Corbyn Morris - An Essay towards Fixing the True Standards of Wit, Humour, Railery, Satire, and Ridicule (1744)
C >>
Corbyn Morris >> An Essay towards Fixing the True Standards of Wit, Humour, Railery, Satire, and Ridicule (1744)
Pages:
1 |
2 | 3 |
4 |
5 |
6
Having offered these Circumstances in my Favour, I must frankly
acknowledge, that I am not able to plead any _Hurry_ or _Precipitancy_
in the publishing of this Work, in Excuse of its Errors; Though
I clearly understand, that by making this Discovery, I absolutely
deprive myself of the most _genteel_ and _fashionable Screen_ now used
by Authors;--But I imagined, that it became me to spare no Labour or
Attention upon a Work, which I should presume to offer to the World;
Happening to esteem this _Care_ and _Concern_, a _Respect_ due to the
_Public_, and the proper Species of _Humility_ and _Modesty_ in an
_Author_.
* * * * *
An
ESSAY
on
Wit, Humour, Raillery, & c.
WIT is the LUSTRE resulting from the quick ELUCIDATION of one
Subject, by a _just_ and unexpected ARRANGEMENT of it with
another Subject.
This _Definition_ of WIT will more clearly appear by a short
Explanation.
It is the Province of WIT to _elucidate_, or _enlighten_ a Subject,
not by reasoning upon that Subject, but by a just and unexpected
Introduction of another _similar_, or _opposite_ Subject; whereby,
upon their _Arrangement_ together, the _original_ Subject may be _set
off_, and more clearly _enlighten'd_, by their obvious Comparison.
It may be proper, for the sake of Distinction, to call the Subject,
which is the Basis and Ground-work, the _original_ Subject; and that
which is introduced, in order to _elucidate_ it, the _auxiliary_
Subject.
That there be always an apparent Chain or Connexion, or else an
obvious Agreement or Contrast, between the two Subjects, is absolutely
requir'd, in order that the _Auxiliary_ one may be _justly_
introduced; otherwise, instead of WIT, there will only appear
a rambling _Vivacity_, in wild, unprovoked Sallies.
And yet _every just_ or _natural_ Introduction of an _auxiliary_
Subject will not produce WIT, unless a new _Lustre_ is reflected
from thence upon the _original_ Subject.
It is further to be observed, that the Introduction of the _auxiliary_
Subject ought not only to be _just_, but also _unexpected_, which are
entirely consistent together; For as every Subject bears various
Relations and Oppositions to other Subjects, it is evident that each
of these Relations and Oppositions upon being exhibited, will be
_unexpected_ to the Persons, who did not perceive them before; and
yet they are _just_ by Supposition.
It is upon such _unexpected_ Introductions of _auxiliary_ Subjects,
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,
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.
There is also this Difference between WIT and METAPHOR, that in WIT
the _original_ Subject is _enlighten'd_, without altering its _Dress_;
whereas in METAPHOR the _original_ Subject is cloathed in a _new
Dress_, and struts forwards at once with a different _Air_, and with
strange _unexpected Ornaments_.
It is from hence, that by METAPHOR a more masculine Air and Vigour is
given to a Subject, than by WIT; But it too often happens, that the
METAPHOR is carried so far, as instead of _elucidating_, to obscure
and disfigure, the _original_ Subject.
To exhibit some Examples of WIT.
1.
_Henry_ the IVth of _France_, intimating to the _Spanish_ Ambassador
the Rapidity, with which he was able to over-run _Italy_, told him,
that _if once he mounted on Horseback, he should breakfast at_ Milan,
_and dine at_ Naples; To which the Ambassador added, _Since your
Majesty travels at this rate, you may be at Vespers in_ Sicily.
The Introduction of the _Vespers_ at SICILY is here _natural_, and
easy; as it seems only to be carrying on his Majesty's Journey at the
same rate, and to compleat the Progress of the Day; But it ushers at
once into View the _Destruction_ of the _French_ upon a _similar_
Occasion, when they formerly over-ran SICILY, and were all massacred
there at the ringing of the Bell for _Vespers_;--The sudden
Introduction and _Arrangement_ of this Catastrophe, with the
Expedition then threaten'd, sets the Issue of such a Conquest in
a new _Light_; And very happily exhibits and _elucidates_ the Result
of such vain and restless Adventures.
