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diff --git a/old/60004-0.txt b/old/60004-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 4f08054..0000000 --- a/old/60004-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,9248 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Fables of Æsop, and Others, by Thomas Bewick - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Fables of Æsop, and Others - With Designs on Wood - -Author: Thomas Bewick - -Release Date: August 1, 2019 [EBook #60004] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FABLES OF ÆSOP, AND OTHERS *** - - - - -Produced by Chris Curnow, Charlie Howard, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - -Transcriber’s Notes - - -Italics text is enclosed in _underscores_; crossed-out text on pages -36 and 76 is enclosed in \backslashes\; and superscripted text in the -first lines of the first page is preceded by carets, such as D^r. - -Bracketed page numbers, such as [Page 81], at the beginning of each -Fable, were added as a Search aid by Transcriber, as the Table of -Contents is in alphabetical, rather than page number sequence. - - - - -[Illustration: - - _Newcastle 1^st. October 1818_ - _To Thomas Bewick & Son D^r., - To an Imp^l. Copy of Esop’s Fables 1^£ 11^s 6^d_ - - _Received the above with thanks_ - - _Thomas Bewick_ _Robert Elliot Bewick_ - - _Thomas Bewick_ - - _his Mark_ -] - - - - - THE - FABLES OF ÆSOP, - AND OTHERS, - WITH DESIGNS ON WOOD, - - BY - THOMAS BEWICK. - - - “_The wisest of the Ancients delivered their Conceptions of the Deity, - and their Lessons of Morality, in Fables and Parables._” - - - [Illustration] - - - NEWCASTLE: - - PRINTED BY E. WALKER, FOR T. BEWICK AND SON. - SOLD BY THEM, LONGMAN AND CO. LONDON, - AND ALL BOOKSELLERS. - - 1818. - - - - -[Illustration: - - _Wise Men think - Good Men Grieve - Knaves invent - and Fools believe._ -] - - - - -THE PREFACE DEDICATORY. - - -_To the Youth of the British Isles._ - -In collecting together, for your use and benefit, some of the -prudential maxims, and moral apothegms, of the ancient sages, the -Publishers of this volume have been stimulated by an ardent desire to -render this excellent mode of instruction as agreeable as possible; -and, at the same time, to impress the precepts contained in the -Fables more forcibly on your minds, they have endeavoured to make the -embellishments worthy of your notice and examination. - -If the seeds of morality and patriotism be early sown, they will spring -up, and ripen to maturity, in a confirmed love of truth, integrity -and honour; and without these for his guide, no man can do credit to -himself or his country. This consideration is of vital importance; for -our comfort and happiness through life, mainly depend upon a strict -adherence to the rules of morality and religion. The youth who is -early tutored in an invincible regard for his own character, will soon -perceive the duties imposed upon him by society, and will have pleasure -in fulfilling them, as much for his own satisfaction as for the sake of -his fellow men: but when the latent powers of the mind are neglected, -or not directed into the paths of rectitude, by good precepts and -worthy examples, vice and folly enter the opening, and lead their -victim into evils and errors, which render his life miserable, and -sometimes hurry him into an ignominious grave. - -To delineate the characters and passions of men, under the semblance of -Lions, Tigers, Wolves, and Foxes, is not so extravagant a fiction as it -may at first sight seem: for the innocent and inexperienced will find, -when they engage in the busy scenes of the world, that they will have -to deal with men of dispositions not unlike those animals; and that -their utmost vigilance will be required to guard against their violence -or machinations. - -In attempting to form an estimate of the characters of mankind, many -gradations and shades will be found between the two extremes of virtue -and vice. The philanthropist views with feelings of benevolence the -wavering balance, and adds those he finds on the confines, to the -number of the virtuous; while the misanthrope, with gloomy malignity, -endeavours to include within the circle of vice, those who are standing -upon the ill-defined line of division, and thus swells the number -of the bad. Both observe with pain, that great numbers exist, whose -whole lives seem to be spent in disfiguring the beautiful order which -might otherwise reign in society, regardless of the misery which their -wickedness scatters around them. They see men, who suffer their bad -passions and gross appetites to be the sole rule of their conduct; -and whether these shew themselves in an inordinate ambition, a thirst -after false glory, or an insatiable avarice, their consequences are -pernicious, and diffuse evil, distress, and ruin among mankind, in -proportion to the extent to which their baneful influence reaches. The -misanthrope, in contemplating the scene of mischief and disorder, is -apt to arraign the wisdom and justice of Providence for permitting it -to exist; but the philanthropist views it with a more extended range of -vision; and while he laments the evil, he attributes the apparent want -of human feelings in the actors, to an early perversion of intellect, -or to a stifling of the reasoning power given by the Great Creator to -man for his guide, and without which he is the worst animal in the -creation, a mere two-legged Tiger. Upon the childhood and youth of -such men, the great truth taught by the inspired and wisest writers -of all ages, that “no life can be pleasing to God which is not useful -to man,” has not been sufficiently impressed, or probably the energy -with which they pursue their wicked career might have been led into a -different course, and instead of the scourges, they would have been the -benefactors of mankind. - -When religion and morality are blended together in the mind, they -impart their blessings to all who seek the aid of the one and obey -the dictates of the other, and their joint effects are seen and felt -in the perpetual cheerfulness they impart. They incite the innocent -whistle of the ploughman at his plough, of the cobler in his stall, -and the song of the milk-maid at her pail: and it is a sign of their -being perverted, when they engender melancholy notions; for these are -the offspring of bigotry, fanaticism, and ignorance. The service of -the Omnipotent is not of this gloomy cast; he has spread out the table -of this beautiful world of wonders, for the use of his creatures, and -has placed man at the head of it, that he might enjoy its bounties, as -well as prepare himself for the approaching change to another, which -inspiration has powerfully impressed on his soul as the _unknowable_ -region of his next advance. The materialist, in his dreary reveries, -cannot comprehend this, neither will he acknowledge that his being -placed here is equally as miraculous as that he should be placed in -another world or worlds, progressively to improve, to all eternity: but -to harbour doubts on this subject, is like disputing the wisdom, the -justice, and the mercy of the Author of our being, who, according to -the conceptions we form of his goodness, as exhibited in the design, -the grandeur, and the immensity of creation, where every thing is -systematic, regular, and in order, would never decree that man should -be placed here instinctively to know his Maker--to take a short peep at -the stupendous, the amazing whole--to view all these, and have powers -of mind given him only to know and repugnantly to feel, that after a -life mixed with turmoil, grief, and disease, he is to be annihilated! -In our conception of things, and to the limited understanding which has -been given us, all this would appear to be labour in vain. - -The volume of the creation speaks alike to all, and cannot be defaced -by man; but the ways of Providence are beyond his comprehension. -Omnipotence has not been pleased to gratify his pride and vanity, nor -to consult his understanding, in the government of the universe; but -sufficient has been disclosed unto him to point out the moral duties he -owes to society, and the religious worship due to his Maker, without -groping after what is utterly beyond his reach: for our feeble reason -is too weak to comprehend the divine essence; and our thoughts, on -their utmost stretch, roll back on darkness. We reason, but we err: -for how can we comprehend the immensity of endless space, of time and -eternity, a beginning or an end; or what conceptions can we form of -the Power which made the sun and worlds without number? Truly, this -is far too much for a finite being, who does not know why he can move -one of his own fingers, or cease to do so when he pleases! But all may -know and fulfil their religious obligations, by reverencing and adoring -their Creator, and walking humbly before him, and their moral duties, -by being in their several stations, good sons, brothers, husbands, -wives, fathers, mothers, neighbours, and members of society. - -Having, with humble diffidence, in this masquerade of life, attempted -to point out to youth the exterior of the temple of virtue, and to -lead them to its steps, the Editor leaves them there, respectfully -recommending them to explore the whole interior, under the guidance of -men more eminent for their mental powers and attainments in learning, -philosophy, and piety. Of these, an illustrious band have placed, at -every avenue and turning, their inestimable works, as directions to -guide us to usefulness and respectability here, and eternal happiness -hereafter. - -[Illustration: _Thomas Bewick_] - -_Newcastle, September, 1818._ - - - - -[Illustration] - -THE INTRODUCTION. - - -From time to time, in all ages, men inspired, or gifted with a superior -degree of intellectual power, have appeared upon the stage of life, in -order (by enlightening others) to fulfil the designs of Omnipotence, in -uniting the world in a state of civilized society. - -Patriarchs, or heads of families, at first directed or governed those -who were immediately dependent upon them: these in time increased, -and became _clans_; these again, by their quarrels, and their wars, -were induced to elect chieftains or kings over a number of united -clans,--from which were formed the various nations and kingdoms of -the earth. In this early stage of the world, when men were ignorant -and uncivilized, the chase and war seem almost wholly to have -occupied their time and attention. Their kings ruled over them with -despotic sway, and the will of the prince was the only law: and thus -the barbarism of the subject and the tyranny of the ruler went hand -in hand together. That over-swollen pride, which seems the natural -accompaniment of despotic power, blinds the understandings of its -possessors, and renders them wholly regardless of the important trust -reposed in them. The evils arising out of their bad government, are -felt, more or less, by the whole people over whom they preside; and -pride and arrogance prevent the approach of sincerity and truth. The -sycophant and the slave then only find admission, and all other men are -kept at a distance. While kings and governors were of this character, -the voice of truth could only reach their ears through allegory and -fable, which took their rise in the infancy of learning, and seem to -have been the only safe mode of conveying admonition to tyrants. This -pleasing method of instilling instruction into the mind, has been found -by experience to be the shortest and best way of accomplishing that -end, among all ranks and conditions of men. - -The first Fable upon record, is that of Jotham and the Trees, in the -Bible; and the next, that of The Poor Man and his Lamb, as related by -Nathan to King David, and which carried with it a blaze of truth that -flashed conviction on the mind of the royal transgressor. Lessons of -reproof, religion, and morality, were, we find, continually delivered -in this mode, by the sages of old, to the exalted among mankind. - -It is asserted by authors, that Apologues and Fables had their -origin in the Eastern world, and that the most ancient of them were -the productions of Veesh-nou Sarma, commonly called Pilpay, whose -beautiful collections of Apologues were esteemed as sacred books in -India and Persia, whence they were spread abroad among other nations, -and were by them celebrated and holden in much estimation. They were -translated from the Persian and Arabian into Greek, by Simeon Seth, a -man of great learning, who was an officer of the imperial household -at Constantinople about the year 1070. Seth’s Version was imitated -in Latin by Piers Alfonse, a converted Jew, as early as the year -1107; and this is supposed to have been the first version of Pilpay’s -Apologues that made its way, and became familiarized in Europe. The -time in which Pilpay lived, seems not to be certainly known to the -learned; but some of them suppose that the Fables of Æsop and others -were grounded upon his models. The time in which Æsop lived is better -ascertained, and of all the Fabulists who have amused and instructed -mankind by their writings, his name stands pre-eminent. Authors fix -his birth-place at Cotieum, in Phrygia Major. But the history of -this remarkable person, who lived about 572 years before Christ, and -about 100 years before Herodotus, the Greek historian, has been so -involved in mystery, traditionary stories, and absurd conjectures, -that any attempt to give a detail from such materials, would only -serve to bewilder youth, and lead them into a labyrinth of error; and -it would be impertinent to trouble the learned reader with that which -must be sufficiently familiar to him.[A] The whole of the absurd -fictions concerning this wise and amiable man, were invented by Maximus -Planudes, a Greek monk.[B] Plutarch, and other authentic historians,[C] -have, however, given a very different account of the illustrious -Fabulist. It would appear, according to some of these relations, that -Æsop, originally a shepherd’s boy, had risen from the condition of a -slave, to great eminence, and that he lived in the service of Xanthus -and Judman, or Idmon, in the island of Samos, and afterwards at Athens. -Phædrus speaks of him as living the greater part of his life at the -latter place, where, it appears, a handsome statue, executed by the -hand of the famous statuary Lysippus, was erected to his memory, and -placed before those of the seven sages of Greece.[D] He also notices -his living at Samos, and interesting himself in a public capacity, -in the administration of the affairs of that place; where Aristotle -also introduces him as a public speaker, and records the fact of his -reciting the fable of the Fox and the Hedgehog,[E] while pleading on -behalf of a minister, upon the occasion of his being impeached for -embezzling the public treasure. Æsop is also mentioned as speaking -in a public capacity to the Athenians, at the time when Pisistratus -seized upon their liberties.[F] Upon each of these occasions he is -represented as having introduced a Fable into his discourse, in a witty -and pleasing manner. He was holden in the highest veneration and esteem -in his day, by all men eminent for their wisdom and virtue. It appears -there was scarcely an author among the ancient Greeks who mixed any -thing of morality in his writings, that did not either quote or mention -Æsop. Plato describes Socrates as turning some of Æsop’s Fables into -verse, during those awful hours which he spent in prison, immediately -before his death. Aristophanes not only takes hints from Æsop, but -mentions him much to his honour, as one whose works were, or ought to -be, read before any other. Ennius and Horace have embellished their -poetry from his stores; and ancient sages and authors all concur in -bearing the most ample testimony to his distinguished merits. Plutarch, -in his imaginary banquet of the seven wise men, among several other -illustrious persons of ancient times, celebrated for their wit and -knowledge, introduces Æsop, and describes him as being very courtly -and polite in his behaviour. Upon the authority of Plutarch also, we -fix the life of Æsop in the time of Crœsus, king of Lydia, who invited -him to the court of Sardis. By this prince, he was holden in such -esteem, as to be sent as his envoy to Periander, king of Corinth, -which was about three hundred and twenty years after the time in which -Homer lived, and 550 before Christ. He was also deputed by Crœsus to -consult the oracle of Delphi. While on this embassy, he was ordered -to distribute to each of the citizens, four _minæ_[G] of silver, but -some disputes arising between them and Æsop, he reproached them for -their indolence, in suffering their lands to lie uncultivated, and in -depending on the gratuities of strangers for a precarious subsistence: -the quarrel, which it would appear ran high between them, ended in -Æsop’s sending back the money to Sardis. This so exasperated the -Delphians, that they resolved upon his destruction; and that they might -have some colour of justice for what they intended, they concealed -among his effects, when he was taking his departure from Delphi, a -gold cup, consecrated to Apollo; and afterwards pursuing him, easily -found what they themselves had hidden. On the pretext that he had -committed this sacrilegious theft, they carried him back to the city, -and notwithstanding his imprecating upon them the vengeance of heaven, -they immediately condemned him to be cast from the rock Hypania, as -the punishment of the pretended crime. Ancient historians say, that -for this wickedness, the Delphians were for a long time visited with -pestilence and famine, until an expiation was made, and then the plague -ceased. - - [A] The curious enquirer is referred to the Essay on the - Æsopean Fable, by Sir Brooke Boothby, bart. from which this - sketch is extracted. - - [B] Planudes lived at Constantinople in the 14th century. His - Fables were printed at Milan, A.D. 1480. - - [C] The first person who took great pains to detect and expose - the follies and absurdities of Planudes’s Life of Æsop, and - collected what could be known, was Bachet de Mezeriac, a - man of great learning, who flourished about the year 1632. - - [D] These sages were Solon, Thales, Chilo, Cleobulus, Bias, - Pittacus, and Periander, to whom Laertius adds Anacharsis, - Maro, Pherecydes, Epimenides, and Pisistratus. - - [E] “Ye men of Samos, let me entreat you to do as the Fox - did; for this man, having got money enough, can have no - further occasion to rob you; but if you put him to death, - some needy person will fill his place, whose wants must be - supplied out of your property.” - - The Fable of the Fox and the Hedgehog was applied by - Themistocles to dissuade the Athenians from removing their - magistrates.--_B. Boothby._ - - [F] The Fable of the Frogs desiring a King. - - [G] The mina of silver was 12 ounces, about £3 sterling. - -It was not until many ages after the death of Æsop, that his most -prominent successor, Phædrus, arose. He translated Æsop’s Fables from -the Greek into Latin, and added to them many of his own. Of Phædrus -little is known, except from his works. He is said to have lived in -the times of the Emperors Augustus and Tiberius, and to have died in -the reign of the latter. The first printed edition of his Fables, with -cuts, was published at Gauda, in 1482. Caxton published some of them in -1484, and Bonus Accursius in 1489, to which he prefixed Planudes’s Life -of Æsop. But the most perfect edition of Phædrus’s Works was published -in five volumes, by Peter Pithou, at Troyes, in 1596, from manuscripts -discovered by him in the cities of Rheims and Dijon. To these have -succeeded in later times, a numerous list of fabulists,[H] besides -such of the poets as have occasionally interspersed Fables in their -works. These, in their day, have had, and many of them still have, -their several admirers; but Gay and Dodsley best maintain their ground -in this country, as is proved by the regular demand for new editions. -Croxall’s Fables, which were first published in 1722, with cuts on -metal, in the manner of wood, have also had a most extensive sale; and -Sir Brooke Boothby’s elegant little volumes, in verse, published in -1809, are now making their way into the public notice. The Editor of -the present volume, in attempting to continue the same pleasing mode of -conveying instruction, long since laid down as a guide to virtue, has -quoted and compiled from other fabulists, whatever seemed best suited -to his purpose. His sole object is utility, and he is not altogether -without hope, that in attempting to embellish and perpetuate a fabric, -which has its foundations laid in religion and morality, his efforts -may not be wholly ineffectual to induce the young to keep steadily in -view those great truths, which form the sure land-mark to the haven, -where only they can attain peace and happiness. - - [H] Sir Roger L’Estrange, born 1616, died 1704. - John de la Fontaine, born 1621, died 1695. - John Dryden, born 1631, died 1701. - Antoine Houdart de la Motte, born 1672, died 1731. - John Gay, born 1688, died 1732. - Samuel Croxall, D. D. Archdeacon of Hereford, died 1752. - Edward Moore, died 1757. - Draper. - Robert Dodsley, born 1703, died 1764. - William Wilkie, born 1721, died 1772. - Abbe Brotier, born 1722, died 1789. - - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] - -THE TABLE OF CONTENTS. - - - A - PAGE - The Ape and her Young Ones 3 - - The Sensible Ass 69 - - Æsop and the Impertinent Fellow 81 - - The Angler and the Little Fish 111 - - The Ass and the Lion hunting 161 - - The Ass in the Lion’s Skin 187 - - The Ape chosen King 195 - - The Ant and the Fly 269 - - The Ant and the Grasshopper 307 - - The Ape and the Fox 319 - - Æsop at Play 333 - - The Ass eating Thistles 369 - - - B - - The Boy and his Mother 5 - - The Brother and Sister 31 - - The Shepherd’s Boy and the Wolf 61 - - The Bear and the Bee-Hives 119 - - The Bees, the Drones, and the Wasp 145 - - The Hunted Beaver 159 - - The Bull and the Goat 171 - - The Two Bitches 183 - - The Boar and the Ass 205 - - The Blackamoor 223 - - The Belly and the Members 275 - - The Boys and the Frogs 375 - - - C - - The Two Crabs 1 - - The Collier and the Fuller 13 - - The Cock and the Jewel 47 - - The Wanton Calf 57 - - The Crow and the Pitcher 63 - - The Cat and the Fox 107 - - The Cat and the Mice 149 - - Cæsar and the Slave 177 - - The Clown and the Gnat 189 - - The Countryman and the Snake 217 - - The Cock and the Fox 219 - - The Fighting Cocks 349 - - The Cock and the Fox 359 - - - D - - The Dog in the Manger 77 - - The Ship Dog 99 - - The Dog invited to Supper 109 - - The Dog and the Shadow 117 - - The Mischievous Dog 169 - - The Dog and the Sheep 207 - - The Dog and the Wolf 287 - - The One-eyed Doe 297 - - The Deer and the Lion 315 - - The Dove and the Bee 339 - - The Dog and the Cat 371 - - - E - - The Eagle, the Cat, and the Sow 39 - - The Eagle and the Fox 273 - - The Eagle and the Crow 301 - - - F - - The Proud Frog and the Ox 17 - - The Fox and the Vizor Mask 51 - - The Fox and the Crow 67 - - The Forester and the Lion 83 - - The Fox without a Tail 95 - - The Fox and the Ass 105 - - The Fox and the Tiger 115 - - The Frogs and their King 135 - - The Fir and the Bramble 143 - - The Frog and the Fox 147 - - Fortune and the Boy 153 - - The Fox and the Grapes 167 - - The Fisherman 173 - - The Fox and the Boar 175 - - The Frogs and the Fighting Bulls 179 - - The Two Frogs 199 - - The Fox and the Briar 201 - - The Fox and the Stork 215 - - The Fox and the HedgeHog 227 - - The Fox and the Goat 235 - - The Fowler and the Ring-dove 249 - - The Fowler and the Blackbird 263 - - The Fatal Marriage 277 - - The Fox and the Lion 285 - - The Flying Fish and the Dolphin 289 - - The Fox in the Well 311 - - The Fox and the Sick Lion 323 - - The Fox and the Countryman 331 - - The Fox and the Wolf 335 - - The Frogs and the Mice 353 - - The Fowler and the Lark 355 - - The Fowler and the Partridge 363 - - - G - - The Goat, the Kid, and the Wolf 29 - - The Goat and the Lion 101 - - The Gardener and his Dog 313 - - The Wild and the Tame Geese 351 - - - H - - The Husbandman and his Sons 15 - - Hercules and the Carter 37 - - The Drunken Husband 121 - - The Hen and the Swallow 127 - - The Hart and the Vine 157 - - The Old Hound 181 - - The Hen and the Fox 185 - - The Hare and the Tortoise 221 - - The Hares and the Frogs 251 - - The Harper 267 - - The Horse and the Stag 303 - - The Horse and the Lion 309 - - The Horse and the Ass 327 - - The Hawk and the Farmer 329 - - The Horse and the over-loaded Ass 343 - - The Husbandman and the Stork 345 - - - I - - Industry and Sloth 9 - - - J - - Jupiter and the Ass 79 - - Jupiter and the Camel 139 - - Jupiter and the Herdsman 209 - - Juno and the Peacock 237 - - Jupiter and Pallas 241 - - The Vain Jack-daw 255 - - - K - - The Bald Knight 87 - - The Kite and the Pigeons 281 - - The Sick Kite 283 - - The Kid and the Wolf 293 - - - L - - The Leopard and the Fox 21 - - The Lark and her Young Ones 41 - - The Lion and the Four Bulls 89 - - The Lion, the Tiger, and the Wolf 93 - - The Lioness and the Fox 123 - - The Lamb brought up by a Goat 125 - - The Old Lion 211 - - The Lion in Love 225 - - The Lion and other Beasts 239 - - The Lion and the Mouse 257 - - The Lion and the Frog 291 - - The Lion, the Wolf, and the Dog 367 - - - M - - The Master and his Scholar 7 - - The Young Man and the Swallow 11 - - The Mole and her Dam 27 - - The Young Men and the Cook 43 - - The Mule 45 - - Mercury and the Woodman 49 - - The Man and his Goose 55 - - The Old Man and his Sons 91 - - The Miser and his Treasure 97 - - A Man bitten by a Dog 113 - - The Envious Man and the Covetous 129 - - The Mice in Council 193 - - The Old Man and Death 197 - - The Man and the Weasel 203 - - The Magpie and the Sheep 213 - - The Man and his Two Wives 231 - - Mercury and the Carver 233 - - The Mountains in Labour 253 - - The Mouse and the Weasel 271 - - The Young Man and the Lion 279 - - The Country and the City Mouse 295 - - The Miller, his Son, and their Ass 305 - - The Young Man and his Cat 361 - - The Blind Man and the Lame 365 - - - N - - The Nurse and the Wolf 265 - - - O - - The Oak and the Reed 151 - - - P - - The Peacock and the Crane 23 - - The Two Pots 25 - - The Partridge and the Cocks 65 - - The Porcupine and the Snakes 131 - - The Polecat and the Cock 261 - - The Ploughman and Fortune 317 - - - R - - The Raven and the Serpent 337 - - - S - - The Stag looking into the Water 19 - - The Sheep Biter 33 - - The Swallow and other Birds 71 - - The Sow and the Wolf 133 - - The Stag and the Fawn 141 - - The Sow and the Bitch 163 - - The Satyr and the Traveller 165 - - The Sparrow and the Hare 229 - - The Stag in the Ox-Stall 247 - - The Sun and the Wind 325 - - The Serpent and the Man 341 - - The Shepherd turned Merchant 357 - - - T - - The Thief and the Dog 53 - - The Boasting Traveller 59 - - The Thieves and the Cock 73 - - The two Travellers 103 - - The Tortoise and the Eagle 259 - - The Trees and the Woodman 299 - - The Thief and the Boy 321 - - The Travellers and the Bear 347 - - The Trumpeter taken Prisoner 373 - - - V - - The Viper and the File 243 - - - W - - The Old Woman and her Maids 35 - - The Wolves and the Sick Ass 75 - - The Wolf, the Fox, and the Ape 85 - - The Old Woman and the Empty Cask 137 - - The Wolf and the Crane 155 - - The Wolf and the Lamb 191 - - The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing 245 - -[Illustration] - - - - -THE - -FABLES OF ÆSOP, - -AND OTHERS. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 1] - -THE TWO CRABS. - - -Two Crabs, the mother and daughter, having been left by the receding -tide, were creeping again towards the water, when the former observing -the awkward gait of her daughter, got into a great passion, and desired -her to move straight forward, in a more becoming and sprightly manner, -and not crawl sideling along in a way so contrary to all the rest of -the world. Indeed mother, says the young Crab, I walk as properly as I -can, and to the best of my knowledge; but if you would have me to go -otherwise, I beg you would be so good as to practise it first, and shew -me by your own example how you would have me to conduct myself. - - -APPLICATION. - -Ill examples corrupt even the best natural disposition, and it is in -vain to instruct our children, their talents being only imitation, to -walk by one rule, if we ourselves go by another. The good precepts -which we may lay down to them, will be bestowed in vain, if they -see by our own conduct, that we pursue a contrary course to that -which we recommend to them. Parents therefore, who are desirous of -working an effectual reformation in their children, should begin by -making a visible amendment in themselves; and this is a duty they owe -to society, as well as to their offspring, it being of the utmost -importance to both, that probity and honour be early instilled into -their youthful minds, as these grow with their growth, and while at -the same time they command respect, they lay the foundation of their -individual happiness through life. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 3] - -THE APE AND HER YOUNG ONES. - - -An Ape having two young ones, was dotingly fond of one, but disregarded -and slighted the other. One day she chanced to be surprized by the -hunters, and had much ado to get off. However, she did not forget her -favourite young one, which she took up in her arms, that it might be -the more secure: the other, which she neglected, by natural instinct, -leapt upon her back, and so away they scampered together; but it -unluckily fell out, in the over-anxiety of her precipitate flight, -confused and blinded with haste, that she struck her favourite’s head -against a branch, which threw it on the ground, where the darling -bantling was seized by the dogs and killed. The hated one, clinging -close to her rough back, escaped all the danger of the pursuit. - - -APPLICATION. - - By dear mamma’s o’er-weening fondness spoil’d, - Caress’d and pamper’d, dies the fav’rite child: - The boy she slights, rough, vig’rous, and well-grown, - Unaided, bears the brunt, and shifts alone. - -The indulgence which parents shew to their children arises from the -most amiable of human weaknesses; but it is not the less injurious in -its effects, and therefore it is of great importance to guard against -it, and not to suffer a blind fondness to transport us beyond the -bounds of a discreet affection, for this often proves the ruin of the -child. This fable is also intended to expose the folly of a system of -favouritism in families, for experience shews that those children who -are the least pampered and indulged usually make the best and cleverest -men. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 5] - -THE BOY AND HIS MOTHER. - - -A little Boy having stolen a book from one of his school-fellows, -took it to his Mother, who, instead of correcting him, praised his -sharpness, and rewarded him. In process of time, as he grew bigger, -he increased also in villainy, till at length he was taken up for -committing a great robbery, and was brought to justice and condemned -for it. As the officers were conducting him to the gallows, he was -attended by a vast crowd, and among the rest his Mother came sobbing -along, and deploring her son’s unhappy fate; which the criminal -observing, he begged leave to speak to her: this being granted, he put -his mouth to her ear, as if he was going to whisper something, and -bit it off! The officer, shocked at this behaviour, asked him if the -crimes he had committed were not sufficient to glut his wickedness, -without being also guilty of such an unnatural violence towards his -mother? Let no one wonder, said he, that I have done this to her, for -she deserves even worse at my hands. For if she had chastised instead -of praising and encouraging me, when I stole my school-fellow’s book, I -should not now have been brought to this ignominious and untimely end. - - -APPLICATION. - -The approaches to vice are by slow degrees, and the good or evil bias -given to youth is seldom eradicated. The first deviations from sound -morality should therefore be most strictly watched, and wickedness -checked or punished in time; for when vice grows into a habit, it -becomes incurable, and both good governments and private families are -deeply concerned in its attendant consequences. One need not scruple to -affirm that most of the depravity which is so frequent in the world, -and so pernicious to society, is owing to the bad education of youth; -and to the connivance or ill example of their parents. It is therefore -of the utmost consequence that parents, guardians, and tutors, should -be of characters befitting them for the various and important offices -they have to perform. The latter description of persons may and ought -to be carefully selected; but it is to be lamented that the base and -mean-spirited hosts of bad parents are out of the reach of controul, -and nothing can prevent the evils arising from their tutorage. Perhaps -it would be harsh to make laws to check the marriages of such; but -there is no need to encourage the breed of them, for they are already -over abundantly numerous. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 7] - -THE MASTER AND HIS SCHOLAR. - - -As a School-master was walking upon the bank of a river, he heard a -cry as of one in distress: advancing a few paces farther, he saw one -of his Scholars in the water, hanging by the branch of a willow. The -Boy had, it seems, been learning to swim with corks, and now thinking -himself sufficiently experienced, had thrown these implements aside, -and ventured into the water without them; but the force of the stream -having hurried him out of his depth, he had certainly been drowned, had -not the branch of the tree providentially hung in his way. The Master -took up the corks, which lay upon the ground, and throwing them to his -Scholar, made use of this opportunity to read a lecture to him upon the -inconsiderate rashness of youth. Let this be an example to you, says -he, in the conduct of your future life, never to throw away your corks -till time has given you strength and experience enough to swim without -them. - - -APPLICATION. - -Rashness is the peculiar vice of youth, and may be stiled the -characteristic foible of that season of life. The foundation of this -rashness is laid in a fond conceit of their own abilities, which -tempts them to undertake affairs too great for their capacities, and -to venture out of their depths, or to suffer themselves to be hurried -into the most precipitate and dangerous measures, before they find out -their own weakness and inability. It therefore behoves inexperienced -young men to keep a cautious guard over their passions, to check the -irregularities of their disposition, and to listen to the wholesome -advice and good council of those whose judgments are matured by age -and experience: for few are above the need of advice, nor are we ever -too old to learn any thing for which we may be the better. But young -men, above all, should not disdain to open their eyes to good example, -and their ears to admonition: neither should they be ashamed to borrow -rules for their behaviour in the world, until they are enabled from -their own knowledge of men and things, to stem its crooked tides and -currents with ease and honour to themselves. - - Consult your elders, use their sense alone, - Till age and practice have confirm’d your own. