After this he immediately starts upon
a _third_ Race, and so on; continually detected and caught, and
yet constantly extricating himself by his inimitable _Wit_ and
_Invention_; thus yielding a perpetual _Round_ of Sport and Diversion.
Again, the genteel _Quality_ of Sir _John_ is of great Use in
supporting his Character; It prevents his _sinking_ too low after
several of his Misfortunes; Besides, you allow him, in consequence of
his _Rank_ and _Seniority_, the Privilege to dictate, and take the
Lead, and to rebuke others upon many Occasions; By this he is sav'd
from appearing too _nauseous_ and _impudent_. The good _Sense_
which he possesses comes also to his Aid, and saves him from being
_despicable_, by forcing your Esteem for his real Abilities.--Again,
the _Privilege_ you allow him of rebuking and checking others, when he
assumes it with proper Firmness and Superiority, helps to _settle_
anew, and _compose_ his Character after an Embarrassment; And reduces
in some measure the _Spirit_ of the Company to a proper _Level_,
before he sets out again upon a fresh Adventure;--without this, they
would be kept continually _strain'd_, and _wound up_ to the highest
Pitch, without sufficient Relief and Diversity.
It may also deserve to be remark'd of _Falstaff_, that the _Figure_
of his _Person_ is admirably suited to the _Turn_ of his _Mind_; so
that there arises before you a perpetual _Allusion_ from one to the
other, which forms an incessant Series of _Wit_, whether they are in
_Contrast_ or _Agreement_ together.
Pages:
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76