_Mast._ If a Beau was to buy this Glass, and look earnestly in it, he might see his Folly almost as soon as his Finery. 'Tis true, some People may not see their Generosity in it, nor others their Charity, yet it is a very clear Glass. Some fine Gentlemen may not see their Good-manners in it perhaps, nor some Parsons their Religion, yet it is a very clear Glass. In short, tho' every one that passes for a Maid should not happen to see a Maidenhead in it, yet it may be a very clear Glass, you know, for all that. _2 La._ Yes, Sir, but I did not ask you the Virtues of it, I ask'd you the Price. _Mast._ It was necessary to tell you the Virtues, Madam, in order to prevent your scrupling the Price, which is five Guineas, and for so extraordinary a Glass, in my Opinion, it is but a Trifle. _2 La._ Lord, I'm afraid to look in it, methinks, lest it should show me more of my Faults than I care to see. _1 La._ Pray, Sir, what can be the Use of this very diminutive piece of Goods here? _Mast._ This Box, Madam? In the first Place, it is a very great Curiosity, being the least Box that ever was seen in _England_. _1 La._ Then a very little Curiosity had been more proper. _Mast._ Right, Madam. Yet, would you think it, in this same little Box, a Courtier may deposite his Sincerity, a Lawyer may screw up his Honesty, and a Poet may----hoard his Money. _Gent._ Ha, ha, ha, I will make a Present of it to Mr. _Stanza_ for the very same Purpose. _2 La._ Here's a fine Perspective. Now, I think, Madam, in the Country these are a very pretty Amusement. _Mast._ O, Madam, the most useful and diverting things imaginable either in Town or Country. The Nature of this Glass, Madam, (pardon my impertinence in pretending to tell you what to be sure you are as well acquainted with as myself) is this. If you look thro' it at this end every Object is magnified, brought near, and discern'd with the greatest Plainness; but turn it the other way, do ye see, and they are all lessen'd, cast at a great Distance, and rendered almost imperceptible. Thro' this End it is that we look at our own Faults, but when other People's are to be examined, we are ready enough to turn the other. Thro' this End are view'd all the Benefits and Advantages we at any time receive from others; but if ever we happen to confer any, they are sure to be shown in their greatest Magnitude thro' the other. Thro' this we enviously darken and contract the Virtue, the Merit, the Beauty of all the World around us; but fondly Compliment our own with the most agreeable and advantageous Light thro' the other. _2 La._ Why, Sir, methinks you are a new Kind of a Satirical Parson, your Shop is your Scripture, and every piece of Goods a different Text, from which you expose the Vices and Follies of Mankind in a very fine allegorical Sermon.