An Essay towards Fixing the True Standards of Wit, Humour, Railery, Satire, and Ridicule (1744)

The essay, first published in 1744, sets out a surprisingly systematic attempt to pin down what truly counts as wit, humor, raillery, satire, and ridicule. Drawing on classical models from Horace to Cowley, the author measures the art of laughter against strict literary standards, turning a seemingly frivolous subject into a disciplined inquiry. Its tone is lively yet scholarly, inviting the listener to hear 18th‑century debates about the proper use of cleverness.

Behind the polished prose is a man of politics and letters—a Cambridge‑educated lawyer who spent decades in government service and moved in the circles of Hume and Boswell. His experience gives the work a subtle edge: the discussion of wit is never far from the social and political currents of his day, offering glimpses of the Whig worldview that shaped public discourse. Listeners will enjoy the blend of sharp observation, historical anecdotes, and a playful yet rigorous definition of comedy that still resonates today.