This is the _Method_ pursued in Subjects of _Philosophy_; Without clear and precise _Definitions_ such noble Advances could never have been made in those Sciences; And it is by the Assistance of _these_ only, that Subjects of _Polite Literature_, can ever be enlightened and embellished with just Ornaments. If _Definitions_ had been constantly exacted from Authors there would not have appeared _one hundreth_ Part of the present Books, and yet every Subject had been better ascertained.--Nor will this Method, as some may imagine, be encumbered with Stiffness; On the contrary, in _illustrating_ the Truth of _Definitions_ there is a full Scope of the utmost Genius, Imagination, and Spirit of a Writer; and a Work upon this _Plan_ is adorned with the highest Charms appearing with _Propriety_, _Clearness_, and _Conviction_, as well as Beauty. It is true, that the Difficulties, which attend an able Execution of this _Method_, are not open to a careless Eye; And it is some Mortification to an _Author_ upon this _Plan_, that his greatest _Merit_ is likely to lie concealed; A _Definition,_ or _Distinction,_ which after much Attention and Time he has happily delivered with _Brevity_ and _Clearness_, appearing hereby quite obvious, to others, and what they cannot imagine could require Pains to discover. As to the _Examples_, by which I have illustrated the _Definition_ of _Wit_, they are _common_ and _trite_; but are the best, which I could find upon deliberate Enquiry. Many Modern instances of _Wit_, which left very lively Impressions upon me, when I heard them, appearing upon Re-examination to be quite strained and defective. These, which I have given, as they are thus _trite_, are not designed in themselves for any Entertainment to the Reader; but being various, and distant from each other, they very properly serve to explain the Truth, and Extent of the _Definition_. The Character of an HUMOURIST, I expect, will be strange to most of my Readers; and if no Gentleman is acquainted with a _Person_ of this _Cast_, it must pass for a _Monster_ of my own Creation;--As to the Character of Sir _John Falstaff_, it is chiefly extracted from _Shakespear_, in his 1st Part of King _Henry_ the _IVth_; But so far as _Sir John_ in _Shakspear's_ Description, sinks into a _Cheat_ or a _Scoundrel_, upon any Occasion, he is different from that _Falstaff_, who is designed in the following _Essay_, and is entirely an amiable Character. It is obvious, that the Appearance, which _Falstaff_ makes, in the unfinished Play of _The Merry Wives of Windsor_, is in general greatly below his true Character. His Imprisonment and Death in the latter Part of King _Henry_ the _IVth_, seem also to have been written by _Shakespear_ in Compliance with the _Austerity_ of the Times; and in order to avoid the Imputation of encouraging _Idleness_ and mirthful _Riot_ by too amiable and happy an Example.