cases of embarrassment, and of the resolutions formed during a fit of sickness.

These are a few of the instances in which WORDS OF COURSE are generally employed; and it only remains to be inquired, whether they are not used more frequently than is proper; and whether, upon the whole, any very great benefit results from stripping words of their accustomed meaning; and such questions, I trust, I may very safely leave to the determination of my readers. But although I take for granted that they will object to the extension and continuance of WORDS OF COURSE, I cannot flatter them that such an opinion, however strongly expressed, will produce the change wanted. In the mean time, therefore, and while certain persons of all ranks think it per to make use of WORDS OF COURSE, it is my business, as a PROJECTOR for the general good, to suggest an expedient by which great trouble and many disappointments may be avoided. This is nothing more than that some ingenious person, particularly learned in WORDS OF COURSE, will compile a Dictionary of them; not with the original meanings, but with the latest meanings affixed; and specifying also all those words and phrases which have no meaning at all. The latter part of

pro

cians, they have been known to call a meeting of their creditors. Had not these and other circumstances diverted me from considering Idleness as a disease, I was about to have classed it among those dangerous epidemics that are produced by hot weather, oblige the patients to fly from home in quest of cool air at the sea-side; and which are observed to rage in this country, principally from the commencement of the dog-days to about the end of October.

But, upon more mature deliberation, I have been induced to view Idleness as one of those misfortunes for which a generous and humane publick often interests itself, and studies to procure suitable relief. Under such circumstances, it would ill become one who is a PROJECTOR by trade, to omit a grievance of so great magnitude, and of which so many striking instances may be seen in all the ranks of life. I am the more disposed to take this matter in hand, as not only the language of common conversation, but even that of the Law, bestows epithets upon certain classes of the Idle, which, to say the least, are not very respectful. For example, our Laws speak of idle persons and vagabonds, as being identically the same; but if such language as this be per

mitted in the case of the poor, to whom I think it is generally applied, who can say whether it may not be applied with equal propriety to persons of higher rank, who happen to be idle? Who Who can say, whether some sturdy moralist, or implacable interpreter of the Laws, may not discover vagabonds in coaches, and idle persons in curricles, phaëtons, and barouches? And this is the more to be apprehended, because, philosophically considered, there is very little difference between one kind of idleness and another; between, for example, the idleness of him who is led to pick a pocket by manual dexterity in Smithfield, and of him who produces the same effect by a throw of the dice in St. James's-street.

In investigating the causes of Idleness, there may be much difference of opinion. There are, however, at least two causes about which there can be no dispute, Time and Money. But while we see very clearly that these operate in producing the misfortune which is the subject of this paper, it is certainly not very easy to say why they should do so. Moralists are perpetually telling us of the shortness of Time, and calculators are no less eager to demonstrate the value of Money. But it is evident from the practice of the indolent, that their time is so

cians, they have been known to call a meeting of their creditors. Had not these and other circumstances diverted me from considering Idleness as a disease, I was about to have classed it among those dangerous epidemics that are produced by hot weather, oblige the patients to fly from home in quest of cool air at the sea-side; and which are observed to rage in this country, principally from the commencement of the dog-days to about the end of October.

But, upon more mature deliberation, I have been induced to view Idleness as one of those misfortunes for which a generous and humane publick often interests itself, and studies to procure suitable relief. Under such circumstances, it would ill become one who is a PROJECTOR by trade, to omit a grievance of so great magnitude, and of which so many striking instances may be seen in all the ranks of life. I am the more disposed to take this matter in hand, as not only the language of common conversation, but even that of the Law, bestows epithets upon certain classes of the Idle, which, to say the least, are not very respectful. For example, our Laws speak of idle persons and vagabonds, as being identically the same; but if such language as this be per

mitted in the case of the poor, to whom I think it is generally applied, who can say whether it may not be applied with equal propriety to persons of higher rank, who happen to be idle? Who can say, whether some sturdy

moralist, or implacable interpreter of the Laws, may not discover vagabonds in coaches, and idle persons in curricles, phaëtons, and barouches? And this is the more to be apprehended, because, philosophically considered, there is very little difference between one kind of idleness and another; between, for example, the idleness of him who is led to pick a pocket by manual dexterity in Smithfield, and of him who produces the same effect by a throw of the dice in St. James's-street.

In investigating the causes of Idleness, there may be much difference of opinion. There are, however, at least two causes about which there can be no dispute, Time and Money. But while we see very clearly that these operate in producing the misfortune which is the subject of this paper, it is certainly not very easy to say why they should do so. Moralists are perpetually telling us of the shortness of Time, and calculators are no less eager to demonstrate the value of Money. But it is evident from the practice of the indolent, that their time is so