[ no ] 
poiTible they could have given it fo re- 
gular a form with a knife, that the box 
had undoubtedly been turned in a lathe, 
and that the men had deceived me in 
pretending it to be their work : hence 
they directly inferred, that thefe men, 
affirming a falfity in this point, might 
have done it in others ; fo that the 
whole account of their adventures on the 
defert iiland was not to be credited. I de- 
fended them, and during our difpute 
Mr. Homann, a very fkiiful ivory-turner, 
cafually entered the room. We prefently 
agreed to abide by his decitfon; and 
turning to him, I gave to the queftion a 
quite different turn, that Mr. Homann 
might not be thought to have decided in 
my favour only out of civility. " Be fo 
" kind," (aid I, " to determine a fmall 
" difference between thefe srentlcmcn 
" and me : I fay that this box is turned, 
" and they maintain the contrary." Mr. 
Homann having carefully examined it, 
anfwered, " The Gentlemen are in the 
cc right; this box was never made by a 
■ : turner; 
