1878.
All rights reserved.




CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME.


PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.

Subjective Character of the Ludicrous--The Subject little
Studied--Obstacles to the Investigation--Evanescence--Mental
Character of the Ludicrous--Distinction between
Humour and the Ludicrous 1


INTRODUCTION.

PART I.

ORIGIN OF HUMOUR.

Pleasure in Humour--What is Laughter?--Sympathy--First
Phases--Gradual Development--Emotional Phase--Laughter
of Pleasure--Hostile Laughter--Is there any sense of the Ludicrous
in the Lower Animals?--Samson--David--Solomon--Proverbs--Fables 13

PART II.