produce admirable instruments for the several offices in a state, .
. . civil and military, proceeding in such methods as I shall here
humbly propose. And I hope the gentle reader will give some
allowance to my great solicitudes in this important affair, upon
account of that high esteem I have ever borne that honourable
society, whereof I had some time the happiness to be an unworthy
member.

Is any student tearing his straw in piecemeal, swearing and
blaspheming, biting his grate, foaming at the mouth, and emptying
his vessel in the spectators' faces? Let the right worshipful the
Commissioners of Inspection give him a regiment of dragoons, and
send him into Flanders among the rest. Is another eternally
talking, sputtering, gaping, bawling, in a sound without period or
article? What wonderful talents are here mislaid! Let him be
furnished immediately with a green bag and papers, and threepence in
his pocket {135}, and away with him to Westminster Hall. You will
find a third gravely taking the dimensions of his kennel, a person
of foresight and insight, though kept quite in the dark; for why,
like Moses, Ecce cornuta erat ejus facies. He walks duly in one
pace, entreats your penny with due gravity and ceremony, talks much
of hard times, and taxes, and the whore of Babylon, bars up the
wooden of his cell constantly at eight o'clock, dreams of fire, and
shoplifters, and court-customers, and privileged places. Now what a
figure would all these acquirements amount to if the owner were sent
into the City among his brethren! Behold a fourth in much and deep
conversation with himself, biting his thumbs at proper junctures,
his countenance chequered with business and design; sometimes
walking very fast, with his eyes nailed to a paper that he holds in
his hands; a great saver of time, somewhat thick of hearing, very