_Dryden_, in the Preface to his _Opera_, entitled, _The State of Innocence_, or _Fall of Man_, gives the following _Decree_ upon WIT. The _Definition of WIT_, (which has been so often attempted, and ever unsuccessfully by many Poets) is only this: That it is _a Propriety of Thoughts and Words; or in other Terms, Thoughts and Words elegantly adapted to the Subject_. If Mr. _Dryden_ imagined, that he had succeeded _himself_ in this _Definition_, he was extremely mistaken; for nothing can be more distant from the Properties of WIT, than those he describes. He discovers no Idea of the _Surprize_, and _Brilliancy_ of WIT, or of the sudden _Light_ thrown upon a Subject. Instead of once pointing at these, he only describes the Properties of clear _Reasoning_, which are _a Propriety of Thoughts and Words_;--Whereas WIT, in its sudden _Flashes_, makes no Pretension to _Reasoning_; but is perceived in the pleasant _Surprize_ which it starts, and in the _Light_ darted upon a Subject, which instantly vanishes again, without abiding a strict Examination. The other Definition he gives, which is, _Thoughts and Words elegantly adapted to the Subject_, is very different from the former, but equally unhappy. For _Propriety_, in _Thoughts_ and _Words_, consists in exhibiting _clear, pertinent Ideas_, in _precise_ and _perspicuous Words_. Whereas ELEGANCE consists in the _compt_, _well pruned_ and _succinct Turn_ of a Subject. The Object of the _First_, is to be _clear_, and _perspicuous_; whence it often appears in pursuit of these, not _compt_ or _succinct_: Whereas the _Essence_ of ELEGANCE is to be _compt_ and _succinct_, for the Sake of which Ornaments it often neglect _Perspicuity_, and _Clearness_.--In short, a _Propriety_ of Thoughts and Words, may subsist without any _Elegance_; as an _Elegance_ of Thoughts and Words may appear without a perfect _Propriety_. The last _Definition_, as it is thus very different from the former is also equally unhappy: For ELEGANCE is no _essential_ Property of WIT. _Pure_ WIT resulting solely from the _quick Elucidation_ of one Subject, by the sudden _Arrangement_, and _Comparison_ of it, with another Subject.--If the two Objects _arranged_ together are _elegant_, and _polite_, there will then be superadded to the WIT, an _Elegance_ and _Politeness_ of Sentiment, which will render the WIT more amiable. But if the Objects are _vulgar_, _obscene_, or _deformed_, provided the _first_ be _elucidated_, in a lively Manner, by, the sudden _Arrangement_ of it with the _second_, there will be equally WIT; though, the Indelicacy of Sentiment attending it, will render such WIT shocking and abominable. It is with the highest Respect for the great Mr. _Locke_, that I deliver his Sentiments upon this Subject.