An Essay towards Fixing the True Standards of Wit, Humour, Railery, Satire, and Ridicule (1744) by Corbyn Morris
page 39 of 88 (44%)
page 39 of 88 (44%)
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and METAPHORS. SIMILES, though they _illustrate_ one Subject, by
_arranging_ it with another Subject, are yet different from WIT, as they want its _sudden_ and _quick Elucidation_. Again; In WIT, the _Elucidation_ is thrown only upon _one_ Point of a Subject; or if more Points be _elucidated_, they are so many different Strokes of WIT;--Whereas every SIMILE touches the Subject it _illustrates_ in _several Points_. It is from hence, that the _Elucidation_, as before mention'd, arising from a SIMILE, is _slower_ than from WIT; But then is is generally more _accurate_ and _compleat_;--In short, WIT, from its _Quickness_, exhibits more _Brilliancy_, But SIMILES possess greater _Perfection_. A METAPHOR, is the _Arrayment_ of one Subject, with the _Dress_, or _Colour_, or any _Attributes_, of another Subject. In WIT, the two Subjects are suddenly confronted with each other, and upon their joint View, the _original_ one is _elucidated_ by the obvious _Agreement_ or _Contrast_ of the _auxiliary_ Subject. But METAPHOR goes further, and not content with _arranging_ the two Subjects together, and exhibiting from thence their _Agreement_ or _Contrast_, it actually snatches the Properties of the _auxiliary_ one, and fits them at once upon the _original_ Subject. It is evident from hence, that there may be WIT without any METAPHOR; But in every just METAPHOR there is WIT; The _Agreement_ of the two Subjects being in a METAPHOR more strictly and sensibly presented. |
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