It may be observed, that the _quick_ Introduction and _Arrangement_
of any former Conquest of _Italy_ by the _French_, with the Expedition
then threaten'd, would have exhibited WIT; whatever the Issue had been
of such former Conquest; But in this Instance, there sits couched
under the WIT, a very _severe Rebuke_ upon the _French_ Monarch.
2.
_Alexander_ the VIth was very busily questioning the Ambassador of
_Venice_, Of whom his Masters held their Customs and Prerogatives of
the Sea? To which the Ambassador readily answer'd; _If your_ HOLINESS
_will only please to examine your Charter of St._ PETER's _Patrimony,
you will find upon the Back of it, the Grant made to the_ VENETIANS
_of the_ ADRIATIC.
The Authority of the _Grant_ to the _Venetians_ is in this Instance
the _original_ Subject, which is thus suddenly _elucidated_ to the
_Pope_, by _arranging_, and connecting it with the holy _Charter_ of
St. _Peter_'s Patrimony; There is a peculiar Happiness in the Address
of this Answer to the _Pope_, as he was obliged to receive it as a
satisfactory Account of the Truth of the _Grant_, and a clear
_Elucidation_ of its sacred Authority.
In this Instance, besides the WIT which shines forth, the _Pope_ is
severely expos'd to your _Raillery_, from the Scrape into which he has
brought the _Charter_ of St. _Peter's_ Patrimony, by his Attack of the
_Ambassador_; The _fictitious_ Existence of both the _Charter_ and
_Grant_ being sarcastically pointed out, under this respectable Air
of _Authenticity_.
3.
Upon the Restoration Mr. _Waller_ presented a congratulatory Copy of
Verses to King _Charles_; His Majesty, after reading them, said,--
_Mr_. Waller, _these are very good, but not so fine as you made upon
the_ PROTECTOR.--To which Mr. _Waller_ return'd,--_Your Majesty will
please to recollect, that we Poets always write best upon_ FICTIONS.
The _original_ Subject in this Instance is _the superior Excellence of
Mr_. WALLER's _Verses upon_ Cromwell; This he most happily excuses, by
starting at once, and _arranging_ along with them, the Remark, that
_Poets have always excell'd upon Fiction_; whereby he unexpectedly
exhibits his _more excellent_ Verses to _Cromwell_, as a plain
_Elucidation_ of the _fictitious_ Glory of the Protector; And
intimates at the same time, that the _Inferiority_ of his present
Performance was a natural _Illustration_ of his Majesty's _real_
Glory;--Never was a deep Reproach averted by a more happy Reply; which
comprehends both the highest Compliment to his Majesty, and a very
firm poetical Excuse of the different Performances.
4.
_Leonidas_ the _Spartan_ General, when he advanced near the _Persian_
Army, was told by one of his own Captains, that _their Enemies were so
numerous, it was impossible to see the Sun for the Multitude of their
Arrows_; To which he gallantly reply'd, _We shall then have the
Pleasure of fighting in the Shade_.
The vast Cope of _Persian_ Arrows is here the _original_ Subject;
which instead of being observed by _Leonidas_ with Terror, presents
to his Fancy the pleasant Idea of a cool _Canopy_. There is an
_Agreement_ and Affinity between the two Objects, in regard to the
_Shelter from the Sun_, which is at once obvious, and _unexpected_;
And the Cloud of the Enemies Arrows is thus gaily _elucidated_, by the
_Arrangement_ and Comparison of it with so desirable an Object as
_shady Covering_.
This Saying of the _Spartan_ General has been handed through many Ages
to the present Time; But the chief Part of the Pleasure it gives us,
results not so much from the WIT it contains, as from the _Gallantry_,
and _chearful Spirit_, discover'd in Danger, by _Leonidas_.
5.
An Instance of WIT in the _Opposition_, I remember to have read
somewhere in the _Spectators_; where Sir _Roger de Coverley_
intimating the Splendor which the perverse Widow should have appear'd
in, if she had commenced Lady _Coverley_, says:
_That he would have given her a_ Coalpit _to have kept her in_ clean
Linnen: _And that her Finger should have_ sparkled _with one hundred
of his richest_ Acres.
The joint Introduction of these _opposite_ Objects, as a _Coalpit_
with _clean Linnen_, and _dirty Acres_ with the _Lustre_ of a _Jewel_,
is _just_ in this Instance, as they really produce each other in their
Consequences; The _natural Opposition_ between them, which is strongly
_elucidated_ by their _Arrangement_ together, and at the same time
their _unexpected Connexion_ in their Consequences, strike us with a
_Surprize_, which exhibits the _Brilliancy_ and _Sparkling_ of WIT.
