _Proofs_ of _Wit_ for ever must remain. + + IV. + +'Tis not to force some Lifeless _Verses_ meet, + With their five gouty Feet. +All ev'ry where, like _Man's_, must be the _Soul_, +And _Reason_ the _inferior Pow'rs_ controul. + Such were the _Numbers_ which could call + The _Stones_ into the _Theban_ Wall. +Such _Miracles_ are ceas'd, and now we see +No _Towns_ or _Houses_ rais'd by _Poetry. + + V. + +Yet 'tis not to adorn, and gild each Part, + That shews more _Cost_ than _Art_. +_Jewels_ at _Nose_, and _Lips_, but ill appear; +Rather than _all Things Wit_, let _none_ be there. + Several _Lights_ will not be seen, + If there be nothing else between. +Men doubt; because they stand so thick i' th' Sky. +If those be _Stars_ which paint the _Galaxy_. + + VI. + +'Tis not when two like Words make up one Noise; + Jests for _Dutch Men_, and _English Boys_. +In which, who finds out _Wit_, the same may see +In _An'grams_ and _Acrostiques Poetry_. + Much less can that have any Place, + At which a _Virgin_ hides her Face; +Such _Dross_ the _Fire_ must purge away; 'Tis just +The _Author blush_, there where the _Reader_ must. + + VII. + +'Tis not such _Lines_ as almost crack the _Stage_, + When _Bajazet_ begins to rage; +Not a tall _Metaphor_ in th' _bombast Way_, +Nor the dry Chips of short-lung'd _Seneca_. + Nor upon all Things to obtrude, + And force some odd _Similitude_. +What is it then, which like the _Pow'r Divine_, +We only can by _Negatives_ define? + + VIII. + +In a true Piece of _Wit_, all Things must be, + Yet all Things there _agree_; +As in the _Ark_, join 'd without Force or Strife, +All _Creatures_ dwelt; all _Creatures_ that had Life. + Or as the _primitive Forms_ of all, + (If we compare great Things with small) +Which without _Discord_ or _Confusion_ lie, +In the strange _Mirror_ of the _Deity_. + + IX. + +But _Love_, that moulds _one Man_ up out of _two_, + Makes me forget, and injure you. +I took _You_ for _Myself_, sure when I thought +That You in any thing were to be taught. + Correct my Error with thy Pen, + And if any ask me then, +What thing right _Wit_, and Height of _Genius_ is, +I'll only shew your _Lines_, and say, _'Tis this_. + +The _Spirit_ and _Wit_ of this _Ode_ are excellent; and yet it is +evident, through the whole, that Mr. _Cowley_ had no clear Idea of +_Wit_, though at the same time it _shines_ in most of these Lines: +There is little Merit in saying what WIT _is not_, which is the chief +Part of this _Ode_. Towards the End, he indeed attempts to describe what +_it is_, but is quite vague and perplex'd in his Description; and at +last, instead of collecting his scatter'd Rays into a _Focus_, and +exhibiting succinctly the clear Essence and Power of WIT, he drops the +whole with a trite Compliment. + +The learned Dr. _Barrow_, in his _Sermon against foolish Talking and +Jesting_, gives the following profuse Description of WIT. + + But first it may be demanded, What the Thing we speak of is? Or + what the Facetiousness (or _Wit_ as he calls it before) doth + import? To which Questions I might reply, as _Democritus_ did to + him that asked the Definition of a Man, _'Tis that we all see and + know._ Any one better apprehends what it is by Acquaintance, + than I can inform him by Description. It is indeed a Thing so + versatile and multiform, appearing in so many Shapes, so many + Postures, so many Garbs, so variously apprehended by several + Eyes and Judgments, that it seemeth no less hard to settle a + clear and certain Notion thereof, than to make a Portrait of + _Proteus_, or to define the Figure of the fleeting Air. Sometimes + it lieth in pat Allusion to a known Story, or in seasonable + Application of a trivial Saying, or in forging an apposite Tale: + Sometimes it playeth in Words and Phrases, taking Advantage from + the Ambiguity of their Sense, or the Affinity of their Sound: + Sometimes it is wrapp'd in a Dress of humorous Expression: + Sometimes it lurketh under an odd Similitude: Sometimes it + is lodged in a sly Question, in a smart Answer, in a quirkish + Reason, in a shrewd Intimation, in cunningly diverting, or + cleverly retorting an Objection: Sometimes it is couched in a + bold Scheme of Speech, in a tart Irony, in a lusty Hyperbole, + in a startling Metaphor, in a plausible Reconciling of + Contradictions, or in acute Nonsense; Sometimes a scenical + Representation of Persons or Things, a counterfeit Speech, a + mimical Look or Gesture passeth for it. Sometimes an affected + Simplicity, sometimes a presumptuous Bluntness giveth it Being. + Sometimes it riseth from a lucky Hitting upon what is Strange; + sometimes from a crafty wresting obvious Matter to the Purpose. + Often it' consisteth in one knows not what, and springeth + up one can hardly tell how. Its ways are unaccountable, and + inexplicable, being answerable to the numberless Rovings of + Fancy, and Windings of Language. It is, in short, a Manner + of Speaking out of the simple and plain Way (such as Reason + teacheth, and proveth Things by) which by a pretty, surprizing + Uncouthness in Conceit or Expression, doth affect and amuse the + Fancy, stirring in it some Wonder, and breeding some Delight + thereto. It raiseth Admiration, as signifying a nimble Sagacity + of Apprehension, a special Felicity of Invention, a Vivacity of + Spirit, and Reach of Wit, more than vulgar; it seeming to argue a + rare Quickness of Parts, that one can fetch in remote Conceits + applicable; a notable Skill that he can dextrously accommodate + them to the Purpose before him; together with a lively Briskness + of Humour, not apt to damp those Sportful Flashes of Imagination. + (Whence in _Aristotle_ such Persons are termed "epidexioi", + dexterous Men, and "eutropoi", Men of facile or versatile + Manners, who can easily turn themselves to all Things, or + turn all Things to themselves.) It also procureth Delight, + by gratifying Curiosity with its Rareness, or Semblance of + Difficulty. (As Monsters, not for their Beauty, but their + Rarity; as juggling Tricks, not for their Use, but their + Abstruseness, are beheld with Pleasure;) by diverting the Mind + from its Road of serious Thoughts, by instilling Gaiety, and + Airiness of Spirit; by provoking to such Disposition of Spirit + in Way of Emulation, or Complaisance; and by seasoning Matters + otherwise distasteful or insipid, with an unusual and thence + grateful Tange. + +This Description, it is easy to perceive, must have cost the Author of +it a great deal of Labour. It is a very full Specimen of that Talent +of entirely _exhausting_ a Subject, for which Dr. _Barrow_ was +remarkable; and if the _Point_ was, to exhibit all the various Forms +and Appearances, not of WIT only, but of _Raillery_, _Satire_, +_Sarcasms_, and of every Kind of _Poignancy_ and _Pleasantry_ of +Sentiment, and Expression, he seems to have perfectly succeeded; there +being perhaps no Variety, in all the Extent of these Subjects, which +he has not presented to View in this Description.--But he does not +pretend to give any _Definition_ of WIT, intimating rather that it is +quite impossible to be given: And indeed from his Description of it, +as a _Proteus_, appearing in numberless various Colours, and Forms; +and from his mistaking, and presenting for WIT, other different +Mixtures and Substances, it is evident that his Idea of it was quite +confused and uncertain: It is true, he has discovered a vast Scope of +Fertility of Genius, and an uncommon Power of collecting together a +Multitude of Objects upon any Occasion, but he has here absolutely +mistaken his work; for instead of exhibiting the Properties of WIT in +a clearer Light, and confuting the _false Claims_ which are made to +it, he has made it his whole Business to perplex it the more, by +introducing, from all Corners, a monstrous Troop of new unexpected +_Pretenders_. + +_Dryden_, in the Preface to his _Opera_, entitled, _The State of +Innocence_, or _Fall of Man_, gives the following _Decree_ upon WIT. + The _Definition of WIT_, (which has been so often attempted, and + ever unsuccessfully by many Poets) is only this: That it is _a + Propriety of Thoughts and Words; or in other Terms, Thoughts and + Words elegantly adapted to the Subject_. + +If Mr. _Dryden_ imagined, that he had succeeded _himself_ in this +_Definition_, he was extremely mistaken; for nothing can be more +distant from the Properties of WIT, than those he describes. He +discovers no Idea of the _Surprize_, and _Brilliancy_ of WIT, or of +the sudden _Light_ thrown upon a Subject. Instead of once pointing at +these, he only describes the Properties of clear _Reasoning_, which +are _a Propriety of Thoughts and Words_;--Whereas WIT, in its sudden +_Flashes_, makes no Pretension to _Reasoning_; but is perceived in the +pleasant _Surprize_ which it starts, and in the _Light_ darted upon +a Subject, which instantly vanishes again, without abiding a strict +Examination. + +The other Definition he gives, which is, _Thoughts and Words elegantly +adapted to the Subject_, is very different from the former, but +equally unhappy. + +For _Propriety_, in _Thoughts_ and _Words_, consists in exhibiting +_clear, pertinent Ideas_, in _precise_ and _perspicuous Words_. + +Whereas ELEGANCE consists in the _compt_, _well pruned_ and _succinct +Turn_ of a Subject. + +The Object of the _First_, is to be _clear_, and _perspicuous_; whence +it often appears in pursuit of these, not _compt_ or _succinct_: +Whereas the _Essence_ of ELEGANCE is to be _compt_ and _succinct_, +for the Sake of which Ornaments it often neglect _Perspicuity_, and +_Clearness_.--In short, a _Propriety_ of Thoughts and Words, may +subsist without any _Elegance_; as an _Elegance_ of Thoughts and Words +may appear without a perfect _Propriety_. + +The last _Definition_, as it is thus very different from the former is +also equally unhappy: For ELEGANCE is no _essential_ Property of WIT. +_Pure_ WIT resulting solely from the _quick Elucidation_ of one +Subject, by the sudden _Arrangement_, and _Comparison_ of it, +with another Subject.--If the two Objects _arranged_ together are +_elegant_, and _polite_, there will then be superadded to the WIT, +an _Elegance_ and _Politeness_ of Sentiment, which will render the +WIT more amiable. But if the Objects are _vulgar_, _obscene_, or +_deformed_, provided the _first_ be _elucidated_, in a lively Manner, +by, the sudden _Arrangement_ of it with the _second_, there will be +equally WIT; though, the Indelicacy of Sentiment attending it, will +render such WIT shocking and abominable. + +It is with the highest Respect for the great Mr. _Locke_, that I +deliver his Sentiments upon this Subject. + + And hence, perhaps, may be given some Reason of that common + Observation, that Men who have a great deal of _Wit_, and prompt + Memories, have not always the clearest Judgment or deepest + Reason: For _Wit_ lying most in the Assemblage of _Ideas_, and + putting those together with Quickness and Variety, wherein can be + found any Assemblance or Congruity, thereby to make up pleasant + Pictures, and agreeable Visions in the Fancy. _Judgment_, on the + contrary, lies quite on the other side; in separating carefully + one from another, _Ideas_, wherein can be found the least + Difference, thereby to avoid being missed by Similitude, and + by Affinity to take one thing for another. This is a Way of + proceeding quite contrary to Metaphor and Allusion; wherein for + the most Part lies that Entertainment and Pleasantry of _Wit_, + which strikes so lively on the Fancy, and therefore is acceptable + to all People, because its Beauty appears at first Sight, and + there is required no Labour of Thoughts to examine what Truth, + or Reason, there is in it. The Mind, without looking any further, + rests satisfied with the Agreeableness of the Picture, and the + Gaiety of the Fancy. And it is a kind of an Affront to go about + to examine it by the severe Rules of Truth, and good Reason, + whereby it appears, that it conflicts in something that is not + perfectly conformable to them. + +It is to be observed that Mr. _Locke_ has here only occasionally, +and passantly, delivered his Sentiments upon this Subject; but yet he +has very happily explained the chief Properties of WIT. It was _his_ +Remark _First_, that it lies for the most _Part_ in _assembling_ +together with _Quickness_ and _Variety_ Objects, which possess an +_Affinity_, or _Congruity_, with each other; which was the _first_ +just Information obtained by the literary World, upon this Subject. + +As to what he adds, That the Intention, and Effects, of this +_Assemblage_ of _similar_ Objects, is _to make up pleasant Pictures, +and agreeable Visions in the Fancy_, it is, as I humbly apprehend, not +quite perfect: For the Business of this _Assemblage_ is not merely to +raise pleasant Pictures in the Fancy, but also to _enlighten_ +thereby the _original_ Subject.--This is evident; because in such +_Assemblages_, the only Foundation upon which the _new Subject_ +is suddenly introduced, is the _Affinity_, and consequently the +_Illustration_, it bears to the _first_ Subject.--The Introduction of +pleasant Pictures and Visions, which present not a new _Illustration_, +and _Light_, to the _original_ Subjects, being rather wild Sallies of +_Vivacity_, than well-aimed, apposite Strokes of WIT. + +It is Mr. _Locke_'s Conclusion, at last, That WIT _consists in +something that is not perfectly conformable to Truth, and good +Reason_.