_Mast._ The common Virtue of the World appears only a Cloak for Knavery; and it's Friendships no more than Bargains of Self-Interest. In short, he who is now passing away his Days in a constant Round of Vanity, Folly, Intemperance, and Extravagance, when he comes seriously to look back upon his past Actions, thro' these undisguising Opticks, will certainly be convinc'd, that a regular Life, spent in the Study of Truth and Virtue, and adorn'd with Acts of Justice, Generosity, Charity, and Benevolence, would not only have afforded him more Delight and Satisfaction in the present Moment, but would likewise have rais'd to his Memory a lasting Monument of Fame and Honour. _O. M._ Humph! 'Tis very true; but very odd that such serious Ware should be the Commodity of a Toy-shop. [_Aside._] Well, Sir, and what's the Price of these extraordinary Spectacles? _Mast._ Half a Crown. _O. M._ There's your Money. [_Exit._ _Enter a fourth young Gentleman._ _4 Gent._ I want a small pair of Scales. _Mast._ You shall have them, Sir. _4 Gent._ Are they exactly true? _Mast._ The very Emblem of Justice, Sir, a Hair will turn 'em. [_Ballancing the Scales._] _4 Gent._ I would have them true, for they must determine some very nice statical Experiments. _Mast._ I'll engage they shall justly determine the nicest Experiments in Staticks, I have try'd them my self in some uncommon Subjects, and have prov'd their Goodness. I have taken a large Handful of Great Men's Promises, and put into one end; and lo! the Breath of a Fly in the other has kick'd up the Beam. I have seen four Peacock's Feathers, and the four Gold Clocks in Lord _Tawdry's_ Stockings, suspend the Scales in Equilibrio. I have found by Experiment, that the Learning of a Beau, and the Wit of a Pedant are a just Counterpoise to each other. That the Pride and Vanity of any Man are in exact Proportion to his Ignorance. That a Grain of Good-nature will preponderate against an Ounce of Wit; a Heart full of Virtue against a Head full of Learning; an a Thimble full of Content against a Chest full of Gold. _4 Gent._ This must be a very pretty Science, I fancy. _Mast._ It would be endless to enumerate all the Experiments that might be made in these Scales; but there is one which every Man ought to be appriz'd of; and that is, that a Moderate Fortune, enjoy'd with Content, Freedom, and Independency will turn the Scales against whatever can be put in the other End. _4 Gent._ Well, this is a Branch of Staticks, which I must own I had but little Thoughts of entering into. However I begin to be persuaded, that to know the true Specifick Gravity of this Kind of Subjects, is of infinitely more Importance than that of any other Bodies in the Universe.