There is also in this Instance, besides the WIT, a Spirit of
_Generosity_, and _Magnificence_, discover'd by Sir _Roger_, from
the known Value of a _Coalpit_, and of so many rich _Acres_.
This Kind of WIT, resulting from the sudden _Arrangement_ together of
two _opposite_ Objects, is rarer, than that which is obtained from
two _similar_ Objects; It abounds with a high _Surprize_, and
_Brilliancy_; and also strongly _elucidates_ the _original_ Object,
from the _Contrast_ presented between _this_, and the _auxiliary_ one;
In the same manner as _White_ is more clearly set _off_, by being
arranged with _Black_.
It may be proper to observe, that WIT, besides being struck out by
_just_, and _direct_ Introductions of _auxiliary_ Subjects, is also
sometimes obtain'd by _Transitions_ from one Subject to another, by
the Help of an _equivocal Word_; which like a _Bridge_, with two
Roads meeting at the End of it, leads to two different Places.
_Transitions_, thus made from the right Course, have indeed the
Pretence of being _natural_; but they ought always to lead us
to something _brilliant_ or poignant, in order to justify their
_Deviation_; and not to end only at a ridiculous PUN, void of all
Spirit and Poignancy.
The WIT, in such Instances, results, as in all others, from the quick
_Arrangement_ together of two Subjects; But that, which was first
intended for the _original_ one, is dropped; And a new _original_
Subject is started, through the _double Meaning_ of a Word, and
suddenly _enlighten'd_.
To give a _trite_ Instance of this kind of WIT.
A PEER coming out of the House of Lords, and wanting his Servant,
called out, _Where's my Fellow?_ To which another PEER, who stood by
him, returned, _Faith, my Lord, not in_ England.
A Transition is here unexpededly made from the Sense intended in the
Question to another Point, through the double Meaning of the word
_Fellow_; it being obvious, that his Lordship's _Servant_ is the
Sense of the Word in the Question; and what Person is _like_ to his
Lordship, the Construction put upon it in the Answer: Thus a new
_original_ Subject is started, and being suddenly _arranged_ with all
that appear _similar_ to it, is _enlighten'd_ thereby, being found to
have no _equal_ in _England_.
However, though WIT may be _thus_ struck out, and also appears in the
_Contrast_ with great _Brilliancy_, yet the highest and most perfect
Instances of it result from the sudden and _direct Arrangement_
together of two Objects, which hold a perspicuous and splendid
_Agreement_ with each other; It is then adorn'd with the Charms of
_Propriety_, _Clearness_ and _Illustration_; It dispels the Darkness
around an Object, and presents it diftinctly and perfectly to our
View; chearing us with its _Lustre_, and at the same time informing us
with its _Light_.
Thus, a Gentleman was observing, that _there was_ somewhat _extremely
pleasing in an excellent_ Understanding, _when it appeared in a
beautiful_ Person; To which another returned, _It is like a fine_
Jewel _well set_; You are here pleased with the Happiness, Propriety,
and Splendor of this _new_ Object, which finely _elucidates_ the
original Sentiment;--In short, it is the Excellence of WIT, _to
present the_ first Image _again to your mind, with new unexpected_
Clearness _and_ Advantage.
It is also proper to add, that there may be WIT in a _Picture_,
_Landscape_, or in any _Prospect_, where a gay unexpected _Assemblage_
of _similar_, or _opposite_ Objects, is presented.
JUDGMENT, is the Faculty of discerning the various _Dimensions_,
and _Differences_, of Subjects.
INVENTION is the Faculty of finding out new _Assortments_, and
_Combinations_, of _Ideas_.
HUMOUR is any _whimsical Oddity_ or _Foible_, appearing in the
_Temper_ or _Conduct_ of a _Person_ in _real Life_.
This _whimsical Oddity_ of Conduct, which generally arises from the
strange _Cast_, or _Turn_ of Mind of a _queer_ Person, may also result
from _accidental_ Mistakes and Embarrassments between other Persons;
who being misled by a wrong Information and Suspicion in regard to a
Circumstance, shall act towards each other upon this Occasion, in the
same _odd whimsical_ manner, as _queer_ Persons.
