An Essay towards Fixing the True Standards of Wit, Humour, Railery, Satire, and Ridicule
An Essay towards Fixing the True Standards of Wit, Humour, Railery, Satire, and Ridicule
Commentary by James L. Clifford
Book Excerpt
Locke, Congreve, and Addison, have tryed their Force
upon this Subject, and have all left it free, and unconquered. This,
I perceive, will be an Argument with some, for condemning an Essay upon this Topic by a young Author, as rash and presumptious. But,
though I desire to pay all proper Respect to these eminent Writers,
if a tame Deference to great Names shall become fashionable, and the
Imputation of Vanity be laid upon those who examine their Works, all
Advancement in Knowledge will be absolutely stopp'd; and Literary Merit will be soon placed, in an humble Stupidity, and solemn
Faith in the Wisdom of our Ancestors.
Whereas, if I rightly apprehend, an Ambition to excell is the Principle which should animate a Writer, directed by a Love of Truth, and a free Spirit of Candour and Inquiry. This is the Flame which should warm the rising Members of every Science, not a poor Submissi
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