Page:A Dissertation on the Construction of Locks (1785).pdf/27

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

[17]

tained that point of excellence in the conſtruction of his Lock, which is eſſential to perfect ſecurity.—His improvement hath greatly increaſed the difficulty, but not precluded the poſſibility of opening his Lock, by a key made and obtained as above deſcribed; for an impreſſion of the tumblers may be taken by the ſame method, and the key be thence made to act upon them as accurately, as it may be made to tally with the wards. Nor will the practicability of obtaining ſuch a key be prevented, however complicated the principle, or conſtruction of the Lock may be, whilſt the diſpoſition of its parts may be aſcertained, and their impreſſion correctly taken from without. I apprehend the uſe of additional tumblers to have been applied by Mr. Baron, as a remedy for this imperfection, becauſe a leſs object would not have been worthy the exerciſe of his great talents and ability; and, becauſe (if ſuch were his intentions) he did not over-

rate