ESSAYS

On the Nature and Immutability of Truth, in opposition to Sophistry and Scepticism.

On Poetry and Musick, as

they affect the Mind. On Laughter, and Ludicrous Composition.

On the Utility of Classical
Learning.

BY JAMES BEATTIE, LL. D.

Professor of Moral Philosophy and Logick in the Marischal College and University of Aberdeen.

1

IN THREE VOLUMES.

VOL. III.

PHILADELPHIA:

PUBLISHED BY HOPKINS AND EARLE.

Fry and Kammerer, Printers.

1809.

CHAPTER I.

Of Poetical Language, considered as Significant.

SECTION I.

An Idea of Natural Language..

SECTION II.

Natural Language is improved in Poetry, by the Use of

Poetical Words.

SECTION III.

Natural Language is improved in Poetry, by Means of

Tropes and Figures..

CHAPTER II.

Of Poetical Language, considered with re-

spect to its Sound.

AN ESSAY ON LAUGHTER AND LUDI-

CROUS COMPOSITION.

CHAPTER I.

Introduction. The Subject proposed. Opi-

nions of Philosophers: I. Aristotle. II.

Hobbes. III. Hutcheson. IV. Akenside. 127

CHAPTER II.

Laughter seems to arise from the View of

Things Incongruous united in the same

Assemblage; I. By Juxtaposition; II. As

Cause and Effect; III. By.Comparison

founded on Similitude; or, IV. United so

as to exhibit an opposition of Meanness

and Dignity...

CHAPTER III.

Limitations of the preceding Doctrine. In-

congruity not Ludicrous, I. When cus-

tomary and common; nor, II. When it

excites any powerful Emotion in the Be-

holder, as, 1. Moral Disapprobation, 2.In-

dignation or Disgust, 3. Pity, or, 4. Fear;

III. Influence of Goodreeding upon

152

Laughter; IV. Of Similitudes, as con-

nected with this Subject; V. Recapitula-

tion.

...

227

CHAPTER IV.

An Attempt to account for the Superiority

of the Moderns in Ludicrous Writing.. 269

REMARKS ON THE UTILITY OF CLAS-

SICAL LEARNING....
305