26^ ON WIT. Nov. 2, 



fo commonly exerted as not to {land in need of it. In- 

 deed Its nature may be explained by its efFefts ; and 

 fuch is the difFerence between this and the ideal learn- 

 ed wit before mentioned, that the degree of it, in any 

 given inftance, may always be mofl: accurately afcer- 

 tained by the diftortion of mufcles which follows from 

 it, or the loudnefs of the laugh which it provokes. The 

 multitudes of thofe who wilh to obtain it, the eager- 

 nefs with which they ftvive, the exultation they mani- 

 feft, and the many real fufferings they will undergo for 

 its fake, all confpire to furnifli linking arguments for 

 the importance of the excellence which I am recom- 

 mending. And there is another proof of its import- 

 tance, if poffible, ftill more convincing. Moralifts, 

 when they wifh to inculcate a virtue, often infift upon 

 this argument, and a very good argument it is, that 

 what they recommend will abide with its pofleflbr in 

 the lofs of other things, and compenfate for the \vant 

 of them. Now, how ftrikingly does this apply to wit, 

 which, by the common confent of mankind, not only 

 makes up for other deficiencies, but feems even to 

 fliine the brighteft, when no other excellence fupports 

 it ; which can make a man pleafed with himfelf with- 

 out a grain of virtue, and pleafe others without a grain 

 of common fenfe. Of^ fuch importance is Wit. 



Purpofing to treat of it in the mofl methodical man- 

 ner, 1 fliall, in the firil place, mention the different 

 kinds of M'hich it confills, and, fecondly, give fome di- 

 lertions for tlie attainment of it. Philofophers, in- 

 deed, have fcemed to intimate, that Wit is a liable and 

 permanent thing ; but I ihall endeavour to prove, in 

 uppofition to thefe philofophers, that it is quite the 

 contrary •,— that not mercury is more volatile, not lefs 

 changeable the wind. 



Of thefe kinds there ai*e three more efpecially fa- 

 mous j — the wit of a fcholar, the wit of a man of fa- 

 ihion, and the wit of a country fquire* 



