Curiosities & wonders > Reflections upon laughter

UPON LAUGHTER. 31
ferable will interpret it as hardnefs of heart,
and inlenfibility of the calamities of another.
This is the natural efTetH: of joining to either
of thefe objetts mean ludicrous ideas.
If fmaller faults, fuch as are not inconfi-
ftent with a character in the main amiable, be
fet in' a ridiculous light, the guilty are apt to
be made fenfible of their folly, more than by
a bare grave admonition. In many of our
faults, occafioned by too great violence of lome
paffion, we get luch enthufiaftic apprehenfions
of fome objefts, as lead us to juftify our con¬
duct: the joining of oppofite ideas or images
allays this enthufmfm; and, if this be done
with good nature, it may be the leaft offenfive,
and molt effeftual, reproof.
Ridicule upon the Imalleft faults, when
it does not appear to flow from kindnels, is
apt to be extremely provoking; fince the ap¬
plying of mean ideas to our conduft difcoverS
contempt of us in the ridiculer, and that he
defigns to make us contemptible to others.
Ridicule applied to thole qualities or cir-
cumftances in one of our companions, which
neither he nor the ridiculer thinks dilhonour-
able, is agreeable to every one; the butt him-
felf is as well pleafed as any in company.
Ridicule upon any Imall misfortune or in¬
jury, which we have received with forrow or
keen relentment, when it is applied by a third
perfon, '