--This is a _Problem_ of some Curiosity; and I apprehend +Mr. _Locke_'s Determination upon it to be right:--For the _Direction_ +of WIT is absolutely different from the _Direction of_ TRUTH and GOOD +REASON; It being the Aim of WIT to strike the _Imagination_; of TRUTH +and GOOD REASON, to convince the _Judgment_: From thence they can +never be perfectly coincident. + +It is however true, that there may be Instances of WIT, wherein the +_Agreement_ between the two Objects shall be absolutely _just_, and +perceived to be such at the first Glance. Such Instances of WIT, will +be then also _Self-evident_ TRUTHS. They will _both_ agree in their +obvious, and quick _Perspicuity_; but will be still different in this, +that the Effort of the _One_ is to strike the _Fancy_, whereas the +_Other_ is wholly exerted in gratifying the _Judgment_. + +The Sentiments of Mr. _Addison_ upon WIT, are professedly delivered in +the _Spectator_ No. 62. annexed to the following _Essay_. He has there +justly commended Mr. _Locke_'s Description of WIT; but what he adds, +by Way of Explanation to it, that the _Assemblage_ of Ideas must be +such as shall give _Delight_, and _Surprize_, is not true, in regard +to the Former, _Delight_ being no _essential_ Property of WIT; for +if the _original_ Subject be unpleasant, or deformed, the sudden +unexpected _Arrangement_ of a _similar_ Object with it, may give us +_Surprize_, and be indisputably WIT, and yet be far from creating any +_Delight_. + +This Gentleman has also given the following Example, in order to +illustrate the Necessity there is, that _Surprize_ should be always +an Attendant upon WIT. + + "When a Poet tells us, the Bosom of his Mistress is as white as + Snow, there is no _Wit_ in the Comparison; but when he adds, + with a Sigh, that it as cold too, it then grows to Wit." + +--To compare a Girl's _Bosom_ to _Snow_ for its _Whiteness_ I +apprehend to be WIT, notwithstanding the Authority of so great a +Writer to the contrary. For there is a _Lustre_ resulting from the +_natural_ and _splendid Agreement_ between these Objects, which will +_always_ produce WIT; such, as cannot be destroyed, though it will +quickly be rendered _trite_, by frequent Repetition. + +This _Problem_, _How far_ SURPRIZE _is, or is not, necessary to_ WIT, +I humbly apprehend, may be thus solved.--In Subjects which have a +_natural_ and _splendid Agreement_, there will always be WIT upon +their _Arrangement_ together; though when it becomes _trite_, and not +accompanied with _Surprize_, the _Lustre_ will be much faded;--But +where the _Agreement_ is _forced_ and _strained_, _Novelty_ and +_Surprize_ are absolutely necessary to usher it in; An unexpected +_Assemblage_ of this Sort, striking our Fancy, and being gaily +admitted at first to be WIT; which upon frequent Repetition, the +_Judgment_ will have examined, and rise up against it wherever it +appears;--So that in short, in Instances where the _Agreement_ is +_strained_ and _defective_, which indeed are abundantly the most +general, _Surprize_ is a necessary _Passport_ to WIT; but _Surprize_ +is not necessary to WIT, where the _Agreement_ between the two +Subjects is _natural_ and _splendid_; though in these Instances +it greatly heightens the _Brillancy_. + +The subsequent Remark of Mr. _Addison_, _That the Poet, after saying +his Mistress's Bosom is as white as Snow, should add, with a Sigh, +that it is as cold too, in order that it may grow to_ WIT, is I fear, +very incorrect. For as to the _Sigh_, it avails not a Rush; and this +Addition will be found to be only a _new_ Stroke of WIT, equally +_trite_, and less perfect, and natural, than the former Comparison. + +It may also be observed, That Mr. _Addison_ has omitted the +_Elucidation_ of the _original_ Subject, which is the grand Excellence +of WIT. Nor has he prescribed any _Limits_ to the Subjects, which are +to be arranged together; without which the Result will be frequently +the SUBLIME or BURLESQUE; In which, it is true, WIT often appears, +but taking their whole Compositions together, they are different +Substances, and usually ranked in different _Classes_. + +All that Mr. _Congreve_ has delivered upon WIT, as far as I know, +appears in his _Essay_ upon HUMOUR, annexed to this Treatise. He +there says, + To define HUMOUR, perhaps, were as difficult, as to define WIT; + for, like that, it is of infinite Variety. +--Again, he afterwards adds, + But though we cannot certainly tell what WIT is, or what HUMOUR + is, yet we may _go near_ to shew something, which is not WIT, or + not HUMOUR, and yet often mistaken for both. +--In this _Essay_, wherein he particularly considers HUMOUR, and +the Difference between _this_, and WIT, he may be expected to have +delivered his best Sentiments upon both: But these Words, which I +have quoted, seem to be as important and precise, as any which he has +offered upon the Subject of WIT. As such, I present them, without any +Remarks, to my Reader, who, if he only _goes near_ to be _edified_ by +them, will discover a great Share of _Sagacity_. + +The Sentiments of these eminent Writers upon WIT, having thus been +exhibited, I come next to the Subject of HUMOUR. This has been +_defined_ by some, in the following Manner, with great _Perspicuity._ +--HUMOUR is the genuine WIT of _Comedies_,--which has afforded +vast Satisfaction to many _Connoissures_ in the _Belles Lettres_; +especially as WIT has been supposed to be incapable of any +_Definition._ + +This Subject has also been particularly considered by the +_Spectatator_ No. 35. inserted at the End of the following +_Essay_. Mr. _Addison_ therein _gravely_ remarks, that + It is indeed much easier to describe what is not HUMOUR, than + what it is; +which, I humbly apprehend, is no very _important_ Piece of +Information.--He adds, + And very difficult to define it otherwise, than as _Cowly_ has + done WIT, by Negatives. +This Notion of _defining_ a Subject by _Negatives_, is a favourite +_Crotchet_, and may perhaps be assumed upon other Occasions by future +Writers: I hope therefore I shall be pardoned, if I offer a proper +Explanation of so good a _Conceit_;--To declare then, _That a Subject is +only to be_ DEFINED _by_ NEGATIVES, is to cloath it in a _respectable_ +Dress of _Darkness_. And about as much as to say, That it is a _Knight_ +of _tenebrose Virtues_; or a _serene Prince_, of the _Blood_ of _Occult +Qualities_. + +Mr. _Addison_ proceeds, + Were I to give my own Notions of HUMOUR, I should deliver them + after _Plato's_ Manner, in a Kind of Allegory; and by supposing + HUMOUR to be a Person, deduce to him, all his Qualifications, + according to the following Genealogy: TRUTH was the Founder of + the Family, and the Father of GOOD SENSE; GOOD SENSE was the + Father of WIT, who married a Lady of a collateral Line called + MIRTH, by whom he had Issue HUMOUR. +--It is very unfortunate for this _Allegorical_ Description, that +there is not one Word of it just: For TRUTH, GOOD SENSE, WIT, and +MIRTH, represented to be the immediate _Ancestors_ of HUMOUR; whereas +HUMOUR is derived from the _Foibles_, and whimsical _Oddities_ +of _Persons_ in real Life, which flow rather from their +_Inconsistencies_, and _Weakness_, than from TRUTH and GOOD SENSE; +Nor is WIT any _Ancestor_ of HUMOUR, but of a quite different +_Family_; it being notorious that much HUMOUR may be drawn from +the Manners of _Dutchmen_, and of the most formal and dull Persons, +who are yet never guilty of WIT. Again, MIRTH is not so properly +the _Parent_ of HUMOUR, as the _Offspring_.--In short, this whole +_Genealogy_ is a _nubilous_ Piece of Conceit, instead of being any +_Elucidation_ of HUMOUR. It is a formal Method of trifling, introduced +under a deep Ostentation of Learning, which deserves the severest +Rebuke.--But I restrain my Pen, recollecting the _Visions_ of MIRZA, +and heartily profess my high Veneration for their admirable Author. + +The _Essay_ upon HUMOUR, at the End of this Treatise, written by +Mr. _Congreve_, is next to be considered. It appears, that at first +he professes his absolute Uncertainty in regard to this Subject; and +says, "_We cannot certainly tell what_ WIT _is, or what_ HUMOUR _is_." +But yet, through his whole Piece, he neglects the Subject of HUMOUR in +general, and only discourses upon the HUMOUR, by which he means barely +the _Disposition_, of Persons: This may particularly appear from the +following Words. + + A Man may change his Opinion, but I believe he will find it a + Difficulty to part with his HUMOUR; and there is nothing more + provoking than the being made sensible of that Difficulty. + Sometimes we shall meet with those, who perhaps indifferently + enough, but at the same time impertinently, will ask the + Question, WHY ARE YOU NOT MERRY? WHY ARE YOU NOT GAY, PLEASANT, + AND CHEARFUL? Then instead of answering, could I ask such a + Person, WHY ARE YOU NOT HANDSOME? WHY HAVE YOU NOT BLACK EYES, + AND A BETTER COMPLEXION? Nature abhors to be forced. + + The two famous Philosophers of _Ephesus_ and _Abdera_, have their + different Sects at this Day. Some weep, and others laugh at one + and the same Thing. + + I don't doubt but you have observed several Men laugh when they + are angry; others, who are silent; some that are loud; yet I + cannot suppose that it is the Passion of ANGER, which is in + itself different, or more or less in one than t'other, but that + it is the HUMOUR of the Man that is predominant, and urges him to + express it in that Manner. Demonstrations of PLEASURE, are as + various: One Man has a HUMOUR of retiring from all Company, when + any thing has happened to please him beyond Expectation; he hugs + himself alone, and thinks it an Addition to the Pleasure to keep + it a Secret, &c. + +All which, I apprehend, is no more than saying; That there are different +_Dispositions_ in different _Persons_. + +In another Place, he seems to understand by _Humour_, not only the +_Disposition,_ but the _Tone_ of the _Nerves_, of a Person, +thus, + + "Suppose MOROSE to be a Man naturally splenetic, and melancholy; + is there any thing more offensive to one of such a DISPOSITION + (where he uses the Word instead of _Humour_) than Noise and + Clamour? Let any Man that has the Spleen (and there are enough in + England) be Judge. We see common Examples of this HUMOUR in + little every Day. 'Tis ten to one, but three Parts in four of the + Company you dine with, are discomposed, and started at the + cutting of a Cork, or scratching of a Plate with a Knife; it is + a Proportion of the same HUMOUR, that makes such, or any other + Noise, offensive to the Person that hears it; for there are + others who will not be disturbed at all by it. + +At this Rate every _Weakness_ of _Nerves_, or _Particularity_ of +_Constitution,_ is HUMOUR. + +It is true, he justly points out in another Place the different +Sentiments, which ought to be adapted to different _Characters_ in +_Comedy_, according to their different _Dispositions_, or, as he +phrases it, _Humours_: As for Instance, he very rightly observes, + That a Character of a splenetic and peevish HUMOUR, Should have + a satirical WIT. A jolly and sanguine HUMOUR should have a + facetious WIT. +--But still this is no Description of what is well felt, and known, by +the general Name of HUMOUR. + +However, as what I have already quoted, may appear to be only his +looser Explanations, it will be necessary to deliver his more closed +and collected Sentiments upon this Subject. These he gives in the +following Words, + I should be unwilling to venture, even in a bare _Description_ of + _Humour_, much more to make a _Definition_ of it; but now my Hand + is in, I will tell you what serves me instead of either. I take + it to be, _A singular and unavoidable Manner of doing or saying + any thing, peculiar and natural to one Man only, by which his + Speech and Actions are distinguished from those of other Men." +--This Description is very little applicable to HUMOUR, but tolerably +well adapted to other Subjects.--Thus, a Person, who is happy in a +particular _Grace_, which accompanies all his Actions, may be said to +possess _a singular and unavoidable Manner of doing or saying any +thing, peculiar and natural to him only, by which his Speech and +Actions are distinguished from those of other Men_. And the same +may be said of a Person of a peculiar _Vivacity_, _Heaviness_, +or _Awkwardness_.--In short, this Description is suited to any +_Particularity_ of a Person in general, instead of being adapted +to the _Foibles_ and _whimsical Oddities_ of Persons, which alone +constitute HUMOUR. + +These are the only Pieces upon WIT, and HUMOUR, which have fallen +within my Knowledge; I have here fairly delivered them at length; +and from the Respect which is due to such eminent Writers, have +distinctly and deliberately examined the Merit of each.--As to my +own _Performance_, which is now submitted to the Public, I have to +wish, that it may gain a candid and strict Examination. It has been +my Endeavour to give _Definitions_ of the Subjects, upon which I have +treated; A _Plan_ the most difficult of all others to be executed by +an Author; But such an one, as I apprehend, deserves to be more +generally introduced, and established. If once it was expected by the +Public, that _Authors_ should strictly _define_ their Subjects, it +would instantly checque an Inundation of Scribbling. The _desultory_ +Manner of Writing would be absolutely exploded; and _Accuracy_ and +_Precision_ would be necessarily introduced upon every Subject. + +This is the _Method_ pursued in Subjects of _Philosophy_; Without +clear and precise _Definitions_ such noble Advances could never have +been made in those Sciences; And it is by the Assistance of _these_ +only, that Subjects of _Polite Literature_, can ever be enlightened +and embellished with just Ornaments. If _Definitions_ had been +constantly exacted from Authors there would not have appeared _one +hundreth_ Part of the present Books, and yet every Subject had been +better ascertained.