From e96455d6270c9e00a47bed10cc2b09de70dba861 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Roger Frank Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2025 04:48:25 -0700 Subject: initial commit of ebook 16233 --- .gitattributes | 3 + 16233-8.txt | 3035 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 16233-8.zip | Bin 0 -> 59990 bytes 16233-h.zip | Bin 0 -> 65457 bytes 16233-h/16233-h.htm | 3800 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 16233.txt | 3035 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 16233.zip | Bin 0 -> 59909 bytes LICENSE.txt | 11 + README.md | 2 + 9 files changed, 9886 insertions(+) create mode 100644 .gitattributes create mode 100644 16233-8.txt create mode 100644 16233-8.zip create mode 100644 16233-h.zip create mode 100644 16233-h/16233-h.htm create mode 100644 16233.txt create mode 100644 16233.zip create mode 100644 LICENSE.txt create mode 100644 README.md 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_ 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 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 fortè 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. Hìc ego: Pluris + Hoc, inquam, mihi eris. Miserè discedere quærens, + Ire modò ocyùs, interdum consistere: in aurem + Dicere nescio quid puero: cùm sudor ad imos + Manaret talos. O te, Bollane, cerebri + Felicem: aiebam tacitus! Cùm quidlibet ille + Garriret, vicos, urbem laudaret; ut illi + Nil respondebam: Miserè cupis, inquit abire. + Jamdudum video: sed nil agis: usque tenebo: + Persequar: hinc quò nunc iter est tibi? Nil opus est te + Circumagi: quemdam volo visere, non tibi notum: + Trans Tiberim longè cubat is, propè Cæsaris hortos. + Nil habeo quod agam, & non sum piger: usque sequar te, + Demitto auriculas ut iniquæ mentis asellus, + Cùm gravius dorso subiit onus. Incipit ille: + Si benè me novi, non Viscum pluris amicum, + Non Varium facies; nam quis me scribere plures + Aut citiùs 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 + Quòd 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: quòd ni fecisset, perdere litem. + Si me amas, inquit, paulùm hîc ades. Inteream, si + Aut valeo stare, aut novi civilia jura: + Et propero quò scis. Dubius sum quid faciam, inquit; + Tenè 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 benè sanæ. + Nemo dexteriùs fortuna est usus. Haberes + Magnum adjutorem, posset qui ferre secundas, + Hunc hominem velles si tradere: dispeream, ni + Summôsses omnes. Non isto vivimus illic + Quò 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 tantummodò: 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 pulchrè nôsset. Consistimus. Unde venis? & + Quo tendis? rogat, & respondet. Vellere coepi, + Et prensare manu lentissima brachia, nutans, + Distorquens oculos, ut me eriperet. Malè salsus + Ridens dissimulare: mecum jecur urere bilis. + Certè nescio quid secretò velle loqui te + Aiebas mecum. Memini benè; 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; aliàs loquar. Hunccine solem + Tam nigrum surrexe mihi: Fugit improbus, ac me + Sub cultro linquit. Casu venit obvius illi + Adversarius; &, Quò tu turpissime! magnâ + Inclamat voce; &, Licet antestari? Ego verò + 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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+
+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 One:
+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
+
+

+
+
Editor's Introduction
+
+Errata
+
+Title Page
+
+Author's Introduction
+
+ Cowley, Ode upon Wit
+
+Essay on Wit
+
+ Horace, Satire I.9
+
+Bibliographic Note
+
+
+ + 
 +

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 -2- +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).
+
+-3- +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. -4-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, -5-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.
+
+25 May, 1744
+  I am, &c
+   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.
+
+-6-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, 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 -7-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. A few +typographical errors have also been corrected in the Essay +itself. Changes to the text are marked like this.]
+
+

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.
+page 6, line 12, should read "Walpole is praised for not curbing +the press while necessarily 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:
+(as noted by transcriber)		page ix--Greek epidexioi may have +been printed epidezioi; letter-form is +ambiguous
+page 14--"Oddistie" changed to "Oddities"
+page 20 and elsewhere--"Biass" is an attested variant +spelling
+page 25--"teizes" (modern "teases") is an attested variant +spelling
+page 40--"Quoxote" changed to "Quixote"
+
+ +
+
+ 
 +

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 JohnFalstaff, +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.]

+
+a +i + 
 +

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.

+ +ii +

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.

+ +iii + 
 +

O D E
+O F 
+W I T. 

+
+
+    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.
+iv +
+    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.
+v +
+    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)
+vi +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.

+ +vii +
+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: +viii +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 +b +ix +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 +x +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.

+ +b2 +xi +

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.

