that we are struck with a _Surprize_; from whence the high
_Brilliancy_ and _Sparkling_ of WIT, result.

Whereas _Auxiliary_ Subjects, introduced upon such Occasions, as they
have been frequently exhibited before, are apt to fall dull, and heavy
upon the Fancy; and unless they possess great natural Spirit, will
excite no sprightly Sensation.

It is also necessary to observe, that, in WIT, the Subjects concern'd
must be _ordinary_ and _level_; By which are intended, not such as
are _common_, but such as have no _extraordinarily exalted_, or
_enlarged_, Qualities; and are not _unsizeable_ in the particular
Circumstances in which they are compared to each other;--otherwise it
is easy to perceive, that the Result of their _Arrangement_ will not
be so properly WIT, as either the SUBLIME, or BURLESQUE.

To all this is to be added, that either _Gallantry, Raillery_,
_Humour_, _Satire_, _Ridicule_, _Sarcasms_, or other Subjects, are
generally blended with WIT; It has been for want of this Discovery,
and of a proper Separation of these Subjects, that the Attempts which
have hitherto been made to _define_ WIT, have been all involv'd and
overwhelm'd in Perplexity; For the different Mixtures of these foreign
Ingredients with WIT, have discover'd such various and opposite
_Colours_ and _Substances_, as were impossible to be comprehended in
one certain steady _Definition_;--Whereas _pure_ WIT alone, constantly
appears in _one uniform_ Manner; which is, _In the _quick Elucidation_
of one Subject, by _unexpectedly_ exhibiting its _Agreement_ or
_Contrast_ with another Subject_.

It is proper in this Place, to distinguish between WIT, SIMILES,