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An Essay towards Fixing the True Standards of Wit, Humour, Railery, Satire, and Ridicule (1744) by Corbyn Morris
page 23 of 88 (26%)
Difference, thereby to avoid being missed by Similitude, and
by Affinity to take one thing for another. This is a Way of
proceeding quite contrary to Metaphor and Allusion; wherein for
the most Part lies that Entertainment and Pleasantry of _Wit_,
which strikes so lively on the Fancy, and therefore is acceptable
to all People, because its Beauty appears at first Sight, and
there is required no Labour of Thoughts to examine what Truth,
or Reason, there is in it. The Mind, without looking any further,
rests satisfied with the Agreeableness of the Picture, and the
Gaiety of the Fancy. And it is a kind of an Affront to go about
to examine it by the severe Rules of Truth, and good Reason,
whereby it appears, that it conflicts in something that is not
perfectly conformable to them.

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
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