Page:A Dissertation on the Construction of Locks (1785).pdf/35

 refer to the moſt perfect Locks, that ever were conſtructed; to demonſtrate the other, I ſhall give a ſpecification of my own.

The idea of conſtructing a Lock, that might reſiſt every application, and effort of art, was firſt ſuggeſted to me (as I have before obſerved) by the alarming increaſe of ; which, there is great reaſon to believe, are as often perpetrated by perfidious ſervants—or accompliſhed by their connivance, as by any means that are uſed by the common houſe-breaker. In this view of the evil to be remedied, it was evident, that a Lock or faſtening, which might effectually exclude the one, would be no ſecurity againſt the other; and, that no Lock would completely anſwer its intended purpoſe, unleſs a free and deliberate acceſs to the key-hole could be rendered as uſeleſs to the purpoſe of obtaining a key by impreſſion; as, the picklock, and other inſtruments of miſchief, may be rendered (to the purpoſe of