IV.  A succinct Account of the most remarkable Transactions and Occurrences, Domestick and Foreign.

V. Births, Marriages, Deaths, Promotions.

VI.  The Prices of Goods and Stocks; Bill of Mortality; Bankrupts declared, &_c_.

VII.  A Register of Books and Pamphlets published.

WITH A TABLE of CONTENTS to each Month.  ALSO ALPHABETICAL INDEXES of the NAMES of Persons mention’d and Things treated of throughout the Whole.

VOL.  II.

Collected chiefly from the Public Papers by SILVANUS URBAN.

Prodesse & delettare. [Illustration] E Pluribus Unum.

LONDON, Printed and Sold at ST JOHN’S GATE; by F. JEFFERIES in Ludgate-street, and by most Booksellers in Town and Country.

* * * * *

OF WIT

WIT in K. Charles IId’s Reign, seem’d to be the Fashion of the Times; in the next Reign it gave way to Politicks and Religion; while K. William was on the Throne, it reviv’d under the Protection of Lord Somers and some other Nobleman, and then those Geniuses received that Tincture of Elegance and Politeness which afterwards made such a Figure in the Tatlers, Spectators, &c. thro’ the greatest Part of the Reign of Q. Anne:  But since it has broke out only by Fits and Starts.  Few People of Distinction trouble themselves about the Name of Wit, fewer understand it, and hardly any have honoured it with their Example.  In the next Class of People it seems best known, most admired, and most frequently practiced; but their Stations in Life are not eminent enough to dazzle us into Imitation.  Wit is a Start of Imagination in the Speaker, that strikes the Imagination of the Hearer with an Idea of Beauty, common to both; and the immediate Result of the Comparison is the Flash of Joy that attends it; it stands in the same Regard to Sense, or Wisdom, as Lightning to the Sun, suddenly kindled and as suddenly gone; it as often arises from the Defect of the Mind, as from its Strength and Capacity.  This is evident in those who are Wits only, without being grave or wise, Just, solid, and lasting Wit is the Result of fine Imagination, finished Study, and a happy Temper of Body.  As no one pleases more than the Man of Wit, none is more liable to offend; therefore he shou’d have a Fancy quick to conceive, Knowledge, good Humour, and Discretion to direct the whole.  Wit often leads a Man into Misfortunes, that his Prudence wou’d have avoided; as it is the Means of raising a Reputation, so it sometimes destroys it.  He who affects to be always witty, renders himself cheap, and, perhaps, ridiculous.  The great Use and Advantage of Wit is to render the Owner agreeable, by making him instrumental to the Happiness of others.  When such a Person appears among his Friends, an Air of Pleasure and Satisfaction