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 9] - -INDUSTRY AND SLOTH. - - -An indolent Young Man being asked why he lay in bed so long? jocosely -answered, “Every morning of my life I am hearing causes. I have two -fine girls, their names are Industry and Sloth, close at my bed-side -as soon as I awake, pressing their different suits. One intreats me to -get up, the other persuades me to lie still; and then they alternately -give me various reasons why I should rise, and why I should not. This -detains me so long, (it being the duty of an impartial judge to hear -all that can be said on either side) that before the pleadings are -over, it is time to go to dinner.” - - -APPLICATION. - - “He who defers his work from day to day, - Does on a river’s brink expecting stay, - ’Till the whole stream which stopt him shall be gone, - Which, as it runs, for ever will run on.” - -Indolence is like a stream which flows slowly on, but yet it undermines -every virtue; it rusts the mind, and gives a tincture to every -action of one’s life, the term of which does not allow time for long -protracted deliberations; and yet how many waste more of their time -in idly considering which of two affairs to begin first, than would -have ended them both? To-morrow is still the fatal time when all is -to be done; to-morrow comes, it goes, and still indolence pleases -itself with the shadow, while it loses the substance: and thus men pass -through life like a bird through the air, and leave no track behind -them, unmindful that the present time alone is ours, and should be -managed with judicious care, since we cannot secure a moment to come, -nor recal one that is past. It is no matter how many good qualities -the mind may be possessed of; they all lie dormant if we want the -necessary vigour and resolution to draw them forth; for this slumber -of the mind leaves no difference between the greatest genius and the -meanest understanding. Neither the mind nor the body can be active and -vigorous without proper exertion, and trouble springs from idleness, -and grievous toil from useless ease; therefore, “whatsoever thy hand -findeth to do, do it with all thy might, for there is no work, nor -device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave, whither thou goest.” - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 11] - -THE YOUNG MAN AND THE SWALLOW. - - -A prodigal thoughtless young Man, who had wasted his whole patrimony in -taverns and gaming-houses, among his lewd idle companions, was taking -a melancholy walk near a brook. It was in the spring, while the hills -were yet capped with snow, but it happened to be one of those clear -sunny days which some times occur at that time of the year; and to -make appearances the more flattering, a Swallow which had been invited -forth by the warmth, flew skimming along upon the surface of the water. -The Youth observing this, concluded that the summer was now come, and -that he should have little or no occasion for clothes, so went and -pawned them, and ventured the money for one stake more, among his -sharping associates. When this too was gone, like all the rest of his -property, he took another solitary walk in the same place as before, -but the weather being severe and frosty, every thing had put on a very -different aspect; the brook was frozen over, and the poor Swallow lay -dead upon the bank. At this, the Youth, smarting under the sense of -his own misery, mistakingly reproached the Swallow as the cause of all -his misfortunes: he cried out, oh, unhappy bird, thou hast undone both -thyself and me, who was so credulous as to trust to thy appearance. - - -APPLICATION. - -They who frequent taverns and gaming-houses, and keep bad company, -should not wonder if they are reduced in a very short time to penury -and want. The wretched young fellows who once addict themselves to -such a scandalous course of life, scarcely think of or attend to any -thing besides: they seem to have nothing else in their heads but how -they may squander what they have got, and where they may get more when -that is gone. They do not make the same use of their reason as other -people, but like the jaundiced eye, view every thing in a false light, -and having turned a deaf ear to all advice, and pursued their unaltered -course until all their property is irrecoverably lost, when at length -misery forces upon them a sense of their situation, they still lay the -blame upon any cause but the right one--their own extravagance and -folly; like the Prodigal in the fable, who would not have considered a -solitary occurrence as a general indication of the season, had not his -own wicked desires blinded his understanding. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 13] - -THE COLLIER AND THE FULLER. - - -The Collier and the Fuller being old acquaintances, happened upon a -time to meet together, and the latter being but ill provided with a -habitation, was invited by the former to come and live in the same -house with him. I thank you, my dear friend, replied the Fuller, for -your kind offer; but it cannot be, for if I were to dwell with you, -whatever I should take pains to scour and make clean in the morning, -the dust of you and your coals would blacken and defile before night. - - -APPLICATION. - -It is of no small importance in life to be cautious what company we -keep, and with whom we enter into friendship; for though we are ever so -well disposed ourselves, and free from vice, yet if those with whom -we frequently converse, are engaged in a lewd, wicked course, it will -be almost impossible for us to escape being drawn in with them. If we -are truly wise, and would shun those rocks of pleasure upon which so -many have split, we should forbid ourselves all manner of commerce and -correspondence with those who are steering a course, which reason tells -us is not only not for our advantage, but would end in our destruction. -All the virtue we can boast of, will not be sufficient to insure our -safety, if we embark in bad company; for though our philosophy were -such as would preserve us from being tainted and infected with their -manners, yet their characters would twist and entwine themselves along -with ours, in so intricate a fold, that the world would not take the -trouble to unravel and separate them. Reputation is of a blending -nature, like water; that which is derived from the clearest spring, if -it chance to mix with a foul current, runs on undistinguished, in one -muddy stream, and must ever partake of the colour and condition of its -associate. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 15] - -THE HUSBANDMAN AND HIS SONS. - - -A Husbandman, at the point of death, being desirous that his Sons -should pursue the same innocent course of agriculture in which he -himself had been engaged all his life, made use of this expedient. -He called them to his bed-side, and said: All the patrimony I have -to bequeath to you, my sons, is my farm and my vine-yard, of which I -make you joint heirs; but I charge you not to let them go out of your -own occupation, for if I have any treasure besides, it lies buried -somewhere in the ground within a foot of the surface. This made the -Sons conclude that he talked of money which he had hidden: so after -their father’s death, with unwearied diligence, they carefully dug up -every inch, and though they found not the money they expected, the -ground, by being well stirred and loosened, produced so plentiful -a crop of all that was sown in it, as proved a real, and that no -inconsiderable treasure. - - -APPLICATION. - -The good name and the good counsel of a father, are the best legacies -he can leave to his children; and they ought to revere the one, and -keep in mind the other. The wealth which a man acquires by his honest -industry affords him greater pleasure in the enjoyment, than when -acquired in any other way; and men who by personal labour have obtained -a competency, know its value better than those can who have had it -showered upon them without any efforts of their own. Idleness engenders -disease, while exercise is the great prop of health, and health is the -greatest blessing of life, which consideration alone ought to stimulate -men to pursue some useful employment; and among the almost endless -number of those, to which good laws and well-organized society give -birth and encouragement, there are none equal to the culture of the -earth, none which yield a more grateful return. The pleasures derived -both from agriculture and horticulture, are so various, so delightful, -and so natural to man, that they are not easily to be described, and -are never to be excelled: for in whatever way they are pursued, the -mind may be constantly entertained with the wonderful œconomy of the -vegetable world; and the nerves are invigorated and kept in proper tone -by the freshness of the earth, and the fragrancy of the air, which -blush the countenance with health, and give a relish to every meal. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 17] - -THE PROUD FROG AND THE OX. - - -An Ox, grazing in a meadow, chanced to set his foot among a parcel of -young Frogs, and trod one of them to death. The rest informed their -mother, when she came home, what had happened; telling her, that the -beast which did it, was the hugest creature that they ever saw in their -lives. What, was it so big? says the old Frog, swelling and blowing up -her speckled belly to a great degree. Oh! bigger by a vast deal, say -they: and so big? says she, straining herself yet more. Indeed, say -they, if you were to burst yourself, you would never be so big. She -strove yet again, and burst herself indeed. - - -APPLICATION. - -How many vain people, of moderate easy circumstances, by entertaining -the silly ambition of vying with their superiors in station and -fortune, get into the direct road to ruin. In whatever station of life -it may have pleased Providence to place us, we ought to determine -upon living within our income, and to endeavour by honesty, sobriety, -and industry, to maintain our ground. Young men, upon their launching -out into the world, would do well deeply to reflect upon this, for -their future peace of mind and happiness greatly depend upon it. They -need only look a little about them to see how a contrary conduct has -operated upon thousands; and it is to be feared, will continue to fill -our gaols with debtors, and Bedlam with lunatics. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 19] - -THE STAG LOOKING INTO THE WATER. - - -A Stag drinking, saw himself in the water, and pleased with the sight, -stood contemplating his shape. Ah, says he, what a glorious pair of -branching horns are here, how gracefully do these antlers project -over my forehead, and give an agreeable turn to my whole face; but I -have such legs as really make me ashamed; they look so very long and -unsightly, that I had rather have none at all. In the midst of this -soliloquy, he was alarmed with the cry of a pack of hounds. Away he -flies in some consternation, and bounding nimbly over the plain, threw -dogs and men at a vast distance behind him. After which, taking a -very thick copse, he had the ill fortune to be entangled by his horns -in the branches, where he was held fast till the hounds came up and -seized him. In the pangs of death, he is said to have uttered these -words: Unhappy creature that I am, I am too late convinced that what I -prided myself in, has been the cause of my undoing; and what I so much -disliked, was the only thing that could have saved me. - - -APPLICATION. - -We often make a false estimate, in preferring our ornamental talents -to our useful ones, and are apt to place our love and admiration on -wrong objects. When our vanity is stronger than our reason, show and -ostentation find easy admission into our hearts, and we are much fonder -of specious trifles than useful plainness. But the truest mark of -wisdom is to estimate things at their just value, and to know whence -the most solid advantages may be derived: otherwise, like the Stag in -the Fable, we may happen to admire those accomplishments which are -not only of no real use, but often prove prejudicial to us, while we -despise those things on which our safety may depend. He that does not -know himself, will often form a false judgment upon other matters that -most materially concern him; and thus it fares with many, who suffer -themselves to be deluded with the false pomp of high life, and whose -vanity prompts them to conceive they possess talents which qualify them -to shine in that circle, into which, had they judged rightly, they -never would have entered, but rather have applied themselves to improve -other qualifications, which might have insured their own happiness, and -have rendered them useful members of society. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 21] - -THE LEOPARD AND THE FOX. - - -The Leopard, one day, took it into his head to value himself upon the -great variety and beauty of his spots, and truly he saw no reason why -even the Lion should take place of him, since he could not shew so -beautiful a skin. As for the rest of the wild beasts of the forest, he -treated them all without distinction in the most haughty and disdainful -manner. But the Fox being among them, went up to him with a great deal -of spirit and resolution, and told him that he was mistaken in the -value he was pleased to set upon himself, since people of judgment were -not used to form their opinion of merit from an outside appearance, but -by considering the good qualities and endowments with which the mind -was stored within. - - -APPLICATION. - -Wise men are chiefly captivated with the beauty of the mind, rather -than that of the person; and whenever they are infatuated with a -passion for any thing else, it is generally observed that they cease, -during that time at least, to be what they were, and indeed are -only considered to be playing the fool. It too often happens that -women of remarkable beauty are so fully satisfied with their outward -excellencies, that they totally neglect the improvement of their -minds; not considering that it is only a combination of mental and -personal charms that can entitle them to be ranked as Nature’s greatest -ornaments. Unmindful of this, however, they are too apt to consider -beauty as the only thing requisite in their sex; and since they are -endowed with it in such an eminent degree, they look down with disdain -on females less happy in personal charms. Beauty has undoubtedly great -influence over the hearts of mankind, but when it is overrun with -affectation and conceit, their admiration will soon be turned into -disgust; while women of more ordinary persons, but blessed with good -sense and good humour, will captivate the hearts of worthy men, and -more effectually secure their constancy. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 23] - -THE PEACOCK AND THE CRANE. - - -The Peacock and the Crane having by chance met together, the Peacock -erected his tail, displayed his gaudy plumes, and looked with contempt -upon the Crane, as some mean ordinary person. The Crane resolving to -mortify his insolence, took occasion to say, that Peacocks were very -fine birds indeed, if fine feathers could make them so; but that he -thought it a much nobler thing to be able to rise above the clouds into -endless space, and survey the wonders of the heavens, as well as of the -earth beneath, with its seas, lakes, and rivers, as far as the eye can -reach, than to strut about upon the ground, and be gazed at by children. - - -APPLICATION. - -There cannot be a greater sign of a weak mind, than a person’s valuing -himself on a gaudy outside, whether it consist of the beauties of the -person, or the still more contemptible vanity of fine cloaths. This -kind of misguided pride, while it endeavours to exalt, commonly tends -to lower the persons who are infected with it; but never renders them -so truly ridiculous as when it inspires them with a contempt of those -who have ten times more worth than themselves. To value ourselves -upon the glitter and finery of dress is one of the most trifling of -all vanities; and a man of sense would be ashamed to bestow upon it -the least attention. They who examine things by the scale of common -sense, must find something of weight and substance before they can be -persuaded to set a value upon it. The mind that is stored with virtuous -and rational sentiments, and the behaviour which is founded upon -complacency and humility, stamp a value upon the possessor, which all -men of discernment are ever ready to admire and acknowledge. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 25] - -THE TWO POTS. - - -An earthen Pot, and one of brass, standing together upon the brink of -a river, were both carried away by the sudden rise of the water. The -earthen Pot shewed some uneasiness, fearing he should be broken; but -his companion of brass bade him be under no apprehension, as he would -take care of him. Oh! replies the other, keep as far off as you can, I -entreat you: it is you I am most afraid of; for whether the stream dash -you against me, or me against you, I am sure to be the sufferer, and, -therefore, I beg of you do not let us come near one another. - - -APPLICATION. - -A man of moderate fortune, who is contented with what he has, and finds -he can live happily upon it, should be particularly guarded against -the ill-judged ambition of associating with the rich and powerful, for -what in them is œconomy, would in him be the height of extravagance; -and at the very time they honour him with their countenance, they are -leading him on to his ruin. People of equal conditions may float down -the current of life without hurting each other; but it is no easy -matter to steer one’s course in company with the great, so as to escape -without a bulge: neither is it desirable to live in the neighbourhood -of a very great man; for whether we ignorantly trespass upon him, or he -knowingly encroach upon us, we are sure to be the sufferers. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 27] - -THE MOLE AND HER DAM. - - -The young Mole snuffed up her nose, and told her Dam she smelt an odd -kind of a smell. Bye and bye, O strange! says she, what a noise there -is in my ears, as if ten thousand hammers were going. A little after, -she was at it again: look, look, what is that I see yonder? it is just -like the flame of a fiery furnace. The Dam replied, pray child hold -your idle tongue; and if you would have us allow you any sense at all, -do not affect to shew more than nature has given you. - - -APPLICATION. - -By affectation, we aim at being thought to possess some accomplishment -which we have not, or at shewing what we have, in a conceited -ostentatious manner. There is scarcely any species of ridiculous -behaviour, which is not derived from it; it grows out of folly and -insincerity; it derogates from genius; it is the bane of beauty, and -diminishes its charms; it is disagreeable to others, and hurtful to the -person who uses it; it detracts from some real possession, and makes -qualities that would otherwise pass well enough, appear nauseous and -offensive; and whoever indulges in it, may be sure to lay themselves -open, and call forth the attention of others to notice their vanity. -To cure ourselves of affectation, we have only to call in the aids of -truth and sincerity, which will cut off the whole train of its follies -at one stroke. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 29] - -THE GOAT, THE KID, AND THE WOLF. - - -The Goat going abroad to feed, shut up her young Kid at home, charging -him to bolt the door fast, and open it to nobody till she herself -should return. The Wolf who lay lurking hard by, heard the charge -given, and soon after came and knocked at the door, counterfeiting the -voice of the Goat, and desired to be admitted. The Kid looking out at -the window, and finding the cheat, bade him go about his business, for, -however he might imitate a Goat’s voice, yet he appeared too much like -a Wolf to be trusted. - - -APPLICATION. - -Deceit, hypocrisy, and villainy, are constantly on the watch to entrap -and ensnare the innocent and the unwary. Every beautiful woman is -commonly surrounded by a kind of men who would undermine her virtue; -and inexperienced men of fortune, in the outset of life, are almost -constantly beset with rogues and sharpers; and these artful villains, -under one specious pretext or another, too often effect the ruin of the -weak and unsuspicious of both sexes. As a guard against all these, the -early admonitions of parents are of inestimable worth: they are built -upon the tenderest regard, and the most sincere affection. Those who -have already travelled over the difficult paths of life, and buffeted -its storms, have observed the snares and the dangers with which the -way is strewed, and they are enabled by their experience, to forewarn -those who are about to launch out on the troubled ocean of life, to -steer their course clear of its hidden rocks, its shoals, and its -quick-sands. Did youth but know the importance of this early advice, -how eagerly would they treasure it in their minds, and as occasion -required, with what pleasure would they draw it forth, and obey its -dictates. To the neglect of these precepts, may be attributed much of -the ill conduct we see in the world, and most of the misfortunes which -befal mankind through life. - -[Illustration: - - _Honour thy Father - and thy mother - that thy Days may be long - in the land which - The LORD thy God - giveth Thee._ -] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 31] - -THE BROTHER AND SISTER. - - -A certain man had two children, a Son and a Daughter; the Boy very -handsome, and the Girl only moderately so. They were both young, and -happened to be one day playing near the looking-glass, which stood -on their mother’s toilet. The Boy, pleased with the novelty of the -thing, viewed himself for some time, and in a wanton roguish manner, -observed to the Girl how handsome he was. She resented it, and could -not bear the insolent manner in which he spoke, for she understood it -(as how could she do otherwise) to be intended as a direct affront to -her. Therefore she ran immediately to her Father, and with a deal of -aggravation, complained of her Brother, particularly of his having -acted so effeminate a part as to look in a glass, and meddle with -things which belonged to women only. The father embraced them both -with much tenderness and affection, and told them that he should -like to have them look in a glass every day: to the intent that you, -says he, addressing himself to the Boy, if you think that face of -yours handsome, may not disgrace and spoil it by an ugly temper, and -a foul behaviour; and that you, speaking to the girl, may make up for -the defects of your person, if there be any, by the sweetness of your -manners, and the agreeableness of your conversation. - - -APPLICATION. - -We should every day view ourselves considerately in a looking-glass, -with the intent of converting it to a better purpose than that of -merely observing and admiring our persons. Let those on whom nature has -been liberal of her bounties, in bestowing a fine countenance, with -symmetry of person, health, and strength, always remember that these -are the gifts of providence, for which we ought ever to be thankful, -but never vain: these qualifications ought only to act as a spur to -induce us to cultivate the mind, by study, by reading, and reflection, -so as to cause it to correspond in its beauties with those of our -outward appearance. Let others again who have not any thing in their -personal appearance to attract the attention of the world, strive also -to improve the faculties of the mind, and to excel in the beauties of -a good temper, and an agreeable conversation, the charms of which, -notwithstanding a rough exterior, cannot fail to endear the possessor -to all men of sense, who will readily discover intrinsic worth, whether -it be made up of a lively imagination, clear perceptions, or the -transparent sincerity of an honest heart. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 33] - -THE SHEEP-BITER. - - -A certain Shepherd had a Dog, upon whose fidelity he relied very much, -for whenever he had occasion to be absent himself, he committed the -care of his flock to the charge of this Dog; and to encourage him to do -his duty cheerfully, he fed him constantly with sweet milk and curds, -and sometimes threw him a bone extraordinary. Yet, notwithstanding -this, no sooner was his back turned, than the treacherous Cur fell upon -some one of the flock, and thus devoured the sheep instead of guarding -and defending them. The Shepherd having at length found out his tricks, -was resolved to hang him; and the Dog, when the rope was about his -neck, and he was just going to be tied up, began to expostulate with -his master, asking him why he was so unmercifully bent against him, who -was his own servant and creature, and had only committed a few crimes; -and why he did not rather take vengeance on the Wolf who was an open -and declared enemy? Nay, replied the Shepherd, it is for that very -reason that I think you ten times more worthy of death, for from him -I expected nothing but hostilities, and therefore could guard against -him; you I depended on as a just and faithful servant, and fed and -encouraged you accordingly, and therefore your treachery is the more -base, and your ungratitude the more unpardonable. - - -APPLICATION. - -The common disappointments which we are liable to through life, -do not bring with them any thing to be compared to the bitterness -we experience from the perfidy of those we esteemed and trusted -as friends: an open enemy we can guard against, and we look upon -him when he is at rest, as we do at the sword within its scabbard; -but the man who betrays his trust, masked under the appearance of -friendship, wounds us in the tenderest part, and involves us in a -cruelly complicated grief, which frets the mind and heightens the sum -of our infelicity. Friendship is the cordial of human life, the balm -of society; and he who violates its laws, by treachery and deceit, -converts it into the deadliest poison, and renders that which ought to -be the defence and support of our steps, our greatest snare and danger. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 35] - -THE OLD WOMAN AND HER MAIDS. - - -An Old Woman, who had several Maid Servants, used to call them up to -their work at the crowing of the Cock. The damsels, not liking to have -their sweet slumbers disturbed so early, combined together, and killed -the Cock, thinking they might then enjoy their warm beds a little -longer. But in this they found themselves mistaken, for the Old Woman, -having lost her unerring guide, from that time roused them out of their -beds whenever she awoke, although it might be at midnight. - - -APPLICATION. - -We govern our lives by imagination rather than by judgment, mistaking -the reason of things, and imputing the issue of them to wrong causes. -We should endeavour to content ourselves in our present station, if it -be not very bad indeed, for it seldom happens that every thing can be -in all respects agreeable to our wishes. When we give full scope to the -impatience of our tempers, and quit our present condition in life, we -often find we have not changed for the better; but we are too fond of -carving out our fortunes for ourselves, and wish to remove this or that -obstacle which we imagine stands between us and our felicity: then, -too late, we see how greatly we are mistaken in our notions, when we -feel we have changed for the worse. Before we attempt any alteration of -moment, we should, if possible, ascertain what state it will produce, -and not suffer infirmity of temper to embitter our lives; but, above -all, we should never aim at mending our fortunes by fraud and violence. - -[Illustration: _They all want \Brains\ Wigs_] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 37] - -HERCULES AND THE CARTER. - - -As a clownish Fellow was driving his cart along a deep miry lane, the -wheels stuck so fast in the clay, that his horses could not draw it -out. Upon this he fell a bawling and praying to Hercules to come and -help him. Hercules, looking down from a cloud, bid him not lie there -like an idle dastardly looby as he was, but get up and whip his horses, -and clap his shoulder stoutly to the wheel, adding that this was the -only way for him to obtain assistance. - - -APPLICATION. - -The man who sits down at his ease, and prays to Heaven to have all -his wants supplied, and his wishes accomplished, by a miracle wrought -in his favour, without using his own exertions and honest endeavours -to obtain them, deserves to be disappointed. Many men who have a fair -share of natural good sense, and who also value themselves upon having -their reasoning powers enlightened by revelation, yet fall into this -error: led by fanatics and bigots, they follow the fashion of running -often to prayers and sermons, when they might be much better employed -at home. The industrious good man, instead of publicly praying for -the comforts of life, pursues his business, which is the proper means -of procuring them; and if at the same time he holds converse with his -Maker, which all men ought to do, and no man can be happy without -doing, he needs no veil of hypocrisy to make the world believe he is -better than he really is: he feels it his duty and pleasure so to -proceed, while he sojourns here, and knows not how he can do better, -than by sober and honest industry to provide for those of his own -household, and to endeavour for the means of helping him that needeth. -The man who is virtuously and honestly engaged, is actually serving -God all the while; and is more likely to have his silent wishes, -accompanied with strenuous endeavours, complied with by the Supreme -Being, than he who begs with an unnecessary vehemence, and solicits -with an empty hand--a hand which would be more religious, were it -usefully employed, and more devout, were it stretched out to do good to -those that want it. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 39] - -THE EAGLE, THE CAT, AND THE SOW. - - -An Eagle had built her nest upon the top branches of an old oak; a -Wild Cat inhabited a hole in the middle; and in the hollow part at the -bottom was a Sow with a whole litter of Pigs. A happy neighbourhood, -and might long have continued so, had it not been for the wicked -insinuations of the designing Cat: for first of all, up she crept to -the Eagle, and, Good neighbour, says she, we shall all be undone; that -filthy Sow yonder does nothing but lie rooting at the foot of the -tree, and, as I suspect, intends to grub it up, that she may the more -easily come at our young ones. For my part, I will take care of my -own concerns, you may do as you please; but I will watch her motions, -though I stay at home this month for it. When she had said this, which -could not fail of putting the Eagle into a great fright, down she went, -and made a visit to the Sow at the bottom: putting on a sorrowful -face, I hope, says she, you do not intend to go abroad to-day: why not? -says the Sow: nay, replies the other, you may do as you please, but I -overheard the Eagle tell her young ones, that she would treat them with -a Pig the first time she saw you go out; and I am not sure but she may -take up with a Kitten in the mean time; so good morrow to you, you will -excuse me, I must go and take care of the little folks at home. Away -she went accordingly, and by contriving to steal out softly at nights -for her prey, and to stand watching and peeping all day at her hole, -as under great concern, she made such an impression upon the Eagle and -the Sow, that neither of them dared to venture abroad, for fear of the -other; the consequence of which was, that they in a little time were -starved, and their young ones fell a prey to the treacherous Cat and -her Kittens. - - -APPLICATION. - -This shews us the ill consequence of giving ear to a gossiping -double-tongued neighbour. Many sociable well-disposed families have -been blown up into a perpetual discord, by one of these wicked -go-betweens; so that whoever would avoid the imputation of being a -bad neighbour, should guard both against receiving ill impressions by -hearsay, and uttering his opinions of others, to those busy bodies, -who, to gratify a malignant disposition, or gain some selfish end -of their own, can magnify a gnat to the size of a camel, or swell a -mole-hill to a mountain. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 41] - -THE LARK AND HER YOUNG ONES. - - -A Lark who had Young Ones in a field of corn nearly ripe, was under -some fear lest the reapers should come and cut it down before her young -brood were fledged, and able to remove from the place; wherefore, when -she flew abroad in the morning to seek for food for them, she charged -them to listen to what the Farmer said about shearing. On her return, -her young family opened all their little throats at once, to inform her -that the Farmer had sent to his neighbours to reap the corn the next -morning. Is that all? said the old Lark, then there is no danger. When -she went abroad again the next morning, she left the same instructions -as before. At night, she found her Young Ones more alarmed than at -first; for the Farmer had applied to his friends, earnestly requesting -them to begin the harvest the next day. She received this intelligence -as calmly as before, and took no other precautions the next day, than -repeating the same orders. In the evening, they told her that the -Farmer had been charging his son to get the sickles ready, for it was -in vain to wait for other people, and that they would cut the corn -to-morrow themselves. Nay, then said the old Lark, we must be off as -soon as we can; for when a man undertakes to do his business himself, -it is not so likely that he will be disappointed. - - -APPLICATION. - -He who depends on the assistance of others to perform what he is able -to do himself, must not be surprised to find that his business is -neglected. He may be sure that it will be best done when he puts forth -his own hands, and looks after it with his own eyes. How indeed can any -man imagine, that other people will be active in his interest, while he -himself remains indolent and unconcerned about his own affairs. Men of -such tempers and dispositions, live in a state of suspense, and subject -themselves to perpetual disappointments and losses, which their own -industry would have prevented, and have kept their minds at ease. They -do not use their reasoning powers, but sink down into a kind of stupid -abject dependence upon others, which degrades even the finest talents -with which human nature is dignified. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 43] - -THE YOUNG MEN AND THE COOK. - - -Two Young Men went into a Cook’s shop, under pretence of buying some -meat; and while the Cook’s back was turned, one of them snatched up a -piece of beef, and gave it to his companion, who clapt it under his -cloak. The Cook turning about, and missing his beef, began to charge -them with it: upon which he that first took it swore bitterly he had -none of it. He that had it, swore as heartily that he had not taken it. -Why, look ye, gentlemen, says the Cook, I see your equivocation; and -though I cannot tell which of you has taken my meat, I am sure between -you there is a thief. - - -APPLICATION. - -This fable shews how little reliance can be placed on either the word -or the oath of those who, like the thieves in the cook’s shop, have -neither honour nor honesty. An honest man’s word is as good as his -oath; and so is a rogue’s too: for he that will cheat and lie, will -not scruple to forswear himself. The former needs no oath to bind him; -and the latter, though he swear in the most solemn manner that can be -invented, only deceives you the more certainly, as he who scruples -not to steal, will never regard the heinous guilt of calling upon -the Supreme Being to witness his atrocity. It is no less wicked to -quibble and evade the truth, than it is to deny it altogether, for the -falsehood consists in what we wish the hearer to believe, not in the -literal import of what we say. Men who habituate themselves to this -species of deceit, will soon be ready to go the length of any perjury. -Early to impress the mind with the unspeakable worth of truth, is of -the utmost importance. It is sacred, and no man can say in the face of -the world, that it ought not to prevail. No discussions can injure its -cause--it emanates from heaven--it is an attribute of omnipotence, and -is therefore eternal. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 45] - -THE MULE. - - -A Mule, which was pampered up and easily worked, became plump, sleek, -and in high condition, and in the height of his wantonness, would -scamper about from hill to dale in all the wildness of unbridled -restraint. Why should not I, said he to himself, be as good a racer as -any horse whatever? My father, whose pedigree was well known, was one -of the best of them; do not I resemble him in every respect? While he -was indulging his vanity in reveries of this kind, his master having -occasion to mount him upon urgent business, put him upon his speed, -and, ere long, was obliged to use both whip and spur to force him to -push forward. Thus jaded and tired, he muttered to himself, Alas! I -find now, I was mistaken in my pedigree, for my sire was not a Horse, -but an Ass. - - -APPLICATION. - -The man who has been brought up in ease and affluence, and pampered and -anticipated in all his wants, little imagines what a figure he would -make in the world, were his supplies cut off, and he were put to the -trial to rub through its thorny mazes, and provide for himself. The -children of the poor industrious honest man, when brought up like their -parents, are put to a kind of school, such as the opulent it is feared -can seldom form any conception of; and if the former, by their industry -and abilities, rise above poverty, their enjoyments in life commonly -surpass those who have been, without effort, upheld in every real as -well as imaginary want. The sensible poor man does not trouble his head -about his pedigree, but he knows that his descent must of course be as -ancient as that of any man on earth; and that if he is respected in the -world, it must arise solely from his own good conduct and merit. The -man who has nothing to boast but the merely tracing back his ancestry, -is building upon a hollow foundation. If indeed his ancestry have -arisen to their high station by patriotic and virtuous means, and have -deservedly maintained a high character for probity, worth, and honour, -let him follow their example: if otherwise, all he can do or say will -only prove him to be a mongrel, or an ass. - - “The pride of family is all a cheat, - “’Tis personal merit only makes us great.” - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 47] - -THE COCK AND THE JEWEL. - - -A gallant young Cock, in company with his mistresses, raking upon a -dung-hill for something to entertain them with, happened to scratch -up a Jewel. He knew what it was well enough, for it sparkled with -an exceeding bright lustre; but not knowing what to do with it, he -shrugged up his wings, shook his head, and putting on a grimace, -expressed himself to this purpose: Indeed, you are a very fine thing; -but I know not any business you have here. I make no scruple of -declaring, that my taste lies quite another way; and I had rather have -one grain of dear, delicious barley, than all the Jewels under the sun. - - -APPLICATION. - -Moralists have interpreted this Fable in various ways, some of them -ascribing the want of setting a proper value upon the Jewel, to -ignorance, and say:-- - - “To fools, the treasures dug from wisdom’s mine - “Are Jewels thrown to Cocks, and Pearls to Swine.” - -But the most obvious meaning of the Fable is surely to shew, that -men who weigh well their own real wants, and shape their pursuits to -their abilities, will always prefer those things which are necessary, -to such as are merely ornamental or superfluous, and will not easily -suffer themselves to be led astray by the gaudy allurements of glitter -and show, which have no other value than what vanity, pride, or luxury -may have set upon them; but governing their minds by their own reason, -judge of every thing by its intrinsic worth. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 49] - -MERCURY AND THE WOODMAN. - - -A Man was felling a tree on the steep bank of a river, and by chance -let slip his hatchet, which dropt into the water, and sunk to the -bottom. Being in distress for want of his tool, he sat down and -bemoaned himself on the occasion. Upon this, Mercury appeared to him, -and being informed of the cause of his complaint, dived to the bottom -of the river, and coming up again, shewed the Man a golden hatchet, -demanding if that were his? he denied that it was: upon which Mercury -dived a second time, and brought up a silver one; the Man refused it, -alleging likewise that it was not his: he dived a third time, and -fetched up the individual hatchet the Man had lost; upon sight of -which the poor fellow was overjoyed, and took it with all humility and -thankfulness. Mercury was so pleased with his honesty, that he gave him -the other into the bargain, as a reward for his just dealing. Away -goes the Man to his companions, and giving them an account of what -had happened, one of them went presently to the river’s side, and let -his hatchet fall designedly into the stream. Then sitting down upon -the bank, he fell to weeping and lamenting as if he had been really -and sorely afflicted. Mercury appeared as before, and diving, brought -him up a golden hatchet, asking if that were the hatchet he had lost? -Transported at the precious metal, he answered yes, and went to snatch -it greedily; but the God, detesting his abominable impudence, not only -refused him that, but would not so much as let him have his own again. - - -APPLICATION. - -Honesty is the best policy; and one of our best poets has further -stamped a value upon the good old maxim, by his assertion that “an -honest man is the noblest work of God.” The paths of truth and -integrity are so plain, direct, and easy, that the man who pursues -them, stands in no need of subtle contrivances to deceive the world. He -listens to the honest monitor within, and makes good his professions -with his practice: neither gold nor silver hatchets can make him -deviate from it; and whatever situation he may be placed in, he is sure -to meet the esteem of all men within the circle in which he moves, and -has besides the constant pleasure of feeling self-approbation within -his own breast. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 51] - -THE FOX AND THE VIZOR MASK. - - -A Fox being in a shop where Vizor Masks were sold, laid his foot upon -one of them, and considering it awhile attentively, at last broke out -into this exclamation: Bless me! says he, what a handsome goodly figure -this makes! what a pity it is that it should want brains! - - -APPLICATION. - - The accomplished beau in air and mein how blest, - His hat well fashioned, and his hair well drest, - Is yet undrest within: to give him brains - Exceeds his hatter’s or his barber’s pains. - -This Fable is levelled at that numerous part of mankind, who, out of -their own ample fortunes take care to accomplish themselves in every -thing but common sense, and seem not even to bestow a thought upon -the important consequences of cultivating their understandings. The -smooth address and plausible behaviour of the varnished fop may indeed -pass current with the ignorant and superficial, but however much he -may value himself upon his birth or figure, he never fails exciting -the contempt or the pity of men of sagacity and penetration, and the -ridicule of those who are disposed to amuse themselves at the folly -and vanity of such as put on the mask of wisdom to cover their want of -brains. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 53] - -THE THIEF AND THE DOG. - - -A Thief coming to rob a certain house in the night, was thwarted in his -attempts by a fierce vigilant Dog, who kept barking at him continually. -Upon which the Thief, thinking to stop his mouth, threw him a piece -of bread; but the Dog refused it with indignation, telling him that -before he only suspected him to be a bad man, but now upon his offering -to bribe him, his suspicions were fully confirmed; and that as he was -entrusted with the guardianship of his master’s house, he would never -cease barking while such a rogue was lurking about it. - - -APPLICATION. - -Nothing can alter the honest purpose of him whose mind is embued with -good principles. He will despise an insidious bribe, and the greater -the offer which is designed to buy his silence, the louder and more -indignantly will he open out against the miscreant who would thus -practise upon him. He knows that the favours held out to him are not -marks of the love and regard of him who would confer them, but are -meant as the price at which he is to sell his honour and his virtue. -With a mind unpolluted, his noble resolution never fails to produce -the happiest consequences, by preserving his friends and himself from -the mischievous projects laid against them. So true it is, that virtue -is its own reward; while corruption and venality are sure in the end -to bring the greatest miseries on those, and their adherents, who are -so base, or perhaps inconsiderate, as to subject themselves to future -evils of the most fatal nature, for the sake of a little present profit. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 55] - -THE MAN AND HIS GOOSE. - - -A certain Man had a Goose, which laid him a golden egg every day. -But not contented with this, which rather increased than abated his -avarice, he was resolved to kill the Goose, and cut up her belly, -that by so doing he might come at the inexhaustible treasure which he -fancied she had within her. He did so, and to his great sorrow and -disappointment, found nothing. - - -APPLICATION. - -No passion can be a greater torment to those who are led by it, or more -frequently mistakes its aim, than insatiable covetousness. It makes -men blind to their present happiness, and conjures up ideal prospects -of increasing felicity, which often tempt its deluded votaries to -their ruin. Men who give themselves up to this propensity, know not -how to be contented with the constant and continued sufficiency with -which Providence may have blessed them: their minds are haunted with -the prospect of becoming rich, and their impatient craving tempers are -perpetually prompting them to try to obtain their object all at once. -They lose all present enjoyment in remotely contemplating the future; -and while they are shewing by their conduct how insensible they are -to the bounty of Providence, they are at the same time laying the -foundation of their own unhappiness. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 57] - -THE WANTON CALF. - - -A Calf, which had been some time fattening in a rich pasture, full of -wantonness and arrogance, could not forbear insulting an old Ox every -time he saw him at the plough. What a sorry drudge art thou, says he, -to bear that heavy yoke, and draw all day a plough at thy tail! See, -what a fat, sleek, and comely appearance I make, and what a life of -ease I lead: I go where I please, and frisk about in the sunshine, or -lie down under the cool shade, just as my own fancy prompts me. The Ox, -not moved by this insolence, made no reply, but pursued his daily round -of alternate labour and rest, until he saw the Calf taken and delivered -to a priest, who immediately led him to the altar, and prepared to -sacrifice him. When the fatal knife was just at his throat, the Ox drew -near, and whispered him to this purpose: see what your wanton and lazy -life has brought you to, a premature and painful death. - - -APPLICATION. - -We may learn by this Fable the general consequence of an idle life, -and how well rewarded laborious diligent men are in the end, when -they quietly enjoy the fruits of their industry. They who by little -tricks and chicanery, or by open violence and robbery, are enabled -to live in a high expensive way, often despise the poor honest man, -who is contented with the humble produce of his daily labour. But how -often is the poor man comforted, by seeing these wanton villains led -in disgrace and misery to the altar of justice, while he has many a -cheerful summer’s morning to enjoy abroad, and many a long winter’s -evening to indulge in at home, by a quiet hearth, and under an unenvied -roof: blessings, which often attend a sober industrious man, though -the idle and the profligate are utter strangers to them. Luxury and -intemperance, besides their inevitable tendency to shorten a man’s -days, are very apt to engage their besotted votaries in a debauched -life, not only prejudicial to their health, but which engenders in -them a contempt for those whose good sense and true taste of happiness -inspire them with an aversion to idleness and effeminacy, and put them -upon hardening their constitution by innocent exercise and laudable -employment. How many do gluttony and sloth tumble into an untimely -grave! while the temperate and the active drink sober draughts of -life, and spin out the thread of their existence to the most desirable -length. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 59] - -THE BOASTING TRAVELLER. - - -One who had been abroad, was giving an account of his travels, -and among other places, said he had been at Rhodes, where he had -distinguished himself so much in leaping, an exercise which that city -was famous for, that not a Rhodian could come near him. When those -who were present did not seem to credit this relation so readily as -he intended they should, he took some pains to convince them of it by -oaths and protestations: upon which, one of the company told him he -need not give himself so much trouble about it, since he would put him -in a way to demonstrate the fact; which was, to suppose the place they -were in to be Rhodes, and to perform his extraordinary leap over again. -The boaster, not liking this proposal, sat down quietly, and had no -more to say for himself. - - -APPLICATION. - -We had better be contented to keep our exploits to ourselves, than to -appear ridiculous by attempting to force a belief of that which is -improbable; and travelled gentlemen should have a care how they import -falsehoods and inventions of their own from foreign parts, and attempt -to vend them at home for staple truths. It cannot be too strongly -impressed upon the mind, that a lie is upon all occasions degrading -to the person who utters it, and should be most scrupulously avoided, -not only on account of its baseness, but because it is impossible to -foresee in how many troubles it may involve him who passes it off. -It will not always receive credit, and is ever liable to detection. -When it is calculated for wicked purposes, it will deservedly incur -punishment; and when it is of a harmless or insignificant nature, it -will even then often expose its author to contempt and ridicule; and -vanity never mistakes its end more grossly, than when it attempts to -aggrandize itself at the expence of truth. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 61] - -THE SHEPHERD’S BOY AND THE WOLF. - - -A Shepherd’s Boy, while attending his flock, used frequently to -divert himself by crying out, “the Wolf! the Wolf!” The Husbandmen in -the adjoining grounds, thus alarmed, left their work and ran to his -assistance, but finding that he was only sporting with their feelings, -and bantering them, they resolved at last to take no notice of his -alarms. It was not long, however, before the Wolf really came, and the -Boy bawled out “the Wolf! the Wolf!” as he had done before; but the men -having been so often deceived, paid no attention to his cries, and the -sheep were devoured without mercy. - - -APPLICATION. - -The man who would go through the world with reputation and success, -must preserve a religious adherence to truth: for no talents or -industry can give him weight with others, or induce the sensible part -of mankind to place any confidence in him, if he be known to deviate -without scruple from veracity. Men of this stamp soon become notorious; -and besides the ignominy which attaches to their characters, they have -to undergo the mortification of not being believed even when they -do speak the truth. Whatever misfortune may befal them, and however -sincere they may be in making known their distress, yet, like the boy -in the Fable, their complaints and most earnest asseverations cannot -procure them credit, and are received at best with doubt and suspicion. -The same consequences follow falsehood and deception, whether practised -by individuals or public governors, and they will both find in the end -that they have been guided by cunning, and not by wisdom: for although -the ignorant part of mankind may, to serve the temporary purposes of a -bad government, be acted upon by false alarms of imaginary dangers, yet -even these in time will see through the stale tricks and artifices of -those whose designs are to gull and impose upon them. - -[Illustration: - - This Stone (like many - 10000000 of Men in the World) - has held up its bare - useless head for many - Centuries past. -] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 63] - -THE CROW AND THE PITCHER. - - -A Crow, ready to die with thirst, flew with joy to a Pitcher which he -beheld at some distance. When he came, he found water in it, indeed, -but so near the bottom, that with all his stooping and straining, he -was not able to reach it. He then endeavoured to overturn the Pitcher, -that at least he might be able to get a little of it; but his strength -was not sufficient for the accomplishment of this purpose. At last -seeing some pebbles lie near the place, he cast them one by one into -the Pitcher, and thus, by degrees, raised the water up to the very -brim, and satisfied his thirst. - - -APPLICATION. - -What we cannot accomplish by strength, we may by ingenuity and -industry. A man of sagacity and penetration, upon meeting with a few -difficulties, does not drop his pursuits, but if he cannot succeed in -one way, sets his mind to work upon another, and does not hesitate -about stepping out of the old beaten track which had been thoughtlessly -pursued in a roundabout way by thousands before him. The present -state of the world, enlightened by arts and sciences, is a proof that -difficulties seemingly unsurmountable, and undertakings once imagined -to be impossible, have been accomplished; and this ought to be kept in -mind as a spur to continued exertion: for we are not acquainted with -the strength of our own minds till we exercise them, nor to what length -our abilities will carry us, till we put them to the trial. - - “What is discovered only serves to shew, - That nothing’s known to what is yet to know.” - -The man who enriches the present fund of knowledge with some new and -useful improvement, does an honour to himself, and ought invariably -to be rewarded by the public: for, like a happy adventurer by sea, -he discovers as it were an unknown land, and imports an additional -treasure to his own country. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 65] - -THE PARTRIDGE AND THE COCKS. - - -A Man having caught a Partridge, plucked the feathers out of one of -its wings, and turned it into a little yard where he kept Game Cocks. -The Cocks led the poor bird a sad life, continually pecking at and -driving it away from the meat. This treatment was taken the more -unkindly, because offered to a stranger; and the Partridge could not -help concluding that they were the most uncivil inhospitable people he -had ever met with. But observing how very frequently they quarrelled -and fought with each other, he comforted himself with reflecting, that -it was no wonder they were so cruel to him, since they shewed the same -disposition to each other. - - -APPLICATION. - -No peace is to be expected among those who are naturally fierce, -quarrelsome, and inhospitable; and people of a different disposition -should avoid, as much as possible, having any thing to do with them. -But when we cannot help coming into contact with such characters, there -is no remedy but patience; and this virtue a wise man will call to his -aid under every misfortune. When our sufferings are inflicted by the -wickedness of others, it is some consolation to reflect, that people -of this character are continually waging war among themselves, and -punishing each other; and that the consequences of their own wickedness -follow them like their shadow, besides rendering them the objects of -general aversion. No virtue was more universally practised, or more -strongly recommended, by the ancients, than a mild conduct to our -companions, and an hospitable entertainment of strangers; and when this -is not the general character of any people, it shews, in greater or -less degrees, the wretched state of society in which they live. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 67] - -THE FOX AND THE CROW. - - -A Crow having taken a piece of meat out of a cottage window, flew -up into a tree with it; which a Fox observing, came underneath, and -began to compliment the Crow upon her beauty. I protest, says he, your -feathers are of a more delicate white than I ever saw in my life! Ah! -what a fine shape and graceful turn of body is there! and I make no -question but you have a tolerable voice: if it be but as fine as your -complexion, I do not know a bird that can stand in competition with -you. The Crow, tickled with this very civil language, wriggled about, -and hardly knew where she was; and having a mind to convince the Fox -in the matter of her voice, attempted to sing, and in the same instant -let the meat drop out of her mouth. This being what the Fox wanted, -he chopped it up in a moment, and trotted away, laughing at the easy -credulity of the Crow. - - -APPLICATION. - - “It is a maxim in the schools, - That flattery is the food of fools.” - -They that love flattery will have cause to repent of their foible -in the long run; and yet how few there are among the whole race of -mankind, who are proof against its attacks. The gross way in which it -is managed by some silly practitioners, is enough to alarm the dullest -apprehension; but let the ambuscade be disposed with judgment, and it -will scarcely fail of seizing the most guarded heart. How many are -tickled to the last degree with the pleasure of flattery, even while -they are applauded for their honest detestation of it. There is no -way to baffle the force of this engine, but by every one’s examining -impartially for himself, the true estimate of his own qualities. If he -deal sincerely in the matter, nobody can tell so well as himself, what -degree of esteem ought to attend any of his actions; and therefore he -should be entirely easy as to the opinion others have of them. If they -attribute more to him than is his due, they are either designing, or -mistaken; if they allow him less, they are envious, or possibly still -mistaken; and in either case are to be despised or disregarded: for he -that flatters without designing to make advantage of it, is a fool; -and whoever encourages that flattery which he has sense enough to see -through, is a vain coxcomb. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 69] - -THE SENSIBLE ASS. - - -An old Man who was feeding his Ass in a fine green meadow, being -alarmed by the sudden approach of an enemy, began urging the Ass to put -himself forward, and fly with all the speed he was able. The Ass asked -him whether he thought the enemy would clap two pair of panniers upon -his back? The Man said, No, there was no fear of that. Why then, says -the Ass, I will not stir an inch, for what is it to me who my master -is, since I shall but carry my panniers as usual. - - -APPLICATION. - -This Fable shews us how much in the wrong the poorer sort of people -most commonly are, when they are under any concern about the -revolutions of a government. All the alteration which they can feel, is -perhaps in the name of their sovereign, or some such important trifle; -but they cannot well be poorer, or made to work harder, than they did -before. And yet how are they sometimes imposed upon and drawn in by -the artifices of a few mistaken or designing men, to foment factions, -and raise rebellions, in cases where they can get nothing by success; -but if they miscarry, are in danger of suffering an ignominious and -untimely end. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 71] - -THE SWALLOW AND OTHER BIRDS. - - -A Swallow, observing a Farmer sowing his field with flax, called the -Birds together, and informed them what he was about. She told them that -flax was the material of which the thread was made that composed the -fowler’s nets, so fatal to the feathered race, and strongly advised -them to assist her in picking up the seed, and destroying it. The Birds -heard her with indifference, and gave themselves no trouble about the -matter. In a little time the flax sprung up, and appeared above the -ground. She then put them in mind once more of their impending danger, -and wished them to pluck it up in the bud, before it grew any farther. -But they still slighted her warnings, and the flax grew up into stalk. -She again urged them to attack it, for it was not yet too late; but -they only ridiculed her for a silly pretending prophet. The Swallow, -finding all her remonstrances availed nothing, was resolved to leave -the society of such careless unthinking creatures, before it was too -late: so quitting the woods, she repaired to the houses; and, forsaking -the conversation of the Birds, has ever since taken up her abode among -the dwellings of men. - - -APPLICATION. - -Wise men read effects in their causes, and profit by them; but their -advice is thrown away when given to the arrogant and self-conceited, -who are too proud to listen to it. It is equally lost upon fools, who -stupidly or obstinately shut their eyes against impending danger, -till it is too late to prevent it. In both cases, those who have no -foresight of their own, and those who despise the wholesome admonitions -of their friends, deserve to suffer from the misfortunes which their -own obstinacy, folly, or negligence, brings upon their heads. A great -portion of mankind, from an overweening conceit of their own abilities, -are unwilling to be advised by any one, and through this stubborn -disposition, deprive themselves of the aids of friendship, and the -benefits which the good-will of their more sensible neighbours would -have conferred on them with pleasure. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 73] - -THE THIEVES AND THE COCK. - - -Two Thieves broke into a house with a design to rob it; but when they -had pried into every corner, found nothing worth taking away but a -Cock, which they seized upon and carried off. When they were about to -kill him, he begged very hard that they would spare his life, putting -them in mind how useful he was to mankind, by crowing and calling them -up betimes to their work. You villain, replied they, it is for that -very reason we will wring your head off; for you alarm and keep the -people waking, so that we cannot rob in quiet for you. - - -APPLICATION. - -The same thing which recommends us to the esteem of good people, will -make those that are bad have nothing but hatred and ill-will towards -us; for every man who has engaged himself in a vicious or wicked -course of life, fiend-like, makes himself, as it were, the natural -adversary of virtue. It is in vain for innocent men, under oppression, -to complain to those who are the occasion of it: all they can urge -will but make against them; and even their very innocence, though -they should say nothing, would render them sufficiently suspected. -The moral, therefore, that this Fable brings along with it, is to -inform us that there is no trusting, nor any hopes of living well, -with wicked unjust men; for their disposition is such, that they will -do mischief to others as soon as they have the opportunity. When vice -flourishes, and is in power, were it possible for a good man to live -quietly in its neighbourhood, and preserve his integrity, it might be -sometimes perhaps convenient for him to do so, rather than quarrel -with and provoke it against him. But as it is certain that rogues are -irreconcileable enemies to men of worth, if the latter would be secure, -they must take methods to free themselves from the power and society of -the former. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 75] - -THE WOLVES AND THE SICK ASS. - - -An Ass being sick, the report was spread abroad in the country, and -some did not scruple to say, that she would die before another night -went over her head. Upon this, several Wolves went to the stable where -she lay, under pretence of making her a visit; but rapping at the door, -and asking how she did, the young Ass came out, and told them that his -mother was much better than they desired. - - -APPLICATION. - -If the kind enquiries after the sick were all to be interpreted with as -much frankness as those in the Fable, the porters of the great might -commonly answer with the strictest propriety, that their masters were -much better than was wished or desired. The charitable visits which -are made to many sick people, proceed from much the same motive with -that which induced the hungry Wolves to make their enquiries after -the sick Ass, namely, that they may come in for some share of their -remains, and feast themselves upon the reversion of their goods and -chattels. The sick man’s heir longs for his estate; one friend waits -in anxious expectation of a legacy, and another wants his place; it, -however, does not unfrequently happen, that the mask of these selfish -visitants, and their counterfeit sorrow, are seen through, and their -impertinent officiousness treated with the contempt it so justly -deserves. - -[Illustration: ’Tis \the\ a world! floating about, like an illumined -mote, in the immensity of endless space--and is inhabited by nations of -proud pismires.--] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 77] - -THE DOG IN THE MANGER. - - -A Dog was lying upon a stall full of hay. An Ox, being hungry, came -near, and offered to eat of the hay; but the ill-natured Cur getting up -and snarling at him, would not suffer him to touch it. Upon which the -Ox, in the bitterness of his heart, said, A curse light on thee for a -malicious wretch, who will neither eat hay thyself, nor suffer others -to do it. - - -APPLICATION. - -There are men in the world of so snarling, malevolent, and ill-natured -a disposition, that they will even punish themselves, rather than -put forth a finger to serve any one. It gives them a malignant kind -of pleasure to have it in their power to cause trouble and vexation -to others, whenever they have an opportunity of doing so; and could -they have their will, they would shut out the light and warmth of -the sun, and suffer the fruits of the earth to rot upon it, provided -they could see those about them unhappy; and in thus taking delight -in other people’s miseries, it of course follows that they are their -own tormentors. These characters, in common life, are diabolical and -detestable; but the evils they inflict, are only like a drop to the -ocean, when compared to those which men of the same stamp shed abroad -in the world, when, in an evil hour, they happen to be exalted to -govern the affairs of a nation. Then, indeed, their baleful influence -is felt in every direction: they may be termed fiends in human shape; -for, as far as they are able, they thwart the benevolent intentions of -Omnipotence, and the very breath of their nostrils seems to blast the -happiness of mankind. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 79] - -JUPITER AND THE ASS. - - -An Ass which had been some time in the service of a Gardener, and -carried his vegetables to market, became tired of his place, and -petitioned Jupiter that he would permit him to enter upon the service -of a neighbouring Potter. Jupiter granted his request. He here, -however, soon found that the latter loaded him with heavier burthens, -and kept him on poorer fare than he had been used to before. He again -prayed to Jupiter to grant that he might be allowed to better his -condition by engaging himself to a Tanner. Jupiter again heard his -prayer; but here he soon found he had changed for the worse: for, -besides being hard worked, he was also often cruelly treated; and -seeing what was going on in this place, he could not forbear upbraiding -himself with his folly and inconstancy. Oh, tofo that I was! said he to -himself, for leaving my former mild master, to become the servant of -one, who, after working me to death, will not spare my very hide after -I am dead. - - -APPLICATION. - -The man that carries about with him the plague of a restless mind, can -never be pleased; he is ever shifting and changing, and is in truth -not so weary of his condition as of himself. Seldom or never contented -with his lot, he is ever hunting after happiness where it is not to -be found, without ever looking for it where it is. He indulges in the -strange propensity of his nature, which leads him to suppose that his -own lot is the most miserable, and therefore concludes that any change -he can make must be for the better. He loses sight of the virtues of -patience, constancy, and resignation, and seems not to know that every -station in life has its real or imaginary inconveniences; and that -it is better to bear with those which we are accustomed to endure, -and of which we know the utmost extent, than by aiming at the seeming -advantages of another way of life, to subject ourselves to all its -hidden miseries. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 81] - -ÆSOP AND THE IMPERTINENT FELLOW. - - -Æsop having occasion to go out to seek a light to kindle his fire, went -from house to house for some time before he could succeed; but having -at last got what he wanted, he posted back in haste with his lighted -candle in his hand. An impudent Fellow, leaving his companions, caught -hold of Æsop by the sleeve, and would fain have shewn off his wit, and -been arch upon him. Hey day! oh, rare Æsop! says he, what occasion for -a candle, old boy! what, are you going to light the sun to bed? Let me -alone, says Æsop, for with it I am looking for an honest man. - - -APPLICATION. - -It is plain that our old philosopher in the Fable did not take the -impertinent fellow for an honest man, and he gave him to understand -that it required a good light to find out one who fully came up to -that character; and he might have added, that the world very much -abounded with ignorant and impudent ones, who, with their empty -nonsense, which they call wit, often unseasonably interrupt men of -thought and business: for to those whose minds are wholly intent upon -matters of importance, nothing is so offensive as the intrusion of a -fool. Men of eminent parts and great natural abilities, make their -appearance in the world only now and then. These qualifications are -the gift of Providence, and seem to be intended to throw fresh lights -on the understandings of mankind; but in all the gradations from these -downwards, it is in the power of every one to improve their manners, -and integrity is within the reach of those of the meanest capacity, if -they will endeavour to amend their lives, and take it for their guide. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 83] - -THE FORESTER AND THE LION. - - -The Forester meeting with the Lion one day, they discoursed together -for a while without much differing in opinion. At last, a dispute -happening to arise about the point of superiority between a Man and a -Lion, the former wanting a better argument, shewed the latter a marble -monument, on which was placed the statue of a Man striding over a -vanquished Lion. If this, says the Lion, is all you have to say for it, -let us be the sculptors, and we will make the Lion striding over the -Man. - - -APPLICATION. - -Such is the partiality of mankind in favour of themselves and their -own actions, that it is extremely difficult, nay almost impossible -to come at any certainty, by reading the accounts that are written -on one side only. The simple truth is still perverted, as prejudice, -vanity, or interest warps the mind, and it is not discovered in all -its brilliancy, till the mists which obscure it are swept away by the -most rigid investigation. In what an odious light would our party men -place each other, if the transactions of the times were handed down -to posterity by a warm zealot on either side; and were such records -to survive a few centuries, with what perplexities and difficulties -would they embarrass the historian, as by turns he consulted them for -the character of his great forefathers. The same difficulties would -occur in writing the history of nations, both ancient and modern. Some -of those who flourish at this day, and consider themselves as having -reached perfection in civilization and polished manners, will perhaps, -not unjustly, be branded in after-times with cruelty, injustice, -and oppression, in having confounded all simplicity of manners, and -disturbed the peace of whole nations, by carrying the horrors of -war, of murder, and desolation, into regions formerly blessed with -uninterrupted tranquillity. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 85] - -THE WOLF, THE FOX, AND THE APE. - - -The Wolf indicted the Fox for felony before the Ape, who upon that -occasion was appointed special judge of the cause. The Fox gave in his -answer to the Wolf’s accusation, and denied the fact. After hearing -both sides, the Ape, penetrating the character of the parties, gave -judgment to this purpose: I am of opinion, that you, says he to the -Wolf, never lost the goods you sue for; and as for you, turning to the -Fox, I make no question but you at least have stolen what is laid to -your charge. And thus the court was dismissed with this public censure -upon each party. - - -APPLICATION. - -Well may both judge and jury, in the outset of trial, be puzzled to -decide between and do justice to men whose quarrels are made up of -baseness and villainy, and carried on with mutual treachery, fraud, -and violence, and whose witnesses are perhaps of the same character -with themselves. Each party may justly enough accuse the other, though -neither of them are worthy of belief, and deserve even no credit for -the imputations with which they asperse each other’s characters. But -such men need not hope long to deceive the world: a penetrating judge -and an honest jury will, upon sifting the matter, clearly see what kind -of men they have been occupying their attention with, and shew a proper -disgust at the wicked impudence of both plaintiff and defendant. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 87] - -THE BALD KNIGHT. - - -A certain Knight growing old, his hair fell off, and he became bald; -to hide which imperfection he wore a periwig. But as he was riding out -with some others a hunting, a sudden gust of wind blew off the periwig, -and exposed his bald pate. The company could not forbear laughing at -the accident; and he himself laughed as loud as any body, saying, how -was it to be expected that I could keep strange hair upon my head, when -my own would not stay there? - - -APPLICATION. - -There is no disposition, or turn of mind, which on many occasions -contributes more to keep us easy, than that which enables us to rally -any of our failings, or joke upon our own infirmities: this blunts -the edge, and baffles and turns aside the malignant sneers of little -wits, and the ill nature and ridicule of others. If we should at any -time happen to incur the laughter of those about us, we cannot stifle -it sooner or better than by receiving it all with a cheerful look, -and by an ingenuous and pleasant remark, parry the jest which another -is ready to throw out at our expence. To appear fretted or nettled, -only serves to gratify the wishes of those who take a secret pleasure -in seeing such an effect produced; and, besides, a testy or captious -temper is a source of perpetual disquietude, both to ourselves and our -acquaintances, and like a little leaven, sours the whole mass of our -good qualities. If we had no other imperfections, this of itself would -be sufficient to cause our company to be shunned. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 89] - -THE LION AND THE FOUR BULLS. - - -Four Bulls, who had entered into a very strict friendship, kept always -near one another, and fed together. The Lion often saw them, and as -often had a mind to make one of them his prey; but though he could -easily have subdued any of them singly, yet he was afraid to attack -the whole alliance, knowing they would have been too powerful for him, -and therefore was obliged to keep himself at a distance. At last, -perceiving that no attempt was to be made upon them as long as their -combination lasted, he artfully contrived, by the whispers and hints of -his emissaries, to foment jealousies, and raise divisions among them. -This stratagem succeeded so well, that the Bulls grew cold and reserved -to one another, which soon after ripened into a downright hatred and -aversion, and at last ended in a total separation. The Lion had now -attained his ends; and though it had been impossible for him to hurt -them while they were united, he found no difficulty, now they were -parted, to seize and devour every Bull of them, one after another. - - -APPLICATION. - -Since friendships and alliances are of the greatest importance to our -well-being and happiness, we cannot be too often cautioned against -suffering them to be broken by tale bearers and whisperers, or by -any dark plots and contrivances of our enemies: for when by such -wicked means as these, or by our own imprudence, we lose a friend, -we shake the very basis of our interest, and remove the pillar that -contributed to support it. Whatever in cases of this kind is applicable -to individuals, is equally so to kingdoms and states; and it is as -undisputed a maxim as ever was urged upon the attention of mankind, by -the best man that ever lived, that a “kingdom divided against itself -cannot stand:” the people are invincible when united. - - Faction and feuds will overturn the state - Which union renders flourishing and great. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 91] - -THE OLD MAN AND HIS SONS. - - -An old Man had several Sons, who were constantly quarrelling with each -other, notwithstanding he used every means in his power to persuade -them to cease their contentions, and to live in amity together. At last -he had recourse to the following expedient:--He ordered his Sons to -be called before him, and a bundle of sticks to be brought, and then -commanded them to try if, with all their strength, any of them could -break it. They all tried, but without effect: for the sticks being -closely and compactly bound together, it was impossible for the force -of man to break them. After this, the Father ordered the bundle to be -untied, and gave a single stick to each of his Sons, at the same time -bidding them try to break it. This they did with ease, and soon snapped -every stick asunder. The Father then addressed them to this effect: O, -my Sons, behold the power of unity! for if you, in like manner, would -but keep yourselves strictly conjoined in the bands of friendship, it -would not be in the power of any mortal to hurt you; but when you are -divided by quarrels and animosities, you fall a prey to the weakest -enemies. - - -APPLICATION. - -A kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and the -same holds good in all societies and corporations of men, from the -constitution of the nation, down to every little parochial vestry. -Every private family should consider itself a little state, in which -the several members ought to be united by one common interest. Quarrels -with each other are as fatal to their welfare, as factions are -dangerous to the peace of the commonwealth. But indeed the necessity -of union and friendship extends itself to all kinds of relations in -life, and they conduce mightily to the advantage of those who cherish -and cultivate them. No enemy will dare to attack a body of men firmly -attached to each other, and will fear to offend one of the number, -lest he should incur the resentment of the rest; but if they split -into parties, and are disunited by quarrels, every petty opponent will -venture to attack them, and the whole fraternity will be liable to -wrongs and violence. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 93] - -THE LION, THE TIGER, AND THE WOLF. - - -A Lion and a Tiger, at the same instant seized on a young Fawn, which -they immediately killed. This they had no sooner performed, than they -fell to fighting, in order to decide whose property it should be. The -battle was so obstinate, that they were both compelled, by weariness -and loss of blood, to desist and lie down breathless and quite -disabled. A Wolf passing that way, perceiving how the case stood, very -impudently stepped up and seized the booty, which they had all this -while been contending for, and carried it off. The two combatants, who -beheld this without being able to prevent it, could only make this -reflection: How foolish, said they, has been our conduct! Instead of -being contented, as we ought, with our respective shares, our senseless -rage has rendered us unable to prevent this rascally Wolf from robbing -us of the whole. - - -APPLICATION. - -When people go to law about an uncertain title, and have spent the -value of their whole estate in the contest, nothing is more common -than to find that some unprincipled attorney has secured the object -in dispute to himself. The very name of law seems to imply equity and -justice, and that is the bait which has drawn in many to their ruin. -If we would lay aside passion, prejudice, and folly, and think calmly -of the matter, we should find that going to law is not the best way -of deciding differences about property; it being, generally speaking, -much safer to trust to the arbitration of two or three honest sensible -neighbours, than at a vast expence of money, time, and trouble, to run -through the tedious frivolous forms, with which, by the artifices of -greedy lawyers, a court of judicature is contrived to be attended. Or -if a case should happen to be so intricate that a man of common sense -cannot distinguish who has the best title, how easy would it be to have -the opinion of the best counsel in the land, and agree to abide by his -decision. If it should appear dubious, even after that, how much better -would it be to divide the thing in dispute, rather than go to law, and -hazard the losing, not only of the whole, but costs and damages into -the bargain! - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 95] - -THE FOX WITHOUT A TAIL. - - -A Fox being caught in a trap, escaped after much difficulty with the -loss of his tail. He was, however, a good deal ashamed of appearing in -public without this ornament, and at last, to avoid being singular and -ridiculous in the eyes of his own species, he formed the project of -calling together an assembly of Foxes, and of persuading them that the -docking of their tails was a fashion that would be very agreeable and -becoming. Accordingly he made a long harangue to them for that purpose, -and endeavoured chiefly to shew the awkwardness and inconvenience of a -Fox’s tail, adding that they were quite useless, and that they would be -a very great deal better without them. He asserted, that what he had -only conjectured and imagined before, he now found by experience to be -true, for he never enjoyed himself so much, and found himself so easy -as he had done since he cut off his tail. He then looked round with a -brisk air, to see what proselytes he had gained; when a sly old Fox -in company answered him, with a leer: I believe you may have found a -convenience in parting with your tail, and perhaps when we are in the -same circumstances, we may do so too. - - -APPLICATION. - -Many of the fashions which obtain in the world, originate in the whim -or caprice of some vain conceited creature, who takes a pride in -leading the giddy multitude in a career of folly. Others again take -their rise from an artful design to cover some vice, or hide some -deformity in the person of the inventor. Projectors and planners of a -higher stamp are also not uncommon in the world. These men appear to -toil only for the public good, and the sacred name of patriotism is -their shield. It, however, often happens that when their deep schemes -are opened out, they are found to proceed from nothing better than -self-interested motives, and a sincere desire to serve themselves. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 97] - -THE MISER AND HIS TREASURE. - - -A certain Miser, having got together a large sum of money, sought -out a sequestered spot, where he dug a hole and hid it. His greatest -pleasure was to go and look upon his treasure; which one of his -servants observing, and guessing there was something more than ordinary -in the place, came at night, found the hoard, and carried it off. The -next day, the Miser returning as usual to the scene of his delight, -and perceiving the money gone, tore his hair for grief, and uttered -the most doleful accents of despair. A neighbour, who knew his temper, -overhearing him, said, Cheer up, man! thou hast lost nothing: there is -still a hole to peep at: and if thou canst but fancy the money there, -it will do just as well. - - -APPLICATION. - -Of all the appetites to which human nature is subject, none is so -lasting, so strong, and so unaccountable, as avarice. Other desires -generally cool at the approach of old age; but this flourishes under -grey hairs, and triumphs amidst infirmities. All our other longings -have something to be said in excuse for them; but it is above reason, -and therefore truly incomprehensible, why a man should be passionately -fond of money only for the sake of gazing upon it. His treasure is as -useless to him as a heap of oyster shells; for though he knows how -many substantial pleasures it might procure, yet he dares not touch -it, and is as destitute, to all intents and purposes, as the man who -is not worth a groat. This is the true state of a covetous person, to -which one of that fraternity perhaps may reply, that when we have said -all, since pleasure is the grand aim of life, if there arise a delight -to some, from the bare possession of riches, though they do not use, -or even intend to use them, we may be puzzled how to account for it, -and think it strange, but ought not absolutely to condemn those who -thus closely, but innocently, pursue what they esteem the greatest -happiness. True! people would be in the wrong to paint covetousness in -such odious colours, were it compatible with innocence. But here arises -the mischief: a covetous man will stop at nothing to attain his ends; -and when once avarice takes the field, honesty, charity, humanity, and -every virtue which opposes it, are sure to be put to the rout. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 99] - -THE SHIP DOG. - - -A young saucy Dog, having been found not to like any employment at -home, was taken by a sea captain on board his ship, where, being well -fed, he soon became both stout and fierce, and shewed himself off as -such in every foreign port. He no sooner got ashore, than he held up -his leg against every post and corner, and scraped the ground with his -feet, quite regardless what dog he might bespatter; and if any of them -happened to look sulkily at him, he thought nothing of seizing upon -and rolling them in the kennel. If he happened to fall into company, -he always began to give himself airs, to talk big, and to express his -contempt for the dogs of the place. He would boast that he was from -a better country, and belonged to a better family than any dog among -them. In short, said he, “I come from Cheviot, the highest mountain in -the world, and the very heart of all England, where my forefathers, -thousands of years ago, assembled to hunt the Wild Bull, the Wolf, and -the Boar.” He was once going on at this rate, when he was interrupted -by a sedate, experienced Bitch, who assured him that there were good -dogs and bad dogs in every country, and that the only difference arose -from their education; that many of the forefathers he boasted of, had -long since worried each other, and the remainder of them had become so -troublesome, that part had been transported across the sea to another -place; and she knew, from good authority, that both his father and his -mother were hanged. - - -APPLICATION. - -When foreigners speak slightingly of the country they happen to be in, -and praise their own, it shews in them a want of good sense and good -breeding. It is indeed natural to have an affection for one’s native -land, nor can we help preferring it to every other; but to express this -in another country, to people whose opinion it must needs contradict, -by the same rule that it is conformable to our own, cannot fail of -giving them just offence. It matters not how highly some particular -countries may stand in the estimation of the rest of the world: this -has little to do with private individuals; the advantage of having -been born in one of those favoured countries, is accidental, and no -man ought to be esteemed merely on that account. In order to merit the -respect of virtuous and wise men in every foreign land, it must appear -to them that by our talents, our acquirements, and our patriotism, we -do credit to the country which gave us birth. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 101] - -THE GOAT AND THE LION. - - -The Lion, seeing a Goat upon a steep craggy rock, where he could not -come at him, asked him what delight he could take to skip from one -precipice to another all day, and venture the breaking of his neck -every moment? I wonder, says he, you will not come down and feed on the -plain here, when there is such plenty of grass, and fine sweet herbs. -Why, replies the Goat, I cannot but say your opinion is right; but you -look so very hungry and designing, that, to tell you the truth, I do -not care to venture my person where you are. - - -APPLICATION. - -Advice, though good in itself, is to be suspected when it is given -by a tricking, self-interested man. Perhaps we should take upon -ourselves not only a very great, but an unnecessary trouble, if we -were to suspect every man who offers to advise us; but this however -is necessary, that when we have reason to question any one in point -of honour and justice, we not only consider well before we suffer -ourselves to be persuaded by him, but even resolve to have nothing to -do in any affair where such treacherous slippery sparks are concerned, -if we can avoid it without much inconvenience. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 103] - -THE TWO TRAVELLERS. - - -Two Men travelling upon the road, one of them saw an Axe lying upon -the ground, where somebody had been hewing timber: so taking it up, -says he, I have found an Axe. Do not say I, says the other, but we have -found; for as we are companions, we ought to share the value between -us: but the first would not consent. They had not gone far, before the -owner of the Axe, hearing what was become of it, pursued them with a -warrant; which, when the fellow that had it, perceived, Alas! says he -to his companion, we are undone. Nay, says the other, do not say we, -but I am undone: for, as you would not let me share the prize, neither -will I share the danger with you. - - -APPLICATION. - -We cannot reasonably expect those to bear a part in our ill-fortune, -whom we never permitted to share in our prosperity; and whoever is so -over-selfish and narrow-minded, as to exclude his friend from a portion -of the benefits to which an intimate connection entitles him, may, -perhaps, engross some petty advantages to himself, but he must lay his -account on being left to do as well as he can for himself in times of -difficulty and distress. The very life and soul of friendship subsist -upon mutual benevolence, and in conferring and receiving obligations -on either hand, with a free, open, and unreserved behaviour, without -the least tincture of jealousy, suspicion, or distrust, guided by a -strict observance of the rules of honour and generosity; and as no -man includes within himself every thing necessary for his security, -defence, preservation, and support, these rules are the requisites of -friendship, to make it firm and lasting, and the foundation on which it -must be built. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 105] - -THE FOX AND THE ASS. - - -An Ass finding a Lion’s skin, disguised himself in it, and ranged -about the forest, putting all the beasts in bodily fear. After he had -diverted himself thus for some time, he met a Fox, and being desirous -to frighten him too, as well as the rest, he leapt at him with some -fierceness, and endeavoured to imitate the roaring of a Lion. Your -humble servant, says the Fox, if you had held your tongue, I might have -taken you for a Lion, as others did, but now you bray, I know who you -are. - - -APPLICATION. - -A man is known by his words, as a tree is by the fruit; and if we -would be apprized of the nature and qualities of any one, let him -but discourse, and he will speak them to us better than another can -describe them. We may therefore perceive, from this Fable, how proper -it is for those to hold their tongues, who would not discover the -shallowness of their understandings. “Empty vessels make the greatest -sound,” and the deepest rivers are most silent; the greatest noise -is ever found where there is the least depth of water. It is a true -observation, that those who are the weakest in understanding, and most -slow of apprehension, are generally the most precipitate in uttering -their crude conceptions. Grave looks, an aspect of dignity, and a -solemn deportment, may sometimes deceive even an accurate observer; but -wise discourse cannot be successfully counterfeited or assumed, and the -sententious blockhead is as easily recognised as the pert coxcomb. It -matters not what disguise one of these may assume; he utters himself, -and undeceives us: he brays, and tells the whole company what he is. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 107] - -THE CAT AND THE FOX. - - -As the Cat and the Fox were once talking politics together, in the -middle of a forest, Reynard said, let things turn out ever so bad, he -did not care, for he had a thousand tricks for them yet, before they -should hurt him; but pray, says he, Mrs Puss, suppose there should be -an invasion, what course do you design to take? Nay, says the Cat, I -have but one shift for it, and if that won’t do, I am undone. I am -sorry for you, replies Reynard, with all my heart, and would gladly -furnish you with one or two of mine; but indeed neighbour, as times go, -it is not good to trust, we must even be every one for himself, as the -saying is, and so your humble servant. These words were scarcely out of -his mouth, when they were alarmed with a pack of hounds, that came upon -them in full cry. The Cat, by the help of her single shift, ran up a -tree and sat securely among the branches, whence she beheld Reynard, -who had not been able to get out of sight, overtaken with his thousand -tricks, and torn into as many pieces by the Dogs, which had surrounded -him. - - -APPLICATION. - -One good discreet expedient made use of upon an emergency, will do -a man more real service, and make others think better of him, than -to have passed all his life for a shrewd crafty fellow, full of his -stratagems and expedients, and valuing himself upon his having a deeper -knowledge of the world than his neighbours. Plain good sense, and a -downright honest meaning, are a better guide through life, and more -trusty security against danger, than the low shifts of cunning, and the -refinements of artifice. Cunning is of a deep entangling nature, and -is a sign of a small genius; though when it happens to be successful, -it often makes an ostentatious pretension to wisdom; but simplicity of -manners is the ally of integrity, and plain common sense is the main -requisite of wisdom. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 109] - -THE DOG INVITED TO SUPPER. - - -A Gentleman having invited several friends to supper, his Dog thought -this a fit opportunity to invite another Dog, an intimate of his own, -to partake with him of the good cheer, in the kitchen. Accordingly the -stranger punctually attended, and seeing the mighty preparations going -forward, promised himself a most delicious repast. He began to smell -about, and, with his eyes intent upon the victuals, to lick his lips, -and wag his tail. This drew the attention of the Cook, who stole slyly -up, and seizing him by the hind legs, whirled him out of the window -into the street. The Dog, stunned and hurt by his hard fall on the -pavement, began to howl, the noise of which drew several Dogs about -him, who knowing of the invitation, began to enquire how he had fared? -O! charmingly, said he; only I ate and drank till I scarce knew which -way I came out of the house. - - -APPLICATION. - -There is no depending upon a second-hand interest; unless we know -ourselves to be well with the principal, and are assured of his favour -and protection, we stand upon a slippery foundation. They are strangers -to the world who are so weak as to think they can be well with any -one by proxy; they may by this means be cajoled, bubbled, and imposed -upon, but are under great uncertainty as to gaining their point, and -may probably be treated with scorn and derision in the end. Yet there -are not wanting among the several species of fops, silly people of this -sort, who pride themselves in an imaginary happiness, from being in -the good graces of a great man’s friend’s friend. Alas! the great men -themselves are but too apt to deceive and fail in making good their -promises, how then can we expect any good from those who do but promise -and vow in their names? To place a confidence in such sparks, is -indeed so false a reliance, that we ought to be ashamed to be detected -in it; and, like the Dog in the Fable, rather own we had been well -treated, than let the world see how justly we had been punished for our -ridiculous credulity. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 111] - -THE ANGLER AND THE LITTLE FISH. - - -An Angler caught a small Trout, and as he was taking it off the hook, -and going to put it into his basket, it opened its little throat, and -begged most piteously that he would throw it into the river again. The -man demanded what reason it had to expect this indulgence? Why, says -the Fish, because I am so young and so little, that it is not worth -your while taking me now, and certainly I shall be better worth your -notice, if you take me a twelvemonth afterwards, when I shall be grown -a great deal larger. That may be, replied the Angler, but I am sure of -you now; and I am not one of those who quit a certainty in expectation -of an uncertainty. - - -APPLICATION. - -They who neglect the present opportunity of reaping a small advantage, -in the hope that they shall obtain a greater afterwards, are far from -acting upon a reasonable and well advised foundation. We ought never -thus to deceive ourselves, and suffer the favourable moment to slip -away; but secure to ourselves every fair advantage, however small, at -the moment that it offers, without placing a vain reliance upon the -visionary expectation of something better in time to come. Prudence -advises us always to lay hold of time by the forelock, and to remember -that “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 113] - -A MAN BITTEN BY A DOG. - - -A Man, who had been sadly torn by a Dog, was advised by some Old Woman, -as a cure, to dip a piece of bread in the wound, and give it to the -Cur that bit him. He did so, and Æsop happening to pass by just at the -time, asked him what he meant by it? The man informed him. Why then, -says Æsop, do it as privately as you can, I beseech you; for if the -rest of the Dogs of the town were to see you, we should all be eaten up -alive by them. - - -APPLICATION. - -Vice should always be considered as the proper object of punishment, -and we should on no account connive at offences of an atrocious nature, -much less confer rewards on the criminals: for nothing contributes so -much to the increase of roguery, as when the undertakings of a knave -are attended with success. If it were not for the fear of punishment, a -great part of mankind, who now make a shift to keep themselves honest, -would be great villains. But if criminals, instead of meeting with -punishment, were, by having been such, to attain honour and preferment, -our natural inclination to mischief would be increased, and we should -be wicked out of emulation. We should rather strive to make virtue as -tempting as possible, and throw out every allurement in our power to -draw the minds of the wavering and unsettled to espouse her cause. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 115] - -THE FOX AND THE TIGER. - - -A skilful Archer coming into the woods, directed his arrows so -successfully, that he slew many wild beasts, and wounded several -others. This put the whole savage kind into a great consternation, and -made them fly into the most retired thickets for refuge. At last, the -Tiger resumed courage, and bidding them not be afraid, said that he -alone would engage the enemy, telling them they might depend on his -valour to avenge their wrongs. In the midst of these threats, while -he was lashing himself with his tail, and tearing up the ground with -anger, an arrow pierced his ribs, and hung by its barbed point in his -side. He set up a loud and hideous roar, occasioned by the anguish he -felt, and endeavoured to draw out the painful dart with his teeth: when -the Fox approaching him, enquired with an air of surprise, who it was -that could have strength and courage enough to wound so mighty and -valorous a beast? Ah! says the Tiger, I was mistaken in my reckoning: -it was that invincible Man yonder. - - -APPLICATION. - -Though strength and courage are very good ingredients towards -making us secure and formidable in the world, yet unless there be a -proper portion of wisdom or policy to direct them, instead of being -serviceable, they often prove detrimental to their proprietors. A -rash forward man, who depends upon the excellence of his own parts -and accomplishments, is likewise apt to expose a weak side, which his -enemies might not otherwise have observed; and gives an advantage to -others by those very means which he fancied might have secured it to -himself. Counsel and conduct always did and always will govern the -world; and the strong, in spite of all their force, can never avoid -being tools to the crafty. Some men are as much superior to others in -wisdom and policy, as man in general is above the brute. Strength, -ill-governed, opposed to them, is like a quarter staff in the hands -of a huge, robust, but bungling fellow, who fights against a master -of the science. The latter, though without a weapon, would have skill -and address enough to disarm his adversary, and drub him with his own -staff. In a word, savage fierceness and brutal strength, must not -pretend to stand in competition with policy and stratagem. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 117] - -THE DOG AND THE SHADOW. - - -A Dog, crossing a rivulet with a piece of flesh in his mouth, saw his -own shadow represented in the clear mirror of the stream; and believing -it to be another Dog, who was carrying another piece of flesh, he could -not forbear catching at it; but was so far from getting any thing by -his greedy design, that he dropt the piece he had in his mouth, which -immediately sunk to the bottom, and was irrecoverably lost. - - -APPLICATION. - - Base is the man who pines amidst his store, - And fat with plenty, griping covets more. - -Excessive greediness, in the end, mostly misses what it aims at, and -he that catches at more than belongs to him, justly deserves to lose -what he has. Yet nothing is more common, and, at the same time more -pernicious, than this selfish principle. It prevails from the king -to the peasant; and all orders and degrees of men are more or less -infected with it. Great monarchs have been drawn in by this greedy -humour to grasp at the dominions of their neighbours; not that they -wanted any thing more to feed their luxury, but to gratify their -insatiable appetite for vain glory; and many states have been reduced -to the last extremity by attempting such unjust encroachments. He that -thinks he sees the estate of another in a pack of cards, or a box and -dice, and ventures his own in the pursuit of it, should not repine, if -he finds himself a beggar in the end. