attain this great End, I believe it
will be allow'd that he who gains his point the easiest way, is the
wisest Person: For instance, I know there are Mines of _Gold_ and
_Silver_ in _Peru_ and _Mexico_; but when one considers at what a very
inconvenient distance these are, and what Toils and Dangers must be
undergone before an _Ingot_ of either can be pocketed, what is to be
done in the Case? We cannot go to them, and they will not come to us.
In this plunge of Affairs, we resolve to pick it up by _Shillings_,
_Crowns_, _Guineas_, _Moidores_, &c. at home.

That the one half of this great over-grown Metropolis knows but little
how the other is truly supported, is a Maxim, I believe, older than
the Walls themselves; that a considerable number of Persons are daily
employed and kept in constant pay to go about damaging and destroying
all manner of wearing Apparel, when they can find an Opportunity of
doing it without any Inconveniences to themselves, is a Fact that will
admit of no manner of Dispute. I have been inform'd, that if a
_Coachman_ or _Carter_ can decently dash a _Gentleman_ or a _Lady_
that are richly dress'd, when they are walking the Streets, over their
Head and Ears, and make due Proof of the Fact, there is not a _Draper_
or _Mercer_ within half a Mile of the Place where the Exploit was
perform'd, but who will readily tip the Man a Shilling for his
Trouble.

Every body knows, that when a _Foot-Soldier_ was taken in the Court of
_Requests_ at _Westminster_, bedaubing a noble Lord's new Suit of
Clothes upon his Back, with a composition of Powders that in a Week's
time would have render'd them not worth the acceptance of his _Valet
de Chambre_; the _honest Man_, upon a very strict Examination before a
Magistrate, was at last brought, though with great reluctancy, to
confess his receiving a Salary of Thirty Pounds _per Ann._ from
certain _Drapers_, _Taylors_, and _Scowrers_, for those kinds of
Services.

A few Weeks since I happen'd into a very large promiscuous Company of
Gentlemen and Tradesmen, at a Tavern near the _Royal-Exchange_; I had
not been seated amongst them a Quarter of an Hour, before a Waiter
came to top the Candles, and let a Snuff fall upon the Sleeve of my
Coat, which instantly burnt a great hole in the Cloth. All the
Satisfaction I had, was in calling him careless Rascal, and his
begging my pardon. This was soon follow'd by a great Glass of Wine one
of the Company let fall upon the Table, w