| Citation |
PG-P.745.037
6 Dec 1745:11,12 (886)
An Essay upon Frenzy, Total and Partial, General and
Particular.
. . . [1 1/2 columns] whereas the proper entertainment of
the understanding must be something that is rational and
solid. The Spectator, with great propriety, compared men to
musical instruments; the pursuit of that comparison may
serve to illustrate and give light in the affair under
consideration.
For as it is with an instrument of musick, one string may
be out of tune, and consequently disconcert the order and
true harmony, and this not be perceived by an unskillful and
uncultivated ear; so the general state, or cast of the
understanding, being right, the depravation of mind, in some
one particular, will scarcely be perceived by unattentive
persons; but when two or three strings are out of order, it
is more discernible: So that those lesser disorders are so
far perceived, as to denominate one an odd man, a whimsical
person, an humorist, a queer fellow, and another an
enthusiast. But when all the strings are out of tune, half
broken, and disorder'd, or be reduced to the state of
Thomson's fiddle, with but one string, and that with nine
knots in it, then the most untuneable ear is sensible there
is no harmony at all; such is the state of one intirely
distracted, in whom is to be seen the utter ruin of human
nature.
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