"A Metaphor from Mechanism, I think, will very plainly illustrate my Thoughts on this Subject [of wit and judgment]: For let a Machine, of any kind, be joined together by an ingenious Artist, and I dare say, he will be best able to take it apart again: a Bungler, or an ignorant Person, perhaps, may pull it asunder, or break it to pieces; but to separate it nicely, and know how to divide it in the right Places, will certainly be the best performed, by the Man who had Skill enough to set it together."
The Adventures of David Simple
At least 15 entries in ESTC (1740, 1744, 1753, 1758, 1761, 1772, 1775, 1782, 1788, 1792). [Note, <u>Volume the Last</u> published in 1753.]<br>
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Sarah Fielding, <u>The Adventures of David Simple: Containing an Account of his Travels through the Cities of London and Westminster, in the Search of a Real Friend. By a Lady</u>, 2 vols. (London: A. Millar, 1744) &lt;<a href="http://find.galegroup.com/ecco/infomark.do?&contentSet=ECCOArticles&type=multipage&tabID=T001&prodId=ECCO&docId=CW111810244&source=gale&userGroupName=viva_uva&version=1.0&docLevel=FASCIMILE">Link to ECCO</a>&gt;