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 119] - -THE BEAR AND THE BEE-HIVES. - - -A Bear, climbing over the fence into a place where Bees were kept, -began to plunder the hives, and rob them of their honey; but the Bees, -to revenge the injury, attacked him in a whole swarm together; and -though they were not able to pierce his rugged hide, yet, with their -little stings they so annoyed his eyes and nostrils, that, unable to -endure the smarting pain, with impatience he tore the skin over his -ears, with his own claws, and suffered ample punishment for the injury -he had done the Bees, in breaking open their waxen cells. - - -APPLICATION. - -Many and great are the injuries of which men are guilty towards each -other, for the sake of gratifying some base appetite: for there are -those who would not scruple to bring desolation upon their country, and -run the hazard of their own necks into the bargain, rather than balk -a wicked inclination, either of cruelty, ambition, or avarice. But it -were to be wished, that all who are hurried on by such blind impulses, -would consider a moment before they proceed to irrevocable execution. -Injuries and wrongs not only call for revenge and reparation with the -voice of equity itself, but oftentimes carry their punishment along -with them; and, by an unforeseen train of events, are retorted on the -head of the actor, who not seldom, from a deep remorse, expiates them -upon himself by his own hand. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 121] - -THE DRUNKEN HUSBAND. - - -A certain Woman had a Drunken Husband, whom she had endeavoured to -reclaim by several ways, without effect. She, at last, tried this -stratagem: when he was brought home one night dead drunk, she ordered -him to be carried to a burial-place, and there laid in a vault, as if -he had been dead indeed. Thus she left him, and went away till she -thought he might be come to himself, and grown sober again. When she -returned, and knocked at the door of the vault, the man cried out, -who’s there? I am the person, says she, in a dismal tone of voice, that -waits upon the dead folks, and I am come to bring you some victuals. -Ah, good waiter, says he, let the victuals alone and bring me a little -drink, I beseech thee. The Woman hearing this, fell to tearing her -hair, and beating her breast in a woeful manner: Unhappy wretch that I -am, says she, this was the only way that I could think of to reform the -beastly sot; but instead of gaining my point, I am only convinced that -his drunkenness is an incurable habit, which he intends to carry with -him into the other world. - - -APPLICATION. - -This Fable is intended to shew us the prevalence of custom; and how -by using ourselves to any evil practice, we may let it grow into -such a habit as we shall never be able to divest ourselves of. “O! -that men should put an enemy into their mouths to steal away their -brains!” There is no vice which gains an ascendant over us more -insensibly, or more incurably, than drunkenness: it takes root by -degrees, and comes at length to be past both remedy and shame. Habitual -drunkenness stupifies the senses, destroys the understanding, fills -its votaries with diseases, and makes them incapable of business. It -cuts short the thread of life, or brings on an early old age, besides -the mischief it does in the mean time to a man’s family and affairs, -and the scandal it brings upon himself: for a sot is one of the most -despicable and disgusting characters in life. After he has destroyed -his reasoning faculties, and thus shewn his ingratitude to the giver of -them, he flies to palliatives as a remedy for the diseases which his -intemperance has caused, and goes on in a course of taking whets and -cordials, and more drink, till he falls a martyr to the vice, to which -through life he has been a slave. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 123] - -THE LIONESS AND THE FOX. - - -The Lioness and the Fox meeting together, fell into discourse, and -the conversation turning upon the breeding and fruitfulness of some -living creatures above others, the Fox could not forbear taking the -opportunity of observing to the Lioness, that for her part, she thought -Foxes were as happy in that respect as almost any other creatures; for -they bred constantly once a year, if not oftener, and always had a -good litter of cubs at every birth; and yet, says she, there are some -folks who are never delivered of more than one at a time, and that -perhaps not above once or twice in their whole lives, who hold up their -noses, and value themselves so much upon it, that they think all other -creatures beneath them, and scarce worthy to be spoken to. The Lioness, -who all the time perceived at whom this reflection pointed, replied, -what you have observed is true. You litter often, and produce a great -many at a time; but what are they? Foxes! I, indeed, may have but one -at a time; but you should remember that that one is a Lion. - - -APPLICATION. - -Our productions, of whatsoever kind, are not to be esteemed so much by -their quantity as by their quality. It is not being employed much, but -well, and to the purpose, which will make us useful to the age we live -in, and celebrated by those which are to come. As the multiplication -of foxes and other vermin is a misfortune to the countries which are -infested with them, so one cannot help throwing out a melancholy -reflection, when one sees some particular classes of the human kind -increase so fast as they do. But the most obvious meaning of this -Fable is the hint it gives us in relation to authors. These gentlemen -should never attempt to raise themselves a reputation by trumping up -a long catalogue of their various productions, since there is more -glory in having written one tolerable piece than a thousand indifferent -ones; and whoever has had the good fortune to please in one literary -performance, should be very cautious how he stakes his reputation in a -second attempt. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 125] - -THE LAMB BROUGHT UP BY A GOAT. - - -A Wolf, prowling about for his prey, espied a Lamb sucking a Goat. You -silly creature! says he, you quite mistake; this is not your mother; -she is yonder among a flock of sheep: do allow me to conduct you to -her. No, no, replies the Lamb, the mother that bore me may indeed be -yonder; but when she dropped me, she shewed no further care, but left -me unprovided for, to shift for myself, regardless of what might become -of me; and had it not been for the kindness of this honest Goat, who -took compassion upon my helplessness, I must have suffered all the -miseries to which inexperienced youth and innocence are exposed, when -left without a guide to the mercy of the world. - - -APPLICATION. - -This Fable is levelled at those parents, too often met with in society, -who, through negligence or ignorance of their duty, suffer their -offspring to grow up to maturity, without instilling into their minds -a single good principle of morality, or a reverence for religion, -to guide them through life, and to guard them from falling into the -snares of every wolf who may seek their destruction. Others again, -more abandoned indeed, and callous to the tender ties of nature, -bring forth an offspring whom they neither cherish nor provide for. -Such a description of persons are not fit to become parents, and they -must not be surprized, if their want of parental affection produce a -corresponding want of filial attachment and respect: for the duties -between parents and children are reciprocal. It is the goodness of -parents which chiefly entitles them to the respect due to that name; -and it is a paramount duty of children to honour, obey, and revere such -parents as fulfil the obligations which the laws of God and nature -impose upon those who bring children into the world. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 127] - -THE HEN AND THE SWALLOW. - - -A Hen, having found a nest of Serpent’s eggs in a dung-hill, -immediately, with a fostering care, sat upon them, with a design to -hatch them. A Swallow observing this, flew towards her, and with great -earnestness forewarned her of her danger. What! said she, are you mad, -to bring forth a brood of such pernicious creatures? Be assured, the -instant they are warmed into life, you are the first they will attack -and wreak their venomous spite upon: but the Hen persisted in her -folly, and the end verified the Swallow’s prediction. - - -APPLICATION. - -It is too often the hard fortune of many a kind good-natured man in the -world to breed up a bird to pick out his own eyes, in despite of all -cautions to the contrary; but they who want foresight should hearken to -the council of the wise, as this might have the effect of preventing -their spending much time and good offices on the undeserving, perhaps -to the utter ruin of themselves. It is the duty of all men to act -fairly, openly, and honestly, in all their transactions in life; to -do justice to all; but to consider well the character of those on -whom they would confer favours: for gratitude is one of the rarest -as well as the greatest of virtues. The Fable is intended to shew -that we should never have any dealings with bad men, even to do them -kindnesses. Men of evil principles are a generation of vipers, that -ought to be crushed; and every rogue should be looked upon by honest -men as a venomous serpent. The man who is occasionally, or by accident, -one’s enemy, may be mollified by kindness, and reclaimed by good usage: -such a behaviour both reason and morality expect from us: but we should -ever resolve, if not to suppress, at least to have no connexion with -those whose blood is tinctured with hereditary, habitual villainy, and -their nature leavened with evil, to such a degree as to be incapable of -a reformation. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 129] - -THE ENVIOUS MAN AND THE COVETOUS. - - -An Envious Man happened to be offering up his prayers to Jupiter, at -the same time and in the same place with a covetous miserable Fellow. -Jupiter sent Apollo to examine the merits of their petitions, and to -give them such relief as he should think proper. Apollo therefore -opened his commission, and told them, that to make short of the matter, -whatever the one asked, the other should have doubled. Upon this, the -Covetous Man, who had a thousand things to request, forebore to ask -first, hoping to receive a double quantity; for he concluded that -all men’s wishes sympathized with his own. By this circumstance, the -Envious Man had the opportunity of giving vent to his malignity, and of -preferring his petition first, which was what he aimed at; so without -hesitation he prayed to have one of his eyes put out, knowing that of -consequence his companion would be deprived of both. - - -APPLICATION. - -This Fable is levelled at two of the most odious passions which degrade -the mind of man. In the extremes of their unsocial views, envy places -its happiness in the misery and the misfortunes of others, and pines -and sickens at their joy; and avarice, unblest amidst its stores, -is never satisfied unless it can get all to itself, although its -insatiable cravings are at once unaccountable, miserable, and absurd. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 131] - -THE PORCUPINE AND THE SNAKES. - - -A Porcupine, wanting a shelter for himself, begged a nest of Snakes to -give him admittance into their snug cave. They were prevailed upon, -and let him in accordingly; but were so annoyed with his sharp prickly -quills, that they soon repented of their easy compliance, and intreated -the Porcupine to withdraw, and leave them their hole to themselves. No, -said he, let them quit the place that dont like it; for my part, I am -well enough satisfied as I am. - - -APPLICATION. - -This Fable points out the danger of entering into any degree of -friendship, alliance, or partnership with any person whatever, -before we have thoroughly considered his nature and qualities, his -circumstances, and his humour; and also the necessity of examining -our own temper and disposition, to discover, if we can, how far these -may accord with the genius of those with whom we are about to form -a connection; otherwise our associations, of whatever kind they be, -may prove the greatest plague of our life. Young people, who are warm -in all their passions, and suffer them, like a veil, to hoodwink -their reason, often throw open their arms at once, and admit into the -greatest intimacy persons whom they know little of, but by false and -uncertain lights, and thus, perhaps, take a Porcupine into their bosom, -instead of an inmate who might sooth the cares of life, as an amiable -consort, or a valuable friend. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 133] - -THE SOW AND THE WOLF. - - -A Sow that had just farrowed, and lay in her sty with her whole litter -of Pigs, was visited by a Wolf, who secretly longed to make a meal of -one of them, but knew not how to come at it. So, under the pretence -of a friendly visit, he gave her a call, and endeavoured to insinuate -himself into her good graces by his apparently kind enquiries after the -welfare of herself and her young family. Can I be of any service to -you, Mrs Sow? said he: if I can, it shall not on my part be wanting; -and if you have a mind to go abroad for a little fresh air, you may -depend upon my taking as much care of your young family as you could -do yourself. No, I thank you, Mr Wolf, I thoroughly understand your -meaning, and the greatest favour you can do to me and my Pigs, is to -keep your distance. - - -APPLICATION. - -When an entire stranger, or any one of whom we have no reason to -entertain a good opinion, obtrudes upon us an offer of his services, -we ought to look to our own safety, and shew a shyness and coldness -towards him. But there are also many men with whom it is dangerous to -have the least connection, and with whom any commerce or correspondence -will certainly be to our detriment. From these we should, therefore, -resolve not to accept even favours, but carefully avoid being under -any obligation to them: for in the end, their apparent kindness will -shew itself to be a real injury; and there is no method of guarding so -effectually against such people, as that of entirely avoiding their -society, or shutting our doors against them, as we would do against a -thief. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 135] - -THE FROGS AND THEIR KING. - - -In antient times, the nation of Frogs lived an easy free life among -their lakes and ponds; but at length grew dissatisfied with such a -continuance of undisturbed tranquillity, and petitioned Jupiter for -a king. Jupiter smiled at their folly, and threw them down a log of -wood, and with a thundering voice said, “there is a king for you.” With -this, and the sudden splash it made in the water, they were at first -quite panic-struck, and for some time durst not put their heads up; but -by degrees they ventured to take a peep, and at length even to leap -upon the log. Not being pleased with so tame and insipid a king, they -again petitioned Jupiter for another, who would exert more authority. -Jupiter, disgusted at their importunate folly, sent them a Stork for -their king, who, without ceremony, eat them up whenever his craving -appetite required a supply. - - -APPLICATION. - -This Fable is said to have been spoken by Æsop to the Athenians, who -had flourished under their commonwealth, and lived under good and -wholesome laws of their own enacting, until, in process of time, -they suffered their liberty to run into licentiousness; and factious -designing men fomented divisions, and raised animosities among them. -When thus rendered weak, Pisistratus took the advantage, and seized -upon their citadel and liberties both together. The Athenians finding -themselves in a state of slavery, though their tyrant happened to be a -merciful one, could not bear the thoughts of it; but Æsop in reciting -the Fable to them, prescribes patience where there was no other remedy, -and adds, at last, “Wherefore, my dear countrymen, be contented with -your present condition, bad as it is, for fear a change should make it -worse.” - -[Illustration: _Set them up with a king indeed!_] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 137] - -THE OLD WOMAN AND THE EMPTY CASK. - - -An Old Woman, seeing a Wine Cask, which had been emptied of its -contents, but the very lees of which still perfumed the air with a -grateful cordial scent, applied her nose to the bunghole, and snuffing -very heartily for some time, at last broke out into this exclamation: O -delicious smell! How good! how charming must you have been once, when -your very dregs are so agreeable and refreshing! - - -APPLICATION. - -Phædrus was an old man when he wrote his Fables, and this he applies -to himself; intimating what we ought to judge of his youth, when his -old age was capable of such productions. It is at once a pleasing -and melancholy idea that is given us by the intercourse with elderly -persons, whose conversation is relishing and agreeable, and we cannot -help concluding that they must have been very engaging in the prime of -life, when in their decline they are still capable of yielding us so -much pleasure. Nor can we help feeling regret, that this fountain of -delight is now almost dried up, and going to forsake us for ever. On -the contrary, when people have neglected to cultivate their minds in -youth, their whole deportment through life is marked with the effects -of this great want, and their old age is burthensome to themselves, and -their conversation insipid to others; and like liquor of a thin body, -and vile quality, soon becomes sour, vapid, or good for nothing. - -[Illustration: _An old filtering stone_] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 139] - -JUPITER AND THE CAMEL. - - -The Camel presented a petition to Jupiter, complaining of the hardships -of his case, in not having, like bulls and other creatures, horns, -or any weapon of defence to protect himself from the attacks of his -enemies; and praying that relief might be granted him in such manner as -should be thought most expedient. Jupiter could not help smiling at his -impertinent address; but, however, rejected the petition, and told him, -that so far from granting his unreasonable request, he would take care -that henceforward his ears should be shortened, as a punishment for his -presumptuous importunity. - - -APPLICATION. - -The nature of things is so fixed in every particular, that they are -very weak, superstitious people, who think that it can be altered. -But besides the impossibility of producing a change by foolish -importunities, they who employ much of their time in that way, instead -of getting, are sure to lose in the end. When any man is so silly and -vexatious as to make unreasonable complaints, and to harbour undue -repinings in his heart, his peevishness will lessen the real good which -he possesses, and the sourness of his temper shorten that allowance -of comfort which he already thinks too scanty. Thus, in truth, it is -not Providence, but ourselves, who punish our own importunity, in -soliciting for impossibilities, with a sharp corroding care, which -abridges us of some part of that little pleasure which Heaven has cast -into our lot. - - Happy the man without a wish for more, - Who quietly enjoys his little store, - And knows to heaven, with gratitude to pay - Thanks for what’s given, and what is ta’en away. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 141] - -THE STAG AND THE FAWN. - - -A Stag, grown old and mischievous, was, according to custom, stamping -with his foot, making threatening motions with his head, and bellowing -so terribly, that the whole herd quaked for fear of him; when one of -the little Fawns coming up, addressed him to this purpose: Pray what -is the reason that you, who are so stout and formidable at all other -times, if you do but hear the cry of the hounds, are ready to fly out -of your skin for fear? What you observe is true, replied the Stag, -though I know not how to account for it: I am indeed vigorous and -able enough, I think, to defend myself against all attacks, and often -resolve with myself, that nothing shall ever dismay my courage for the -future; but, alas! I no sooner hear the voice of the hounds, but all my -spirits fail, and I cannot help making off as fast as my legs can carry -me. - - -APPLICATION. - - Try what we can, do what we will, - Yet nature will be nature still. - -The predominance of nature will generally shew itself through all -the disguises which artful men endeavour to throw over it. Cowardice -particularly gives us but the more suspicion of its existence, when it -would conceal itself under an affected fierceness, as they who would -smother an ill smell by a cloud of perfume, are imagined to be but the -more offensive. When we have done all, nature will remain what she was, -and shew herself whenever she is called upon: therefore, whatever we do -in contradiction to her laws, is so forced and affected, that it must -needs expose and make us truly ridiculous. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 143] - -THE FIR AND THE BRAMBLE. - - -A tall Fir, that stood towering up in the forest, was so proud of his -dignity and high station, that he looked with disdain upon the little -shrubs that grew beneath him. A lowly Bramble had often been made to -feel the insults and gloomy frowns of his lofty neighbour, who, on the -slightest rufflings of the winds, shook his extended arms over the -humble shrub, and upbraided him with his contemptible situation. As for -me, said the Fir, I am the first in the forest for beauty and rank: -my top shoots up into the clouds, and my branches display a perpetual -verdure, whilst you lie grovelling upon the ground, and could not live -were I to leave off sprinkling you with the drops from my extremities. -At this the Bramble set up his prickles, and replied, that this -haughtiness arose from pride and ignorance; for He that made thee a -lofty tree, could, with equal ease, have made thee an humble Bramble; -and high as thou art, a puff of His breath, in the message of a north -wind, can rob thee of thy verdure, or lay thee low; and further, I -pray thee tell me, when the woodman comes with his axe to fell timber, -whether thou wouldst not rather be a Bramble than a Fir? - - -APPLICATION. - -Pride, which was implanted in the human breast for wise purposes, -should carefully be directed aright. It was intended only to exalt the -minds of all ranks and conditions of men, to that pitch, which will -make them spurn at, and despise the doing of a mean or dishonourable -action; and it is only misapplied, when it puffs up those whom fortune -has placed in high stations, or overloaded with riches, and tempts -them to look down with derision on those below them. The higher a man -is exalted in life, but especially if he have risen by dishonourable -means, the more unlikely it is that he will escape a storm, or the -mischiefs to which he may be exposed in his public capacity, in any -convulsion that may befal his country. When public justice overtakes -him, and he finds the day of reckoning near at hand, the honest monitor -within will put him in mind of his true situation, and he will then be -enabled to make a just comparison between his own lofty station, and -that of the poor, but honest, man. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 145] - -THE BEES, THE DRONES, AND THE WASP. - - -A number of Drones, who had long lived at their ease in a hive of Bees, -without contributing by their labour to make any honey, at length began -to dispute the right of the Bees, and insisted that both the honey and -the combs were their property. The Bees, after much altercation, at -last offered to leave the dispute to reference, and this being assented -to by the Drones, the Wasp was chosen umpire. Accordingly, he began by -declaring, that as both parties, he hoped, were his friends, and he -wished them well, he would instantly proceed upon the investigation. I -must own, says he, that the point is somewhat dubious, for I have often -seen you both in the same hive, and excepting that the Drones are of a -more portly size and appearance, you are all otherwise nearly alike in -person: but as I have not been able to see who worked, and who did not, -I know of no mode in which I shall be enabled to judge so correctly, as -by setting each party to work at the making of the honey. Therefore, -addressing himself to the Bees, you take one hive; and you, speaking to -the Drones, will be so good as to take another, and both go to work to -make honey as fast as you can. The Bees readily accepted the proposal; -but the Drones hung back, and would not agree to it. So, so! says -Judge Wasp, I see clearly how the matter stands; and without further -ceremony, declared in favour of the Bees. - - -APPLICATION. - -The surest method of detecting ignorance and inability, is to put -arrogant pretenders to the test, and appreciate their claims by a fair -trial; and when those who assume the merit due to works of ingenuity, -refuse to prove their title by a display of their talents, we may well -conclude that their pretensions are unfounded, and that they are mere -impostors. When men, who are at the head of national affairs, will not -be at the pains to find out merit (for men of that character are too -modest to obtrude themselves) they will be surrounded by a swarm of -idle, impudent, good-for-nothing drones; and these too often succeed in -obtaining those benefits which should be the reward of men of parts, -integrity, and industry. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 147] - -THE FROG AND THE FOX. - - -A Frog leaping out of the lake, and taking the advantage of a rising -ground, made a proclamation to all the beasts of the forest, that he -was an able physician, and for curing all manner of distempers, would -turn his back to no person living. This discourse, with the aid of some -hard cramp words, which nobody understood, made the beasts admire his -learning, and give credit to every thing he said. At last, the Fox, -who was present, with indignation asked him, how he could have the -impudence, with those thin lanthorn jaws, that meagre pale phiz, and -blotched spotted body, to pretend to cure the infirmities of others? - - -APPLICATION. - -A sickly and infirm look is as disadvantageous in a physician, as a -rakish one in a clergyman, or a sheepish one in a soldier. We should -not set up for correctors of the faults of others, whilst we labour -under the same ourselves. Good advice ought always to be followed, -without our being prejudiced upon account of the person from whom it -comes; but it is seldom that men can be brought to think us worth -minding, when we prescribe cures for maladies with which we ourselves -are afflicted. Physician heal thyself, is too scriptural, not to be -applied upon such an occasion; and if we would avoid being the jest of -an audience, we must be sound and free from those diseases of which we -would endeavour to cure others. How shocked must people have been to -hear a preacher for a whole hour declaim against drunkenness, when his -own weaknesses have been such, that he could neither bear nor forbear -drinking, and perhaps was the only person in the congregation who -made the doctrine at that time necessary! Others, too, have been very -zealous in censuring crimes, of which none were suspected more than -themselves: but let such silly hypocrites remember, that they whose -eyes want couching, are the most improper people in the world to set up -for oculists. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 149] - -THE CAT AND THE MICE. - - -A certain house being much infested with Mice, a Cat was at length -procured, who very diligently hunted after them, and killed great -numbers every night. The Mice, being exceedingly alarmed at this -destruction among their family, consulted together upon what was -best to be done for their preservation against so terrible and cruel -an enemy. After some debate, they came to the resolution, that no -one should, in future, descend below the uppermost shelf. The Cat, -observing their extreme caution, endeavoured to draw them down to their -old haunts by stratagem, for which purpose, she suspended herself by -her hinder legs upon a peg in the pantry, and hoped by this trick -to lull their suspicions, and to entice them to venture within her -reach. She had not long been in this posture, before a cunning old -Mouse peeped over the edge of the shelf, and squeaked out thus: Aha! -Mrs Puss, are you there then? There may you be; but I would not trust -myself with you, though your skin were stuffed with straw. - - -APPLICATION. - -We cannot be too much upon our guard against fraud and imposition of -every kind; and prudence in many cases would rather counsel us to -forego some advantages, than endeavour to gain them at a risk of which -we cannot certainly ascertain the amount. We should more particularly -suspect some design in the professions of those who have once injured -us; and though they may promise fairly for the future, it is no breach -of charity to doubt their sincerity, and decline their proposals, -however plausible they may appear; for experience shews that many of -the misfortunes which we experience through life, are caused by our own -too great credulity. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 151] - -THE OAK AND THE REED. - - -An Oak, which hung over the bank of a river, was blown down by a -violent storm of wind, and as it was carried along by the stream, some -of its boughs brushed against a Reed which grew near the shore. This -struck the Oak with a thought of admiration, and he could not forbear -asking the Reed how he came to stand so secure and unhurt, in a tempest -which had been furious enough to tear up an Oak by the roots? Why, says -the Reed, I secure myself by a conduct the reverse of yours: instead -of being stubborn and stiff, and confiding in my strength, I yield -and bend to the blast, and let it go over me, knowing how vain and -fruitless it would be to resist. - - -APPLICATION. - -Though a tame submission to injuries which it is in our power to -redress, be generally esteemed a base and dishonourable thing, yet -to resist where there is no probability, or even hope of getting the -better, may also be looked upon as the effect of a blind temerity, and -perhaps of a weak understanding. The strokes of fortune are oftentimes -as irresistible as they are severe, and he who with an impatient spirit -fights against her, instead of alleviating, does but double the blows -upon himself. A person of a quiet still temper, whether it be given him -by nature, or acquired by art, calmly composes himself in the midst -of a storm, so as to elude the shock, or receive it with the least -detriment,--like a prudent experienced sailor, who, in swimming to the -shore from a wrecked vessel, in a swelling sea, does not oppose the -fury of the waves, but stoops and gives way, that they may roll over -his head without obstruction. The doctrine of absolute submission in -all cases, is an absurd dogmatical precept, with nothing but ignorance -and superstition to support it; but, upon particular occasions, and -where it is impossible for us to overcome, to submit patiently is one -of the most reasonable maxims of life. - -[Illustration: - - _O God of infinite Wisdom - Truth Justice & Mercy - I thank Thee_ -] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 153] - -FORTUNE AND THE BOY. - - -A School Boy, fatigued with play, laid himself down by the brink of a -deep well, where he fell fast asleep. Fortune, whose wheel is always -in motion, passing by, kindly gave him a tap on the head, and awoke -him. My good boy, said she, arise and depart from this dangerous -situation immediately; for if you had tumbled into this well, and been -drowned, your friends would not have attributed the accident to your -carelessness, but would have laid the whole blame upon me. - - -APPLICATION. - -Mankind suffer more evils from their own imprudence, than from events -which it is not in their power to controul; but they are ever ready -to complain of the perverseness of chance, and the capriciousness of -fortune, and to impute the blame to her for whatever mischiefs may -befal them, when these clearly arise from their own misconduct. Few -men pass through life without having had reason at one time or another -to thank Fortune for her favours; and great is the number of those who -have, through their own folly, indolence, or inattention, neglected -to profit by her kindness. Prudent people take every care not to put -themselves in the power of accidents; but those who carelessly give -up all their concerns to the guidance of blind chance, must not be -surprised if by some of the revolutions of Fortune’s wheel, they feel -the punishment due to their negligence and folly. - -[Illustration: BLOODO ET GUTTO - - _The Butchers Coat - of Arms_ -] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 155] - -THE WOLF AND THE CRANE. - - -A Wolf, after devouring his prey, happened to have a bone stick in his -throat, which gave him so much pain, that he went howling up and down, -and importuning every creature he met to lend him a kind hand in order -to his relief; nay, he promised a reasonable reward to any one who -should perform the operation with success. At last, the Crane undertook -the business, ventured his long neck into the rapacious felon’s throat, -plucked out the bone, and asked for the promised reward. The Wolf, -turning his eyes disdainfully towards him, said, I did not think you -had been so unconscionable: I had your head in my mouth, and could have -bit it off whenever I pleased, but suffered you to take it away without -any damage, and yet you are not contented! - - Who serves a villain, might as wisely free - The hardened murderer from the fatal tree. - - -APPLICATION. - -There are people in the world to whom it may be wrong to do services, -upon a double score: first, because they never deserve to have a good -office done them; and secondly, because when once engaged, it is so -hard a matter to get well rid of their acquaintance. We ought to -consider what kind of people they are, to whom we are desired to do -good offices, before we do them: for he that grants a favour, or even -confides in a person of no honour, instead of finding his account in -it, comes off well, if he be no sufferer in the end. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 157] - -THE HART AND THE VINE. - - -A Hart being closely pursued by the Hunters, concealed himself under -the broad leaves of a shady Vine. When the Hunters were gone by, and -had given him over for lost, he thinking himself very secure, began to -crop and eat the leaves of his shelter. By this, the branches being -put into a rustling motion drew the attention of some of the Hunters -that way, who seeing the Vine stir, and fancying some wild beast had -taken covert there, shot their arrows at a venture, and killed the -Deer. Before he expired, he uttered his dying words to this purpose: -“Ah!” says he, “I suffer justly for my ingratitude; because I could not -forbear doing an injury to the Vine, which so kindly concealed me in -time of danger.” - - -APPLICATION. - -There is no maxim which deserves more frequent repetition, and if the -heart be capable of amendment by precept and admonition, no virtue -should be more strongly enforced and recommended than gratitude. -Where sentiments of this kind are wanting, our natures soon become -debased, and our minds depraved. Ingratitude has ever been justly -branded as the blackest of crimes, and, as it were, comprehending -all other vices within it. Nor can we say that this opinion is too -severe: for if a man be capable of injuring his benefactor, what will -he scruple doing towards another? We may fairly conclude that he -who is guilty of ingratitude, will not hesitate at any other crime -of an inferior nature. Since there are no human laws to punish this -infamous prevailing vice, it would only be doing an act of justice, and -supplying the want, to point out criminals of this description to the -reprobation of mankind, that men of worth might avoid all intercourse -and communication with them. The ingrate should also bear in mind, that -he strips himself of the protection which might have been afforded by -his friends, and exposes himself to the shafts of his enemies, who will -not fail to take advantage of the defenceless state to which his folly -and depravity have reduced him. