SECT. II.
There is no Kind of polite Writing that seems to require a deeper
Knowledge, a livelier Imagination, and a happier Turn of Expression
than the Characteristic. Human Nature, in its various Forms and
Affections, is the Subject; and he who wou'd attempt a Work of this
Kind, with some assurance of Success, must not only study other Men;
he has a more difficult Task to perform; he must study himself. The
deep and dark Recesses of the Heart must be penetrated, to discover
how Nature is disguis'd into Art, and how Art puts on the Appearance
of Nature.--This Knowledge is great; 'tis the Perfection of Moral
Philosophy; 'tis an inestimable Treasure: But yet if it shou'd fall
into the Hands of one, who wants proper Abilities to communicate his
Knowledge to the World, it wou'd be of no Service but to the Owner: It
wou'd make him, indeed, an able Philosopher, but not an able Writer of
Characters.
The Mind has its peculiar Features as well as the Body; and these
must be represented in their genuine and native Colours, that so the
Picture may strike, and every Reader, who is concern'd in the Work,
may presently discover himself; and those, who are unconcern'd may,
nevertheless, immediately perceive a just Correspondence between that
Piece and Nature.
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