Part 5

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.