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 159] - -THE HUNTED BEAVER. - - -A Beaver, having strayed far from his dwelling, (which it is well known -these animals construct with infinite sagacity) was closely pursued by -the hunters, and knowing that he was thus persecuted for the sake of -the castor, which is contained in two little bags placed underneath and -near the tail, he, with great resolution and presence of mind, bit them -off with his teeth, and leaving them behind him, thus escaped with his -life. - - -APPLICATION. - -It is in vain for individuals to contend against an overwhelming power, -and an ineffectual resistance to violence only tends to double our -sufferings. When life is pursued, and in danger, whoever values it -should give up every thing but his honour to preserve it; and there -can be no disgrace in yielding voluntarily to our persecutors, when we -are certain that resistance is in vain: but this doctrine can seldom be -applied to the case of a whole nation, for when tyranny and rapine are -making their wicked strides over a country (as has sometimes happened -even in Europe) the people would seldom fail to rid themselves of their -oppressors, if they resolved to rise as one man, and bravely oppose -them. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 161] - -THE ASS AND THE LION HUNTING. - - -The Lion, having thinned the forest of great numbers of the beasts upon -which he preyed, and so scared and intimidated the rest, that he found -it very difficult to get hold of any more of them, bethought himself of -a new expedient to obtain more readily a fresh supply. He invited the -Ass to assist him in his plan, and gave him instructions how to act. -Go, said the Lion, and hide thyself in yonder thicket, and then let me -hear thee bray in the most frightful manner thou possibly canst. The -stratagem took effect accordingly. The Ass brayed most hideously, and -the timorous beasts, not knowing what to think of it, began to scour -off as fast as they could; when the Lion, who was posted at a proper -avenue, seized and killed them as he pleased. Having got his belly -full, he called out to the Ass, and bade him leave off, telling him -he had done enough. Upon this, the long-eared brute came out of his -ambush, and approaching the Lion, asked him, with an air of conceit, -how he liked his performance? Prodigiously! says he, you did it so -well, that I protest had I not known your nature and temper, I might -have been frightened myself. - - -APPLICATION. - -A bragging cowardly fellow may impose upon people that do not know him; -but is the greatest jest imaginable to those who do. There are many -men who appear very terrible and big in their manner of expressing -themselves, and if you could be persuaded to take their own word for -it, are perfect Lions; but if we take the pains to enquire a little -into their true nature, are as arrant Asses as ever brayed. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 163] - -THE SOW AND THE BITCH. - - -A Sow and a Bitch happening to meet, a debate arose between them -concerning their fruitfulness. The Bitch insisted upon it, that she -brought forth more at a litter, and oftener, than any other four-legged -creature. Nay, said the Sow, you do not do so, for others are as -prolific as you; and besides, you are always in such a hurry, that you -bring your puppies into the world blind. - - -APPLICATION. - -It is no wonder that our productions should come into the world blind -or lame, or otherwise defective, when by forced or unnatural methods -we accelerate their birth, and impatiently refuse to let them go their -full time. Then it is that the excellent proverb of the more haste the -worse speed, is felt and fully verified. This Fable has been pointed -at those authors whose itch for scribbling has been an annoyance to -the world, rather than of any real use to it; and who have been proud -of, and boasted of the numerous but flimsy productions of their vain -and shallow brains. It is proper to put such people in mind, that it -is not he who does most, but he who does the best, that will meet the -approbation of mankind. - -[Illustration: _Who told the Lamb to suck its Mother’s Paps?_] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 165] - -THE SATYR AND THE TRAVELLER. - - -A Satyr, as he was ranging the forest in an exceeding cold snowy -season, met with a Traveller half-starved with the extremity of the -weather. He took compassion on him, and kindly invited him home to a -warm cave he had in the hollow of a rock. As soon as they had entered -and sat down, notwithstanding there was a good fire in the place, the -chilly Traveller could not forbear blowing his fingers. Upon the Satyr -asking him why he did so? He answered, that he did it to warm his -hands. The honest Sylvan having seen little of the world, admired a -man who was master of so valuable a quality as that of blowing heat; -and therefore resolved to entertain him in the best manner he could. -He spread the table with dried fruits of several sorts, and produced a -remnant of old cordial wine, which he mulled with some warm spices over -the fire, and presented to his shivering guest. But this the Traveller -thought fit to blow upon likewise; and when the Satyr demanded a -reason why he did so, he replied, to cool his dish. This second answer -provoked the Satyr’s indignation as much as the first had kindled his -surprise; so, taking the man by the shoulders, he thrust him out of the -place, saying, he would have nothing to do with a wretch who had so -vile a quality as to blow hot and cold with the same breath. - - -APPLICATION. - -Nothing can be more offensive to a man of a sincere honest heart, than -he who blows with different breaths from the same mouth: who flatters a -man to his face, and reviles him behind his back. Such double-dealing -false friends ought and will always be considered as unworthy of being -treated otherwise than as worthless and disagreeable persons: for -unless the tenor of a man’s life be always true and consistent with -itself, the less one has to do with him the better. It is unfortunately -too common with persons of this cast of character, in the exalted -stations of life, to serve a present view, or perhaps only the caprice -or whim of the moment, to blow nothing but what is warm, benevolent, -and cherishing, to raise up the expectations of a dependent to the -highest degree; and when they suspect he may prove troublesome, they -then, by a sudden cold forbidding air, easily blast all his hopes and -expectations: but such a temper, whether it proceed from a designed or -natural levity, is detestable, and has been the cause of much trouble -and mortification to many a brave deserving man. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 167] - -THE FOX AND THE GRAPES. - - -A hungry Fox coming into a vineyard where there hung delicious -clusters of ripe Grapes, his mouth watered to be at them; but they -were nailed up to a trellis so high, that with all his springing and -leaping he could not reach a single bunch. At last, growing tired and -disappointed, Let who will take them! says he, they are but green and -sour; so I’ll e’en let them alone. - - -APPLICATION. - -To affect to despise that which they have long ineffectually laboured -to obtain, is the only consolation to which weak minds can have -recourse, both to palliate their inability, and to take off the -bitterness of disappointment. There is a strange propensity in mankind -to this temper, and there is a numerous class of vain coxcombs in the -world, who, because they would never be thought to be disappointed in -any of their pursuits, pretend a dislike to every thing they cannot -obtain. The discarded statesman, considering the corruption of the -times, would not have any hand in the administration of affairs for -the world! The needy adventurer, and pretended patriot, would fain -persuade all who will listen to them, that they would not go cringing -and creeping into a drawing-room, for the best place the king has in -his disposal! Worthless young fellows, who find that their addresses to -virtue and beauty are rejected; and poor rogues who laugh to scorn the -rich and great, are all alike in saying, like sly Reynard, the Grapes -are sour! - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 169] - -THE MISCHIEVOUS DOG. - - -A certain Man had a Dog which was so ferocious and surly, that he -was compelled to fasten a heavy clog to his collar, to keep him from -running at and indiscriminately seizing upon every animal that came in -his way. This the vain Cur took for a badge of honourable distinction, -and grew so insolent upon it, that he looked down with an air of scorn -upon the neighbouring Dogs, and refused to keep them company: but a sly -old poacher, who was one of the gang, assured him that he had no reason -to value himself upon the favour he wore, since it was fixed upon him -as a badge of disgrace, not of honour. - - -APPLICATION. - -The only true way of estimating the value of tokens of distinction, -is to reflect on what account they were conferred. Those which have -been acquired for virtuous actions, will be regarded as illustrious -signs of dignity; but if they have been bestowed upon the worthless and -base, as the reward of vice or corruption, all the stars and garters, -and collars of an illustrious order,--all the tinsel glories in which -such creatures may strut about in fancied superiority, will not mask -them from the sight of men of discernment, who will always consider the -means by which their honours have been obtained, and truly estimate -them as badges of abasement and disgrace. - -[Illustration: THE WAGES OF CRUELTY.] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 171] - -THE BULL AND THE GOAT. - - -A Bull being pursued by a Lion, fled towards a cave, in which he -designed to secure himself; but was opposed at the entrance by a Goat, -who had got possession before him, and, threatening a kind of defiance -with his horns, seemed resolved to dispute the pass. The Bull, who -thought he had no time to lose in a contest of this nature, immediately -made off; but told the Goat, that it was not for fear of him or his -defiances: for, says he, if the Lion were not so near, I would soon -teach you the difference between a Bull and a Goat. - - -APPLICATION. - - O’er-match’d, unaided, and his foes at hand, - Safely the coward may the brave withstand; - But think not, dastard, thus thy glories shine-- - He fears a greater force, but scoffs at thine. - -It is very inhuman to deny succour and comfort to people in -tribulation; but to insult them, and add to their misfortunes, is -something superlatively brutish and cruel. There is, however, in -the world, a sort of people of this vile temper, and littleness of -mind, who wait for an opportunity of aggravating their neighbour’s -affliction, and defer the execution of their evil inclinations until -they can do it with the severest effect. If a person suffer under an -expensive law-suit, lest he should escape from that, one of these -gentlemen will take care to arrest him in a second action, hoping, at -least, to keep him at bay, while the more powerful adversary attacks -him on the other side. One cannot consider this temper, without -observing something remarkably cowardly in it: for these shuffling -antagonists never begin their encounter till they are very sure the -person they aim at is already over-matched. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 173] - -THE FISHERMAN. - - -A certain Fisherman having laid his nets in the river, and placed -them across the whole stream from one side to the other, took a long -pole, and fell to beating the water to make the fish strike into his -nets. One of his neighbours seeing him do so, wondered what he meant, -and going up to him, Friend, says he, what are you doing here? Do you -think it is to be suffered that you shall stand splashing and dashing -the water, and making it so muddy, that it is not fit for use? Who do -you think can live at this rate? He was going on in a great fury, when -the other interrupted him, and replied, I do not much trouble myself -how you are to live with my doing this; but I assure you I cannot live -without it. - - -APPLICATION. - -This Fable is levelled at those who love to “fish in troubled waters,” -and whose execrable principles are such, that they care not what -mischief or what confusion they occasion in the world, provided they -can obtain their ends, or even gratify some little selfish appetite. -Little villains would set fire to a town, provided they could rake -something of value to themselves out of its ashes; or kindle the flames -of discord among friends and neighbours, purely to gratify their own -malicious temper; and among the great ones there are those who, to -succeed in their ambitious designs, will make no scruple of involving -their country in divisions and animosities at home, and sometimes in -war and bloodshed abroad: provided they do but maintain themselves in -power, they care not what havoc and desolation they bring upon the rest -of mankind. Their only reason is, that it must be so, because they -cannot live as they wish without it. But brutish unsocial sentiments -like these, are such as a mere state of nature would scarcely suggest; -and it is perverting the very end, and overturning the first principles -of society, when, instead of contributing to the welfare of mankind, -in return for the benefits we receive from them, we thrive by their -misfortunes, or subsist by their ruin. Those, therefore, who have -the happiness of mankind at heart, (for happiness and morality are -inseparably connected) should enter their protest against such wicked -selfish notions, and oppose them with all their might; at the same time -shunning the society of their possessors as a plague, and consigning -their characters to the detestation of posterity. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 175] - -THE FOX AND THE BOAR. - - -The Fox, in traversing the forest, observed a Boar rubbing his tusks -against a tree. Why how now, said the Fox, why make those martial -preparations of whetting the teeth, since there is no enemy near that I -can perceive? That may be, said the Boar; but you ought to know, Master -Reynard, that we should scour up our arms while we have leisure: for -in time of danger we shall have something else to do; and it is a good -thing always to be prepared against the worst that can happen. - - -APPLICATION. - -All business that is necessary to be done should be done betimes: for -there is as little trouble in doing it in season as out of season; and -he that is always ready can never be taken by surprize. Wise, just, -and vigilant governments know that they cannot be safe in peace, unless -they are always prepared for war, and are ready to meet the worst that -can happen. When they become corrupt, or supine, and off their guard, -they thereby invite and expose their country to the sudden attacks of -its enemies. In private life, many evils and calamities befal those -who make no provision against unforeseen or untoward accidents, which -the prudent man prevents by looking forward to probable contingencies, -and having a reserve of every thing necessary before-hand,--that he -may not be put into hurry and confusion, nor thrown into dilemmas and -difficulties, when the time comes that he may have to encounter them. -It cannot be too strongly impressed upon the minds of all men, that -day by day they are approaching towards old age, and that they should -honourably endeavour to provide a store of conveniences against that -time, when they will be most in want of them, and least able to procure -them. To reflect properly upon this, will give them pleasure instead -of pain; and they will not die a day sooner for being always ready for -that certain event: to do otherwise is acting like weak-minded men, who -delay making their wills, and properly settling their worldly affairs, -because to them it looks so like the near approach of death. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 177] - -CÆSAR AND THE SLAVE. - - -As Tiberius Cæsar was upon a journey to Naples, he stopped at a house -which he had upon the mountain Misenus. As he was walking in the -gardens attached to the house, one of his domestic slaves appeared -in the walks, sprinkling the ground with a watering pot, in order to -lay the dust, and this he did so officiously, and ran with so much -alertness from one walk to another, that wherever the Emperor went, -he still found this fellow mighty busy with his watering pot. But at -last his design being discovered, which was to attract the notice of -Cæsar by his extraordinary diligence, in the hope that he would make -him free,--part of the ceremony of doing which consisted in giving the -Slave a gentle stroke on one side of his face,--his imperial Majesty -being disposed to be merry, called the Man to him, and when he came -up, full of the joyful expectation of his liberty, Hark you friend, -says he, I have observed that you have been very busy a great while; -but you were officiously meddling where you had nothing to do, while -you might have employed your time better elsewhere; and therefore I -must tell you, that I cannot afford a box on the ear at so low a price -as you bid for it. - - -APPLICATION. - -Phædrus tells us upon his word, that this is a true story, and that -he wrote it for the sake of a set of industrious idle gentlemen at -Rome, who were harassed and fatigued with a daily succession of care -and trouble, because they had nothing to do. Always in a hurry, but -without business; busy, but to no purpose; labouring under a voluntary -necessity, and taking abundance of pains to shew they were good for -nothing. But what great town or city is so entirely free of this sect, -as to render the moral of this Fable useless any where? For it points -at all those officious good-natured people, who are eternally running -up and down to serve their friends, without doing them any good; who, -by a complaisance wrong judged or ill applied, displease whilst they -endeavour to oblige, and are never doing less to the purpose than when -they are most employed. In a word, this Fable is designed for the -reformation of all those who endeavour to gain for themselves benefits -and applause, from a misapplied industry. It is not our being busy and -officious that will procure us the esteem of men of sense; but the -application of our actions to some noble useful purpose, and for the -general good of mankind. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 179] - -THE FROGS AND THE FIGHTING BULLS. - - -A Frog, one day, peeping out of the lake, and looking about him, saw -two Bulls fighting at some distance off in the meadow, and calling -to his associates, Look, says he, what dreadful work is yonder! Dear -sirs, what will become of us? Tush, said one of his companions, do not -frighten yourself so about nothing; how can their quarrels affect us? -They are of a different kind, and are at present only contending which -shall be master of the herd. That is true, replies the first, their -quality and station in life are different from ours; but as one of them -will certainly prove conqueror, he that is worsted, being beaten out of -the meadow, will take refuge here in the marshes, and possibly tread -some of us to death; so you see we are more nearly concerned in this -dispute of theirs, than you were at first aware. - - -APPLICATION. - -A wise man, however low his condition in life, looks forward through -the proper and natural course and connection of causes and effects; -and in so doing, he fortifies his mind against the worst that can -befal him. It is of no small importance to the honest and quiet part -of mankind, who desire nothing so much as to see peace and virtue -flourish, to consider well the consequences that may arise to them out -of the quarrels and feuds of the great, and to endeavour, by every -means in their power, to avoid being in any way drawn in by their -influence to become a party concerned in their broils and disputes: for -no matter in which way the strife between the high contending parties -may terminate, those who may have had the misfortune to be concerned -with them, ought to think themselves well off if they do not smart for -it severely in the end. How often has it happened, that men in eminent -stations, who want to engross all power into their own hands, begin, -under the mask of patriotism, to foment divisions and form factions, -and excite animosities between well-meaning, but undiscerning people, -without whose aid in one way or another they could not succeed; but -who, at the same time, little think that the great aim of their leaders -is nothing more than the advancement of their own private interest, or -ambitious ends. The good of the public is always pretended upon such -occasions, and may sometimes happen to be tacked to their own; but then -it is purely accidental, and never was originally intended. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 181] - -THE OLD HOUND. - - -An Old Hound, who had excelled in his time, and given his Master great -satisfaction in many a chace, at last, through age, became feeble and -unserviceable. However, being in the field one day, when the Stag was -almost run down, he happened to be the first that came in with him, -and seized him by the haunch; but his decayed and broken teeth not -being able to keep their hold, the Deer escaped; upon which, his Master -fell into a great passion, and began to whip him severely. The honest -old creature is said to have barked out this apology: Ah! do not thus -strike your poor old servant: it is not my heart and inclination, but -my strength and speed, that fail me. If what I now am displease you, -pray do not forget what I have been! - - -APPLICATION. - - O let not those, whom honest servants bless, - With cruel hands their age infirm oppress; - Forget their service past, their former truth, - And all the cares and labours of their youth. - -This Fable is intended to reprove the ingratitude too common among -mankind, which leaves the faithful servant to want and wretchedness, -after he has spent the prime of his life in our service for a bare -subsistence. Where slavery is allowed, the laws compel the master to -provide for the worn-out slave; and where there is no law to enforce -the debt of gratitude, none but those who are insensible to all the -finer feelings of humanity will neglect it. Those who forget past -services, and treat their faithful servants or friends unkindly or -injuriously, when they are no longer of use to them, however high -their pride, are unworthy of the name of gentleman. They are, indeed, -commonly of an upstart breed, with whom the failure of human nature -itself is imputed as a crime; and servants and dependents, instead of -being considered their fellow-men, are treated like brutes for not -being more than men. The imprudence of this conduct is equal to its -wickedness, inasmuch as it directly tends to extinguish the honest -desire to please and to act faithfully, in the younger servants, -when they see that worn-out merit thus goes unrewarded. Humanity and -gratitude are the greatest ornaments of the human mind, and when they -are extinguished, every generous and noble sentiment perishes along -with them. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 183] - -THE TWO BITCHES. - - -A Bitch, who was just ready to whelp, intreated another to lend her -her kennel only till her month was up, and assured her that then she -should have it again. The other very readily consented, and with a -great deal of civility, resigned it to her immediately. However, when -the time was elapsed, she came and made her a visit, and very modestly -intimated, that now she was up and well, she hoped she should see her -abroad again; for that, really, it would be inconvenient for her to be -without her kennel any longer, and therefore, she told her, she must -be so free as to desire her to provide herself with other lodgings -as soon as she could. The lying-in Bitch replied, that truly she was -ashamed of having kept her so long out of her own house; but it was not -upon her own account (for indeed she was well enough to go any where) -so much as that of her puppies, who were yet so weak, that she was -afraid they would not be able to follow her; and, if she would be so -good as to let her stay a fortnight longer, she would take it as the -greatest obligation in the world. The other Bitch was so good-natured -and compassionate as to comply with this request also; but at the -expiration of the term, came and told her positively that she must -turn out, for she could not possibly let her be there a day longer. -Must turn out, says the other; we will see to that: for I promise you, -unless you can beat me and my whole litter of whelps, you are never -likely to have any thing more to do here. - - -APPLICATION. - -Wise and good-natured men do not shut their ears, nor harden their -hearts, against the calls of humanity, and the cries of distress; but -how often are their generous natures imposed upon by the artifices of -the base and worthless! These fail not to lay their plans with deep -cunning, to work themselves into the good graces of the benevolent, and -having accomplished their ends, the return they often make is abusive -language, or the most open acts of violence. One of the evil and -lamentable consequences arising out of this, is, that worth in distress -suffers by it: for distrust and suspicion take hold of the minds of -good men, and the hand of charity is thus benumbed. This Fable may -also serve to caution us never to let any thing we value go out of our -possession without good security. The man who means to act prudently, -ought never to put himself in the power of others, or to run any risk -of involving his own family in ruin. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 185] - -THE HEN AND THE FOX. - - -A Fox having crept into an out-house, looked up and down, seeking what -he might devour, and at last spied a Hen perched up so high, that he -could by no means come at her. My dear friend, says he, how do you -do? I heard that you were ill, and kept within; at which I was so -concerned, that I could not rest till I came to see you. Pray how is it -with you now? Let me feel your pulse a little: indeed you do not look -well at all. He was running on after this fulsome manner, when the Hen -answered him from the roost, Truly, friend Reynard, you are judging -rightly, for I never was in more pain in my life: I must beg your -pardon for being so free as to tell you that I see no company; and you -must excuse me too for not coming down to you, for, to say the truth, -my condition is such, that I fear I should catch my death by it. - - -APPLICATION. - -It is generally the design of hypocritical persons to delude and -impose upon others, with an eye to derive some benefit to themselves, -when they pretend to feel a flattering anxiety for their welfare; or -sometimes they may perhaps, with impertinent folly, mean no more than -merely to mock and befool men who are weak enough to become their -dupes. In both cases they are enemies to truth and sincerity, which -adorn and tend so greatly to promote the happiness of society, and -they ought to be exposed as such. For although men of penetration see -through the pretence, and escape its dangers, yet the weak, the vain, -and the unsuspicious are put off their guard, and have not discernment -enough to shun the trap so pleasingly baited. The Fable also furnishes -a hint against hypocritical, legacy hunters, whose regard is generally -of the same nature as that of the Fox for the Hen. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 187] - -THE ASS IN THE LION’S SKIN. - - -An Ass, while feeding upon the coarse herbage by the edge of a wood, -found a Lion’s skin, and putting it on, went in this disguise into the -adjoining forests and pastures, and threw all the flocks and herds -into the greatest consternation and dismay. At length, his master, -who was in search of him, made his appearance, and the silly beast, -entertaining the idea of frightening him also, capered forward with a -terrific gait towards him; but the good man seeing his long ears stick -out, presently knew him, and with a stout cudgel made him sensible, -that notwithstanding his being dressed in a Lion’s skin, he was really -no more than an Ass. - - -APPLICATION. - -As all affectation is wrong, and tends to expose and make a man -ridiculous, so the more distant he is from the thing which he affects -to appear, the stronger will be the ridicule which he excites, and -the greater the inconvenience into which he thereby runs himself. How -strangely absurd it is for a timorous person to procure a military -post, in order to keep himself out of danger! and to fancy a red coat -the surest protection for cowardice! Yet there have been those who -have purchased a commission to avoid being insulted; and have been so -silly as to think courage was interwoven with a sash, or tied up in -a cockade. But it would not be amiss for such gentlemen to consider -that it is not in the power of scarlet cloth to alter nature, and that -as it is expected a soldier should shew himself a man of courage and -intrepidity upon all proper occasions, they may by this means meet the -disgrace they intended to avoid, and appear greater Asses than they -needed to have done. However, it is not in point of fortitude only -that people are liable to expose themselves, by assuming a character -to which they are not equal; but he who puts on a shew of learning, -of religion, of a superior capacity in any respect, or in short, of -any virtue or knowledge, to which he has no proper claim, is, and will -always be found to be, an Ass in a Lion’s skin. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 189] - -THE CLOWN AND THE GNAT. - - -As a clownish Fellow was sitting musing upon a bank, a Gnat alighted -upon his leg and bit it. He slapped his hand upon the place, with the -intention of crushing the assailant; but the little nimble insect -escaped between his fingers, and repeated its attacks. Every time he -struck at it, he gave himself a smart blow upon the leg, but missed his -aim. At this he became enraged, and in the height of his peevish and -impatient humour, he earnestly prayed to Hercules, beseeching him with -his mighty power to stretch forth his arm against a pernicious insect, -by which he was so miserably tormented. - - -APPLICATION. - -He who suffers his mind to be ruffled by every little inconvenience, -subjects himself to perpetual uneasiness and disquiet. There is no -accident, however trivial, but is capable of disconcerting him, and -he becomes absurdly miserable on the most foolish occasion. His good -humour is soured in an instant, and he is rendered uncomfortable to -himself, and odious or ridiculous to all about him. He prays with -earnestness to the Supreme Being to aid him in all his paltry selfish -schemes, or to gratify vanities, for which, as a rational being, he -ought to blush and be ashamed. The imaginary distresses, which his -unfortunate disposition heightens into severe calamities, are matter -of diversion to those who are disposed to sneer at him; and when his -pettish humour makes him rave like a madman, and curse his fate, at the -dropping of a hat, or the blunder of a servant, even his friends must -view his behaviour with a mixed emotion of pity and contempt. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 191] - -THE WOLF AND THE LAMB. - - -One hot sultry day, a Wolf and a Lamb happened to come just at the -same time, to quench their thirst in the stream of a brook that fell -tumbling down the side of a rocky mountain. The Wolf stood upon the -higher ground, and the Lamb at some distance below him. However, the -Wolf, having a mind to pick a quarrel with the Lamb, asked him what he -meant by disturbing the water, and making it so muddy that he could -not drink? and, at the same time, demanded satisfaction. The Lamb, -frightened at this threatening charge, told him, in a tone as mild as -possible, that with humble submission, he could not conceive how that -could be, since the water which he drank ran down from the Wolf to him, -and therefore could not be disturbed so far up the stream. Be that as -it may, replies the Wolf, you are a rascal, and I have been told that -you used ill language concerning me behind my back, about half a year -ago. Upon my word, says the Lamb, the time you mention was before I was -born. The Wolf, finding it to no purpose to argue any longer against -truth, fell into a great passion, snarling and foaming at the mouth as -if he had been mad; and drawing nearer to the Lamb, Sirrah, says he, if -it were not you, it was your father, and that is the same. So he seized -the poor innocent helpless thing, tore it to pieces, and made a meal of -it. - - -APPLICATION. - - Where’er oppression rules, fell Wolves devour; - And the worst crimes are want of strength and pow’r. - -They who do not feel the sentiments of humanity, will seldom listen -to the voice of reason; and when cruelty and injustice are armed with -power, and determined on oppression, the strongest pleas of innocence -are preferred in vain, and nothing is more easy than finding pretences -to criminate the unsuspecting victims of tyranny. How many of the -degenerate, corrupt, and arbitrary governments with which the civilized -world has been disfigured, have exercised their vengeance upon the -honest and virtuous, who have dared in bad times to speak the truth; -and how many men in private life are to be met with, whose wolfish -dispositions, and envious and rapacious tempers cannot bear to see -honest industry rear its head! - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 193] - -THE MICE IN COUNCIL. - - -The Mice called a general council, and after the doors were locked, -entered into a free consultation about ways and means how to render -themselves more secure from the danger of the Cat. Many schemes were -proposed, and much debate took place upon the matter. At last, a -young Mouse, in a fine florid speech, broached an expedient, which he -contended was the only one to put them entirely out of the power of the -enemy, and this was, that the Cat should wear a bell about her neck, -which, upon the least motion, would give the alarm, and be a signal for -them, to retire into their holes. This speech was received with great -applause, and it was even proposed by some, that the Mouse who had made -it should have the thanks of the assembly. Upon which, an old Mouse, -who had sat silent hitherto, gravely observed, that the contrivance -was admirable, and the author of it, without doubt, very ingenious; but -he thought it would not be so proper to vote him thanks, till he should -further inform them how the bell was to be fastened about the Cat’s -neck, and who would undertake the task. - - -APPLICATION. - -It is easy for visionary projectors to devise schemes, and to descant -on their utility, which, after all, are found to be so impracticable, -or so difficult, that no man of solid judgment can be prevailed upon to -attempt putting them into execution. In all matters where the good of -the community is at stake, new projects should be carefully examined -in all their bearings, that the ruinous consequences which might -follow them may be avoided. All business of this import ought to be -left to the decision of such men only as are distinguished for their -good sense, probity, honour, and patriotism. When these have examined -them in all their different bearings, we may place confidence in their -labours, and adopt their plans; but the Fable teaches us not to listen -to those rash and ignorant politicians, who are always foisting their -schemes upon the public upon every occurrence of mal-administration, -without looking beneath the surface, or considering whether they be -practicable or otherwise. