We see common Examples of this HUMOUR in
little every Day. 'Tis ten to one, but three Parts in four of the
Company you dine with, are discomposed, and started at the
cutting of a Cork, or scratching of a Plate with a Knife; it is
a Proportion of the same HUMOUR, that makes such, or any other
Noise, offensive to the Person that hears it; for there are
others who will not be disturbed at all by it.
At this Rate every _Weakness_ of _Nerves_, or _Particularity_ of
_Constitution,_ is HUMOUR.
It is true, he justly points out in another Place the different
Sentiments, which ought to be adapted to different _Characters_ in
_Comedy_, according to their different _Dispositions_, or, as he
phrases it, _Humours_: As for Instance, he very rightly observes,
That a Character of a splenetic and peevish HUMOUR, Should have
a satirical WIT. A jolly and sanguine HUMOUR should have a
facetious WIT.
--But still this is no Description of what is well felt, and known, by
the general Name of HUMOUR.
However, as what I have already quoted, may appear to be only his
looser Explanations, it will be necessary to deliver his more closed
and collected Sentiments upon this Subject. These he gives in the
following Words,
I should be unwilling to venture, even in a bare _Description_ of
_Humour_, much more to make a _Definition_ of it; but now my Hand
is in, I will tell you what serves me instead of either.
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