It will also be found, as I humbly apprehend, that I have never _shunned_ the Subject: I mention this particularly, because it is the Practice of many eminent Writers, after much _curvetting_ and _prauncing_, suddenly to wheel, and retire, when they are expected to make their most full Attack.--These Gentlemen, it is true, very happily avoid _Danger_, and advance and retreat in _excellent Order_: But, with their Leave, I must observe that they never do any _Execution_; For Subjects, which have not been surveyed, and laid open, are like _fortified Places_; and it is the Business of a _Writer_, as well as of a _Soldier_, to make an Attack;--This has been the Conduct I have held in the following _Essay_; and however I may be _shattered_ upon any Occasion, I hope it will appear (if I may be allowed the Expression) that I have fairly _charged_ the Subjects. 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.