No 45 Friday, May 25.
_Nimium risus pretium esi si probitatis impendis constat_
Quintil.
Laughter is bought too dear, if it be at the expence of honesty.
I have lately read, with much pleasure, the Essays upon several
subjects published by Sir _Richard Blackmore_; and though I agree
with him in many of his excellent observations, I cannot but take
that reasonable freedom, which he himself makes use of, with regard
to other writers, to dissent from him in some few particulars. In his
reflexions upon works of wit and humour, he observes how unequal they
are to combate vice and folly; and seems to think, that the finest
rallery and satire, though directed by these generous views, never
reclaimed one vicious man, or made one fool depart from his folly.
This is a position very hard to be contradicted, because no Author
knows the number or names of his converts. As for the _Tatlers_ and
_Spectators_ in particular, which are obliged to this ingenious and
useful Author for the character he has given of them, they were so
generally dispersed in single sheets, and have since been printed
in so great numbers, that it is to be hoped they have made some
proselytes to the interests, if not to the practice of wisdom and
virtue, among such a multitude of readers.
I need not remind this learned Gentleman, that _Socrates_, who was the
greatest propagator of morality in the heathen world, and a martyr
for the Unity of the Godhead, was so famous for the exercise of this
talent among the politest people of antiquity, that he gained the name
of [Greek: ha Eibôn] _the Drôle_.
There are very good effects which visibly arose from the
above-mentioned performances and others of the like nature; as, in the
first place, they diverted rallery from improper objects, and gave a
new turn to ridicule, which for many years had been exerted on persons
and things of a sacred and serious nature. They endeavoured to make
mirth instructive, and, if they failed in this great end, they must
be allowed at least to have made it innocent. If wit and humour begin
again to relapse into their former licentiousness, they can never hope
for approbation from those who know that rallery is useless when it
has no moral under it, and pernicious when it attacks any thing that
is either unblameable or praise-worthy. To this we may add, what has
been commonly observed, that it is not difficult to be merry on the
side of vice, as serious objects act the most capable of ridicule; as
the party, which naturally favour such a mirth, is the most numerous;
and as there are the most standing jests and patterns for imitation in
this kind of writing.
In the next place: Such productions of wit and humour, as have a
tendency to expose vice and folly, furnish useful diversions to all
kinds of readers. The good or prudent man may, by these means, be
diverted without prejudice to his discretion, or morality. Rallery,
under such regulations, unbends the mind from serious studies and
severer contemplations, without throwing it off from its proper bias.
It carries on the same design that is promoted by Authors of a graver
turn, and only does it in another manner. It also awakens reflexion
in those who are the most indifferent in the cause of virtue or
knowledge, by setting before them the absurdity of such practices
as are generally unobserved, by reason of their being common or
fashionable: Nay, it sometimes catches the dissolute and abandoned
before they are aware of it: who are often betrayed to laugh at
themselves, and upon reflexion find, that they are merry at their own
expence. I might farther take notice, that by entertainments of this
kind, a man may be chearful in solitude, and not be forced to seek for
company every time he has a mind to be merry.
The last advantage I shall mention from compositions of this nature
when thus restrained, is, that they shew wisdom and virtue are far
from being inconsistent with politeness and good humour. They make
morality appear amiable to people of gay dispositions, and refute the
common objection against religion, which represents it as only fit
for gloomy and melancholy tempers. It was the motto of a Bishop very
eminent for his piety and good works in King _Charles_ the Second's
reign, _In servi Deo & lætare_, 'Serve God and be chearful.' Those
therefore who supply the world with such entertainments of mirth as
are instructive, or at least harmless, may be thought to deserve well
of mankind; to which I shall only add, that they retrieve the honour
of polite learning, and answer those sour Enthusiasts who affect
to stigmatize the finest and most elegant Authors, both ancient and
modern, (which they have never read) as dangerous to religion, and
destructive of all sound and saving knowledge.
Our nation are such lovers of mirth and humour, that it is impossible
for detached papers, which come out on stated days, either to have
a general run, or long continuance, if they are not diversified and
enlivened from time to time, with subjects and thoughts, accommodated
to this taste, which so prevails among our countrymen. No periodical
Author, who always maintains his gravity, and does not sometimes
sacrifice to the Graces, must expect to keep in vogue for any
considerable time. Political speculations in particular, however just
and important, are of so dry and austere a nature, that they will not
go down with the public without frequent seasonings of this kind. The
work may be well performed, but will never take, if it is not set off
with proper scenes and decorations. A mere Politician is but a dull
companion, and, if he is always wise, is in great danger of being
tiresom or ridiculous.
Besides, papers of entertainment are necessary to increase the
number of readers, especially among those of different notions and
principles; who by this means may be betrayed to give you a fair
hearing, and to know what you have to say for yourself. I might
likewise observe, that in all political writings there is something
that grates upon the mind of the most candid reader, in opinions which
are not conformable to his own way of thinking; and that the harshness
of reasoning is not a little softned and smoothed by the infusions of
mirth and pleasantry.
Political speculations do likewise furnish us with several objects
that may very innocently be ridiculed, and which are regarded as such
by men of sense in all parties; of this kind are the passions of our
States-women, and the reasonings of our Fox-hunters.
A Writer who makes fame the chief end of his endeavours, and would be
more desirous of pleasing than of improving his readers, might find
an inexhaustible fund of mirth in politics. Scandal and satire are
never-failing gratifications to the public. Detraction and obloquy
are received with as much eagerness as wit and humour. Should a writer
single out particular persons, or point his rallery at any order of
men, who by their profession ought to be exempt from it; should he
slander the innocent, or satirize the miserable; or should he, even
on the proper subjects of derision, give the full play to his mirth,
without regard to decency and good-manners; he might be sure of
pleasing a great part of his readers, but must be a very ill man, if
by such a proceeding he could please himself.