It is from hence, that the _Elucidation_, as before mention'd, arising
from a SIMILE, is _slower_ than from WIT; But then is is generally
more _accurate_ and _compleat_;--In short, WIT, from its _Quickness_,
exhibits more _Brilliancy_, But SIMILES possess greater _Perfection_.
A METAPHOR, is the _Arrayment_ of one Subject, with the _Dress_,
or _Colour_, or any _Attributes_, of another Subject.
In WIT, the two Subjects are suddenly confronted with each other,
and upon their joint View, the _original_ one is _elucidated_ by the
obvious _Agreement_ or _Contrast_ of the _auxiliary_ Subject.
But METAPHOR goes further, and not content with _arranging_ the two
Subjects together, and exhibiting from thence their _Agreement_ or
_Contrast_, it actually snatches the Properties of the _auxiliary_
one, and fits them at once upon the _original_ Subject.
It is evident from hence, that there may be WIT without any METAPHOR;
But in every just METAPHOR there is WIT; The _Agreement_ of the two
Subjects being in a METAPHOR more strictly and sensibly presented.
There is also this Difference between WIT and METAPHOR, that in WIT
the _original_ Subject is _enlighten'd_, without altering its _Dress_;
whereas in METAPHOR the _original_ Subject is cloathed in a _new
Dress_, and struts forwards at once with a different _Air_, and with
strange _unexpected Ornaments_.
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