or prudent man may, by these means, be
diverted without prejudice to his discretion, or morality. Rallery,
under such regulations, unbends the mind from serious studies and
severer contemplations, without throwing it off from its proper bias.
It carries on the same design that is promoted by Authors of a graver
turn, and only does it in another manner. It also awakens reflexion
in those who are the most indifferent in the cause of virtue or
knowledge, by setting before them the absurdity of such practices
as are generally unobserved, by reason of their being common or
fashionable: Nay, it sometimes catches the dissolute and abandoned
before they are aware of it: who are often betrayed to laugh at
themselves, and upon reflexion find, that they are merry at their own
expence. I might farther take notice, that by entertainments of this
kind, a man may be chearful in solitude, and not be forced to seek for
company every time he has a mind to be merry.

The last advantage I shall mention from compositions of this nature
when thus restrained, is, that they shew wisdom and virtue are far
from being inconsistent with politeness and good humour. They make
morality appear amiable to people of gay dispositions, and refute the
common objection against religion, which represents it as only fit
for gloomy and melancholy tempers. It was the motto of a Bishop very
eminent for his piety and good works in King _Charles_ the Second's
reign, _In servi Deo & laetare_, 'Serve God and be chearful.' Those
therefore who supply the world with such entertainments of mirth as
are instructive, or at least harmless, may be thought to deserve well
of mankind; to which I shall only add, that they retrieve the honour
of polite learning, and answer those sour Enthusiasts who affect
to stigmatize the finest and most elegant Authors, both ancient and
modern, (which they have never read) as dangerous to religion, and
destructive of all sound and saving knowledge.

Our nation are such lovers of mirth and humour, that it is impossible
for detached papers, which come out on stated days, either to have
a general run, or long continuance, if they are not diversified and
enlivened from time to time, with subjects and thoughts, accommodated
to this taste, which so prevails among our countrymen. No periodical
Author, who always maintains his gravity, and does not sometimes
sacrifice to the Graces, must expect to keep in vogue for any
considerable time. Politica