If a _Person_ in real Life, discovers any odd and remarkable
_Features_ of Temper or Conduct, I call such a Person in the _Book_
of _Mankind_, a _Character_. So that the chief Subjects of HUMOUR are
Persons in real Life, who are _Characters_.
It is easy to be perceived, that HUMOUR, and WIT are extremely
different.
HUMOUR appears only in the _Foibles_ and _whimsical Conduct_ of
_Persons_ in real Life; WIT appears in _Comparisons_, either between
_Persons_ in real Life, or between _other Subjects_.
HUMOUR is the _whimsical Oddity_, or _Foible_, which fairly appears in
its Subject, of itself; whereas WIT, is the _Lustre_ which is thrown upon
_one_ Subject, by the _sudden Introduction_ of another Subject.
To constitute HUMOUR, there need be no more than _one_ Object
concern'd, and this must be always some _Person_ in _real Life_;--
whereas to produce WIT, there must be always _two_ Objects _arranged_
together, and either or both of these may be _inanimate_.
However, though HUMOUR and WIT are thus absolutely different in
themselves, yet we frequently see them blended together.
Thus if any _Foible_ of a _Character_ in real Life is _directly_
attacked, by pointing out the unexpected and ridiculous _Affinity_ it
bears to some _inanimate_ Circumstances, this Foible is then ridiculed
with WIT, from the _Comparison_ which is made.--At the same time, as
the _whimsical Oddity_ of a _Character_ in real Life is the _Ground_
of the whole, there is also _Humour_ contain'd in the Attack.
If instead of referring the _Foible_ of a Person to any _inanimate_
Circumstance, the _Allusion_ had been made to any other ridiculous
_Person_ in _real Life_; As a _conceited Fellow_, perpetually
recommending his own Whims, to a _Quack-Doctor_;--This _Foible_
will then be ridiculed with HUMOUR; which is likewise the original
_Ground_: At the same Time, from the _Comparison_ which is made, there
is apparently WIT in the Description.
So that where-ever the _Foible_ of a _Character_ in real Life is
concern'd, there HUMOUR comes in; and wherever a sprightly unexpected
_Arrangement_ is presented of two _similar_, or _opposite_ Subjects,
whether animate or inanimate, there WIT is exhibited.
HUMOUR and WIT, as they may thus both be united in the same Subject,
may also separately appear without the least Mixture together; that
is, there may be HUMOUR without WIT, and WIT without HUMOUR.
Thus, if in order to expose the _Foible_ of a _Character_, a _real
Person_ is introduc'd, abounding in this _Foible_, gravely persisting
in it, and valuing himself upon the Merit of it, with great Self-
sufficiency, and Disdain of others; this _Foible_ is then solely
ridiculed with HUMOUR.
Again, if a gay unexpected _Allusion_ is made from one _inanimate_
Object to another, or from one _Person_ in _real_ Life to another,
without any Reference to their whimsical _Oddities_ or _Foibles_;
there WIT only appears.--Various Instances of which, independent of
HUMOUR, have been already exhibited.
A _Man_ of WIT is
he, who is happy in _elucidating_ any Subject, _by a just and
unexpected Arrangement_ and _Comparison_ of it with another
Subject.
It may be also proper to describe a _Man_ of HUMOUR, and an HUMOURIST,
which are very different Persons.
A _Man_ of HUMOUR is
one, who can happily exhibit a weak and ridiculous _Character_
in real Life, either by assuming it himself, or representing
another in it, so naturally, that the _whimsical Oddities,_ and
_Foibles,_ of that _Character,_ shall be palpably expos'd.
Whereas an HUMOURIST
is a _Person_ in real Life, obstinately attached to sensible
peculiar _Oddities_ of his own genuine Growth, which appear in
his Temper and Conduct.
In short, a _Man_ of _Humour_ is one, who can happily exhibit and
expose the Oddities and Foibles of an _Humourist_, or of other
_Characters_.
