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 ther the Person who made it was a Wig or Tory? Upon the other's answering that he was a Wig, he affirm'd that he was a Tory, and a marry'd Man too, since the Stiches of his Wife, who had a Hand in it, might be distinguish'd from his. The other alledg'd, that the Difference in the Stitches proceeded from a small Prick which he gave his Finger, and that he sow'd it by Candle Light: The other affirm'd, that it was by Day Light, since one might see thro' it: To which was answer'd, that the Holes which were in it, were the Effect of the Taylor's Negligence in pressing it with a too hot Iron. This was obstinately deny'd; and then both quoted the Records of the Play-House, for a Proof of their contrary Opinions. At length they became so angry, by the Opposition they met with from each other, that they forgot what they first contended about, and proceeded to direct Abuse.

While these two were thus abusing each other, a Gentleman, with a very thinking Countenance, address'd himself to me, and said, You see, Sir, how those Persons dispute warmly about Trifles: It is certain, that a Philosopher may learn a good Lesson from any Thing; but these two cannot hit upon the Method of it. If a Man must choose that Curtain for a Subject, let him take the Actors and Audience into Consideration also. You may observe, that in the Curtain before us, there are three remarkable Holes, if we may call that Slit in the Middle one: The two outermost, by bare looking at them, discover that there was some Pains taken with them, and the Rent in the Middle, seems to be at first begun by some Body's Fury. Now to apply: May that those whom you see walking behind the Curtain, be justly compar'd to the learned Part of Mankind, who often look thro' the Curtain, to observe the Behaviour