Paradoxical assertions and philosophical problems full of delight and recreation for all ladies and youthful fancies by R.H.

Why Melancholy men are witty?

IS it because as Trees set thick hinder each others growth, but transplanted singly thrive best; so Scholars in the University, or Court, either thrive not, or in these full Seminaries are not so much taken notice of; whereas if a while Me∣lancholly and retir'd, they gather more vivacity and produce it with more confidence in all their witty and well-digested discourses?

For if the Melancholy be not mixt with too much Phlegm, but carries a temperate heat (as a dry light makes a wise minde) it cause a terse and more serene understanding. Whereas when it is adust and sweltred with the continual exces∣sive heat of discourse and company (as lime burns when water is cast upon it) it rather inclines to madness then a serious constancy of well tempred wit. Or rather is not the reserved person of the nature of the Melancholy Elephant (whose brain being driest) so becomes the wisest amongst all bruit beasts?