not but take
that reasonable freedom, which he himself makes use of, with regard
to other writers, to dissent from him in some few particulars. In his
reflexions upon works of wit and humour, he observes how unequal they
are to combate vice and folly; and seems to think, that the finest
rallery and satire, though directed by these generous views, never
reclaimed one vicious man, or made one fool depart from his folly.

This is a position very hard to be contradicted, because no Author
knows the number or names of his converts. As for the _Tatlers_ and
_Spectators_ in particular, which are obliged to this ingenious and
useful Author for the character he has given of them, they were so
generally dispersed in single sheets, and have since been printed
in so great numbers, that it is to be hoped they have made some
proselytes to the interests, if not to the practice of wisdom and
virtue, among such a multitude of readers.

I need not remind this learned Gentleman, that _Socrates_, who was the
greatest propagator of morality in the heathen world, and a martyr
for the Unity of the Godhead, was so famous for the exercise of this
talent among the politest people of antiquity, that he gained the name
of [Greek: ha Eibon] _the Drole_.

There are very good effects which visibly arose from the
above-mentioned performances and others of the like nature; as, in the
first place, they diverted rallery from improper objects, and gave a
new turn to ridicule, which for many years had been exerted on persons
and things of a sacred and serious nature. They endeavoured to make
mirth instructive, and, if they failed in this great end, they must
be allowed at least to have made it innocent. If wit and humour begin
again to relapse into their former licentiousness, they can never hope
for approbation from those who know that rallery is useless when it
has no moral under it, and pernicious when it attacks any thing that
is either unblameable or praise-worthy. To this we may add, what has
been commonly observed, that it is not difficult to be merry on the
side of vice, as serious objects act the most capable of ridicule; as
the party, which naturally favour such a mirth, is the most numerous;
and as there are the most standing jests and patterns for imitation in
this kind of writing.

In the next place: Such productions of wit and humour, as have a
tendency to expose vice and folly, furnish useful diversions to all
kinds of readers. The good