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Page 19
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.
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