--Nor will this Method, as some may imagine, be +encumbered with Stiffness; On the contrary, in _illustrating_ the +Truth of _Definitions_ there is a full Scope of the utmost Genius, +Imagination, and Spirit of a Writer; and a Work upon this _Plan_ is +adorned with the highest Charms appearing with _Propriety_, +_Clearness_, and _Conviction_, as well as Beauty. + +It is true, that the Difficulties, which attend an able Execution +of this _Method_, are not open to a careless Eye; And it is some +Mortification to an _Author_ upon this _Plan_, that his greatest +_Merit_ is likely to lie concealed; A _Definition,_ or _Distinction,_ +which after much Attention and Time he has happily delivered with +_Brevity_ and _Clearness_, appearing hereby quite obvious, to others, +and what they cannot imagine could require Pains to discover. + +As to the _Examples_, by which I have illustrated the _Definition_ of +_Wit_, they are _common_ and _trite_; but are the best, which I could +find upon deliberate Enquiry. Many Modern instances of _Wit_, which +left very lively Impressions upon me, when I heard them, appearing +upon Re-examination to be quite strained and defective. These, which +I have given, as they are thus _trite_, are not designed in themselves +for any Entertainment to the Reader; but being various, and distant +from each other, they very properly serve to explain the Truth, and +Extent of the _Definition_. + +The Character of an HUMOURIST, I expect, will be strange to most of +my Readers; and if no Gentleman is acquainted with a _Person_ of this +_Cast_, it must pass for a _Monster_ of my own Creation;--As to the +Character of Sir _John Falstaff_, it is chiefly extracted from +_Shakespear_, in his 1st Part of King _Henry_ the _IVth_; But so far +as _Sir John_ in _Shakspear's_ Description, sinks into a _Cheat_ or a +_Scoundrel_, upon any Occasion, he is different from that _Falstaff_, +who is designed in the following _Essay_, and is entirely an amiable +Character. + +It is obvious, that the Appearance, which _Falstaff_ makes, in the +unfinished Play of _The Merry Wives of Windsor_, is in general greatly +below his true Character. His Imprisonment and Death in the latter +Part of King _Henry_ the _IVth_, seem also to have been written by +_Shakespear_ in Compliance with the _Austerity_ of the Times; and in +order to avoid the Imputation of encouraging _Idleness_ and mirthful +_Riot_ by too amiable and happy an Example. + +The Criticism, which I have made, upon _Horace_'s Narrative of his +_Adventure_ with an _Impertinent Fellow_, I offer with Respect; And +beg leave to observe that the chief Part which I object to, is the +_Propriety_ of his introducing himself in so _ridiculous a Plight_; + --Dum sudor ad imos + Manaret Talos; +And + Demitto Auriculas, ut iniquae mentis Acellus + Cum gravius dorso subiit onus. +And other Representations of the same sort, seem to place _Horace_ +in a very mean and ludicrous Light; which it is probable he never +apprehended in the full Course of exposing his Companion;--Besides, +the Conduct of his Adversary is in several Places, excessively, and, +as it may be construed, _designedly_, insolent and contemptuous; and +as no Merit or Importance belongs to this Person, there appears no +Reason why _Horace_ should endure such Treatment; or, if the other was +too _powerful_ for him, it is not an _Adventure_ of _Honour_; or what +_Horace_ should chuse to expose to the World in this manner, with all +the Particulars of his own despicable Distress. + +However, the _Mirth_ which results from this Narrative, as it +now stands, is perhaps rather the stronger at first, by the full +_Ridicule_ which lies against _Horace_, and his Adversary;--But, upon +Reflection, there arises a Disgust, at the Impropriety of _Horace's_ +exposing his own _Meanness_, as well as at the nauseous _Impudence_ +of his Companion. + +As to _uncommon_ Words, if any such appear in this _Introduction_, +or in the following _Essay_, I hope they want neither _Propriety_, +_Clearness_, nor _Strength_;--And if the _Length_of this Piece to an +_Essay_ so _short_ shall happen at first to _disturb_ any _Critic_, +I beg leave to inform him, that all, which can be fairly collected +from it, is only, that it may have cost _me_ the more Trouble;--But +upon mentioning the _Length_ of this Piece, what behoves me the most, +is, to return my Thanks to two _Gentlemen_, who suffered me to read to +them the whole, as it was gradually written; And by whose _judicious_ +and _friendly Instructions_ in the Course of it, my own _Imagination_ +was often prevented from running into _Riots_. + +However, I am far from imagining, that I have always been reduced +within just Bounds; And now feel a sufficient Share of _Concern_ and +_Anxiety_, for the _Fate_ of this Work;--Yet, I humbly apprehend, that +_this_ must freely be allowed me, that I have not been a _Plagiary_; +But have constantly delivered my own _original_ Sentiments, without +_purloining_ or _disfiguring_ the Thoughts of others; An _Honesty_, +which, I hope, is laudable in an _Author_; And as I have not _stolen_, +neither have I _concealed_, the _Merit_ of other Writers. + +It will also be found, as I humbly apprehend, that I have never +_shunned_ the Subject: I mention this particularly, because it is +the Practice of many eminent Writers, after much _curvetting_ and +_prauncing_, suddenly to wheel, and retire, when they are expected +to make their most full Attack.--These Gentlemen, it is true, very +happily avoid _Danger_, and advance and retreat in _excellent Order_: +But, with their Leave, I must observe that they never do any +_Execution_; For Subjects, which have not been surveyed, and laid +open, are like _fortified Places_; and it is the Business of a +_Writer_, as well as of a _Soldier_, to make an Attack;--This has been +the Conduct I have held in the following _Essay_; and however I may +be _shattered_ upon any Occasion, I hope it will appear (if I may be +allowed the Expression) that I have fairly _charged_ the Subjects. + +Having offered these Circumstances in my Favour, I must frankly +acknowledge, that I am not able to plead any _Hurry_ or _Precipitancy_ +in the publishing of this Work, in Excuse of its Errors; Though +I clearly understand, that by making this Discovery, I absolutely +deprive myself of the most _genteel_ and _fashionable Screen_ now used +by Authors;--But I imagined, that it became me to spare no Labour or +Attention upon a Work, which I should presume to offer to the World; +Happening to esteem this _Care_ and _Concern_, a _Respect_ due to the +_Public_, and the proper Species of _Humility_ and _Modesty_ in an +_Author_. + + + * * * * * + + An + ESSAY + on + Wit, Humour, Raillery, & c. + + + WIT is the LUSTRE resulting from the quick ELUCIDATION of one + Subject, by a _just_ and unexpected ARRANGEMENT of it with + another Subject. + +This _Definition_ of WIT will more clearly appear by a short +Explanation. + +It is the Province of WIT to _elucidate_, or _enlighten_ a Subject, +not by reasoning upon that Subject, but by a just and unexpected +Introduction of another _similar_, or _opposite_ Subject; whereby, +upon their _Arrangement_ together, the _original_ Subject may be _set +off_, and more clearly _enlighten'd_, by their obvious Comparison. + +It may be proper, for the sake of Distinction, to call the Subject, +which is the Basis and Ground-work, the _original_ Subject; and that +which is introduced, in order to _elucidate_ it, the _auxiliary_ +Subject. + +That there be always an apparent Chain or Connexion, or else an +obvious Agreement or Contrast, between the two Subjects, is absolutely +requir'd, in order that the _Auxiliary_ one may be _justly_ +introduced; otherwise, instead of WIT, there will only appear +a rambling _Vivacity_, in wild, unprovoked Sallies. + +And yet _every just_ or _natural_ Introduction of an _auxiliary_ +Subject will not produce WIT, unless a new _Lustre_ is reflected +from thence upon the _original_ Subject. + +It is further to be observed, that the Introduction of the _auxiliary_ +Subject ought not only to be _just_, but also _unexpected_, which are +entirely consistent together; For as every Subject bears various +Relations and Oppositions to other Subjects, it is evident that each +of these Relations and Oppositions upon being exhibited, will be +_unexpected_ to the Persons, who did not perceive them before; and +yet they are _just_ by Supposition. + +It is upon such _unexpected_ Introductions of _auxiliary_ Subjects, +that we are struck with a _Surprize_; from whence the high +_Brilliancy_ and _Sparkling_ of WIT, result. + +Whereas _Auxiliary_ Subjects, introduced upon such Occasions, as they +have been frequently exhibited before, are apt to fall dull, and heavy +upon the Fancy; and unless they possess great natural Spirit, will +excite no sprightly Sensation. + +It is also necessary to observe, that, in WIT, the Subjects concern'd +must be _ordinary_ and _level_; By which are intended, not such as +are _common_, but such as have no _extraordinarily exalted_, or +_enlarged_, Qualities; and are not _unsizeable_ in the particular +Circumstances in which they are compared to each other;--otherwise it +is easy to perceive, that the Result of their _Arrangement_ will not +be so properly WIT, as either the SUBLIME, or BURLESQUE. + +To all this is to be added, that either _Gallantry, Raillery_, +_Humour_, _Satire_, _Ridicule_, _Sarcasms_, or other Subjects, are +generally blended with WIT; It has been for want of this Discovery, +and of a proper Separation of these Subjects, that the Attempts which +have hitherto been made to _define_ WIT, have been all involv'd and +overwhelm'd in Perplexity; For the different Mixtures of these foreign +Ingredients with WIT, have discover'd such various and opposite +_Colours_ and _Substances_, as were impossible to be comprehended in +one certain steady _Definition_;--Whereas _pure_ WIT alone, constantly +appears in _one uniform_ Manner; which is, _In the _quick Elucidation_ +of one Subject, by _unexpectedly_ exhibiting its _Agreement_ or +_Contrast_ with another Subject_. + +It is proper in this Place, to distinguish between WIT, SIMILES, +and METAPHORS. SIMILES, though they _illustrate_ one Subject, by +_arranging_ it with another Subject, are yet different from WIT, +as they want its _sudden_ and _quick Elucidation_. + +Again; In WIT, the _Elucidation_ is thrown only upon _one_ Point of a +Subject; or if more Points be _elucidated_, they are so many different +Strokes of WIT;--Whereas every SIMILE touches the Subject it +_illustrates_ in _several Points_. + +It is from hence, that the _Elucidation_, as before mention'd, arising +from a SIMILE, is _slower_ than from WIT; But then is is generally +more _accurate_ and _compleat_;--In short, WIT, from its _Quickness_, +exhibits more _Brilliancy_, But SIMILES possess greater _Perfection_. + + A METAPHOR, is the _Arrayment_ of one Subject, with the _Dress_, + or _Colour_, or any _Attributes_, of another Subject. + +In WIT, the two Subjects are suddenly confronted with each other, +and upon their joint View, the _original_ one is _elucidated_ by the +obvious _Agreement_ or _Contrast_ of the _auxiliary_ Subject. + +But METAPHOR goes further, and not content with _arranging_ the two +Subjects together, and exhibiting from thence their _Agreement_ or +_Contrast_, it actually snatches the Properties of the _auxiliary_ +one, and fits them at once upon the _original_ Subject. + +It is evident from hence, that there may be WIT without any METAPHOR; +But in every just METAPHOR there is WIT; The _Agreement_ of the two +Subjects being in a METAPHOR more strictly and sensibly presented. + +There is also this Difference between WIT and METAPHOR, that in WIT +the _original_ Subject is _enlighten'd_, without altering its _Dress_; +whereas in METAPHOR the _original_ Subject is cloathed in a _new +Dress_, and struts forwards at once with a different _Air_, and with +strange _unexpected Ornaments_. + +It is from hence, that by METAPHOR a more masculine Air and Vigour is +given to a Subject, than by WIT; But it too often happens, that the +METAPHOR is carried so far, as instead of _elucidating_, to obscure +and disfigure, the _original_ Subject. + +To exhibit some Examples of WIT. + + +1. + +_Henry_ the IVth of _France_, intimating to the _Spanish_ Ambassador +the Rapidity, with which he was able to over-run _Italy_, told him, +that _if once he mounted on Horseback, he should breakfast at_ Milan, +_and dine at_ Naples; To which the Ambassador added, _Since your +Majesty travels at this rate, you may be at Vespers in_ Sicily. + +The Introduction of the _Vespers_ at SICILY is here _natural_, and +easy; as it seems only to be carrying on his Majesty's Journey at the +same rate, and to compleat the Progress of the Day; But it ushers at +once into View the _Destruction_ of the _French_ upon a _similar_ +Occasion, when they formerly over-ran SICILY, and were all massacred +there at the ringing of the Bell for _Vespers_;--The sudden +Introduction and _Arrangement_ of this Catastrophe, with the +Expedition then threaten'd, sets the Issue of such a Conquest in +a new _Light_; And very happily exhibits and _elucidates_ the Result +of such vain and restless Adventures. + +It may be observed, that the _quick_ Introduction and _Arrangement_ +of any former Conquest of _Italy_ by the _French_, with the Expedition +then threaten'd, would have exhibited WIT; whatever the Issue had been +of such former Conquest; But in this Instance, there sits couched +under the WIT, a very _severe Rebuke_ upon the _French_ Monarch. + + +2. + +_Alexander_ the VIth was very busily questioning the Ambassador of +_Venice_, Of whom his Masters held their Customs and Prerogatives of +the Sea? To which the Ambassador readily answer'd; _If your_ HOLINESS +_will only please to examine your Charter of St._ PETER's _Patrimony, +you will find upon the Back of it, the Grant made to the_ VENETIANS +_of the_ ADRIATIC. + +The Authority of the _Grant_ to the _Venetians_ is in this Instance +the _original_ Subject, which is thus suddenly _elucidated_ to the +_Pope_, by _arranging_, and connecting it with the holy _Charter_ of +St. _Peter_'s Patrimony; There is a peculiar Happiness in the Address +of this Answer to the _Pope_, as he was obliged to receive it as a +satisfactory Account of the Truth of the _Grant_, and a clear +_Elucidation_ of its sacred Authority. + +In this Instance, besides the WIT which shines forth, the _Pope_ is +severely expos'd to your _Raillery_, from the Scrape into which he has +brought the _Charter_ of St. _Peter's_ Patrimony, by his Attack of the +_Ambassador_; The _fictitious_ Existence of both the _Charter_ and +_Grant_ being sarcastically pointed out, under this respectable Air +of _Authenticity_. + + +3. + +Upon the Restoration Mr. _Waller_ presented a congratulatory Copy of +Verses to King _Charles_; His Majesty, after reading them, said,-- +_Mr_. Waller, _these are very good, but not so fine as you made upon +the_ PROTECTOR.