The _Features_ of an HUMOURIST being very remarkable and singular,
seem justly to deserve an explicit Description. It is then to be
observ'd, that an _Humourist_, at the same time that he is guided in
his Manners and Actions by his own genuine original Fancy and Temper,
disdains all _Ostentation_; excepting that alone of his _Freedom_ and
_Independency_, which he is forward of shewing upon every Occasion,
without Ceremony; he is quite superior to the _Affectation_ of a
Virtue or Accomplishment, which he thinks does not belong to him;
scorns all _Imitation_ of others; and contemns the rest of the World
for being servilely obedient to Forms and Customs; disclaiming all
such Submission himself, and regulating his Conduct in general by his
own _Conviction_,
The _Humourist_ is forward upon many Occasions to deliver his Opinion,
in a peremptory Manner, and before he is desir'd; but he gives it
sincerely, unbiass'd by _Fear_ or _Regard_, and then leaves it to the
Persons concern'd to determine for themselves; For he is more pleas'd
in the Bottom to find his Opinion _slighted_, and to see the Conduct
of others agreeable to that System of Folly and Weakness, which he has
established with himself, to be the Course of their Actions.--To view
a rational Conduct, even in pursuance of his own Advice, would greatly
disappoint him; and be a Contradiction to this _System_ he has laid
down;--Besides it would deprive him of an Occasion of gratifying his
Spleen, with the Contempt of that Folly, which he esteems to be
natural to the rest of Mankind; For he considers himself in the World,
like a _sober_ Person in the Company of Men, who are _drunken_ or
_mad_; He may advise them to be calm, and to avoid hurting themselves,
but he does not expect they will regard his Advice; On the
contrary, he is more pleas'd with observing their _Freaks_ and
_Extravagancies_.--It is from hence that he discourages and
depreciates all who pretend to _Discretion_; Persons of this Temper
not yielding him Sport or Diversion.
It is certain that the _Humourist_ is excessively _proud_, and yet
without knowing or suspecting it. For from the Liberty which he
frankly allows to others, of rejecting his Opinion, he is fully
persuaded, that he is free from all _Pride_; But tho' he acts in this
Circumstance without over-bearing, it has already appear'd, not to be
the Effect of his _Humility_, but of a different Motive; a Pleasure
which he takes in observing the Extravagancies of others, rather
than their Discretion. But to demonstrate his _Pride_, besides the
peremptory Manner in which he delivers his Opinion, and conducts
himself upon every Occasion, without any Deference to others, there is
this Circumstance against him; that he is the most stung by a Defeat,
upon any Topic, of all Men living; And although he disregards
Accusations of Roughness and Oddity, and rather esteems them to
be meritorious; yet he will never admit, that he has been fairly
overthrown in a Debate.
It is odd to observe how the _Humourist_ is affected by _contemptuous_
Treatment. An Insult of this Sort, which justly excites the
_Resentment_ of others, _terrifies_ him: It sets him upon _suspecting_
himself, and upon doubting whether he be really that Person of
superior Sense to the rest of the World, which he has long fancied.
The Apprehension, that he actually deserves the Contempt which is put
upon him, and that he is no more than one of the common Herd, almost
distracts him; And instead of violently depreciating, or attacking
again, the Person who has contemn'd him, he will incessantly court his
Favour and good Opinion, as a Cordial he wants, though without seeming
to do so. This is a very extraordinary Weakness, and such as the
_Humourist_ would be infinitely uneasy to find ever observ'd.
The _Humourist_, though he quickly espies, and contemns the
_Contradictions_ of others, is yet wilfully attach'd to several
himself, which he will sometimes persue through a long Course of his
own Mortification.--It may be often observ'd, that he will avoid the
Company he likes, for fear they should think he needs their Support.--
At the same time, if he happens to fall into Company, which he tallies
not with, instead of avoiding this Company, he will continually haunt
them: For he is anxious, lest any Imputation of a Defeat should stand
out against him, and extremely sollicitous to wipe it away; Besides,
he cannot endure it should be thought that he is driven from the Pit.
--Thus, in the first Instance, his _Pride_ shall persuade him to
neglect the Company he likes; and shall force him, in the last, to
follow the Company he hates and despises.
It is also observable that the _Humourist_, though he makes it his
Point to regulate his Conduct only by his own Conviction, will
sometimes run counter to it, merely from his Disdain of all
_Imitation_. Thus he will persist in a wrong Course, which he knows
to be such, and refuse his Compliance with an Amendment offer'd by
others, rather than endure the Appearance of being an _Imitator_. This
is a _narrow_ Side of the _Humourist_; and whenever he is turn'd upon
it, he feels great Uneasiness himself. It strikes a durable Pain
into his Breast, like the constant gnawing of a Worm; and is one
considerable Source of that Stream of Peevishnesss incident to
_Humourists_.
Pages:
1 |
2 | 3 |
4 |
5 |
6