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AN ESSAY
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AN ESSAY, &c.ยท PART I SECTION I IHAVE been considering (my Friend!) what your Fancy was, to express such a surprize as you did the other day, when I happen'd to speak to you in commendation of Raillery. Was it possible you shou'd suppose me so grave a Man, as to dislike all Conversation of'this kind? Or were you afraid I shou'd not stand [6o] the trial, if you put me to it, by making the experiment in my own Case? I must confess, you had reason enough for your Caution; ifyou cou'd imagine me at the bottom so true aZealot, as not to bear the least Raillery on my own Opinions. 'Tis the Case, I know, with many. Whatever they think grave or solemn, they suppose must 39 AN ESSAY ON THE FREEDOM Seer. r. never be treated out ofa grave and solemn way: Tho what Another thinks so, they can be contented to treat otherwise; and are forward to try the Edge of Ridicule against any Opinions besides their own. The Question is,Whether this be fair or no? and,Whether it be not just and reasonable, to make as free with our own Opinions, as with those of other People? For to be sparing in this case, may be look'd upon as a piece of Selfishness. We may be charg'd perhaps with wilful Ignorance and blind Idolatry, for having taken Opinions upon Trust, and consecrated in our-selves certain IdolNotions , which we will never suffer to be unveil'd, or seen in open light. They may perhaps be Monsters, and not Divinitys, or Sacred Truths, which are kept rhus choicely, in some dark Corner of our [6r] Minds: The Specters may impose on us, whilst we r~fuse to turn 'em every way, and view their Shapes and Complexions in every light. For that which can be shewn only in a certain Light, is questionable . Truth, 'tis suppos'd, may bear allLights: and one ofthose principal Lights or natural Mediums, by which Things are to be view'd, in order to a thorow Recognition, is Ridicule it-self, or that Manner of Proof by which we discern whatever is liable to just Raillery in any Subject. So much, at least, is allow'd by All, who at any time appeal to this Criterion. The gravest Gentlemen, even in the gravest Subjects, are suppos'd to acknowledg this: and can have no Right, 'tis thought, to deny others the Freedom of this Appeal; whilst they are free to censure like other Men, and in their gravest Arguments make no scruple to ask, Is it not Ridiculous? Of this Affair, therefore, I design you shou'd know fully what my Sentiments are. And by this means you will be able to judg of me; whether I was sincere the other day in the Defence of Raillery , and can continue still to plead for those ingenious Friends of ours, who are often censur'd for their Humour of this kind, and for the Freedom they take in such an airy way ofConversation and [62] Writing.' [3.237.46.120] Project MUSE (2024-03-28 09:45 GMT) OF WIT AND HUMOUR 41 SECTION II IN GOOD earnest, when one considers what use is sometimes made of this Species of Wit, and to what an excess it has risen of late, in some Characters ofthe Age; one may be startled a little, and in doubt, what to think of the Practice, or whither this rallying Humour will at length carry us. It has pass'd from the Men of Pleasure to the Men of Business. Politicians have been infected with it: and the grave Affairs of State have been treated with an Air of Irony and Banter. The ablest Negotiators have been known the notablest Buffoons: the most celebrated Authors, the greatest Masters of Burlesque. There is indeed a kind of defensive Raillery (if I may so call it) which I am willing enough to allow in Affairs of whatever kind; when the Spirit ofCuriositywou'd force a DiscoveryofmoreTruth than can conveniently be told. For we can never do more Injury to Truth, than by discovering too much of it, on some occasions. 'Tis the same with Understandings as with Eyes: To such a certain Size and Make just so much Light is necessary, and no more.Whatever Sect. 2. is beyond, brings Darkness and Confusion.' [63] 'Tis real Humanity and Kindness, to hide strong...