--To which Mr. _Waller_ return'd,--_Your Majesty will +please to recollect, that we Poets always write best upon_ FICTIONS. + +The _original_ Subject in this Instance is _the superior Excellence of +Mr_. WALLER's _Verses upon_ Cromwell; This he most happily excuses, by +starting at once, and _arranging_ along with them, the Remark, that +_Poets have always excell'd upon Fiction_; whereby he unexpectedly +exhibits his _more excellent_ Verses to _Cromwell_, as a plain +_Elucidation_ of the _fictitious_ Glory of the Protector; And +intimates at the same time, that the _Inferiority_ of his present +Performance was a natural _Illustration_ of his Majesty's _real_ +Glory;--Never was a deep Reproach averted by a more happy Reply; which +comprehends both the highest Compliment to his Majesty, and a very +firm poetical Excuse of the different Performances. + + +4. + +_Leonidas_ the _Spartan_ General, when he advanced near the _Persian_ +Army, was told by one of his own Captains, that _their Enemies were so +numerous, it was impossible to see the Sun for the Multitude of their +Arrows_; To which he gallantly reply'd, _We shall then have the +Pleasure of fighting in the Shade_. + +The vast Cope of _Persian_ Arrows is here the _original_ Subject; +which instead of being observed by _Leonidas_ with Terror, presents +to his Fancy the pleasant Idea of a cool _Canopy_. There is an +_Agreement_ and Affinity between the two Objects, in regard to the +_Shelter from the Sun_, which is at once obvious, and _unexpected_; +And the Cloud of the Enemies Arrows is thus gaily _elucidated_, by the +_Arrangement_ and Comparison of it with so desirable an Object as +_shady Covering_. + +This Saying of the _Spartan_ General has been handed through many Ages +to the present Time; But the chief Part of the Pleasure it gives us, +results not so much from the WIT it contains, as from the _Gallantry_, +and _chearful Spirit_, discover'd in Danger, by _Leonidas_. + + +5. + +An Instance of WIT in the _Opposition_, I remember to have read +somewhere in the _Spectators_; where Sir _Roger de Coverley_ +intimating the Splendor which the perverse Widow should have appear'd +in, if she had commenced Lady _Coverley_, says: + +_That he would have given her a_ Coalpit _to have kept her in_ clean +Linnen: _And that her Finger should have_ sparkled _with one hundred +of his richest_ Acres. + +The joint Introduction of these _opposite_ Objects, as a _Coalpit_ +with _clean Linnen_, and _dirty Acres_ with the _Lustre_ of a _Jewel_, +is _just_ in this Instance, as they really produce each other in their +Consequences; The _natural Opposition_ between them, which is strongly +_elucidated_ by their _Arrangement_ together, and at the same time +their _unexpected Connexion_ in their Consequences, strike us with a +_Surprize_, which exhibits the _Brilliancy_ and _Sparkling_ of WIT. + +There is also in this Instance, besides the WIT, a Spirit of +_Generosity_, and _Magnificence_, discover'd by Sir _Roger_, from +the known Value of a _Coalpit_, and of so many rich _Acres_. + +This Kind of WIT, resulting from the sudden _Arrangement_ together of +two _opposite_ Objects, is rarer, than that which is obtained from +two _similar_ Objects; It abounds with a high _Surprize_, and +_Brilliancy_; and also strongly _elucidates_ the _original_ Object, +from the _Contrast_ presented between _this_, and the _auxiliary_ one; +In the same manner as _White_ is more clearly set _off_, by being +arranged with _Black_. + +It may be proper to observe, that WIT, besides being struck out by +_just_, and _direct_ Introductions of _auxiliary_ Subjects, is also +sometimes obtain'd by _Transitions_ from one Subject to another, by +the Help of an _equivocal Word_; which like a _Bridge_, with two +Roads meeting at the End of it, leads to two different Places. +_Transitions_, thus made from the right Course, have indeed the +Pretence of being _natural_; but they ought always to lead us +to something _brilliant_ or poignant, in order to justify their +_Deviation_; and not to end only at a ridiculous PUN, void of all +Spirit and Poignancy. + +The WIT, in such Instances, results, as in all others, from the quick +_Arrangement_ together of two Subjects; But that, which was first +intended for the _original_ one, is dropped; And a new _original_ +Subject is started, through the _double Meaning_ of a Word, and +suddenly _enlighten'd_. + +To give a _trite_ Instance of this kind of WIT. + +A PEER coming out of the House of Lords, and wanting his Servant, +called out, _Where's my Fellow?_ To which another PEER, who stood by +him, returned, _Faith, my Lord, not in_ England. + +A Transition is here unexpededly made from the Sense intended in the +Question to another Point, through the double Meaning of the word +_Fellow_; it being obvious, that his Lordship's _Servant_ is the +Sense of the Word in the Question; and what Person is _like_ to his +Lordship, the Construction put upon it in the Answer: Thus a new +_original_ Subject is started, and being suddenly _arranged_ with all +that appear _similar_ to it, is _enlighten'd_ thereby, being found to +have no _equal_ in _England_. + +However, though WIT may be _thus_ struck out, and also appears in the +_Contrast_ with great _Brilliancy_, yet the highest and most perfect +Instances of it result from the sudden and _direct Arrangement_ +together of two Objects, which hold a perspicuous and splendid +_Agreement_ with each other; It is then adorn'd with the Charms of +_Propriety_, _Clearness_ and _Illustration_; It dispels the Darkness +around an Object, and presents it diftinctly and perfectly to our +View; chearing us with its _Lustre_, and at the same time informing us +with its _Light_. + +Thus, a Gentleman was observing, that _there was_ somewhat _extremely +pleasing in an excellent_ Understanding, _when it appeared in a +beautiful_ Person; To which another returned, _It is like a fine_ +Jewel _well set_; You are here pleased with the Happiness, Propriety, +and Splendor of this _new_ Object, which finely _elucidates_ the +original Sentiment;--In short, it is the Excellence of WIT, _to +present the_ first Image _again to your mind, with new unexpected_ +Clearness _and_ Advantage. + +It is also proper to add, that there may be WIT in a _Picture_, +_Landscape_, or in any _Prospect_, where a gay unexpected _Assemblage_ +of _similar_, or _opposite_ Objects, is presented. + + JUDGMENT, is the Faculty of discerning the various _Dimensions_, + and _Differences_, of Subjects. + + INVENTION is the Faculty of finding out new _Assortments_, and + _Combinations_, of _Ideas_. + + HUMOUR is any _whimsical Oddity_ or _Foible_, appearing in the + _Temper_ or _Conduct_ of a _Person_ in _real Life_. + +This _whimsical Oddity_ of Conduct, which generally arises from the +strange _Cast_, or _Turn_ of Mind of a _queer_ Person, may also result +from _accidental_ Mistakes and Embarrassments between other Persons; +who being misled by a wrong Information and Suspicion in regard to a +Circumstance, shall act towards each other upon this Occasion, in the +same _odd whimsical_ manner, as _queer_ Persons. + +If a _Person_ in real Life, discovers any odd and remarkable +_Features_ of Temper or Conduct, I call such a Person in the _Book_ +of _Mankind_, a _Character_. So that the chief Subjects of HUMOUR are +Persons in real Life, who are _Characters_. + +It is easy to be perceived, that HUMOUR, and WIT are extremely +different. + +HUMOUR appears only in the _Foibles_ and _whimsical Conduct_ of +_Persons_ in real Life; WIT appears in _Comparisons_, either between +_Persons_ in real Life, or between _other Subjects_. + +HUMOUR is the _whimsical Oddity_, or _Foible_, which fairly appears in +its Subject, of itself; whereas WIT, is the _Lustre_ which is thrown upon +_one_ Subject, by the _sudden Introduction_ of another Subject. + +To constitute HUMOUR, there need be no more than _one_ Object +concern'd, and this must be always some _Person_ in _real Life_;-- +whereas to produce WIT, there must be always _two_ Objects _arranged_ +together, and either or both of these may be _inanimate_. + +However, though HUMOUR and WIT are thus absolutely different in +themselves, yet we frequently see them blended together. + +Thus if any _Foible_ of a _Character_ in real Life is _directly_ +attacked, by pointing out the unexpected and ridiculous _Affinity_ it +bears to some _inanimate_ Circumstances, this Foible is then ridiculed +with WIT, from the _Comparison_ which is made.--At the same time, as +the _whimsical Oddity_ of a _Character_ in real Life is the _Ground_ +of the whole, there is also _Humour_ contain'd in the Attack. + +If instead of referring the _Foible_ of a Person to any _inanimate_ +Circumstance, the _Allusion_ had been made to any other ridiculous +_Person_ in _real Life_; As a _conceited Fellow_, perpetually +recommending his own Whims, to a _Quack-Doctor_;--This _Foible_ +will then be ridiculed with HUMOUR; which is likewise the original +_Ground_: At the same Time, from the _Comparison_ which is made, there +is apparently WIT in the Description. + +So that where-ever the _Foible_ of a _Character_ in real Life is +concern'd, there HUMOUR comes in; and wherever a sprightly unexpected +_Arrangement_ is presented of two _similar_, or _opposite_ Subjects, +whether animate or inanimate, there WIT is exhibited. + +HUMOUR and WIT, as they may thus both be united in the same Subject, +may also separately appear without the least Mixture together; that +is, there may be HUMOUR without WIT, and WIT without HUMOUR. + +Thus, if in order to expose the _Foible_ of a _Character_, a _real +Person_ is introduc'd, abounding in this _Foible_, gravely persisting +in it, and valuing himself upon the Merit of it, with great Self- +sufficiency, and Disdain of others; this _Foible_ is then solely +ridiculed with HUMOUR. + +Again, if a gay unexpected _Allusion_ is made from one _inanimate_ +Object to another, or from one _Person_ in _real_ Life to another, +without any Reference to their whimsical _Oddities_ or _Foibles_; +there WIT only appears.--Various Instances of which, independent of +HUMOUR, have been already exhibited. + +A _Man_ of WIT is + he, who is happy in _elucidating_ any Subject, _by a just and + unexpected Arrangement_ and _Comparison_ of it with another + Subject. + +It may be also proper to describe a _Man_ of HUMOUR, and an HUMOURIST, +which are very different Persons. + +A _Man_ of HUMOUR is + one, who can happily exhibit a weak and ridiculous _Character_ + in real Life, either by assuming it himself, or representing + another in it, so naturally, that the _whimsical Oddities,_ and + _Foibles,_ of that _Character,_ shall be palpably expos'd. + +Whereas an HUMOURIST + is a _Person_ in real Life, obstinately attached to sensible + peculiar _Oddities_ of his own genuine Growth, which appear in + his Temper and Conduct. + +In short, a _Man_ of _Humour_ is one, who can happily exhibit and +expose the Oddities and Foibles of an _Humourist_, or of other +_Characters_. + +The _Features_ of an HUMOURIST being very remarkable and singular, +seem justly to deserve an explicit Description. It is then to be +observ'd, that an _Humourist_, at the same time that he is guided in +his Manners and Actions by his own genuine original Fancy and Temper, +disdains all _Ostentation_; excepting that alone of his _Freedom_ and +_Independency_, which he is forward of shewing upon every Occasion, +without Ceremony; he is quite superior to the _Affectation_ of a +Virtue or Accomplishment, which he thinks does not belong to him; +scorns all _Imitation_ of others; and contemns the rest of the World +for being servilely obedient to Forms and Customs; disclaiming all +such Submission himself, and regulating his Conduct in general by his +own _Conviction_, + +The _Humourist_ is forward upon many Occasions to deliver his Opinion, +in a peremptory Manner, and before he is desir'd; but he gives it +sincerely, unbiass'd by _Fear_ or _Regard_, and then leaves it to the +Persons concern'd to determine for themselves; For he is more pleas'd +in the Bottom to find his Opinion _slighted_, and to see the Conduct +of others agreeable to that System of Folly and Weakness, which he has +established with himself, to be the Course of their Actions.--To view +a rational Conduct, even in pursuance of his own Advice, would greatly +disappoint him; and be a Contradiction to this _System_ he has laid +down;--Besides it would deprive him of an Occasion of gratifying his +Spleen, with the Contempt of that Folly, which he esteems to be +natural to the rest of Mankind; For he considers himself in the World, +like a _sober_ Person in the Company of Men, who are _drunken_ or +_mad_; He may advise them to be calm, and to avoid hurting themselves, +but he does not expect they will regard his Advice; On the +contrary, he is more pleas'd with observing their _Freaks_ and +_Extravagancies_.--It is from hence that he discourages and +depreciates all who pretend to _Discretion_; Persons of this Temper +not yielding him Sport or Diversion. + +It is certain that the _Humourist_ is excessively _proud_, and yet +without knowing or suspecting it. For from the Liberty which he +frankly allows to others, of rejecting his Opinion, he is fully +persuaded, that he is free from all _Pride_; But tho' he acts in this +Circumstance without over-bearing, it has already appear'd, not to be +the Effect of his _Humility_, but of a different Motive; a Pleasure +which he takes in observing the Extravagancies of others, rather +than their Discretion. But to demonstrate his _Pride_, besides the +peremptory Manner in which he delivers his Opinion, and conducts +himself upon every Occasion, without any Deference to others, there is +this Circumstance against him; that he is the most stung by a Defeat, +upon any Topic, of all Men living; And although he disregards +Accusations of Roughness and Oddity, and rather esteems them to +be meritorious; yet he will never admit, that he has been fairly +overthrown in a Debate. + +It is odd to observe how the _Humourist_ is affected by _contemptuous_ +Treatment. An Insult of this Sort, which justly excites the +_Resentment_ of others, _terrifies_ him: It sets him upon _suspecting_ +himself, and upon doubting whether he be really that Person of +superior Sense to the rest of the World, which he has long fancied. +The Apprehension, that he actually deserves the Contempt which is put +upon him, and that he is no more than one of the common Herd, almost +distracts him; And instead of violently depreciating, or attacking +again, the Person who has contemn'd him, he will incessantly court his +Favour and good Opinion, as a Cordial he wants, though without seeming +to do so. This is a very extraordinary Weakness, and such as the +_Humourist_ would be infinitely uneasy to find ever observ'd. + +The _Humourist_, though he quickly espies, and contemns the +_Contradictions_ of others, is yet wilfully attach'd to several +himself, which he will sometimes persue through a long Course of his +own Mortification.--It may be often observ'd, that he will avoid the +Company he likes, for fear they should think he needs their Support.