ite_ Subject; whereby,
upon their _Arrangement_ together, the _original_ Subject may be _set
off_, and more clearly _enlighten'd_, by their obvious Comparison.

It may be proper, for the sake of Distinction, to call the Subject,
which is the Basis and Ground-work, the _original_ Subject; and that
which is introduced, in order to _elucidate_ it, the _auxiliary_
Subject.

That there be always an apparent Chain or Connexion, or else an
obvious Agreement or Contrast, between the two Subjects, is absolutely
requir'd, in order that the _Auxiliary_ one may be _justly_
introduced; otherwise, instead of WIT, there will only appear
a rambling _Vivacity_, in wild, unprovoked Sallies.

And yet _every just_ or _natural_ Introduction of an _auxiliary_
Subject will not produce WIT, unless a new _Lustre_ is reflected
from thence upon the _original_ Subject.

It is further to be observed, that the Introduction of the _auxiliary_
Subject ought not only to be _just_, but also _unexpected_, which are
entirely consistent together; For as every Subject bears various
Relations and Oppositions to other Subjects, it is evident that each
of these Relations and Oppositions upon being exhibited, will be
_unexpected_ to the Persons, who did not perceive them before; and
yet they are _just_ by Supposition.

It is upon such _unexpected_ Introductions of _auxiliary_ Subjects,
that we are struck with a _Surprize_; from whence the high
_Brilliancy_ and _Sparkling_ of WIT, result.

Whereas _Auxiliary_ Subjects, introduced upon such Occasions, as they
have been frequently exhibited before, are apt to fall dull, and heavy
upon the Fancy; and unless they possess great natural Spirit, will
excite no sprightly Sensation.

It is also necessary to observe, that, in WIT, the Subjects concern'd
must be _ordinary_ and _level_; By which are intended, not such as
are _common_, but such as have no _extraordinarily exalted_, or
_enlarged_, Qualities; and are not _unsizeable_ in the particular
Circumstances in which they are compared to each other;--otherwise it
is easy to perceive, that the Result of their _Arrangement_ will not
be so properly WIT, as either the SUBLIME, or BURLESQUE.

To all this is to be added, that either _Gallantry, Raillery_,
_Humour_, _Satire_, _Ridicule_, _Sarcasms_, or other Subjects, are
generally blended with WIT; It has been for want of this Discovery,
and of a proper Separation of these Subjects, that the Attempts which
have hit