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 195] - -THE APE CHOSEN KING. - - -On the death of the old Lion, without his leaving an heir, the beasts -assembled to choose another king of the forest in his stead. The crown -was tried on many a head, but did not sit easy upon any one. At length -the Ape putting it upon his own, declared that it fitted him quite -well, and after shewing them many antic tricks, he with a great deal -of grimace, and an affected air of wisdom, offered himself to fill the -high office. The silly creatures being pleased with him at the moment, -instantly, by a great majority, proclaimed him king. The Fox, quite -vexed to see his fellow-subjects act so foolishly, resolved to convince -them of their sorry choice, and knowing of a trap ready baited, at no -great distance, he addressed himself to King Ape, and told him that he -had discovered a treasure, which being found on the waste, belonged to -his Majesty. The Ape presently went to take possession of the prize; -but no sooner had he laid his paws upon the bait, than he was caught -fast in the trap. In this situation, between shame and anger, he -chattered out many bitter reproaches against the Fox, calling him rebel -and traitor, and threatening revenge: to all which Reynard gravely -replied, that this was nothing but a beginning of what he would meet -with in the high station his vanity had prompted him to aspire to, as -it was only one of the many traps that would be laid for him, and in -which he would be caught; but he hoped, this one might be a treasure to -him, if it operated as a caution, and served to put him in mind of the -false estimate he had put upon his abilities, in supposing, that with -his inexperienced empty pate, he could manage the weighty affairs of -state. He then, with a laugh, left him to be relieved from his peril by -one or other of his foolish loving subjects. - - -APPLICATION. - -When Apes are in power, Foxes will never be wanting to play upon them. -Men shew their folly, rashness, and want of consideration, when they -elect rulers without the qualifications of integrity and abilities to -recommend them to the office; and the higher it is, the more important -it is to the interests of the community that it should be properly -filled. The Fable also shews the weakness of those who, through -self-conceit, aspire to any high station without the requisites to -befit them for it, and the want of which exposes authority to scorn. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 197] - -THE OLD MAN AND DEATH. - - -A poor feeble old Man, who had crawled from his cottage into a -neighbouring wood to gather a few sticks, had made up his bundle, and -laying it over his shoulders, was trudging homewards; but what with -age, and the length of the way, he grew so faint and weak, that he sunk -under it, and as he sat upon the ground, called upon Death to come once -for all and ease him of his troubles. Death no sooner heard him, than -he came and demanded what he wanted? The poor old Creature, who little -thought Death was so near, frightened almost out of his senses with his -terrible aspect, answered him trembling, That having by chance let his -bundle of sticks fall, and being too infirm to get it up himself, he -had made bold to call upon him to help him; and he hoped his worship -was not offended with him for the liberty he had taken in craving his -assistance. - - -APPLICATION. - -This Fable gives us a lively representation of the general behaviour -of mankind towards that grim king of terrors, Death. Such liberties do -they take with him behind his back, that upon every little accident -which happens in their way, Death is immediately called upon, and they -even wish it might be lawful for them to finish with their own hands -a life so odious, so perpetually tormenting, and vexatious. When, let -but Death make his appearance, and the very sense of his near approach -almost does the business: then it is that they change their minds, -and would be glad to come off so well as to have their old burthen -laid upon their shoulders again. But wise and good men know that care -and numberless disappointments must be their portion in their passage -through life, and know also that it is their duty to endure them with -patience; for he is the best and happiest man who neither wishes nor -fears the approach of Death. - -[Illustration: TEMPERANCE IN THE GRAND BUSINESS OF LIFE.] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 199] - -THE TWO FROGS. - - -One hot sultry summer, the lakes and ponds being almost every where -dried up, a couple of Frogs agreed to travel together in search of -water. At last they came to a deep well, and sitting upon the brink of -it, began to consult whether they should leap in or not. One of them -was for it, urging that there was plenty of clear spring water, and no -danger of being disturbed. Well, says the other, all this may be true, -and yet I cannot come into your opinion for my life; for if the water -should happen to dry there too, how should we get out again? - - -APPLICATION. - - In human affairs, many stations we meet, - Where ’tis easy to enter, but hard to retreat. - -We ought never to change our situation in life, nor undertake any -action of importance, without first duly and deliberately weighing -the consequences that may follow, in all their different bearings. It -is commonly owing to the neglect of such wholesome precautions, that -numbers of young people are led into unfortunate matches, suddenly made -up; and others are from the same causes led into a round of profuse -living, or into gaming and other extravagant conduct, which is sure -to terminate in ruin. To look before we leap, is a maxim worthy of -being remembered by all ranks and conditions of men, from the lowest -to the highest: even kings may reap benefit by it; for when they -inconsiderately execute those schemes which their wicked counsellors -advise, they have often abundant reason to repent. By this blind -stupidity, wars are commenced, from which a state cannot be extricated -either with honour or safety; and unwise projects are encouraged by the -rash accession of those who never considered the consequences, or how -they were to get out, till they had plunged themselves irrecoverably -into them. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 201] - -THE FOX AND THE BRIAR. - - -A Fox scrambling hastily over a hedge, in his flight from the hounds, -got his foot severely torn by a Briar. Smarting with the pain, he burst -into revilings and complaints at this treatment, which he declared he -little expected to meet with for only passing over a hedge; and he -could not help thinking it was very bad usage to be thus grappled by -the long arms, and cut and wounded by the sharp crooked spines of a -Briar. True, says the Briar, but recollect that you intended to have -made me serve your turn, and would, without ceremony, have trampled me -down to the ground: but none of your freedoms with me, Master Reynard; -you may make a convenience of others perhaps, but the family of the -Briars are not of that cast. Whoever presumes to use any impudent -familiarities with them, is sure to smart for it. - - -APPLICATION. - -Presuming and arrogant people do not hesitate to make a convenience, -or a kind of stepping stone, of any one who will suffer them to do so; -and if they can only get their turn served, no matter how, they use no -ceremony, nor shew any delicacy in accomplishing their ends. But the -selfish and impudent gentry, who are so apt to take liberties of this -kind, now and then mistake their men, and are justly retorted upon; and -however upon these occasions they may be surprized and angry, others, -who are indifferent spectators, instead of viewing them as objects -of pity, feel a secret satisfaction in seeing them suffer, as proper -examples of justice. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 203] - -THE MAN AND THE WEASEL. - - -A Man having caught a Weasel in his pantry, was just going to kill it, -when the little captive begged that he would not do so cruel a deed, -but spare his life; and he assured the Man that he was his friend, and -only entered his pantry with a view of destroying the mice with which -it was infested. That may be, said the Man, but you do not do this -with the intention of serving me, nor with any other view but that -of serving yourself; and besides, you are so ferocious and cruel a -little creature, that you kill every animal you have within your power, -without the least compunction, and seem to delight in killing for -killing’s sake; therefore, your pretensions to serve me, and your plea -for mercy, are good for nothing. - - -APPLICATION. - -Many people in the world are ever ready to set up the pretensions of -their acting with zeal, purely to serve the public, and pretend that -it is through the warmth of their friendship that they do the same to -individuals; but the main spring of all the actions of the agents of -treachery, and of bad men, is set a-going with the view only of serving -themselves. It is thus that the unprincipled and mercenary thief-taker -would like well to be accounted a public spirited man; and he cannot -help boasting of his services as such. The hangman’s pretensions are -of the same kind: but however useful and necessary some of such a -description of men may be, to keep down the wicked part of mankind, who -are a nuisance to civilized society, yet the instruments themselves are -very like in character to the Weasel in the Fable. The same may be said -of those factious writers, who pester the public with their clamorous -charges, under the mask of patriotism, but whose real motive is either -to gain money by the sale of their highly seasoned scandals, or to run -down their corrupt opponents in order to obtain their places. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 205] - -THE BOAR AND THE ASS. - - -An Ass happening to meet with a Boar, and being in a frolicsome -humour, and having a mind to shew some of his silly wit, began in a -sneering familiar style to accost the Boar with, So ho, brother, your -humble servant, how is all at home with you? The Boar, nettled at his -familiarity, muttered out, Brother indeed! then bristled up towards -him, told him he was surprized at his impudence, and was just going -to shew his resentment by giving him a rip in the flank: but wisely -stifling his passion, he contented himself with only saying, Go, thou -sorry beast! I could be easily and amply revenged upon thee; but I dont -care to foul my tusks with the blood of so base a creature! - - -APPLICATION. - -It is no uncommon thing to meet with impudent fools, so very eager of -being thought wits, that they will run great hazards in attempting to -shew themselves such, and will often persist in their awkward raillery -to the last degree of offence. But these kind of folks, instead of -raising themselves into esteem, are held in contempt by men of sense; -and though the generous and the brave may scorn to suffer themselves to -be ruffled by the insolent behaviour of every ass that offends them, -yet such sparks must not from thence conclude, that they will not meet -with retorts in kind from men far superior to themselves in mental -endowments; or that their unseasoned wit will always escape a more -proper, but a different chastisement. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 207] - -THE DOG AND THE SHEEP. - - -The Dog sued the Sheep for a debt, of which the Kite and the Wolf -were to be the judges. They, without debating long upon the matter, -or making any scruple for want of evidence, gave sentence for the -plaintiff, who immediately tore the poor Sheep in pieces, and divided -the spoil with the unjust judges. - - -APPLICATION. - -Of the many evils which throw back the well-being of society, none -raise in the honest mind more painful and indignant feelings, than -beholding the judgment seat of mercy and justice filled by an unjust, -corrupt, and wicked judge, who has become, step by step, hardened in -his impious enormities, and is the fully-prepared tool and supporter -of tyranny and arbitrary power. Fraud and oppression follow in his -train: the righteous laws of a just government are frittered away, or -superseded: truth and innocence are obnoxious; honesty is sneered at, -and it becomes criminal to espouse the cause of virtue. In this state -of things, wickedness predominates, and its rapacious abettors give -full scope to the exercise of all kind of oppression and injustice, -to gratify their own vicious lusts. Then it is that mankind are made -to feel the evils of power being in the hands of the worst of their -species, who, without hesitation, rob them of their property, and -divide the spoils. If there be not a sufficiency of the most spirited -and virtuous patriotism to rescue the country from their fangs, then is -despotism and degradation near at hand. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 209] - -JUPITER AND THE HERDSMAN. - - -A Herdsman missing a young heifer, went up and down the forest to seek -it; and having walked over a great deal of ground to no purpose, he -fell a praying to Jupiter for relief, promising to sacrifice a kid -to him, if he would help him to a discovery of the thief. After this -he went on a little farther, and came near a grove of oaks, where he -espied the carcase of his heifer, and a Lion growling over it, and -feeding upon it. This sight almost scared him out of his wits; so down -he fell upon his knees once more, and addressing himself to Jupiter, O -Jupiter, says he, I promised thee a kid to shew me the thief; but now I -promise thee a bull, if thou wilt be so merciful as to deliver me out -of his clutches. - - -APPLICATION. - -We ought never to supplicate the Divine power, but through motives -of religion and virtue. Prayers dictated by blind self-interest, -or to gratify some misguided passion, cannot, it is presumed, be -acceptable to the Deity; and of all the involuntary sins which men -commit, scarcely any are more frequent than their praying absurdly -and improperly, as well as unseasonably, when their time might have -been employed to a better purpose. Would men, as they ought to do, -obey the commands of Omnipotence, by fulfilling their moral duties, -and endeavour with all their might to live as justly as they can, a -just Providence would give them what they ought to have: but stupidity -and ignorance, until better informed, and divested of superstition -and bigotry, will continue to form their notions of the Supreme Being -from their own poor shallow conceptions; and nothing contributes -more to keep up this injudicious practice among simple, but perhaps -well-meaning people, than the numerous collections of those crude -rhapsodies, the offspring of itinerant bigotry, with which the country -overflows; while most of those prayers are neglected which have been -composed with due reflection and matured deliberation, by the most -learned and pious of men. This Fable also teaches us, that frequently -the gratification of our vain prayers would only lead us into dangers -and evils, of the existence of which we had no previous suspicion. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 211] - -THE OLD LION. - - -A Lion, that in the prime of his life had been very rapacious and -cruel, was reduced by age and infirmities to extreme feebleness. -Several of the beasts of the forest, who had been great sufferers -by him, now came and revenged themselves upon him. The Boar ripped -him with his tusks, the Bull gored him with his horns, and others in -various ways had each a stroke at him. When the Ass saw that they might -do all this without any danger, he also came and threw his heels in -the Lion’s face. Upon which, the poor expiring tyrant is said to have -groaned out these words: Alas! how grievous is it to suffer insults, -even from the brave and valiant; but to be spurned at by so base a -creature as this, is worse than dying ten thousand deaths! - - -APPLICATION. - -When men in power lose sight of justice and mercy, and cruelly and -unjustly tyrannise over the people under their sway, they never will -gain sincere reverence or respect from the rest of mankind. The -injuries they inflict in the hey-day of their wicked career, will be -remembered with detestation through life; and when age and impotence -lay hold of them, they must not expect to meet with friends they -never deserved; but may be certain of being treated with neglect and -contempt, and the baser their enemies are, the more insolent and -intolerable will be the affront. It will then be discovered, with -bitter remorse, that the days have passed away, in which virtue and -dignity ought to have laid the foundation of a reputation which would -have been the solace of old age, and also extended a good name to -posterity with feelings of veneration; instead of which the remembrance -of past crimes will haunt the guilty mind, and the unjust man will at -last be thrown into the grave with the common dust, amidst the whispers -of “Let him go,” and he will be no more remembered than the animals on -which he feasted, or the herbage which was cut down when he was a child. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 213] - -THE MAGPIE AND THE SHEEP. - - -A Magpie sat chattering upon the back of a Sheep, and pulling off the -wool to line her nest. Peace, you noisy thing, says the Sheep: if I -were a dog, you durst not serve me so. That is true enough, replies -the Magpie, I know very well whom I have to deal with: I never meddle -with the surly and revengeful; but I love to plague such poor helpless -creatures as you are, who cannot do me any harm. - - -APPLICATION. - -It is the characteristic of a mean, low, base spirit, to be insolent -or tyrannical to those who are obliged to submit to it, and slavishly -submissive to those who have the spirit and the power to resist. Men of -this stamp take especial care not to meddle with people of their own -malicious principles, for fear of meeting with a suitable return; but -they delight in doing mischief for mischief’s sake, and seem pleased -when they can insult the innocent with impunity. This kind of behaviour -is inconsistent with all the rules of honour and generosity, and is -opposite to every thing that is great, good, amiable, and praise-worthy. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 215] - -THE FOX AND THE STORK. - - -The Fox invited the Stork to dinner, and, being disposed to divert -himself at the expence of his guest, provided nothing for the -entertainment but soup, which he served up in a wide shallow dish. -This the Fox could lap up with a great deal of ease; but the Stork, -who could but just dip in the point of his bill, was not a bit the -better for his entertainment. However, a few days after, he returned -the compliment, and invited the Fox; but suffered nothing to be brought -to table excepting some minced meat in a glass jar, the neck of which -was so deep, and so narrow, that, though the Stork with his long bill -made a shift to fill his belly, all that the Fox, who was very hungry, -could do, was to lick the brims as the Stork slabbered them with his -eating. Reynard was heartily vexed at first; but when he came to take -his leave, owned ingenuously, that he had been used as he deserved; and -that he had no reason to take any treatment ill, of which himself had -set the example. - - -APPLICATION. - -It is very imprudent, as well as uncivil, to affront any one, and we -should always reflect, before we rally another, whether we can bear to -have the jest retorted. Whoever takes the liberty to exercise his witty -talent in that way, must not be surprised if he meet reprisals in the -end. Indeed, if all those who are thus paid in their own coin, would -take it with the same frankness that the Fox did, the matter would not -be much; but we are too apt, when the jest comes to be turned home upon -ourselves, to think that insufferable in another which we looked upon -as pretty and facetious when the humour was our own. The rule of doing -as we would be done by, so proper to be our model in every transaction -of life, may more particularly be of use in this respect. People seldom -or never receive any advantage by these little ludicrous impositions; -and yet, if they were to ask themselves the question, would find, that -they would receive the same treatment from another with a very bad -grace. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 217] - -THE COUNTRYMAN AND THE SNAKE. - - -A Villager found a Snake under a hedge, almost dead with cold. Having -compassion on the poor creature, he brought it home, and laid it upon -the hearth near the fire, where it had not lain long before it revived -with the heat, and began to erect itself, and fly at the wife and -children of its preserver, filling the whole cottage with its frightful -hissings. The Countryman hearing an outcry, came in, and perceiving how -the matter stood, took up a mattock, and soon dispatched the ingrate, -upbraiding him at the same time in these words: Is this, vile wretch, -the reward you make to him that saved your life? Die, as you deserve; -but a single death is too good for you. - - -APPLICATION. - -There are some minds so depraved, and entirely abandoned to wickedness, -so dead to all virtuous feelings, that the tenderness and humanity of -others, though exerted in their own favour, not only fail to make a -proper impression of gratitude upon them, but are not able to restrain -them from repaying benevolence with injuries. Moralists, in all -ages, have incessantly declaimed against the enormity of this crime, -concluding that they who are capable of injuring their benefactors, -are not fit to live in a community; being such as the natural ties of -parent, friend, or country are too weak to restrain within the bounds -of society. Indeed, the sin of ingratitude is so detestable, that none -but the basest tempers can be guilty of it. Men of low grovelling -minds, who have been rescued from indigence by the hand of benevolence, -or of charity, forget their benefactors, as well as their original -wretchedness; and as soon as prosperity flows upon them, it too often -serves only to rekindle their native rancour and venom, and they hiss -and brandish their tongues against those who are so inadvertent or -unfortunate as to have served them. But prudent people need not to be -admonished on this subject; for they know how much it behoves them to -beware of taking a snake into their bosom. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 219] - -THE COCK AND THE FOX. - - -A Cock, perched upon a lofty tree, crowed so loud, that his voice -echoed through the wood, and drew to the place a Fox, who was prowling -in quest of prey. But Reynard finding the Cock was inaccessible, had -recourse to stratagem to decoy him down. Approaching the tree, Cousin, -says he, I am heartily glad to see you; but I cannot forbear expressing -my uneasiness at the inconvenience of the place, which will not let -me pay my respects to you in a better manner, though I suppose you -will come down presently, and that difficulty will be removed. Indeed, -cousin, says the Cock, to tell you the truth, I do not think it safe to -venture upon the ground; for, though I am convinced how much you are my -friend, yet I may have the misfortune to fall into the clutches of some -other beast, and what will become of me then? O dear, says Reynard, -is it possible you do not know of the peace that has been so lately -proclaimed between all kinds of birds and beasts; and that we are for -the future to forbear hostilities, and to live in harmony, under the -severest penalties. All this while the Cock seemed to give little -attention to what was said, but stretched out his neck as if he saw -something at a distance. Cousin, says the Fox, what is that you look -at so earnestly? Why, says the Cock, I think I see a pack of hounds -yonder, a good way off. O then, says the Fox, your humble servant, I -must be gone. Nay, pray cousin do not go, says the Cock, I am just -coming down; sure you are not afraid of the dogs in these peaceable -times. No, no, says he; but ten to one whether they have yet heard of -the proclamation! - - -APPLICATION. - -The moral of this Fable principally instructs us not to be too -credulous in believing the insinuations of those who are already -distinguished by their want of faith and honesty, for perfidious -people ought ever to be suspected in the reports that favour their own -interest. When, therefore, any such would draw us into a compliance -with their destructive measures, by a pretended civility, or plausible -relation, we should consider such proposals as a bait, artfully -placed to conceal some fatal hook, which is intended to draw us into -danger; and if by any simple counterplot we can unmask the design and -defeat the schemes of the wicked, it will not only be innocent, but -praise-worthy. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 221] - -THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE. - - -A Hare vainly boasting of her great speed in running, and casting a -look of disdain upon a Tortoise, that was slowly moving along, What -a poor crawling thing are you! said she: I can go over a territory -of country with the velocity of the wind, while you are an hour in -accomplishing a journey of half a furlong. In a race I could leave you -twenty miles behind me, in the time you were about reaching the end of -one. I don’t know that, said the Tortoise, and will give you a trial. -Upon this, a match was made to run a certain distance, and the Fox, who -had heard the dispute, was chosen umpire of the race. They then started -together, and away went the Hare with great swiftness, and soon left -the Tortoise out of sight, and thinking herself certain of winning the -race, she made a jest of the matter, squatted down in a tuft of fern, -and took a nap, concluding she could easily make up the lost ground, -should the Tortoise at any time pass by. Indulging in this security, -she over-slept herself, until the Tortoise, in a continued steady pace, -arrived first at the fixed distance, and won the race. - - -APPLICATION. - -We must not flatter ourselves with coming to the end of our journey in -time, if we sleep by the way; and unnecessary delays, in all pressing -affairs, are just so much time lost. Action is an important part of the -business of life; and “up and be doing” is a motto we ought to keep -in mind, as it has guided many a plain plodding man, with steady aim, -to carry his point effectually in making his own fortune, and at the -same time gaining the esteem of the world. Industry and application to -business make amends for the want of a quick and ready wit; but men of -great natural abilities, and vivacity of imagination, often presume too -much upon the superiority of their genius, and if to this presumption -they add pride and conceit, they despise the drudgery of business, and -suffer their affairs to go to disorder or ruin, through idleness and -neglect. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 223] - -THE BLACKAMOOR. - - -A Man having bought a Blackamoor, was so simple as to think that the -colour of his skin was only dirt which he had contracted for want of -due care under his former master. This fault he fancied might easily -be removed by washing, so he ordered the poor Black to be put into a -tub, and was at a considerable charge in providing ashes, soap, and -scrubbing brushes for the operation. To work they went, rubbing and -scouring his skin all over, but to no manner of purpose: for when they -had repeated their washings several times, and were grown quite weary, -all they got by it was, that the Blackamoor caught cold and died. - - -APPLICATION. - - “What’s bred in the bone will never come out of the flesh.” - -Nature cannot by any art or labour be changed; she may indeed be -wrought upon and moulded by good council and discipline; but it is -in vain to attempt a total transformation of our genius, person, or -complexion: therefore our application, assiduity, and pains, when -wrong directed, are of no avail. We should, indeed, strive to discover -which way the bent of our genius lies, that we may apply ourselves -to a judicious cultivation and improvement of it; but we ought to be -sure never to thwart or oppose nature’s fixed laws. When men aspire to -eminence in any of the various arts or sciences, without being gifted -with the innate powers or abilities for such attainments, it is only -like attempting to wash the Blackamoor white. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 225] - -THE LION IN LOVE. - - -The Lion by chance saw a fair maid, the forester’s daughter, as she -was tripping over a lawn, and fell in love with her. Nay, so violent -was his passion, that he could not live unless he made her his own; -therefore, without more delay, he broke his mind to the father, and -demanded the damsel for his wife. The man, odd as the proposal seemed -at first, soon recollected that, by complying, he might get the Lion -into his power; but, by refusing him, should only exasperate and -provoke his rage. Accordingly, he seemed to consent; but told him it -must be upon these conditions: that, considering the girl was young and -tender, he must let his teeth be plucked out, and his claws be cut off, -lest he should hurt her, or at least frighten her with the apprehension -of them. The Lion was too much in love to hesitate; but was no sooner -deprived of his teeth and claws, than the treacherous forester -attacked him with a huge club, and knocked out his brains. - - -APPLICATION. - -Of all the ill consequences that may attend the blind passion of love, -few prove so fatal as that of its drawing people into a sudden and -ill-concerted marriage. In the midst of a fit of madness, they commit -a rash act, of which, as soon as they come to themselves, they find -reason to repent as long as they live. Many an unthinking young man -has been treated as much like a savage in this respect as the Lion in -the Fable. He has, perhaps, had nothing valuable belonging to him but -his estate, and the documents which formed his title to it; and if he -is so far captivated, as to be persuaded to part with these, his teeth -and his claws are gone, and he lies entirely at the mercy of madam and -her relations, who will most likely not fail to keep him in complete -subjection, after they have stripped him of all his power. Nothing but -a true friendship, and a mutual interest, can keep up a reciprocal love -between the conjugal pair, and when these are wanting, contempt and -aversion soon step in to supply their place. Matrimony then becomes a -state of downright enmity and hostility; and what a miserable case he -must be in, who has put himself and his whole power into the hands of -his enemy. Let those reflect upon this (while they are in their sober -senses) who abhor the thoughts of being betrayed into their ruin, by -following the impulse of a blind unheeding passion. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 227] - -THE FOX AND THE HEDGEHOG. - - -A Fox, in swimming across a river, was forced down by the rapidity of -the stream to a place where the bank was so steep and slippery, that he -could not ascend it. While he was struggling in this situation, a swarm -of flies settled on his head and eyes, and tormented him grievously. -A Hedgehog, who saw and pitied his condition, offered to call in the -assistance of the Swallow to drive them away. No, no, friend, replies -the Fox, I thank you for your kind offer; but it is better to let this -swarm alone, for they are already pretty well filled, and should they -be driven away, a fresh and more hungry set would succeed them, and -suck me until I should not have a drop of blood left in my veins. - - -APPLICATION. - -This Fable is recorded by Aristotle, who tells us that Æsop spoke it to -the Samians on occasion of a popular sedition, to dissuade them from -deposing their great minister of state, lest they might, in getting -rid of one who was already glutted with their spoils, make room for a -more hungry and rapacious one in his stead. By this it would appear, -that some ministers of state in ancient times, instead of being guided -by integrity and patriotism, were intent only upon filling their own -coffers, and aggrandizing and enriching their own relations, from the -plunder of the people whose affairs they were entrusted with; and -that they considered them as their prey, rather than their charge. A -succession of such ministers, who can be countenanced by weak monarchs -only, is more calamitous to a nation than plague, pestilence, and -famine; for the effects of their mal-administration do not end with -their wicked lives, but lay the foundation of ruin to nations that -would, under a patriotic government, have been virtuous, great, and -flourishing. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 229] - -THE SPARROW AND THE HARE. - - -A Hare being seized by an Eagle, squeaked out in a most woful manner. -A Sparrow, that sat upon a tree just by, and saw the affair, could not -forbear being unseasonably witty, but called out to the Hare: So, ho! -what, sit there and be killed! prithee up and away; I dare say if you -would but try, so swift a creature as you are would easily escape from -an Eagle. As he was going on with his cruel raillery, down came a Hawk -and snapped him up, and notwithstanding his cries and lamentations, -fell to devouring him in an instant. The Hare, who was just expiring, -addressing her last words to the Sparrow, said, You who just now -insulted my misfortune, with so much security as you thought, may -please to shew us how well you can bear the like, now it has befallen -you. - - -APPLICATION. - -To insult people in distress, is the characteristic of a cruel, -indiscreet, and giddy temper; and he must surely have a very bad -heart, and no very good head, who can look on the day of grief, and -the hour of distress, as a time for impertinent raillery. If any other -arguments were necessary, or might be supposed capable of enforcing -moral precepts on those who cannot be actuated by humanity, it might -be added, that the vicissitudes of human affairs render such behaviour -imprudent, as well as barbarous; since we cannot tell how soon we may -be ourselves reduced to lament the woes which are now the objects of -our derision: for nobody knows whose turn may be the next. