Chap. 1 5.] Eloquence and Wit. 489 



rative words have recurred fo often as to excite the 

 fecondary idea inftantaneoufly, they lofe their peculiar 

 beauty and force *." It is a miftake, when critics tell 

 us that florid language is not the language of pafiion j 

 experience amply convinces us of the contrary. The 

 truth is, that forrow, refentment, or any violent paffion 

 (provided the reafon is not injured) renders the mind 

 more active, and though it never wanders very far 

 from the fubjecl:, yet it indulges itfelf in many excur- 

 fions, (till recurring to its origin. 



The fame qualities, but differing in the degree, are 

 required to form both the poec and the orator; in the 

 latter more folidity is wanted. An oration, if com- 

 pofed like a poem, would be too florid and defultory. 

 Quinctilian points out the firft qualification of an ora- 

 tor to be a good man : this, above every other circum- 

 flance, predifpofes the hearers in his favour ; befides, 

 it fuppofes him more intimately acquainted with the 

 nature of virtue, and abler to Ipcak in its favour with 

 force and energy. 



Wit is the calling together two or more differing 

 ideas by fome nice and unexpected connection, rela- 

 tion, or correfpondence. The pleafure of wit con- 

 fifts, ift, In furprife, idly, In the agitation produced 

 by variety, and the different trains of thought, jdly, 



did not end there. When the analogy was juft (and this often 

 hnppened) there was fomething peculiarly pleating in what was 

 both new and yet familiar, fo that the metaphor was then culti- 

 vated, not out of neceflity, but for ornament. 'Tis thus that 

 cloaths were firft aflumed to defend us againft the cold, but came 

 afterwards to be worn for diftinftion and decoration." -Harris's 

 Philological Enquiries. 

 Hartley, prop. 46. 



In 



