This Gentleman has also given the following Example, in order to
illustrate the Necessity there is, that _Surprize_ should be always
an Attendant upon WIT.
"When a Poet tells us, the Bosom of his Mistress is as white as
Snow, there is no _Wit_ in the Comparison; but when he adds,
with a Sigh, that it as cold too, it then grows to Wit."
--To compare a Girl's _Bosom_ to _Snow_ for its _Whiteness_ I
apprehend to be WIT, notwithstanding the Authority of so great a
Writer to the contrary. For there is a _Lustre_ resulting from the
_natural_ and _splendid Agreement_ between these Objects, which will
_always_ produce WIT; such, as cannot be destroyed, though it will
quickly be rendered _trite_, by frequent Repetition.
This _Problem_, _How far_ SURPRIZE _is, or is not, necessary to_ WIT,
I humbly apprehend, may be thus solved.--In Subjects which have a
_natural_ and _splendid Agreement_, there will always be WIT upon
their _Arrangement_ together; though when it becomes _trite_, and not
accompanied with _Surprize_, the _Lustre_ will be much faded;--But
where the _Agreement_ is _forced_ and _strained_, _Novelty_ and
_Surprize_ are absolutely necessary to usher it in; An unexpected
_Assemblage_ of this Sort, striking our Fancy, and being gaily
admitted at first to be WIT; which upon frequent Repetition, the
_Judgment_ will have examined, and rise up against it wherever it
appears;--So that in short, in Instances where the _Agreement_ is
_strained_ and _defective_, which indeed are abundantly the most
general, _Surprize_ is a necessary _Passport_ to WIT; but _Surprize_
is not necessary to WIT, where the _Agreement_ between the two
Subjects is _natural_ and _splendid_; though in these Instances
it greatly heightens the _Brillancy_.
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