d: some mischief, however, he hopes he has done;
and to have done mischief is of some importance. He sets his invention
to work again, and produces a narrative of a robbery, or a murder, with
all the circumstances of the time and place accurately adjusted. This is
a jest of greater effect and longer duration. If he fixes his scene at a
proper distance, he may for several days keep a wife in terror for her
husband, or a mother for her son; and please himself with reflecting,
that by his abilities and address some addition is made to the miseries
of life.

47. There is, I think, an ancient law in _Scotland_, by which
_Leasing-making_ was capitally punished. I am, indeed, far from desiring
to increase in this kingdom the number of executions; yet I cannot but
think, that they who destroy the confidence of society, weaken the
credit of intelligence, and interrupt the security of life; harrass the
delicate with shame, and perplex the timorous with alarms; might very
properly be awakened to a sense of their crimes, by denunciations of a
whipping-post or a pillory: since many are so insensible of right and
wrong, that they have no standard of action but the law; nor feel guilt,
but as they dread punishment.

_The Importance of Punctuality_.

1. It is observed in the writings of _Boyle_, that the excellency of
manufactures and the facility of labor would be much promoted, if the
various expedients and contrivances which lie concealed in private
hands, were, by reciprocal communications, made generally known; for
there are few operations that are not performed by one or other with
some peculiar advantages, which, though singly of little importance,
would, by conjunction and concurrence, open new inlets to knowledge, and
give new powers to diligence.

2. There are in like manner several moral excellencies distributed among
the various classes of mankind, which he that converses in the world
should endeavor to assemble in himself. It was said by the learned
_Cajucius_, that he never read more than one book, by which he was not
instructed; and he that shall inquire after virtue with ardour and
attention, will seldom find a man by whose example or sentiments he may
not be improved.

3. Every profession has some essential and appropriate virtue, without
which there can be no hope of honor or success, and which, as it is more
or less cultivated, confers within its sphere of activity different
degrees of merit and reputat