History of English Humour, Vol. 2

This volume offers a lively tour through the evolution of English wit, tracing how burlesque, parody, satire and the “splendid shilling” of the eighteenth century gave way to the ironies of Defoe, the riddles of Swift and the playful sketches of later writers. By weaving together anecdotes, literary excerpts and cultural observations, it shows how humor served both as a mirror and a magnifying glass for the society that produced it.

The author turns a careful eye to the major voices of the period—Pope, Gray, Sterne, Cowper, Byron and the Victorian giants such as Dickens and Thackeray—explaining what made their jokes tick and why their styles resonated with contemporary readers. Themes like the relationship between wit and morality, the mechanics of the pun, and the shifting taste for parody are explored with clear examples that bring the era’s comic spirit to life.

For anyone curious about why a laughing line could be as powerful as a serious essay, this guide provides an engaging, well‑structured overview that makes the rich tapestry of English humor both accessible and intriguing.