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

* * * * *