_La._ And in my Opinion, you are in the Right of it. Folly and Impertinence ought always to be the Objects of Satire and Ridicule.
_Gent._ Nay, upon second Thoughts, I don't know but this odd turn of Mind, which you have given your self, may not only be entertaining to several of your Customers, but, perhaps, very much so to your self.
_Mast._ Vastly so, Sir. It very often helps me to Speculations infinitely agreeable. I can sit behind this Counter, and fancy my little Shop, and the Transactions of it, an agreeable Representation of the grand Theater of the World. When I see a Fool come in here, and throw away 50 or 100 Guineas for a Trifle that is not really worth a Shilling, I am sometimes surpriz'd: But when I look out into the World, and see Lordships and Manors barter'd away for gilt Coaches and Equipage; an Estate for a Title; and an easy Freedom in Retirement for a servile Attendance in a Crowd; when I see Health with great eagerness exchang'd for Diseases, and Happiness for a Game at Hazard; my Wonder ceases. Surely the World is a great Toy-shop, and all it's Inhabitants run mad for Rattles. Nay, even the very wisest of us, however, we may flatter our selves, have some Failing or Weakness, some Toy or Trifle, that we are ridiculously fond of. Yet, so very partial are we to our own dear selves, that we over-look those Miscarriages in our own Conduct, which we loudly exclaim against in that of others; and, tho' the same Fool's Turbant fits us all,
_You say that I, I say that You are He, And each Man swears "The Cap's not made for me."_
_Gent._ Ha, ha! 'Tis very true, indeed. But I imagine you now begin to think it Time to shut up Shop. Ladies, do ye want any Thing else?
_1 La._ No, I think not. If you please to put up that Looking-glass; and the Perspective, I will pay you for them.
_Gent._ Well, Madam, how do you like this whimsical Humourist?
_1. La._ Why, really, in my Opinion, the Man's as great a Curiosity himself, as any Thing he has got in his Shop.
_Gent._ He is so indeed. I think we have heard a great Deal of Folly very justly ridicul'd.
_In this gay thoughtless Age He'as found a Way, In trifling Things just Morals to convey. 'Tis his at once to please and to reform, And give old Satire a new Pow'r to charm. And, would you guide your Lives and Actions right, Think on the Maxims you have heard to Night._