Thoughts on laughter, by a chancery barrister [B. Montagu.]. |
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Page 4
... Hobbes , 66 as the same thing is no more ridiculous when it groweth stale or usual ; whatever it be that moveth laughter , it must be new and unexpected . " Such laughter would , therefore , be occasioned by " A sudden agreeable ...
... Hobbes , 66 as the same thing is no more ridiculous when it groweth stale or usual ; whatever it be that moveth laughter , it must be new and unexpected . " Such laughter would , therefore , be occasioned by " A sudden agreeable ...
Page 7
... Hobbes supposes it to be the only cause . He says , " There is a passion that hath no name ; but the sign of it is that distortion of the countenance , which we call ' laughter , ' which is always joy ; but what joy ? what we think ...
... Hobbes supposes it to be the only cause . He says , " There is a passion that hath no name ; but the sign of it is that distortion of the countenance , which we call ' laughter , ' which is always joy ; but what joy ? what we think ...
Page 8
... and an argument of little worth to think the infirmity of another sufficient matter for his triumph . " Whether Hobbes is right in ascribing all laughter to this cause , I do not in this place 8 THOUGHTS ON LAUGHTER .
... and an argument of little worth to think the infirmity of another sufficient matter for his triumph . " Whether Hobbes is right in ascribing all laughter to this cause , I do not in this place 8 THOUGHTS ON LAUGHTER .
Page 34
... Hobbes ' hypothesis , that laughter is ever a sign of conscious superiority , is not impugned : but , although in these and such instances , ingenuity may discover , as a remote cause , one of the ingredients of this laughter , which Hobbes ...
... Hobbes ' hypothesis , that laughter is ever a sign of conscious superiority , is not impugned : but , although in these and such instances , ingenuity may discover , as a remote cause , one of the ingredients of this laughter , which Hobbes ...
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Common terms and phrases
absurdity Addison appears arrived audience barrister beauty Bishop Bishop of Gloucester body and mind candidate cause of laughter common consciousness of superiority convulsion countenance courts of justice Coventry deformity depression of superiority distress with sympathy distress without sympathy doctor etiam examined excite laughter feeling of superiority Fleet Street Galba heard Hobbes holy orders House of Commons infirmity instances instantly interruption Irishman jests judge LAUGHTER FROM IGNORANCE Leofric liberties lion Lord Bacon Lord Melville Marseilles master midst Milner mirth nature ness never nihil North Briton object occasioned old clergyman ourselves passion of laughter patient Persons laugh pity pleased pleasure poor Pray prisoner produce laughter professor of music psalm tune quæ ridicule riority ROSALINE says scarcely sea-sickness servant small pox smile species of laughter spect spectator sudden agreeable sensation sudden feeling tears thing thought triumph truth walked wherein Wilkes woman words wretch
Popular passages
Page 20 - A jest's prosperity lies in the ear Of him that hears it, never in the tongue Of him that makes it...
Page 12 - ... from hence to the place from whence you came, and from thence to the place of execution, and there to be hanged by the neck until you are dead, and may the Lord have mercy on your soul ! Yesterday a most excellent sermon was preached by the Rev.
Page 14 - When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
Page 54 - He reads much; He is a great observer, and he looks Quite through the deeds of men ; he loves no plays As thou dost, Antony ; he hears no music ; Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort, As if he mock'd himself and scorn'd his spirit That could be moved to smile at any thing.
Page 62 - ... pleasant pictures and agreeable visions in the fancy, Judgment, on the contrary, lies quite on the other side, in separating carefully one from another Ideas wherein can be found the least difference, thereby to avoid being misled by similitude and by affinity to take one thing for another. This is a way of proceeding quite contrary to metaphor and allusion, wherein for the most part lies that entertainment and pleasantry of wit which strikes so lively on the fancy, and therefore is so acceptable...
Page 32 - See the wretch that long has tost On the thorny bed of pain, At length repair his vigour lost, And breathe and walk again ; The meanest floweret of the vale, The simplest note that swells the gale, The common sun, the air, the skies, To him are opening paradise.
Page 62 - And hence, perhaps, may be given some reason of that common observation — that men who have a great deal of wit and prompt memories, have not always the clearest judgment or deepest reason. For, wit lying most in the assemblage of ideas, and putting those together with quickness and variety wherein can be found any resemblance or congruity, thereby to make up pleasant pictures and agreeable visions in the fancy ; judgment, on the contrary, lies quite on the other side, in separating carefully...
Page 6 - The passion of laughter is nothing else but sudden glory arising from some sudden conception of some eminency in ourselves by comparison with the infirmity of others, or with our own formerly: for men laugh at the follies of themselves past, when they come suddenly to remembrance, except they bring with them any present dishonour.
Page 29 - ... that general visitation of God, who saw that all that he had made was good, that is, conformable to his will, which abhors deformity, and is the rule of order and beauty. There is no deformity but in monstrosity, wherein, notwithstanding, there is a kind of beauty; nature so ingeniously contriving the irregular parts, as they become sometimes more remarkable than the principal fabric.
Page 62 - For, wit lying most in the assemblage of ideas, and putting those together with quickness and variety wherein can be found any resemblance or congruity, thereby to make up pleasant pictures and agreeable visions in the fancy; judgment, on the contrary, lies quite on the other side, in separating carefully one from another ideas wherein can be found the least difference, thereby to avoid being misled by similitude and by affinity to take one thing for another.