An Essay towards Fixing the True Standards of Wit, Humour, Railery, Satire, and Ridicule (1744) by Corbyn Morris
page 23 of 88 (26%)
page 23 of 88 (26%)
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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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