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 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.  Political speculations in particular, however just and important, are of so dry and austere a nature, that they will not go down with the public without frequent seasonings of this kind.  The work may be well performed, but will never take, if it is not set off with proper scenes and decorations.  A mere Politician is but a dull companion, and, if he is always wise, is in great danger of being tiresom or ridiculous.