III. -- THAT A MAN MUST NOT LAUGH AT HIS OWN JEST

Theseverestexactionsurelyeverinventedupontheself-denialofpoorhumannature!Thisistoexpectagentlemantogiveatreatwithoutpartakingofit;tositesurientathisowntable,andmendtheflavourofhisvenisonupontheabsurdstrengthofhisnevertouchingithimself.Onthecontrary,welovetoseeawagtastehisownjoketohisparty;towatchaquirk,oramerryconceit,flickeringuponthelipssomesecondsbeforethetongueisdeliveredofit.Ifitbegood,fresh,andracy[p254]——begottenoftheoccasion;ifhethatuttersitneverthoughtitbefore,heisnaturallythefirsttobetickledwithit;andanysuppressionofsuchplacenceweholdtobechurlishandinsulting.Whatdoesitseemtoimply,butthatyourpanyisweakorfoolishenoughtobemovedbyanimageorafancy,thatshallstiryounotatall,orbutfaintly?ThisisexactlythehumourofthefinegentlemaninMandeville,who,whilehedazzleshisguestswiththedisplayofsomecostlytoy,affectshimselfto"seenothingconsiderableinit."