; yet when it
comes from Vanity only, it partakes of the Nature of Ostentation: for instance,
the Affectation of Liberality in a vain Man, differs visibly from the same
Affectation in the Avaricious; for tho' the vain Man is not what he would
appear, or hath not the Virtue he affects, to the degree he would be thought to
have it; yet it sits less aukwardly on him than on the avaricious Man, who is
the very Reverse of what he would seem to be.
    From the Discovery of this Affectation arises the Ridiculous - which always
strikes the Reader with Surprize and Pleasure; and that in a higher and stronger
Degree when the Affectation arises from Hypocrisy, than when from Vanity: for to
discover any one to be the exact Reverse of what he affects, is more surprizing,
and consequently more ridiculous, than to find him a little deficient in the
Quality he desires the Reputation of. I might observe that our Ben Johnson, who
of all Men understood the Ridiculous the best, hath chiefly used the
hypocritical Affectation.
    Now from Affectation only, the Misfortunes and Calamities of Life, or the
Imperfections of Nature, may become the Objects of Ridicule. Surely he hath a
very ill-framed Mind, who can look on Ugliness, Infirmity, or Poverty, as
ridiculous in themselves: nor do I believe any Man living who meets a dirty
Fellow riding through the Streets in a Cart, is struck with an Idea of the
Ridiculous from it; but if he should see the same Figure descend from his Coach
and Six, or bolt from his Chair with his Hat under his Arm, he would then begin
to laugh, and with justice. In the same manner, were we to enter a poor House,
and behold a wretched Family shivering with Cold and languishing with Hunger, it
would not incline us to Laughter, (at least we must have very diabolical
Natures, if it would:) but should we discover there a Grate, instead of Coals,
adorned with Flowers, empty Plate or China Dishes on the Side-board, or any
other Affectation of Riches and Finery either on their Persons or in their
Furniture; we might then indeed be excused, for ridiculing so fantastical an
Appearance. Much less are natural Imperfections the Objects of Derision: but
when Ugliness aims at the Applause of Beauty, or Lameness endeavours to display
Agility; it is then that these unfortunate Circumstances, which at first moved
our Compassion, tend only to raise our Mirth.
    The Poet carries this very far;
 
None are for being what they are in fault,
But for not being what