+ +xii +

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 +xiii +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 +xiv +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 +xv +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 +xvi +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 +c +xvii +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 +xviii +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 +c2 +xix +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 +xx +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 +xxi +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 xxiiHumour, 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 xxiiiin 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 +xxivby 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 +d +xxv +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 xxvimore +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.

+ +d2 +xvii +

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 Monxviiister 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;

+xxix +
+ ----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 Hoxxxrace'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 +xxxi +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 unxxxiiderstand, 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.

+
+

+*&emsp&emsp*&emsp&emsp*&emsp&emsp*&emsp&emsp*
+*&emsp&emsp*&emsp&emsp*&emsp&emsp*
+*&emsp&emsp*&emsp&emsp*
+*&emsp&emsp*
+*

+
+
+
+B +1 + 
 +

A N
+
+ ESSAY
+
+O N
+
+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 +2 +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 +B2 +3 +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. +4 +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 +5 +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 6Destruction 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 7Charter 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 ficti8tious 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 +C +9 +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 +10 +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.

+ +C2 +11 +

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 +12 +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.

+ +13 +

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 Al14lusion 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.

+ +15 +

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, 16which 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 +D +17 +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 18long 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.

+ +D2 +19 +

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.

+ +20 +

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, +21 +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, +22 +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, +23 +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.

+ +24 +

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 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, +E +25 +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; +26 +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 +E2 +27 +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 28anew, 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 +29 +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, +30 +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; +31 +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 +32 +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 +F +33 +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 +34 +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.

+ +F2 +35 +

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 +36 +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.

+ +37 +

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 38young 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, +39 +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 +40 +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 +G +41 +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 +42 +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 fortè 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,
+G2 +43 +Nôris nos, inquit; docti sumus. Hìc ego: Pluris
+Hoc, inquam, mihi eris. Miserè discedere quærens,
+Ire modò ocyùs, interdum consistere: in aurem
+Dicere nescio quid puero: cùm sudor ad imos
+Manaret talos. O te, Bollane, cerebri
+Felicem: aiebam tacitus! Cùm quidlibet ille
+Garriret, vicos, urbem laudaret; ut illi
+Nil respondebam: Miserè cupis, inquit abire.
+Jamdudum video: sed nil agis: usque tenebo:
+Persequar: hinc quò nunc iter est tibi? Nil opus est te
+Circumagi: quemdam volo visere, non tibi notum:
+Trans Tiberim longè cubat is, propè Cæsaris hortos.
+Nil habeo quod agam, & non sum piger: usque sequar te,
+Demitto auriculas ut iniquæ mentis asellus,
+Cùm gravius dorso subiit onus. Incipit ille:
+Si benè me novi, non Viscum pluris amicum,
+Non Varium facies; nam quis me scribere plures
+Aut citiùs 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
+Quòd 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: quòd ni fecisset, perdere litem.
+Si me amas, inquit, paulùm hîc ades. Inteream, si
+Aut valeo stare, aut novi civilia jura:
+Et propero quò scis. Dubius sum quid faciam, inquit;
+Tenè 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 benè sanæ.
+Nemo dexteriùs fortuna est usus. Haberes
+Magnum adjutorem, posset qui ferre secundas,
+44 +Hunc hominem velles si tradere: dispeream, ni
+Summôsses omnes. Non isto vivimus illic
+Quò 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 tantummodò: 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 pulchrè nôsset. Consistimus. Unde venis? &
+Quo tendis? rogat, & respondet. Vellere coepi,
+Et prensare manu lentissima brachia, nutans,
+Distorquens oculos, ut me eriperet. Malè salsus
+Ridens dissimulare: mecum jecur urere bilis.
+Certè nescio quid secretò velle loqui te
+Aiebas mecum. Memini benè; 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; aliàs loquar. Hunccine solem
+Tam nigrum surrexe mihi: Fugit improbus, ac me
+Sub cultro linquit. Casu venit obvius illi
+Adversarius; &, Quò tu turpissime! magnâ
+Inclamat voce; &, Licet antestari? Ego verò
+Oppono auriculam; rapit in jus. Clamor utrinque
+Undique concursus. Sic me servavit Apollo. + *  +
+ +

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; 45This 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 ap46pear 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 +47 +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 48of 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, +H +49 +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 Quan50tities, 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 +H2 +51 +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.

+ +52 +

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 +53 +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 54Persons 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 so +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.

+ +55 +

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.

+ +56 +

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 e-text 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; A2-d, dedication; +d2 erratum and advertisements; a-d4, +Introduction; B-L2, text.
+
+The first edition. A second edition was published in 1758.
+
+Colton Storm
+Clements Library

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+ + + + + diff --git a/16233.txt b/16233.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5292b98 --- /dev/null +++ b/16233.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: 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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