-- +At the same time, if he happens to fall into Company, which he tallies +not with, instead of avoiding this Company, he will continually haunt +them: For he is anxious, lest any Imputation of a Defeat should stand +out against him, and extremely sollicitous to wipe it away; Besides, +he cannot endure it should be thought that he is driven from the Pit. +--Thus, in the first Instance, his _Pride_ shall persuade him to +neglect the Company he likes; and shall force him, in the last, to +follow the Company he hates and despises. + +It is also observable that the _Humourist_, though he makes it his +Point to regulate his Conduct only by his own Conviction, will +sometimes run counter to it, merely from his Disdain of all +_Imitation_. Thus he will persist in a wrong Course, which he knows +to be such, and refuse his Compliance with an Amendment offer'd by +others, rather than endure the Appearance of being an _Imitator_. This +is a _narrow_ Side of the _Humourist_; and whenever he is turn'd upon +it, he feels great Uneasiness himself. It strikes a durable Pain +into his Breast, like the constant gnawing of a Worm; and is one +considerable Source of that Stream of Peevishnesss incident to +_Humourists_. + +Upon the same Principle of scorning all _Imitation_, the _Humourist_ +seldom heartily assents to any speculative Opinion, which is deliver'd +by another; for he is above being inform'd or set right in his +Judgment by any Person, even by a Brother _Humourist_. If two of this +_Cast_ happen to meet, instead of uniting together, they are afraid of +each other; and you shall observe _one_, in order to court the good +Opinion of the _other_, produce a Specimen of his own Perfection as an +_Humourist_; by exhibiting some unusual Strain of _sensible Oddity_, +or by unexpectedly biting a poor _Insipid_; which the other +_Humourist_ shall answer again in the same manner, in order to +display _his_ Talents. + +These are the _Foibles_ and _narrow_ Whims of a perfect _Humourist_. +But, on the other hand, he stands upon a very enlarged Basis; Is a +Lover of Reason and Liberty; and scorns to flatter or betray; nor will +he falsify his Principles, to court the Favour of the Great. He is not +credulous, or fond of Religious or Philosophical Creeds or Creed- +makers; But then he never offers himself to forge Articles of Faith +for the rest of the World. Abounding in poignant and just Reflections; +The Guardian of Freedom, and Scourge of such as do wrong. It is _He_ +checks the Frauds, and curbs the Usurpations of every Profession. The +venal Biass of the assuming Judge, the cruel Pride of the starch'd +Priest, the empty Froth of the florid Counsellor, the false Importance +of the formal Man of Business, the specious Jargon of the grave +Physician, and the creeping Taste of the trifling Connoisseur, are all +bare to his Eye, and feel the Lash of his Censure; It is _He_ that +watches the daring Strides, and secret Mines of the ambitious Prince, +and desperate Minister: _He_ gives the Alarm, and prevents their +Mischief. Others there are who have Sense and Foresight; but _they_ +are brib'd by Hopes or Fears, or bound by softer Ties; It is _He_ +only, the _Humourist_, that has the Courage and Honesty to cry out, +unmov'd by personal Resentment: He flourishes only in a Land of +_Freedom_, and when _that_ ceases he dies too, the last and noblest +_Weed_ of the Soil of _Liberty_. + +It is a palpable _Absurdity_ to suppose a Person an _Humourist_, +without excellent Sense and Abilities; as much as to suppose a _Smith_ +in his full Business, without his _Hammers_ or _Forge_.--But the +_Humourist_, as he advances in Years, is apt to grow intolerable to +himself and the World; becoming at length, uneasy, and fatigued with +the constant View of the same Follies; like a Person who is tir'd +with seeing the same Tragi-Comedy continually acted. This sowres his +Temper; And unless some favorable Incidents happen to mellow him, he +resigns himself wholly to Peevishness.--By which Time he perceives +that the World is quite tir'd of _him_.--After which he drags on the +Remainder of his Life, in a State of _War_ with the rest of Mankind. + +The _Humourist_ is constitutionally, and also from Reflection, a Man +of _Sincerity_.--If he is a _Rogue_ upon any Occasion, he is more +wilfully one, and puts greater Violence upon himself in being such, +than the rest of the World; And though he may generally seem to have +little _Benevolence_, which is the common Objection against him, +it is only for want of proper Objects; for no Person has certainly +a quicker _Feeling_; And there are Instances frequent, of greater +Generosity and humane Warmth flowing from an _Humourist_, than are +capable of proceeding from a weak _Insipid_, who labours under a +continual Flux of Civility. + +Upon the whole, the _Humourist_ is perhaps the least of all others, +a _despicable_ Character. But Imitations, which are frequently seen +of this Character, are excessively despicable.--What can be more +ridiculous, than a Wretch setting up for an _Humourist_, merely upon +the Strength of disrelishing every Thing, without any Principle;--The +Servants, Drawers, Victuals, Weather,--and growling without Poignancy +of Sense, at every new Circumstance which appears, in public or +private. A perfect and compleat _Humourist_ is rarely to be found; +and when you hear his _Voice_, is a different Creature.--In writing to +_Englishmen_, who are generally tinged, deeply or slightly, with the +_Dye_ of the _Humourist_, it seem'd not improper to insist the longer +upon this Character; However, let none be too fond of it; For though +an _Humourist_ with his Roughness is greatly to be preferr'd to a +smooth _Insipid_, yet the Extremes of both are equally wretched: +_Ideots_ being only the lowest Scale of _Insipids_, as _Madmen_ are no +other than _Humourists_ in Excess. + +It may be proper to observe in this place, that though all +_Ostentation_, _Affectation_, and _Imitation_ are excluded from the +Composition of a perfect _Humourist_; yet as they are the obvious +_Foibles_ of some Persons in Life, they may justly be made the Subject +of _Humour_. + +For HUMOUR extensively and fully understood, is _any remarkable_ +Oddity _or_ Foible _belonging to a_ Person _in_ real Life; _whether +this_ Foible _be constitutional, habitual_, or _only affected; whether +partial in one or two Circumstances; or tinging the whole Temper and +Conduct of the_ Person. + +It has from hence been observ'd, that there is more HUMOUR in the +_English_ Comedies than in others; as we have more various odd +_Characters_ in real Life, than any other Nation, or perhaps than +all other Nations together. + +That HUMOUR gives more Delight, and leaves a more pleasurable +Impression behind it, than WIT, is universally felt and established; +Though the Reasons for this have not yet been assign'd.--I shall +therefore beg Leave to submit the following. + +1. HUMOUR is more _interesting_ than WIT in general, as the _Oddities_ +and _Foibles_ of _Persons_ in _real Life_ are more apt to affect our +Passions, than any Oppositions or Relations between _inanimate_ +Objects. + +2. HUMOUR is _Nature_, or what really appears in the Subject, without +any Embellishments; WIT only a Stroke of _Art_, where the original +Subject, being insufficient of itself, is garnished and deck'd with +auxiliary Objects. + +3. HUMOUR, or the Foible of a _Character_ in real Life, is usually +insisted upon for some Length of Time. From whence, and from the +common Knowledge of the Character, it is universally felt and +understood.--Whereas the Strokes of WIT are like sudden _Flashes_, +vanishing in an Instant, and usually flying too fast to be +sufficiently marked and pursued by the Audience. + +4. HUMOUR, if the Representation of it be just, is compleat and +perfect in its Kind, and entirely fair and unstrain'd.--Whereas in the +Allusions of WIT, the Affinity is generally imperfect and defective in +one Part or other; and even in those Points where the Affinity may be +allow'd to subsist, some Nicety and Strain is usually requir'd to make +it appear. + +5. HUMOUR generally appears in such Foibles, as each of the Company +thinks himself superior to.--Whereas WIT shews the Quickness and +Abilities of the Person who discovers it, and places him superior +to the rest of the Company. + +6. Humour, in the Representation of the _Foibles_ of _Persons_ in +_real Life_, frequently exhibits very _generous benevolent_ Sentiments +of the Heart; And these, tho' exerted in a particular odd Manner, +justly command our Fondness and Love.--Whereas in the Allusions of WIT, +_Severity_, _Bitterness_, and _Satire_, are frequently exhibited.--And +where these are avoided, not worthy amiable Sentiments of the _Heart_, +but quick unexpected Efforts of the _Fancy_, are presented. + +7. The odd Adventures, and Embarrassments, which _Persons_ in _real +Life_ are drawn into by their _Foibles_, are fit Subjects of _Mirth_. +--Whereas in pure WIT, the Allusions are rather _surprizing_, than +_mirthful_; and the _Agreements_ or _Contrasts_ which are started +between Objects, without any relation to the _Foibles_ of _Persons_ +in real Life, are more fit to be _admired_ for their _Happiness_ and +_Propriety_, than to excite our _Laughter_.--Besides, WIT, in the +frequent Repetition of it, tires the Imagination with its precipitate +Sallies and Flights; and teizes the Judgment.--Whereas HUMOUR, in the +Representation of it, puts no Fatigue upon the _Imagination_, and +gives exquisite Pleasure to the _Judgment_. + +These seem to me to be the different Powers and Effects of HUMOUR and +WIT. However, the most agreeable Representations or Competitions of +all others, appear not where they _separately_ exist, but where they +are _united_ together in the same Fabric; where HUMOUR is the _Ground- +work_ and chief Substance, and WIT happily spread, _quickens_ the +whole with Embellishments. + +This is the Excellency of the _Character_ of Sir _John Falstaff_; +the _Ground-work_ is _Humour_, the Representation and Detection of +a bragging and vaunting _Coward_ in _real Life_; However, this alone +would only have expos'd the _Knight_, as a meer _Noll Bluff_, to the +Derision of the Company; And after they had once been gratify'd with +his Chastisement, he would have sunk into Infamy, and become quite +odious and intolerable: But here the inimitable _Wit_ of Sir _John_ +comes in to his Support, and gives a new _Rise_ and _Lustre_ to his +Character; For the sake of his _Wit_ you forgive his _Cowardice_; or +rather, are fond of his _Cowardice_ for the Occasions it gives to his +_Wit_. In short, the _Humour_ furnishes a Subject and Spur to the +_Wit_, and the _Wit_ again supports and embellishes the _Humour_. + +At the _first_ Entrance of the _Knight_, your good Humour and Tendency +to _Mirth_ are irresistibly excited by his jolly Appearance and +Corpulency; you feel and acknowledge him, to be the fittest Subject +imaginable for yielding _Diversion_ and _Merriment_; but when you +see him immediately set up for _Enterprize_ and _Activity_, with his +evident _Weight_ and _Unweildiness_, your Attention is all call'd +forth, and you are eager to watch him to the End of his Adventures; +Your Imagination pointing out with a full Scope his future +Embarrassments. All the while as you accompany him forwards, he +_heightens_ your Relish for his future Disasters, by his happy Opinion +of his own Sufficiency, and the gay Vaunts which he makes of his +Talents and Accomplishments; so that at last when he falls into a +Scrape, your Expectation is exquisitely gratify'd, and you have the +full Pleasure of seeing all his trumpeted Honour laid in the Dust. +When in the midst of his Misfortunes, instead of being utterly +demolish'd and sunk, he rises again by the superior Force of his +_Wit_, and begins a _new_ Course with fresh Spirit and Alacrity; +This excites you the more to _renew_ the Chace, in full View of his +_second_ Defeat; out of which he recovers again, and triumphs with +new Pretensions and Boastings. After this he immediately starts upon +a _third_ Race, and so on; continually detected and caught, and +yet constantly extricating himself by his inimitable _Wit_ and +_Invention_; thus yielding a perpetual _Round_ of Sport and Diversion. + +Again, the genteel _Quality_ of Sir _John_ is of great Use in +supporting his Character; It prevents his _sinking_ too low after +several of his Misfortunes; Besides, you allow him, in consequence of +his _Rank_ and _Seniority_, the Privilege to dictate, and take the +Lead, and to rebuke others upon many Occasions; By this he is sav'd +from appearing too _nauseous_ and _impudent_. The good _Sense_ +which he possesses comes also to his Aid, and saves him from being +_despicable_, by forcing your Esteem for his real Abilities.--Again, +the _Privilege_ you allow him of rebuking and checking others, when he +assumes it with proper Firmness and Superiority, helps to _settle_ +anew, and _compose_ his Character after an Embarrassment; And reduces +in some measure the _Spirit_ of the Company to a proper _Level_, +before he sets out again upon a fresh Adventure;--without this, they +would be kept continually _strain'd_, and _wound up_ to the highest +Pitch, without sufficient Relief and Diversity. + +It may also deserve to be remark'd of _Falstaff_, that the _Figure_ +of his _Person_ is admirably suited to the _Turn_ of his _Mind_; so +that there arises before you a perpetual _Allusion_ from one to the +other, which forms an incessant Series of _Wit_, whether they are in +_Contrast_ or _Agreement_ together.--When he pretends to _Activity_, +there is _Wit_ in the _Contrast_ between his _Mind_ and his _Person_, +--And _Wit_ in their _Agreement_, when he triumphs in _Jollity_. + +To compleat the whole,--you have in this Character of _Falstaff_, +not only a free Course of _Humour_, supported and embellish'd with +admirable _Wit_; but this _Humour_ is of a Species the most _jovial_ +and _gay_ in all Nature.--Sir _Jobn Falstaff_ possesses Generosity, +Chearfulness, Alacrity, Invention, Frolic and Fancy superior to all +other Men;--The _Figure_ of his _Person_ is the Picture of Jollity, +Mirth, and Good-nature, and banishes at once all other Ideas from your +Breast; He is happy himself, and makes you happy.--If you examine him +further, he has no Fierceness, Reserve, Malice or Peevishness lurking +in his Heart; His Intentions are all pointed at innocent Riot and +Merriment; Nor has the Knight any inveterate Design, except against +_Sack_, and that too he _loves_.