Inextinguishable Laughter

Extract

Father Ronald Knox thinks, but is not sure, that modern humour is degenerate satire. However uncertain he may be in his theories in his practice of both humour and satire he has the certainty of a very great master. Success in satire is readily proved by the way those who are ridiculed sit up and take notice. In the case of Father Knox there are still more eloquent witnesses to success; namely, those who are accustomed to satire, yet find themselves omitted by a master as too easy or venerable a prey. Witness, indeed, the rage against this book by our venerable friend The Tablet.

Every line of Father Knox’s introductory Essay is richly suggestive. I select the only two of his remarks that provoke me to a difference of opinion.

He thinks that St. Thomas has omitted from the Summa Theologica the question of humour before the Fall; and that, for lack of space. The Summa is an encyclopedia, but not the modern sort. It classifies its subject-matter according to place in the universe, not according to place of first letter in the local alphabet. Therefore, you will not find a special paragraph beginning Humour before the Fall, with elsewhere, Fall, Humour before the. You will not; even find a special section on Humming Birds.