[2] From many things that pass current in the world without being generally condemned, one at first view would imagine, that the sense of congruity or propriety hath scarce any foundation in nature; and that it is rather an artificial refinement of those who affect to distinguish themselves by a certain delicacy of taste and behaviour. The fulsome panegyrics bestowed upon the great and opulent, in epistles dedicatory and other such compositions, lead naturally to that thought. Did there prevail in the world, it will be said, or did nature suggest, a taste of what is suitable, decent, or proper, would any good writer deal in such compositions, or any man of sense receive them without disgust? Can it be supposed, that Lewis XIV. of France was endued by nature with any sense of propriety, when, in a dramatic performance purposely composed for his entertainment, he suffered himself, publicly and in his presence, to be styled the greatest king ever the earth produced? These it is true are strong facts; but luckily they do not prove the sense of propriety to be artificial. They only prove, that the sense of propriety is at times overpowered by pride and vanity; which is no singular case, for this sometimes is the fate even of the sense of justice. [3] Contrary to this rule, the introduction to the third volume of the _Characteristics_, is a continued chain of metaphors. These in such profusion are too florid for the subject; and have beside the bad effect of removing our attention from the principal subject, to fix it upon splendid trifles. [4] See act 1. sc. 2. [5] See chap. 7. [6] See chap. 3. [7] See the Introduction. [8] Part I. essay 2. chap. 4. [9] Poet. cap. 5. [10] L. 2. De oratore. [11] Ideoque anceps ejus rei ratio est, quod a derisu non procul abest risus. _Lib._ 6. _cap._ 3. § 1. [12] See chap. 7. [13] See chap. 10. [14] Scarron. [15] Tassoni. [16] Nº 102. [17] Tale of a Tub, sect. 7. [18] A true and faithful narrative of what passed in London during the general consternation of all ranks and degrees of mankind. [19] Æn. l. 1. _At Venus obscuro_, &c. [20] See chap. 10. compared with chap. 7. [21] B. 2. ch. 11. § 2. [22] See chap. 1. [23] De oratore, l. 2. cap. 63. [24] If all the year were playing holidays, To sport would be as tedious as to work: But when they seldom come, they wish’d-for come, And nothing pleaseth but rare accidents. _First part, Henry_ IV. _act 1. sc. 3._