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Page 8
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_ N�. 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_.
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