--If, besides this, he desires to +pass for a Man of _Activity_ and _Valour_, you can easily excuse so +harmless a _Foible_, which yields you the highest Pleasure in its +constant _Detection_. + +If you put all these together, it is impossible to _hate_ honest +_Jack Falstaff_; If you observe them again, it is impossible to avoid +_loving_ him; He is the gay, the witty, the frolicksome, happy, and +fat _Jack Falstaff_, the most delightful _Swaggerer_ in all Nature.-- +You must _love_ him for your _own_ sake,--At the same time you cannot +but _love_ him for _his own_ Talents; And when you have _enjoy'd_ +them, you cannot but _love_ him in _Gratitude_;--He has nothing to +disgust you, and every thing to give you Joy;--His _Sense_ and his +_Foibles_ are equally directed to advance your Pleasure; And it is +impossible to be tired or unhappy in his Company. + +This _jovial_ and _gay_ Humour, without any thing _envious_, +_malicious_, _mischievous_, or _despicable_, and continually +_quicken'd_ and adorn'd with _Wit_, yields that peculiar Delight, +without any _Alloy_, which we all feel and acknowledge in _Falstaff's_ +Company.--_Ben Johnson_ has _Humour_ in his _Characters_, drawn with +the most masterly Skill and Judgment; In Accuracy, Depth, Propriety, +and Truth, he has no _Superior_ or _Equal_ amongst _Ancients_ or +_Moderns_; But the _Characters_ he exhibits are of _satirical_, and +_deceitful_, or of a _peevish_ or _despicable_ Species; as _Volpone_, +_Subtle_, _Morose_, and _Abel Drugger_; In all of which there is +something very justly to be _hated_ or _despised_; And you feel +the same Sentiments of _Dislike_ for every other _Character_ of +_Johnson_'s; so that after you have been _gratify'd_ with their +_Detention_ and _Punishment_, you are quite tired and disgusted with +their Company:--Whereas _Shakespear_, besides the peculiar _Gaiety_ in +the _Humour_ of _Falstaff_, has guarded him from disgusting you with +his _forward Advances_, by giving him _Rank_ and _Quality_; from being +_despicable_ by his real good _Sense_ and excellent _Abilities_; from +being _odious_ by his _harmless Plots_ and _Designs_; and from being +_tiresome_ by his inimitable Wit, and his new and incessant _Sallies_ +of highest _Fancy_ and _Frolick_. + +This discovers the _Secret_ of carrying COMEDY to the highest Pitch of +Delight; Which lies + in drawing the Persons exhibited, with such chearful and amiable + _Oddities_ and _Foibles_, as you would chuse in your own + _Companions_ in _real Life; +--otherwise, tho' you may be diverted at first with the _Novelty_ of a +Character, and with a proper _Detection_ and _Ridicule_ of it, yet its +_Peevishness_, _Meanness_, or _Immorality_, will begin to disgust you +after a little Reflection, and become soon _tiresome_ and _odious_; It +being certain, that + whoever cannot be endured as an _accidental_ Companion in _real + Life_, will never become, for the very same Reasons, a _favorite + comic Character_ in the Theatre. + +This _Relish_ for _generous_ and _worthy_ Characters alone, which +we all feel upon the _Theatre_, where no Biass of Envy, Malice, or +personal Resentment draws us aside, seems to be some Evidence of our +_natural_ and _genuin_ Disposition to _Probity_ and _Virtue_; tho' the +Minds of most Persons being early and deeply _tinged_ with vicious +Passions, it is no wonder that _Stains_ have been generally mistaken +for _original Colours_. + +It may be added, that _Humour_ is the most exquisite and delightful, +when the _Oddities_ and _Foibles_ introduc'd are not _mischievous_ or +_sneaking_, but _free_, _jocund_, and _liberal_; and such as result +from a generous Flow of Spirits, and a warm universal _Benevolence_. + +It is obviously from hence, that the _Character_ of Sir _Roger_ de +_Coverly_ in the _Spectators_ is so extremely agreeable. His _Foibles_ +are all derived from some amiable Cause.--If he believes that _one +Englishman_ can conquer _two Frenchmen_, you laugh at his _Foible_, +and are fond of a _Weakness_ in the Knight, which proceeds from his +high Esteem of his _own Country-men_.--If he chuses you should employ +a _Waterman_ or _Porter_ with _one_ Leg, you readily excuse the +Inconvenience he puts you to, for his worthy regard to the Suffering +of a brave _Soldier_.--In short, though he is guilty of continual +Absurdities, and has little Understanding or real Abilities, you +cannot but _love_ and _esteem_ him, for his _Honour_, _Hospitality_, +and universal _Benevolence_. + +It is indeed true, that his _Dignity_, _Age_, and _Rank_ in his +Country, are of constant Service in _upholding_ his Character. +These are a perpetual _Guard_ to the Knight, and preserve him from +_Contempt_ upon many Occasions.--All which corresponds entirely with +the fore-going _Remark_. For you would be fond of Sir _Roger's_ +Acquaintaince and Company in _real Life_, as he is a Gentleman of +_Quality_ and _Virtue_; You love and admire him in the _Spectators_ +for the _same_ Reasons; And for these also he would become, if he was +rightly exhibited, a _favorite_ Character in the _Theatre_. + +It may be proper to observe in this Place, that the _Business_ +of COMEDY is to exhibit the whimsical _unmischievous Oddities_, +_Frolics,_ and _Foibles_ of _Persons_ in _real Life_; And also to +_expose_ and _ridicule_ their _real Follies_, _Meanness_, and _Vices_. +The _former_, it appears, is more pleasurable to the Audience, but the +_latter_ has the Merit of being more instructive. + +The _Business_ of TRAGEDY is to exhibit the _Instability_ of _human_ +Grandeur, and the unexpected _Misfortunes_ and _Distresses_ incident +to the _Innocent_ and _Worthy_ in all Stations.--And also to shew the +terrible Sallies and the miserable Issue and Punishment of ungovern'd +Passions and Wickedness.--The _former_ softens the Heart and fills it +with Compassion, Humility and Benevolence.--Compositions of this Sort +are the highest, most admirable, and useful in all Nature, when they +are finish'd with Propriety and Delicacy, and justly wrought up +with the Sublime and Simplicity.--The _latter_ Species of _Tragedy_ +terrifies and shocks us, in exhibiting both the Crimes and the +Punishments. It threatens us into Moderation and Justice, by shewing +the terrible Issue of their Contraries. Pieces of this Sort, conducted +with Propriety, and carrying Application to ourselves, can scarcely be +desireable; But as they are generally conducted, they amount only to +giving us an absurd Representation of a Murther committed by some +furious foaming _Basha_, or _Sultan_. + +To return.--_Johnson_ in his COMIC Scenes has expos'd and ridicul'd +_Folly_ and _Vice_; _Shakespear_ has usher'd in _Joy_, _Frolic_ and +_Happiness_.--The _Alchymist_, _Volpone_ and _Silent Woman_ of +_Johnson_, are most exquisite _Satires_. The _comic_ Entertainments of +_Shakespear_ are the highest Compositions of _Raillery_, _Wit_ +and _Humour_. _Johnson_ conveys some Lesson in every Character. +_Shakespear_ some new Species of Foible and Oddity. The one pointed +his Satire with masterly Skill; the other was inimitable in touching +the Strings of Delight. With _Johnson_ you are confin'd and +instructed, with _Shakespear_ unbent and dissolv'd in Joy. _Johnson_ +excellently concerts his Plots, and all his Characters unite in the +one Design. _Shakespear_ is superior to such Aid or Restraint; His +Characters continually sallying from one independent Scene to another, +and charming you in each with fresh Wit and Humour. + +It may be further remark'd, that _Johnson_ by pursuing the most useful +Intention of _Comedy_, is in Justice oblig'd to _hunt down_ and +_demolish_ his own Characters. Upon this Plan he must necessarily +expose them to your _Hatred_, and of course can never bring out an +amiable Person. His _Subtle_, and _Face_ are detected at last, and +become mean and despicable. Sir _Epicure Mammon_ is properly trick'd, +and goes off ridiculous and detestable. The _Puritan Elders_ suffer +for their Lust of Money, and are quite nauseous and abominable; And +his _Morose_ meets with a severe Punishment, after having sufficiently +tir'd you with his Peevishness.--But _Shakespear_, with happier +Insight, always supports his Characters in your _Favour_. His Justice +_Shallow_ withdraws before he is tedious; The _French_ Doctor, and +_Welch_ Parson, go off in full Vigour and Spirit; Ancient _Pistoll_ +indeed is scurvily treated; however, he keeps up his Spirits, and +continues to threaten so well, that you are still desirous of his +Company; and it is impossible to be tir'd or dull with the gay +unfading Evergreen _Falstaff_. + +But in remarking upon the Characters of _Johnson_, it would be unjust +to pass _Abel Drugger_ without notice; This is a little, mean, +sneaking, sordid Citizen, hearkening to a Couple of Sharpers, who +promise to make him rich; they can scarcely prevail upon him to resign +the least Tittle he possesses, though he is assur'd, it is in order to +get more; and your Diversion arises, from seeing him _wrung_ between +_Greediness_ to _get_ Money, and _Reluctance_ to _part_ with any for +that Purpose. His Covetousness continually prompts him to follow the +Conjurer, and puts him at the same Time upon endeavouring to stop his +Fees. All the while he is excellently managed, and spirited on +by _Face_. However, this Character upon the whole is _mean_ and +_despicable_, without any of that free spirituous jocund Humour +abounding in _Shakespear_. But having been strangely exhibited upon +the Theatre, a few Years ago, with odd Grimaces and extravagant +Gestures, it has been raised into more Attention than it justly +deserved; It is however to be acknowledg'd, that _Abel_ has no +Hatred, Malice or Immorality, nor any assuming Arrogance, Pertness +or Peevishness; And his eager Desire of getting and saving Money, by +Methods he thinks lawful, are excusable in a Person of his Business; +He is therefore not odious or detestable, but harmless and inoffensive +in private Life; and from thence, correspondent with the Rule already +laid down, he is the most capable of any of _Johnson_'s Characters, of +being a Favourite on the Theatre. + +It appears, that in Imagination, Invention, Jollity and gay Humour, +_Johnson_ had little Power; But _Shakespear_ unlimited Dominion. The +first was cautious and strict, not daring to sally beyond the Bounds +of Regularity. The other bold and impetuous, rejoicing like a Giant to +run his Course, through all the Mountains and Wilds of Nature and +Fancy. + +It requires an almost painful Attention to mark the Propriety and +Accuracy of _Johnson_, and your Satisfaction arises from Reflection +and Comparison; But the Fire and Invention of _Shakespear_ in an +Instant are shot into your Soul, and enlighten and chear the most +indolent Mind with their own Spirit and Lustre.--Upon the whole, +_Johnson_'s Compositions are like finished Cabinets, where every +Part is wrought up with the most excellent Skill and Exactness;-- +_Shakespear_'s like magnificent Castles, not perfectly finished or +regular, but adorn'd with such bold and magnificent Designs, as at +once delight and astonish you with their Beauty and Grandeur. + + + RAILLERY is a genteel poignant Attack of a _Person_ upon any + _slight Foibles_, _Oddities_, or _Embarrassments_ of his, in + which he is tender, or may be supposed to be tender, and + unwilling to come to a free Explanation. + + SATIRE is a witty and severe Attack of _mischievous Habits_ or + _Vices_; + + RIDICULE is a free _Attack_ of any _Motly Composition_, wherein a + real or affected _Excellence_ and _Defect_ both jointly appear, + _glaring_ together, and _mocking_ each other, in the same + _Subject_. + +Hence the Aim of _Raillery_, is to please you, by some little +_Embarrassment_ of a _Person_; Of _Satire_, to scourge _Vice_, and +to deliver it up to your just _Detestation_; And of _Ridicule_, to +set an Object in a mean ludicrous Light, so as to expose it to your +_Derision_ and _Contempt_. + +It appears therefore that _Raillery_ and _Ridicule_ differ in several +Circumstances. + +1. _Raillery_ can only be employ'd in relation to _Persons_, but +_Ridicule_ may be employ'd in what relates either to _Persons_, or +other _Objects_. + +2. _Raillery_ is us'd only upon _slight_ Subjects, where no real +Abilities or Merit are questioned, in order to avoid degrading the +Person you attack, or rendering him contemptible; Whereas _Ridicule_ +observes no such Decency, but endeavours really to degrade the Person +attack'd, and to render him contemptible. + +3. _Raillery_ may be pointed at a whimsical Circumstance, only because +a Person is known to be tender upon it; and your Pleasure will arise +from the _Embarrassment_ he suffers, in being put to an Explanation;-- +Thus a young Gentleman may be _rallied_ upon his Passion for a Lady;-- +At the same Time there may be no Ground for _Ridicule_ in this +Circumstance, as it may no way deserve your _Derision_ or _Contempt_. + +4. As it thus appears that there are Subjects of _Raillery_, into +which _Ridicule_ cannot justly be admitted; So there are Subjects +of _Ridicule_, wherein your Derision and Contempt are so strongly +excited, that they are too gross for _Raillery_;--As a person tossed +in a Blanket; or the unfortunate Attack which another has made upon a +Windmill. + +5. In short, _Raillery_, if the Adventures it is turn'd upon are +too _gross_ and _luscious_, becomes _Ridicule_; And therefore, in +Comparison together, _Raillery_ appears like _Wine_ of a thin Body, +and delicate poignant Flavour; _Ridicule_, like a _Wine_ which is +fuller, and more rich, and luscious. + +_Quixote_ is a Character, wherein _Humour_ and _Ridicule_ are finely +interwoven;--It is not a Subject of _Satire_, as the Knight is free +from all Badness of Heart, and Immorality; Nor properly of _Raillery_, +his Adventures in general being too _gross_ and _disastrous_;-- The +_Humour_ appears, in the Representation of a Person in real Life, +fancying himself to be, under the most solemn Obligations to attempt +_hardy_ Atchievements; and upon this Whimsy immediately pursuing the +most romantic Adventures, with great Gravity, Importance, and Self- +sufficiency; To heighten your Mirth, the _hardy_ Atchievements to be +accomplish'd by this Hero, are wittily contrasted by his own +meagre weak Figure, and the _desperate Unfierceness_ of his Steed +_Rozinante_;--The _Ridicule_ appears in the strange Absurdity of the +Attempts, upon which the Knight chuses to exercise his Prowess; Its +Poignancy is highly quicken'd, and consequently the Pleasure it gives +you, by his miserable Disasters, and the doleful Mortifications