1781, Samuel Johnson, "Samuel Butler" in Lives of the Poets:
But the most valuable parts of his performance are those which retired study and native wit cannot supply.
c.1870Bayard Taylor, "Mrs. Strongitharm's Report" in Beauty and The Beast and Tales of Home:
Nelly Kirkpatrick was a great, red-haired giant of a woman, very illiterate, but with some native wit, and good-hearted enough, I am told, when she was in her right mind.