Essays on Wit No. 2
    Frenchman

   , who had wished for the Death of the King of

    England

   , because of the Loss of the Chevalier

    Belleisle

   , whose Intentions were pure?

   For what Reason has this Passage been always praised by the Criticks? 'Tis because the Figure is in itself beautiful and pathetick, but they did not examine into the Congruity and Bottom of the Thought.

   I return to my Paradox—That all these shining Strokes, to which they give the Name of Wit, never ought to be introduced into great Works made to instruct or to move; I'll even say they ought not to be found in Odes for Musick. Musick expresses Passions, Sentiments and Images: but what are the Concords that can be giv'n an Epigram?

    Dryden

   was sometimes negligent, but he was always natural.

   In a Sermon of Doctor

    South

   , where he speaks of Man's Rectitude and Freedom from Sin before the Fall, are seen these Words:

    "We were not born crooked, we learnt these Windings and Turnings of the Serpent."

   I remember to have heard this Passage admired by several People: but who does not see that the Motions,

    viz.

   the Windings and Turnings of the Serpent's Body are here confounded with those of its Heart: and that at best, 'tis but a mere Point and Pleasantry.

   Certainly there's a great Impropriety in putting any kind of Smartness into Pieces of such a Nature as Dr.


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