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Page 16
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.
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