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"The conversation-wits resemble those persons, whose ideas pass through their minds in too quick succession to be distinct; but who, nevertheless, being endued with a natural volubility of expression, acquit themselves to admiration in company; while one is at a loss to find either sense or grammer in their compositions."

— Duff, William (1732-1815)

Author

An Essay on Original Genius

Place of Publication

London

Publisher

Printed for Edward and Charles Dilly

Date

1767

Metaphor

"The conversation-wits resemble those persons, whose ideas pass through their minds in too quick succession to be distinct; but who, nevertheless, being endued with a natural volubility of expression, acquit themselves to admiration in company; while one is at a loss to find either sense or grammer in their compositions."

Metaphor in Context

Humour in WRITING consists either of random strokes of RIDICULE and FACETIOUSNESS, occasionally thrown out, as subjects of DROLLERY and PLEASANTRY happen to occur; or of a vein of IRONY and DELICATE SATIRE, purposely displayed on a particular subject. Perhaps Pope's Rape of the Lock is the most refined piece of HUMOUR in this kind, which any age can boast. There remains indeed another species of Wit and Humour (for it participates of, or at least pretends to both) of the lowest sort however, but deserving some attention; that which consists of puns, quibbles, and the petulant sallies of a rambling and undisciplined fancy; and which is sometimes displayed in conversation. This species of it is not only generally ostentatious, but superficial. It flashes for a little while, and then expires. It rushes on with precipitation, and, like a shallow stream, makes a great noise; but the rivulet soon dries up, and betrays the penuriousness of the source from which it flowed. The conversation-wits resemble those persons, whose ideas pass through their minds in too quick succession to be distinct; but who, nevertheless, being endued with a natural volubility of expression, acquit themselves to admiration in company; while one is at a loss to find either sense or grammer in their compositions. To become a man of true Wit and Humour, it is necessary to think; a piece of drudgery which the Gentlemen we are speaking of are too lively to undergo.
(pp. 50-2)