And it is a kind of an Affront to go about
to examine it by the severe Rules of Truth, and good Reason,
whereby it appears, that it conflicts in something that is not
perfectly conformable to them.
It is to be observed that Mr. _Locke_ has here only occasionally,
and passantly, delivered his Sentiments upon this Subject; but yet he
has very happily explained the chief Properties of WIT. It was _his_
Remark _First_, that it lies for the most _Part_ in _assembling_
together with _Quickness_ and _Variety_ Objects, which possess an
_Affinity_, or _Congruity_, with each other; which was the _first_
just Information obtained by the literary World, upon this Subject.
As to what he adds, That the Intention, and Effects, of this
_Assemblage_ of _similar_ Objects, is _to make up pleasant Pictures,
and agreeable Visions in the Fancy_, it is, as I humbly apprehend, not
quite perfect: For the Business of this _Assemblage_ is not merely to
raise pleasant Pictures in the Fancy, but also to _enlighten_
thereby the _original_ Subject.--This is evident; because in such
_Assemblages_, the only Foundation upon which the _new Subject_
is suddenly introduced, is the _Affinity_, and consequently the
_Illustration_, it bears to the _first_ Subject.--The Introduction of
pleasant Pictures and Visions, which present not a new _Illustration_,
and _Light_, to the _original_ Subjects, being rather wild Sallies of
_Vivacity_, than well-aimed, apposite Strokes of WIT.
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