intilian, who mention corporal defects and deformities as
proper objects of raillery.

If it be now asked to what can we ascribe this superiority of the
moderns in all the species of ridicule? I answer, to the improved
state of conversation. The great geniuses of Greece and Rome were
formed during the times of a republican government: and though it be
certain, as Longinus asserts, that democracies are the nurseries of
true sublimity; yet monarchies and courts are more productive of
politeness. The arts of civility, and the decencies of conversation,
as they unite men more closely, and bring them more frequently
together, multiply opportunities of observing those incongruities and
absurdities of behaviour, on which ridicule is founded. The ancients
had more liberty and seriousness; the moderns have more luxury and
laughter.

* * * * *

[Illustration: Title page]

THE _Gentleman's Magazine_. OR, MONTHLY INTELLIGENCER,

For the YEAR 1732.

CONTAINING

I. An impartial _VIEW_ of the various _Weekly_ ESSAYS, _Controversial,
Humorous_, and _Satirical; Religious, Moral,_ and _Political_.

II. Debates in PARLIAMENT.

III. Select Pieces of _POETRY_.

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 Start