Part 3

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.