RIDICULE is a free _Attack_ of any _Motly Composition_, wherein a real or affected _Excellence_ and _Defect_ both jointly appear, _glaring_ together, and _mocking_ each other, in the same _Subject_. Hence the Aim of _Raillery_, is to please you, by some little _Embarrassment_ of a _Person_; Of _Satire_, to scourge _Vice_, and to deliver it up to your just _Detestation_; And of _Ridicule_, to set an Object in a mean ludicrous Light, so as to expose it to your _Derision_ and _Contempt_. It appears therefore that _Raillery_ and _Ridicule_ differ in several Circumstances. 1. _Raillery_ can only be employ'd in relation to _Persons_, but _Ridicule_ may be employ'd in what relates either to _Persons_, or other _Objects_. 2. _Raillery_ is us'd only upon _slight_ Subjects, where no real Abilities or Merit are questioned, in order to avoid degrading the Person you attack, or rendering him contemptible; Whereas _Ridicule_ observes no such Decency, but endeavours really to degrade the Person attack'd, and to render him contemptible. 3. _Raillery_ may be pointed at a whimsical Circumstance, only because a Person is known to be tender upon it; and your Pleasure will arise from the _Embarrassment_ he suffers, in being put to an Explanation;-- Thus a young Gentleman may be _rallied_ upon his Passion for a Lady;-- At the same Time there may be no Ground for _Ridicule_ in this Circumstance, as it may no way deserve your _Derision_ or _Contempt_. 4. As it thus appears that there are Subjects of _Raillery_, into which _Ridicule_ cannot justly be admitted; So there are Subjects of _Ridicule_, wherein your Derision and Contempt are so strongly excited, that they are too gross for _Raillery_;--As a person tossed in a Blanket; or the unfortunate Attack which another has made upon a Windmill. 5. In short, _Raillery_, if the Adventures it is turn'd upon are too _gross_ and _luscious_, becomes _Ridicule_; And therefore, in Comparison together, _Raillery_ appears like _Wine_ of a thin Body, and delicate poignant Flavour; _Ridicule_, like a _Wine_ which is fuller, and more rich, and luscious.