of all +his Importance and Dignity;--But here, after the Knight, by diverting +you in this manner, has brought himself down to the lowest Mark, he +rises again and forces your Esteem, by his excellent Sense, Learning +and Judgment, upon any Subjects which are not ally'd to his Errantry; +These continually act for the Advancement of his Character; And with +such Supports and Abilities he always obtains your ready Attention, +and never becomes heavy or tedious. + +To these you are to add the perfect _good Breeding_ and _Civility_ of +the Knight upon every Occasion; which are some Kind of Merit in his +Favour, and entitle him to Respect, by the Rules of common Gentility +and Decency; At the same time his Courage, his Honour, Generosity, +and Humanity, are conspicuous in every Act and Attempt; The _Foibles_ +which he possesses, besides giving you exquisite Pleasure, are wholly +inspir'd by these worthy Principles; Nor is there any thing base, or +detestable, in all his Temper or Conduct; It was from hence that the +DUKE and the DUTCHESS were extremely delighted with his Visit at their +_Castle_; And you yourself, if he existed in real Life, would be fond +of his Company at your own Table; which proves him, upon the whole, to +be an amiable Character;--It is therefore no wonder that Signior _Don +Quixote of la Mancha_ has been so courteously receiv'd in every +Country of _Europe_. + +Thus delightfully wrought, as this History is, with _Humour_ and +_Ridicule_, yet _Cervantes_, still fearful of tiring you with too much +of the _Errantry_, has introduc'd the most charming Variety of other +Adventures; --All along in the pacific Intervals, you are inform'd of +the private Occurrences between the Knight and his 'Squire; And from +these, where it is least to be expected, you are surpriz'd with the +most high and delicious Repast;-- Nothing can be more pregnant with +Mirth, than the Opposition continually working between the grave +Solemnity and Dignity of _Quixote_, and the arch Ribaldry and Meanness +of _Sancho_; And the Contrast can never be sufficiently admir'd, +between the _excellent fine Sense_ of the ONE, and the _dangerous +common Sense_ of the OTHER. + +It is here that the Genius and Power of _Cervantes_ is most admirably +shewn; He was the greatest Master that ever appear'd, in finely +opposing, and contrasting his Characters. It is from hence that you +feel a Poignancy and Relish in his Writings, which is not to be met +with in any others; The natural Reflexions and Debates of _Quixote_ +and _Sancho_ would have been barren, insipid, and trite, under other +Management; But _Cervantes_, by his excellent Skill in the _Contrast_, +has from these drawn a Regale, which for high, quick, racy Flavour, +and Spirit, has yet never been equall'd. + +It may here be enquir'd, What Species of Composition or Character is +the most pleasurable, and mirthful, in all Nature?--In _Falstaff_, +you have _Humour_ embelish'd with _Wit_; In _Quixote_, _Humour_ made +poignant with _Ridicule_; And it is certain that _Humour_ must always +be the Ground-work of such Subjects, no Oddities in inanimate Objects +being capable of interesting our Passions so strongly, as the Foibles +of Persons in real Life;--The chief Substance of _Johnson_'s +Compositions is _Humour_ and _Satire_; upon which Plan, as hath been +already observ'd, he is oblig'd to demolish, and render detestable, +his own Characters;--_Humour_ and _Raillery_ are also capable +of furnishing a Repast of quick Relish and Flavour; In written +Compositions, the Attack of the _Raillery_, as well as the Reception +of it, may be happily conducted, which in other accidental Encounters +are liable to Hazard; All Peevishness or Offence is thus easily +avoided, and the Character attack'd is sav'd from being really +contemptible;--But then indeed the Pleasure you are to receive +generally depends upon the Confusion of the Person attack'd, without +there being in reason a sufficient Cause for this Confusion;--It is +for want of this just Foundation, that the Pleasure arising from +_Raillery_ is apt to come forth with less Freedom, Fulness, and +Conviction, though with more Delicacy, than that which is derived +from _Wit_, or _Ridicule_;--However, _Humour_ and _Raillery_ united +together, when the _Raillery_ is founded upon some _real_ +Embarrassment in the Circumstance, as well as in the Confusion of the +Person attack'd, will furnish a very high Entertainment; which has +Pretensions to rival either _Humour_ and _Wit_, or _Humour_ and +_Ridicule_. + +To give an Instance of _Humour_ and _Raillery_, I shall insert +_Horace_'s famous Description of his Embarrassment with an impertinent +Fellow. This indeed is entitl'd, in almost all the Editions of +_Horace_, a _Satire_, but very improperly, as the Subject is not +_Vice_ or _Immorality_; + + Ibam forte via sacra, sicut meus est mos, + Nescio quid meditans nugarum, at totus in illis: + Accurrit quidam notus mihi nomine tantum; + Arreptaque manu, Quid agis, dulcissime rerum? + Suaviter, ut nunc est, inquam: & cupio omnia quae vis. + Cum affectaretur, Num quid vis? occupo. At ille, + Noris nos, inquit; docti sumus. Hic ego: Pluris + Hoc, inquam, mihi eris. Misere discedere quaerens, + Ire modo ocyus, interdum consistere: in aurem + Dicere nescio quid puero: cum sudor ad imos + Manaret talos. O te, Bollane, cerebri + Felicem: aiebam tacitus! Cum quidlibet ille + Garriret, vicos, urbem laudaret; ut illi + Nil respondebam: Misere cupis, inquit abire. + Jamdudum video: sed nil agis: usque tenebo: + Persequar: hinc quo nunc iter est tibi? Nil opus est te + Circumagi: quemdam volo visere, non tibi notum: + Trans Tiberim longe cubat is, prope Caesaris hortos. + Nil habeo quod agam, & non sum piger: usque sequar te, + Demitto auriculas ut iniquae mentis asellus, + Cum gravius dorso subiit onus. Incipit ille: + Si bene me novi, non Viscum pluris amicum, + Non Varium facies; nam quis me scribere plures + Aut citius possit versus? quis membra movere + Mollius? invideat quod & Hermogenes, ego canto. + Interpellandi locus hic erat: Est tibi mater, + Cognati, queis te salvo est opus? Haud mihi quisquam: + Omnes composui. Felices! nunc ego resto: + Confice: namque instat fatum mihi triste, Sabella + Quod puero cecinit divina mota anus urna, + Hunc neque dira venena, nec hosticus auferret ensis, + Nec laterum dolor, aut tussis, nec tarda podagra; + Garrulus hunc quando consumet cumque loquaces. + Si sapiat, vitet, simul atque adoleverit aetas. + Ventum erat ad Vestae, quarta jam parte diei + Praeterita; & casu tunc respondere vadato + Debebat: quod ni fecisset, perdere litem. + Si me amas, inquit, paulum hic ades. Inteream, si + Aut valeo stare, aut novi civilia jura: + Et propero quo scis. Dubius sum quid faciam, inquit; + Tene relinquam, an rem. Me, sodes. Non faciam, ille; + Et praecedere coepit. Ego, ut contendere durum est + Cum victore, sequor. Mecaenas quomodo tecum? + Hinc repetit. Paucorum hominum, & mentis bene sanae. + Nemo dexterius fortuna est usus. Haberes + Magnum adjutorem, posset qui ferre secundas, + Hunc hominem velles si tradere: dispeream, ni + Summosses omnes. Non isto vivimus illic + Quo tu rere modo, domus hac nec purior ulla est, + Nec magis his aliena malis: nil mi officit unquam, + Ditior hic, aut est quia doctior: est locus uni + Cuique suus. Magnum narras, vix credibile. Atqui + Sic habet. Accendis, quare cupiam magis illi + Proximus esse. Veils tantummodo: quae tua virtus, + Expugnabis; & est qui vinci possit: eoque + Difficiles aditus primos habet. Haud mihi deero, + Muneribus servos corrumpam: non, hodie si + Exclusus fuero, desistam: tempera quaeram: + Occurram in triviis: deducam. Nil sine magno + Vita labore dedit mortalibus. Haec dum agit, ecce + Fuscus Aristius occurrit mihi carus, & illum + Qui pulchre nosset. Consistimus. Unde venis? & + Quo tendis? rogat, & respondet. Vellere coepi, + Et prensare manu lentissima brachia, nutans, + Distorquens oculos, ut me eriperet. Male salsus + Ridens dissimulare: mecum jecur urere bilis. + Certe nescio quid secreto velle loqui te + Aiebas mecum. Memini bene; sed meliori + Tempora dicam: hodie tricesima sabbata, vin'tu + Curtis Judaeis oppedere? Nulla mihi, inquam, + Religio est. At mi, sum paulo infirmior; unus + Multorum ignosces; alias loquar. Hunccine solem + Tam nigrum surrexe mihi: Fugit improbus, ac me + Sub cultro linquit. Casu venit obvius illi + Adversarius; &, Quo tu turpissime! magna + Inclamat voce; &, Licet antestari? Ego vero + Oppono auriculam; rapit in jus. Clamor utrinque + Undique concursus. Sic me servavit _Apollo_. + +[Transcriber's Note: +See end of _Essay_ for translation information.] + +The Intention of _Horace_ in this Piece, is to expose an _impertinent_ +Fellow, and to give a ludicrous Detail of his own _Embarrassment_; +Your Pleasure arises from the View which he gives you of his own +Mortification, whereby he lays himself fairly open to your _Raillery_; +This is the more poignant, and quick, from the real Distress which you +see he endur'd, in this odd Attack; At the same Time the particular Turn +of the Fellow, who chose in this Manner to pin himself upon another, is +a very odd Species of impertinent _Humour_.--This Piece, as it stands, +irresistibly forces your Mirth, and shakes you with Laughter; But to +a Person of Discernment, it is chiefly at _Horace_'s Expence; Who in +receiving and enduring such insolent Treatment, appears in a Light too +low and ridiculous, though he has thought fit himself to exhibit the +Scene again for the Diversion of the Public; + +The + Misere, cupis, ---- abire, + Jamdudum video, sed nil agis, usque tenebo, + Persequar;-- + +was an absolute Insult; And very unfit to be related by the Person +who suffer'd it, as a Matter of Merriment;--Besides this Tameness +of _Horace_, the Impudence of the Fellow is excessively nauseous and +disgusting at the Bottom, though the whole carries a Froth of _Raillery_ +and _Humour_ upon the Surface. + +The Truth is, that this Piece, as it stands, would have properly +proceeded from another Person, who had intended to expose the +Impertinence and Impudence of the Fellow, and freely to _rally_ poor +_Horace_, with some Mixture of _Ridicule_, upon his unfortunate +Embarrassment; upon this Basis it will appear with Propriety; Without +which all Compositions of _Wit_, or _Humour_, or _Taste_, tho' at +first they may pleasurably strike the Fancy or Sight, are at last +disgusting to the Judgment. + +Having here occasionally offer'd some Remarks upon this Composition, +as it now stands, it may be proper to point out the Manner in which +the _Humour_ and _Raillery_ of such an Embarrassment, might have been +carried to the highest Pitch; And the Description of it have been +given by _Horace_ himself, without any Diminution of his own Gentility +or Importance;--Imagine then that he had been join'd in his Walk by a +weak, ignorant Person, of Good-nature, and the utmost Civility; one +who fancy'd himself possessed of the greatest Talents, and fully +persuaded that he gave all he convers'd with a particular Pleasure;-- +Upon such an Attack, no Resentment or Anger could have been decently +shewn by _Horace_, As the Person thus pestering him, was all the while +intending the highest Compliment; And must therefore be received, and +attended to, with perfect Complaisance; The _Humour_ of this Person +would have been very entertaining, in the strange Conceit which he +held of his own Abilities, and of the paticular Pleasure he was +granting to _Horace_, in condescending to give him so much of his +Company; In these Sentiments he should regard all _Horace_'s Excuses, +Endeavours, and Struggles to be gone, as Expressions of his Sense of +the Honour done him; which should be an Argument with this Person for +obstinately persisting to honour him still further; All the while he +must be supported by some _real Importance_ belonging to him, attended +with _good Breeding_, and strengthened by such occasional Instances +of _Sense_, as may secure him from being trampled upon, or becoming +absolutely contemptible; In such an Adventure the Mortification, and +Distress of _Horace_, would be excessively whimsical and severe; +especially as he would be depriv'd of all Succour and Relief; being in +Decency oblig'd, not only to suppress all Anger or Uneasiness, but, +what is exquisitely quick, to receive this whole Treatment with the +utmost Complacency; An _Embarrassment_ of this sort, finely described, +would have yielded the greatest Pleasure to the Reader, and carried +the _Raillery_ upon _Horace_, without hurting or degrading him, to the +highest Degree of _Poignancy_; And from hence may be conceiv'd, what +delightful Entertainments are capable of being drawn from _Humour_ and +_Raillery_. + +It is also easy to apprehend, that the several Subjects of _Wit_, +_Humour_, _Raillery_, _Satire_, and _Ridicule_, appear not only +_singly_ upon many Occasions, or _two_ of them combined together, +but are also frequently united in other Combinations, which are +more _complicate_; An Instance of the Union together of _Humour_, +_Raillery_, and _Ridicule_, I remember to have read somewhere +in _Voiture_'s Letters; He is in _Spain_, and upon the Point of +proceeding from thence to some other Place in an _English_ Vessel; +After he has written this Account of himself to a Lady at _Paris_, +he proceeds in his Letter to this Purpose; + + "You may perhaps apprehend, that I shall be in some Danger this + Voyage, of falling into the Hands of a _Barbary_ Corsair; But to + relieve you from all such Fears, I shall beg Leave to tell you, + what my honest Captain has inform'd me himself, for my own + Satisfaction; He suspected, it seems, that I might have some + Uneasiness upon this Head; and has therefore privately assured + me, that I have no need to be afraid of being taken with him; for + that whenever it is likely to come to this, he will infallibly + blow up the Ship with his own Hands;--After this, I presume, you + will be perfectly easy, that I am in no Danger of going to + _Sallee_;" + +This is exquisitely _rich_; The brave and odd Fancy of the _English_ +Captain, in finding out for himself, and _privately_ communicating to +_Voiture_, this Method of Security from Slavery, abounds with the +highest _Humour_; At the same time the honest Tar, as a _Projecter_, +is excessively open to _Ridicule_, for his Scheme to blow them all +up, in order to prevent their being taken Prisoners; There is besides +these, a very full _Raillery_, which _Voiture_ here opens upon +_himself_; For as this Adventure, which he is going to be engaged in, +has been attended, as yet, with no Mischief; nor is certain to be so, +the whole is to be consider'd, at present, as only a slight Scrape; +especially as he exhibits it in this manner himself, and invites you +to make it the Object of your Pleasure, and _Raillery_;--It may also +be observ'd, that the _Humour_ in this Subject, which flows from the +_Captain_, is adorn'd with a very peculiar, and pleasing _Propriety_; +As it is not barely a _Whim_, or the Result of an _odd Sourness_ or +_queer Pride_, but the Effect of his _Courage_, and of that Freedom +from all Terror at Death, which is perfectly amiable in his Character. + +There are other Combinations of _Wit_, _Humour_, _Raillery_, _Satire_, +and _Ridicule_, where _four_ of them, or all _five_, are united in +one Subject;--Like various _Notes_ in _Music_, sounding together, and +jointly composing one exquisite Piece of Harmony;--Or like different +_Rays_ of _Light_, shining together in one _Rainbow_: It is pleasant +to _divide_ these _Combinations_, and to view as with a _Prism_, the +different Rays united in each; of which _Humour_, like the _Red_, is +eminent for its superior Force and Excellence;--When the Judgment is +thus capable of parting, and easily assigning the several Quantities, +and Proportions of each, it heightens our Pleasure, and gives us an +absolute Command over the Subject; But they are often so intimately +mix'd, and blended together, that it is difficult to separate them +clearly, tho' they are all certainly felt in the same Piece;--Like +the different _Flavours_ of rich _Fruits_, which are inseparably +mix'd, yet all perfectly tasted, in one _Pine-Apple_. + +_Raillery_, and _Satire_, are extremely different; + +1. _Raillery_, is a genteel poignant Attack of _slight_ Foibles and +Oddities; _Satire_ a witty and severe Attack of _mischievous_ Habits +and Vices. + +2. The _Intention_ of _Raillery_, is to procure your _Pleasure_, by +exposing the little Embarrassment of a Person; But the _Intention_ +of _Satire_, is to raise your _Detestation_, by exposing the real +Deformity of his Vices. + +3. If in _Raillery_ the Sting be given too deep and severe, it +will sink into Malice and Rudeness, And your Pleasure will not be +justifiable; But _Satire_, the more deep and severe the Sting of it +is, will be the more excellent; Its Intention being entirely to root +out and destroy the Vice. + +4. It is a just Maxim upon these Subjects, that in _Raillery_ a +good-natur'd Esteem ought always to appear, without any Resentment +or Bitterness; In _Satire_ a generous free Indignation, without any +sneaking Fear or Tenderness; It being a sort of partaking in the Guilt +to keep any Terms with Vices. + +It is from hence that _Juvenal_, as a _Satirist_, is greatly superior +to _Horace_; But indeed many of the short Compositions of _Horace_, +which are indiscriminately ranged together, under the general Name +of _Satires_, are not properly such, but Pieces of _Raillery_ or +_Ridicule_. + +As _Raillery_, in order to be decent, can only be exercised upon +_slight_ Misfortunes and Foibles, attended with no deep Mischief, nor +with any Reproach upon real Merit, so it ought only to be used between +_Equals_ and _Intimates_; It being evidently a Liberty too great to +be taken by an _Inferior_; and too inequitable to be taken by a +_Superior_, as his Rank shields him from any Return. + +_Raillery_ is the most agreeable, when it is founded on a _slight_ +Embarrassment or Foible, which upon being unfolded, appears to have +arisen from the _real Merit_, or from the _Excess_ of any _Virtue_, +in the Person attack'd. + +But yet this Embarrassment must always be _real_, and attended with +the Chagrin or Confusion of the _rally'd_ Person, or capable of being +fairly suppos'd to have been so; otherwise the Attack will be void of +all Poignancy, and Pleasure to the Company; And evaporate either into +_indirect Flattery_, or else into the _Insipid_. + +Thus, to attack a _fine Lady_ upon the Enemies she has made, by the +mischievous Effects of her Beauty, will be properly genteel indirect +_Flattery_--if it be well conducted,--otherwise, the _Insipid_; But +it cannot be deem'd _Raillery_; It being impossible to suppose the +Lady _really_ chagrin'd by such an imaginary Misfortune, or uneasy +at any Explanation upon this Subject; + +_Raillery_ ought soon to be ended; For by long keeping the Person +attack'd, even in a _slight_ Pain, and continuing to dwell upon +his Mis-adventures, you become rude and ill-natur'd;--Or if the +_Raillery_ be only turn'd upon an Embarrassment, arising from the +Excess of Merit or Abilities, Yet if it be long confined upon the same +Subject, the Person it is pointed at, will either suspect that your +Aim is, to leave some _Impression_ against him, or else that you are +designing him a tedious dark _Compliment_; And accordingly he will +either regard you with Hatred or Contempt;--Much less should a +Person, who introduces himself as a Subject of _Raillery_, insist long +upon it; For either he will be offensive in engrossing all Attention +to himself; or if the Company are pleas'd, it must be by his +Buffoonery. + +The Difference between _Satire_, and _Ridicule_, has been already +pointed out;--_Satire_ being always concerned with the _Vices_ of +_Persons_;--Whereas _Ridicule_ is justly employ'd, not upon the +_Vices_, but the _Foibles_ or _Meannesses_ of _Persons_, And also upon +the _Improprieties_ of other Subjects; And is directed, not to raise +your _Detestation_, but your _Derision_ and _Contempt_;--It being +evident that _Immoralities_ and _Vice_ are too _detestable_ for +_Ridicule_, and are therefore properly the Subject of _Satire_; +Whereas _Foibles_ and _Meannesses_ are too _harmless_ for _Satire_, +and deserve only to be treated with _Ridicule_. + +The usual Artillery of _Ridicule_ is _Wit_; whereby the _Affinity_ +or _Coincidence_ of any Object with others, which are absurd and +contemptible, is unexpectedly exhibited;--There is also another, very +forcible, Manner in which _Ridicule_ may act; And that is by employing +_Humour_ alone; Thus the Foible or Queerness of any Person will be +most fully _ridicul'd_, by naturally dressing yourself, or any other +Person in that Foible, and exerting its full Strength and Vigour. + + The POLITENESS of a Subject is the _Freedom_ of that Subject + from all _Indelicacy_, Aukardness_, and _Roughness_. + + GOOD BREEDING consists in a _respectful_ Carriage to others, + accompany'd with _Ease_ and _Politeness_. + +It appears from hence that GOOD BREEDING and POLITENESS differ in +this; that GOOD BREEDING relates only to the Manners of _Persons_ +in their Commerce together; Whereas Politeness may relate also to +_Books_, as well as to _Persons_, or to any Subjects of Taste and +Ornament. + +So that _Politeness_ may subsist in a Subject, as in a _Cornish_, or +_Architrave_, where _good Breeding_ can't enter; But it is impossible +for _good Breeding_ to be offer'd without _Politeness_. + +At the same time _good Breeding_ is not to be understood, as merely +the _Politeness_ of _Persons_; But as _Respect_, tender'd with +_Politeness_, in the Commerce between _Persons_. + +It is easy to perceive, that _good Breeding_ is a different Behaviour +in different Countries, and in the same Countries at different +Periods, according to the Manners which are us'd amongst _polite_ +Persons of those Places and Seasons. + +In _England_ the chief Point of it _formerly_ was plac'd, in carrying +a _Respect_ in our Manners to all we convers'd with; whence every +Omission of the slightest Ceremony, as it might be construed into +a want of _Respect_, was particularly to be avoided; So that _good +Breeding_ became then + a precise Observance and Exercise of all the Motions and + Ceremonies, expressive of Respect, which might justly be paid + to every Person; +--This, as it is easy to imagine, requir'd much Nicety in the +Adjustment upon many Occasions, and created immense Trouble and +Constraint, and most ridiculous Embarrassments. + +However, these Modes of _good Breeding_ were not to be abolished, +as it was impossible to dispense with the _Respect_ annex'd to them, +without some further Pretence than of their _Inconvenience_ only; +which no Person could decently urge, or admit in his own behalf, +when it was his Province to pay any Ceremonies to another; In this +Difficulty it was at last happily observ'd, for the Advantage of +genteel Commerce and Society, that _whatever gives Trouble, is +inconsistent with Respect_; Upon which Foundation, all Ceremonies +which create Embarrassments or Trouble to either Side, are now justly +exploded; And the _Ease_ of each other is the Point most peculiarly +consulted by _well-bred_ Persons. + +If this Attention to _Ease_ was properly conducted, so that it might +always appear to have _Respect_ for its Motive; And only to act in +Obedience to _that_, as the ruling Principle, it would then comprehend +the just Plan of _good Breeding_; But as _this_ was formerly +encumber'd with Ceremonies and Embarrassments, so the modern _good +Breeding_ perhaps deviates too far into Negligence and Disregard; +--A Fault more unpardonable than the former; As an Inconvenience, +evidently proceeding from the _Respect_ which is paid to us, may be +easily excus'd; But a Freedom, which carries the Air of _Neglect_ with +it, gives a lasting Offence. + + BEAUTY is the delightful _Effect_ which arises from the + _joint Order_, _Proportion_, and _Harmony_ of all the Parts + of an _Object_. +And + to have a good TASTE, is to have a just _Relish_ of BEAUTY. + + * * * * * + +[Transcriber's Note: + +Translations of Horace _Satire_ I.9 are available from Project +Gutenberg as e-text 5419 (verse translation, plain text) or +14020 (prose translation, text or html).] + + * * * * * + * * * * + * * * * * + +[CORBYN MORRIS] + +An / Essay / Towards Fixing the / True Standards / of / Wit, Humour, +Raillery, / Satire, and Ridicule. / To which is Added, an / Analysis / +Of the Characters of / An Humourist, Sir John Falstaff, Sir Roger / De +Coverly, and Don Quixote. / Inscribed, to the Right Honorable / Robert +Earl of Orford. / [rule] / By the Author of a / Letter from a By- +Stander. / [rule] /--Jacta est Alea. / [double rule] / London: / +Printed for J. Roberts, at the Oxford-Arms, in War- / wick-lane; and +W. Bickerton, In the Temple-Ex- / change, near the Inner-Temple-Gate, +Fleet-street. / M DCC XLIV. [Price 2 s.] / + +Collation: A, a-c, in fours; d in two; a-d, in fours; B-K in fours; +L in two. A, title; verso blank; A^2-d, dedication; d^2 erratum and +advertisements; a-d^4, Introduction; B-L^2, text. + +The first edition. A second edition was published in 1758. + +Colton Storm +Clements Library + + * * * * * + + + ANNOUNCING + + the + + _Publications_ + + + of + + + THE AUGUSTAN + + REPRINT SOCIETY + + + +_General Editors_ + +RICHARD C. BOYS +EDWARD NILES HOOKER +H.T. SWEDENBERG, JR. + + + * * * * * + + + _THE AUGUSTAN REPRINT SOCIETY_ + + Makes Available + + + _Inexpensive Reprints of Rare Materials_ + + + from + + ENGLISH LITERATURE OF THE + + SEVENTEENTH AND EIGHTEENTH CENTURIES + + +Students, scholars, and bibliographers of literature, history, and +philology will find the publications valuable. _The Johnsonian News +Letter_ has said of them: "Excellent facsimiles, and cheap in price, +these represent the triumph of modern scientific reproduction. Be sure +to become a subscriber; and take it upon yourself to see that your +college library is on the mailing list." + +The Augustan Reprint Society is a non-profit, scholarly organization, +run without overhead expense. By careful management it is able to +offer at least six publications each year at the unusually low +membership fee of $2.50 per year in the United States and Canada, and +$2.75 in Great Britain and the continent. + +Libraries as well as individuals are eligible for membership. Since +the publications are issued without profit, however, no discount can +be allowed to libraries, agents, or booksellers. + +New members may still obtain a complete run of the first year's +publications for $2.50, the annual membership fee. + +During the first two years the publications are issued in three +series: I. Essays on Wit; II. Essays on Poetry and Language; and III. +Essays on the Stage. + + * * * * * + + +PUBLICATIONS FOR THE FIRST YEAR (1946-1947) + +MAY, 1946: Series I, No. 1--Richard Blackmore's _Essay upon Wit_ +(1716), and Addison's _Freeholder_ No. 45 (1716). + +JULY, 1946: Series II, No. 1--Samuel Cobb's _Of Poetry_ and +_Discourse on Criticism_ (1707) + +SEPT., 1946: Series III, No. 1--Anon., _Letter to A.H. Esq.; +concerning the Stage_ (1698), and Richard Willis' _Occasional Paper_ +No. IX (1698). + +NOV., 1946: Series I, No. 2--Anon., _Essay on Wit_ (1748), together +with Characters by Flecknoe, and Joseph Warton's _Adventurer_ Nos. 127 +and 133. + +JAN., 1947: Series II, No. 2--Samuel Wesley's _Epistle to a Friend +Concerning Poetry_ (1700) and _Essay on Heroic Poetry_ (1693). + +MARCH, 1947: Series III, No. 2--Anon., _Representation of the Impiety +and Immorality of the Stage_ (1704) and anon., _Some Thoughts +Concerning the Stage_ (1704). + + +PUBLICATIONS FOR THE SECOND YEAR (1947-1948) + +MAY, 1947: Series I, No. 3--John Gay's _The Present State of Wit_; +and a section on Wit from _The English Theophrastus_. With an +Introduction by Donald Bond. + +JULY, 1947: Series II, No. 3--Rapin's _De Carmine Pastorali_, +translated by Creech. With an Introduction by J. E. Congleton. + +SEPT., 1947: Series III, No. 3--T. Hanmer's (?) _Some Remarks on the +Tragedy of Hamlet_. With an Introduction by Clarence D. Thorpe. + +NOV., 1947: Series I, No. 4--Corbyn Morris' _Essay towards Fixing the +True Standards of Wit_, etc. With an Introduction by James L. +Clifford. + +JAN., 1948: Series II, No. 4--Thomas Purney's _Discourse on the +Pastoral_. With an Introduction by Earl Wasserman. + +MARCH, 1948: Series III, No. 4--Essays on the Stage, selected, with +an Introduction by Joseph Wood Krutch. + + +The list of publications is subject to modification in response to +requests by members. From time to time Bibliographical Notes will be +included in the issues. Each issue contains an Introduction by a +scholar of special competence in the field represented. + +The Augustan Reprints are available only to members. 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