diffuses itself over every Face. Wit, so used, is an Instrument of the sweetest Musick in the Hands of an Artist, commanding, soothing, and modulating the Passions into Harmony and Peace.  Neither is this the only Use of it; ’tis a sharp Sword, as well as a musical Instrument, and ought to be drawn against Folly and Affectation.  There is at the same time an humble Ignorance, a modest Weakness, that ought to be spar’d; they are unhappy already in the Consciousness of their own Defects, and ’tis fighting with the Lame and Sick to be severe upon them.  The Wit that genteely glances at a Foible, is smartly retorted, or generously forgiven; because the Merit of the Reprover is as well known as the Merit of the Reproved.  In such delicate Conversations, Mirth, temper’d with good Manners, is the only Point in View, and we grow gay and polite together; perhaps there’s no Moment of our Lives so sincerely happy, certainly none so innocent.  Wit is a Quality which some possess, and all covet; Youth affects it, Folly dreads it, Age despises it, and Dulness abhors it.  Some Authors wou’d persuade us, that Wit is owing to a double Cause; one, the Desire of pleasing others, and one of recommending ourselves:  The first is made a Merit in the Owners, and is therefore rang’d among the Virtues; the last is stiled Vanity, and therefore a Vice; tho’ this is an erroneous Distinction, as Wit was never possess’d by any without both; for no Man endeavours to excell without being conscious of it, and that Consciousness will produce Vanity, let us disguise it how we please.  Upon the whole, Vanity is inseparable from the; Heart of Man; where there is Excellency, it may be endur’d; where there is none, it may be censur’d, but never remov’d.

(From The Weekly Register, July 22, 1732, No. 119, as reprinted in The Gentleman’s ’Magazine, II, July, 1732, pp. 861-2.)

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