Advertisements are of great use to the vulgar. First of all, as they are instruments of ambition. A man that is by no means big enough for the Gazette, may easily creep into the advertisements; by which means we often see an apothecary in the same paper of news with a plenipotentiary, or a running footman with an ambassador.

Summary

This quote by Joseph Addison suggests that advertisements are beneficial for ordinary people who aspire to gain recognition and status. It highlights how individuals who may not have the qualifications or achievements to be featured in prestigious publications like the Gazette, can still find a place in advertisements. Addison points out that through this medium, seemingly disparate figures such as an apothecary and a plenipotentiary or a running footman and an ambassador can appear side by side within the same newspaper, blurring the lines of social hierarchy and offering opportunities for ambitious individuals to gain visibility.

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