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 231] - -THE MAN AND HIS TWO WIVES. - - -A Man, in times when polygamy was allowed, had two wives, one of -whom, like himself, had seen her best days, and was verging upon the -decline of life, but possessed many engaging qualities. The other was -young and beautiful, and shared the affection of her husband, whom -she made as happy as he was capable of being, but was not completely -so herself. The white hairs mixed with the black upon the good man’s -head, gave her some uneasiness, by proclaiming the great disparity of -their years; wherefore, under colour of dressing his head, she plucked -out the silver hairs, that he might still have as few visible signs -of an advanced age as possible. The older dame, for reasons directly -opposite, esteemed these grey locks as the honours of his head, and -thought, while they gave him a venerable look, they made her appear -something younger, so that every time she combed his head, she took -equal pains to extirpate the black hairs. Each continued her project, -unknown to the other, until the poor man, who thought their desire to -oblige him put them upon this extraordinary officiousness in dressing -his head, found himself without any hair at all! - - -APPLICATION. - -As Christianity has banished polygamy, no immediate moral can be -derived by husbands from this Fable, unless we conclude, that it is -as impossible to serve two mistresses as two masters; for whatever we -do to please the one, will probably offend the other. To conciliate -the affections of persons whose tempers are opposite, is extremely -difficult, if not impracticable. To wives it may teach, that those -whose love is tempered with a tolerable share of good sense, will -be sure to have no separate views of their own, nor do any thing -immediately relating to their husbands, without consulting them first. -All that we shall add to what has been said, is to observe, that many -women may ignorantly, out of a pure effect of complaisance, do a -thousand disagreeable things to their husbands. But in a married state, -one party should not be guessing at or presuming, but inform themselves -certainly, what will please the other; and if a wife use her husband -like a friend only, the least she can do is first to communicate to -him all the important enterprizes she undertakes, and especially those -which she intends should be for his honour and advantage. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 233] - -MERCURY AND THE CARVER. - - -Mercury being very desirous to know what credit he had obtained in -the world, and how he was esteemed among mankind, disguised himself, -and went to the shop of a famous Statuary, where images were to be -sold. He saw Jupiter, Juno, and himself, and most of the other gods -and goddesses: so, pretending that he wanted to buy, he asked the -prices of several, and at length pointing to Jupiter, What, says he, -is the lowest price you will take for that? A crown, says the other; -and what for that? pointing to Juno: I must have something more for -that. Mercury then, casting his eye upon the figure of himself, with -all his symbols about it, Here am I, said he to himself, in quality of -Jupiter’s messenger, and the patron of artisans, with all my trades -about me; and then smiling with a self-sufficient air, and pointing to -the image, and pray friend, what is the price of this elegant figure? -Oh, replied the Statuary, if you will buy Jupiter and Juno, I will -throw you that into the bargain. - - -APPLICATION. - -If we knew ourselves, of what could any of us be vain? Vanity is the -fruit of ignorance, and the froth of perverted pride. Humility is the -constant attendant on men of great talents and good qualities: these -enable them to see how far they are short of perfection; but the vain -and arrogant conceive they have attained its height. All vain men, who -affect popularity, fancy other people have the same opinion of them -that they have of themselves; but nothing makes them look so cheap -and little in the eyes of discerning people as their enquiring (like -Mercury in the Fable) after their own worth, and wanting to know what -value others set upon them: and those who are so full of themselves, -as to hunt for praise, and lay traps for commendation, will generally -be disappointed, and be marked out as the emptiest of fellows; for -it argues a littleness of mind to be too anxious and solicitous -concerning our fame. He that behaves himself as he should do, need not -fear procuring a good share of respect, and a fair reputation; but -then these should not be the end or the motive of our pursuits: our -principal aim should be the welfare of our country, our friends, and -ourselves, and should be directed by the rules of honour and virtue. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 235] - -THE FOX AND THE GOAT. - - -A Fox having tumbled, by chance, into a well, had been ineffectually -endeavouring a long while to get out again, when, at last, a Goat came -to the place, and wanting to drink, asked Reynard whether the water was -good? Good! said he, aye, so sweet, that I am afraid I have surfeited -myself, I have drank so abundantly. The Goat, upon this, without more -consideration, leapt in; when the Fox mounted upon his back, and taking -the advantage of his horns, bounded up in an instant, and left the poor -simple Goat at the bottom of the well to shift for himself. Upon the -Goat’s reproaching him for his perfidy, Ah, Master Goat, said he, you -have far more hairs in your beard than brains in your head. - - -APPLICATION. - -Credulity may be said to be the child of ignorance, and the mother -of distress. A wise man will not suffer himself to be imposed upon -by slender artifices and idle tales; but the credulous man is easily -deluded, and subjects himself to numberless misfortunes. He is ever -the dupe of designing knaves, and of needy adventurers, who are always -intent upon serving themselves at the expence of others. They fasten -upon opulent men of weak minds, as the objects of delusion, and for -this purpose, tempt them with proposals of apparently advantageous -schemes, which they have ready made out, to entice their victims to -embark along with them. By credulity, they hope to establish their own -fortune, and provided this be done, they care not, even if the ruin of -their unsuspecting associates follow. It will likewise ever be found -that when an honest man and a knave happen to become partners in the -same common interest, the latter, whenever necessity pinches, will be -sure to shift for himself, and leave the former in the lurch. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 237] - -JUNO AND THE PEACOCK. - - -The Peacock complained to Juno, how hardly he was used in not having -so good a voice as the Nightingale. That little bird, says he, charms -every ear with his melody, while my hoarse screamings disgust every -one who hears them. The Goddess, concerned at the uneasiness of her -favourite bird, answered him very kindly to this purpose: If the -Nightingale be blest with a fine voice, you have the advantage in point -of beauty and majesty of person. Ah! said the Peacock, but what avails -my silent unmeaning beauty, when I am so far excelled in voice? The -Goddess dismissed him with this advice: Consider that the properties -of every creature were appointed by the decree of fate: to you beauty; -strength to the Eagle; to the Nightingale a voice of melody; the -faculty of speech to the Parrot; and to the Dove innocence. Each of -these is contented with his own peculiar quality; and unless you have a -mind to be miserable, you must learn to be so too. - - -APPLICATION. - -The most useful lesson that we can possibly learn, towards the -attainment of happiness in this world, is to enjoy those blessings -that we have in our power, without vainly pining after those which -we have not. Instead of being ambitious of having more endowments -than nature has allotted to us, we should spare no pains to cultivate -those we have; and which a sourness or peevishness of temper, instead -of improving, will certainly lessen and impair. Whoever neglects the -happiness within his reach, in order to brood over the consideration -of how much happier he might have been, had his situation been like -that of others, ingeniously contrives to torment himself, and opens a -perpetual source of discontent, which prevents his ever being at ease. -He does not reflect, or he would soon discover, that all the desirable -properties in the world never centered in one man, and that those who -have had the greatest share of them, if of an unhappy disposition, -still wished for something more, and wanted to possess some inherent -gifts which shone forth in other men: but such persons ought to be -put in mind, that it does not become mortals to repine at the will of -Heaven, which distributes happiness with an equal hand upon the highest -and the lowest of mankind, if they were wise enough, and grateful -enough, to perceive it. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 239] - -THE LION AND OTHER BEASTS. - - -The Lion having entered into an alliance with other Beasts of prey, -it was agreed, for their mutual advantage, that they should hunt in -company, and divide the spoil. They accordingly met on a certain day, -and commenced the chase, and ere long they ran down and killed a fine -fat Deer, which was instantly divided into four parts, there happening -to be then only the Lion and three others present. After the division -was made, the Lion advancing forward with an air of majesty, and -pointing to one of the shares, was pleased to declare himself after the -following manner: This I take possession of as my right, which devolves -to me, as I am descended by a true, lineal, hereditary succession from -the royal family of Lion: that, pointing to the second, I claim by, I -think, no unreasonable title, considering that the success of all the -engagements you have with the enemy depends chiefly upon my courage -and conduct; and you very well know that wars are too expensive to -be carried on without large supplies. Then, nodding his head towards -the third, that I shall take by virtue of my prerogative, to which I -make no question but so dutiful and loyal a people will pay all the -deference and regard that I can desire. Now, as for the remaining part, -the necessity of our present affairs is so very urgent, our stock so -low, and our credit so impaired and weakened, that I must insist upon -your granting that without hesitation or demur; and hereof fail not at -your peril. - - -APPLICATION. - -No alliance is safe which is made with the wicked, if they be superior -to us in power. The most solemn treaties will be disregarded as soon as -they can be broken with advantage. Powerful potentates, when they are -regardless of moral obligation, and consider might only to be right, -will never want specious pretences to furbish out their declarations -of war, nor hesitate about inveigling less powerful states to join -them, and after subduing the enemy, and seizing upon the spoils, will -fall upon their allies on the slightest pretences, or for no better -reason but because they are powerful enough to do so. No man ought to -be entrusted with unlimited power; and when a community has been stupid -enough to put the management of their affairs into such hands, they -have ever found their confidence abused, and their property invaded. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 241] - -JUPITER AND PALLAS. - - -Once upon a time, the Heathen Gods agreed to adopt each a particular -tree into their patronage. Jupiter chose the Oak; Venus was pleased -to name the Myrtle; Apollo pitched upon the Laurel; Cybele took the -Pine; and Hercules the Poplar. Pallas being present, expressed her -surprise at their fancy, in making choice of trees that bore nothing. -Oh, says Jupiter, the reason of that is plain enough, for we would not -be thought to dispense our favours with any mercenary view. You may do -as you please, says she, but let the Olive be my tree; and I declare -my reason for choosing it is, because it bears plenty of noble useful -fruit. Upon which the Thunderer, putting on a serious composed gravity, -spoke thus to the Goddess: Indeed daughter, it is not without cause -that you are so celebrated for your wisdom; for unless some benefit -attend our actions, to perform them for the sake of glory is but a -silly business. - - -APPLICATION. - -In all our actions, we should intend something useful and beneficial; -for the standing value of all things is in proportion to their use. To -undertake affairs with no other view but that of empty glory, whatever -some curious dreamers may fancy, is employing our time after a very -foolish manner. The Almighty created the world out of his infinite -goodness, for the good of his creatures, and not out of a passion for -glory, which is a vain, silly, mean principle; and when we talk of -glorifying the Author of our being, if we think reasonably, we must -mean shewing our gratitude to him, by imitating this goodness of his, -as far as we are able, and endeavouring to make some good or other the -aim of all our undertakings. For if empty glory be unworthy the pursuit -of a wise man, how vastly improper must it be to make an offering of it -to an all-wise Deity. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 243] - -THE VIPER AND THE FILE. - - -A Viper having entered a smith’s shop, looked up and down for something -to eat; when, casting his eye upon a file, he greedily seized upon it, -and fell to gnawing it with his teeth. After he had spent some time -in his attempts to devour it, the File told him very gruffly, that he -had better be quiet and let him alone; for he would get very little by -nibbling at one who, upon occasion, could bite iron and steel. - - -APPLICATION. - -This Fable is levelled at those spiteful people who take so malignant a -pleasure in the design of hurting others, as not to feel and understand -that they hurt only themselves; and at those who are blinded by -envy, which prompts them rather than not bite at all, to fall foul -where they cannot expect their nibbling will meet with any thing but -disappointment, as every one must who is biting at that which is too -hard for his teeth. Thus it is that spite and malignity, which are twin -brothers, and the offspring of envy, are, as well as their parent, -their own tormentors. They intend that the wounds they inflict should -be deadly, and the greatest wits and brightest characters in all ages -have been the objects of their attacks; but the brilliancy of truth -and justice at length shines forth, and shews the deformity of such -characters in the clearest light. Other people, of the same character -and disposition, though of minor consideration indeed, ought not to -be passed over unnoticed. These may be called nibblers, who let their -tongues slip very freely, in censuring the actions of persons who, in -the esteem of the world, are of such an unquestionable reputation, -that nobody will believe what is insinuated against them, and of such -influence through their own veracity, that the least word from them -would ruin the credit of such adversaries to all intents and purposes. -The efforts of little villains of this stamp, like dirty liquor -squirted against the wind, recoil back and bespatter their own faces; -or like the shades of a picture, serve to set off the brilliant tints -of the opposite virtues, which support and adorn society. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 245] - -THE WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING. - - -A Wolf disguising himself in the skin of a sheep, and getting in -among the flock, easily caught and devoured many of them. At last the -Shepherd discovered him, and cunningly watched the opportunity of -slipping a noose about his neck, and immediately hung him up on the -branch of a tree. Some other Shepherds observing what he was about, -drew near and expressed their surprize at it. Brother Shepherd! says -one of them, what! are you hanging your sheep? No, replies the other, -but I am hanging a Wolf in Sheep’s clothing, and shall never fail to do -the same, whenever I can catch one of them in that garb. The Shepherds -then expressed themselves pleased at his dexterity, and applauded the -justice of the execution. - - -APPLICATION. - -We ought not to judge of men by their looks, or their dress and -appearances, but by the character of their lives and conversation, -and by their works; for when we do not examine these, we must not be -surprized if we find that we have mistaken evil for good, and instead -of an innocent sheep, taken a wolf in disguise under our protection. -The finished hypocrite, by assuming the character of virtue, makes the -vice more odious and abominable, and when the mask is torn off, and -fraud and imposture are detected, every honest man rejoices in the -punishment of the offender. Men who have not had good, religious, and -moral principles early instilled into their minds, find no barrier to -check their propensity to evil, and get hardened as they advance in -years; and even the most liberal education, if it want the foundation -of truth and honesty, is often a curse instead of a blessing, and -the objects of it fail to do honour either to themselves or to their -country. Thus it is we see tyranny stalking along under the mask of -care and protection. Injustice sets up the letter of the law against -its spirit. Oppression strips the widow and the orphan, and at the same -time preaches up mercy and compassion. Treachery covers itself under -a cloak of kindness; and above all, it is peculiarly painful to find -numbers of men, even of the learned professions, who ought to set an -example of probity and honour, misapply their abilities to twist and -pervert the sacred meaning of both law and gospel to the basest and -worst of purposes. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 247] - -THE STAG IN THE OX-STALL. - - -A Stag, pursued by the hunters, took refuge in a stable, and begged -of the Oxen, to suffer him to conceal himself under the straw in one -of the stalls. They told him that he would be in great danger there, -for both the master and the servants would soon come to fodder them, -and then he might be sure of meeting his doom. Ah! says the Stag, if -you will be so good as not betray me, I hope I shall be safe enough. -Presently, in came a servant, who gave a careless look around, and -then went out without any discovery. All the other servants of the -farm came and went like the first. Upon this, the Stag began to exult, -imagining himself quite secure; but a shrewd old Ox told him that he -was reckoning upon his safety too soon, for there was another person to -come, by whom he would not so readily be looked over. Accordingly, by -and by came the master, who carefully peeped into every corner, and at -last, in turning over the litter, discovered the Stag’s horns sticking -out of the straw: upon which, he called all his servants back, and soon -made prize of the poor creature. - - -APPLICATION. - -This Fable is levelled against those worthless hirelings, who slide -over their time in negligent disorder, and this not so much for want of -capacity as honesty; their own private interest almost solely occupying -their attention, while that of their master, whose wages they receive, -and whose bread they eat, is postponed, or entirely neglected. Such -servants deserve not to be inmates in any good man’s house; but where -they are, it is absolutely necessary for the governors of families to -look into their affairs with their own eyes; for though they may happen -not to be in personal danger from the treachery of their domestics, -they are perpetually liable to injuries from their negligence, which -leaves the master open to the artifices of those who would defraud him. -Few families are reduced to poverty merely by their own extravagance: -the inattention of servants swells every article of expence in domestic -economy; and the retinue of great men, instead of exerting their -industry to increase their master’s wealth, commonly exercise no other -office than that of caterpillars, to consume and devour it. The fate -of the Stag also warns us not to engage in any hazardous speculation, -the success of which is to depend upon the ignorance or carelessness -of those with whom we have to deal; for though we may over-reach one -or two, yet some master-eye is sure at last to pierce our covering of -straw, and make us pay dearly for deviating from the straight road of -candour and prudence. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 249] - -THE FOWLER AND THE RING-DOVE. - - -A Fowler took his gun, and went into the woods a-shooting. He spied a -Ring-dove among the branches of an Oak, and clapping the piece to his -shoulder, took his aim, and made himself sure of killing it. But just -as he was going to pull the trigger, an Adder, which he had trod upon -under the grass, bit him so painfully in the leg, that he was obliged -to quit his design, and throw his gun down in an agony. The venom -immediately infected his blood, and his whole body began to mortify; -which, when he perceived, he could not help owning it to be just. Fate, -says he, has brought destruction upon me, while I was contriving the -death of another. - - -APPLICATION. - -The mischief that bad men meditate to others, commonly, like a -judgment, falls upon their own heads; and the punishment of wickedness -is so just in itself that the sufferer, who has made others feel it, -cannot, if he think rightly, but confess that he deserves the like -inflicted on himself. The hardened unfeeling heart of a cruel and -unjust man, can, however, continue to do a thousand bitter things to -others, until he tastes calamity himself, and then only it is that he -feels the insupportable uneasiness it occasions. Why should we think -others born to hard treatment more than ourselves, or imagine it can be -reasonable to do to another what we should think very hard to suffer in -our own persons? - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 251] - -THE HARES AND THE FROGS. - - -The Hares in a certain park having met to consult upon some plan to -preserve themselves from their numerous enemies, all agreed that life -was full of care and misery, and that they saw no prospect of things -changing for the better. Full of these desponding thoughts, and just as -it had been proposed that they should put an end to their existence, a -storm arose, which tore the branches from the trees, and whirled the -leaves about their ears. Panic-struck, they ran like mad creatures, -until they were stopped by a lake, into which they hastily resolved to -throw themselves headlong, rather than lead a life so full of dangers -and crosses: but upon their approaching its margin, a number of Frogs, -which were sitting there, frightened at their sudden approach, in the -greatest confusion leapt into the water, and dived to the bottom; which -an old Hare, more sedate than the rest, observing, called out, Have -a care what ye do! Here are other creatures I perceive, which have -their fears as well as we. Dont then let us fancy ourselves the most -miserable of any upon earth; but rather, by their example, learn to -bear patiently those inconveniences which nature has thrown upon us. - - -APPLICATION. - -This Fable is designed to shew us how unreasonable many people are, who -live in continual fears and disquiet about the miserableness of their -condition. There is hardly any state of life great enough to satisfy -the wishes of an ambitious man; and scarcely any so mean, but may -supply the necessities of him that is moderate. There are few beings so -very wretched, that they cannot pick out others in a more deplorable -situation, and with whom they would not change cases. The rich man -envies the poor man’s health, without considering his wants; and the -poor man envies the other’s treasure, without considering his diseases. -The miseries of others should serve to add vigour to our minds, and -teach us to bear up against the load of lighter misfortunes. But what -shall we say to those who have a way of creating themselves panics from -the rustling of the wind, the scratching of a rat or a mouse behind the -hangings, the fluttering of a moth, or the motion of their own shadow -by moon-light! Their whole life is as full of alarms as that of a Hare, -and they never think themselves so easy as when, like the timorous -folks in the Fable, they meet with a set of creatures as fearful as -themselves. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 253] - -THE MOUNTAINS IN LABOUR. - - -The Mountains were said to be in labour, and uttered the most dreadful -groans. People came together, far and near, to see what birth would be -produced; and after they had waited a considerable time in expectation, -out crept a Mouse. - - -APPLICATION. - -Projectors of all kinds, who endeavour by artful rumours, large -promises, and vast preparations, to raise the expectations of mankind, -and then by their mean performances disappoint them, have, time out of -mind, been lashed with the recital of this Fable. It should teach us -to suspect those who promise very largely, and to examine cautiously -what grounds they proceed upon, and whether their pretensions are not -intended to render us their tools, or the dupes of their artifices. -It likewise teaches us not to rely implicitly upon those constant -declarations for liberty and the public good, which artful politicians -use as stepping stones to power; but who having raised the people’s -expectations to the highest pitch, and obtained their desire by the -public enthusiasm, then turn their whole art and cunning to embezzling -the public treasure for their own private wicked ends, or to ruin -and enslave their country; or at best but imitate the bad conduct of -those whom they turned out by their clamour, while the sanguine hopes -of all those that wished well to virtue, and flattered themselves -with a reformation of every thing that opposed the well-being of the -community, vanish away in smoke, and are lost in a gloomy uncomfortable -prospect. The Fable likewise intimates, that the uncertain issue of -all human undertakings should induce us not to make pompous boasts of -ourselves, but to guard against promising any thing exceedingly great, -for fear of coming off with a production ridiculously little. If we set -out modestly, and perform more than we engaged to do, we shall find -our fame grow upon us, and every unexpected addition we make to our -plan will raise us more and more in the good opinion of the world; but -if, on the contrary, we make ample professions of the greatness of our -designs, and the excellence of our own abilities, it will too often -happen, that instead of swelling our reputation, we shall only blow the -trumpet to our shame. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 255] - -THE VAIN JACK-DAW. - - -A certain Jack-daw was so proud and ambitious, that, not contented -to live within his own sphere, he picked up the feathers which fell -from the Peacocks, stuck them in among his own, and very confidently -introduced himself into an assembly of those beautiful birds. They soon -found him out, stripped him of his borrowed plumes, and falling upon -him with their sharp bills, punished him as his presumption deserved. -Upon this, full of grief and affliction, he returned to his old -companions, and would have lived with them again; but they, knowing his -late life and conversation, industriously avoided him, and refused to -admit him into their company; and one of them, at the same time, gave -him this serious reproof: If, friend, you could have been contented -with our station, and had not disdained the rank in which nature had -placed you, you had not been used so scurvily by those upon whom you -intruded yourself, nor suffered the notorious slight which now we think -ourselves obliged to put upon you. - - -APPLICATION. - -To aim at making a figure by the means of either borrowed wit, or -borrowed money, generally subjects us at last to a ten-fold ridicule. -A wise man, therefore, will take his post quietly, in his own station, -without pretending to fill that of another, and never affect to look -bigger than he really is, by means of a false or borrowed light. It -shews great weakness and vanity in any man to be pleased at making an -appearance above what he really is; but if to enable him to do so with -something of a better grace, he has clandestinely feathered his nest -out of his neighbour’s goods, it is a pity if he should not be found -out, stripped of his plunder, and treated like a felonious rogue into -the bargain. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 257] - -THE LION AND THE MOUSE. - - -A Lion having laid down to take his repose under the spreading boughs -of a shady tree, a company of Mice scampered over his back and waked -him. Upon which, starting up, he clapped his paw upon one of them, and -was just going to put it to death, when the little suppliant implored -his mercy, begging him not to stain his noble character with the blood -of so small and insignificant a creature. The Lion, touched with -compassion, instantly released his little trembling captive. Not long -after, traversing the forest in search of his prey, he chanced to run -into the toils of the hunters, and not being able to disengage himself, -he set up a loud roar. The Mouse hearing the voice, and knowing it to -be the Lion’s, immediately repaired to the place, and bade him fear -nothing, for that he was his friend. Instantly he fell to work, and -with his little sharp teeth gnawed asunder the knots and fastenings of -the toils, and set the royal brute at liberty. - - -APPLICATION. - -They who generously shower benefits on their fellow-creatures, seldom -fail of inspiring the great bulk of them with a benevolent regard for -their benefactors, and often receive returns of kindness which they -never expected. Mercy is of all other virtues the most likely to kindle -gratitude in those to whom it is extended, and it is difficult to find -an instance of a conqueror who ever had occasion to repent of his -humanity and clemency. The Fable gives us to understand, that there is -no person in the world so little, but even the greatest may, at some -time or other, stand in need of his assistance; and consequently, it -is good to shew favour, when there is room for it, towards those who -fall into our power. As the lowest people in life may, upon occasion, -be able either to serve or hurt us, it is as much our interest as our -duty to behave with good-nature and lenity towards all with whom we -have any intercourse. A great soul is never so much delighted as when -an opportunity offers of making a return for favours received; and a -sensible man, however exalted his station, will never consider himself -secure from the necessity of accepting a service from the poorest. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 259] - -THE TORTOISE AND THE EAGLE. - - -A Tortoise, weary of his condition, by which he was confined to -creep upon the ground, and ambitious to look about him with a larger -prospect, proclaimed that if any bird would take him up into the air, -and shew him the world, he would reward him with the discovery of an -invaluable treasure, which he knew was hidden in a certain place of -the earth. The Eagle accepted the offer, and having performed his -undertaking, gently set the Tortoise again on the ground, and demanded -the reward. The Tortoise was obliged to confess that he could not -fulfil his promise, which he had made only with the view of having his -fancy gratified. The Eagle, stung with resentment at being thus duped, -grasped him again in his talons, and then soaring to a great height, -let him fall, by which he was dashed to pieces. - - -APPLICATION. - -Men of honour are careful not to tarnish their reputations by -falsifying their word, and always consider well how far it may be in -their power to fulfil their promises before they make them. They always -strive to walk on the straight line of rectitude; and should they, in -an unguarded moment, happen to stagger from it, they instantly retrace -their steps, and feel unhappy until they have regained their station. -There is a simplicity in truth and virtue, which requires no artifices, -and never leads us into difficulties, but points out the plain and safe -way. Deceit and cunning, on the contrary, involve those who practise -them in a maze, and they are bewildered in their own falsehoods, from -which no dexterity can extricate them. The brain-racking schemes which -villains practise to delude others, are commonly detected, and end in -the unpitied punishment of themselves; for they seldom discover the -folly of being wicked, until it has betrayed them into their ruin. But -such persons would do well to refresh their memories with the old adage -which says, that “all knaves are fools, but all fools are not knaves.” - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 261] - -THE POLECAT AND THE COCK. - - -A Polecat, that had long committed depredations on the farm-yard, -having a mind to make a meal of the blood of the Cock, seized him one -morning by surprize, and asked him what he could say for himself why -slaughter should not pass upon him? The Cock replied, that he was -serviceable to mankind by crowing in the morning, and calling them -up to their daily labour. That is true, says the Polecat, and is the -very objection that I have against you, for you make such a shrill -impertinent noise, that people cannot sleep for you. Besides, you are -an incestuous rascal, and make no scruple of lying with your mother -and sisters. Well, says the Cock, this I do not deny; but I do it to -procure eggs and chickens for my master. Ah! villain, says the Polecat, -hold your wicked tongue, such impieties as these declare that you are -no longer fit to live. - - -APPLICATION. - -When a wicked man in power has a mind to glut his appetite in any -respect, innocence or even merit is no protection against him. The -cries of justice and the voice of reason, are of no effect upon a -conscience hardened in iniquity, and a mind versed in a long practice -of wrong and robbery. Remonstrances, however reasonably urged, or -movingly couched, have no more influence upon the hearts of such, -than the gentle evening breeze has upon the oak, when it whispers -among its branches; or the rising surges upon the deaf rock, when they -dash and break upon its sides. Power should never be trusted in the -hands of an impious selfish man, and one that has more regard to the -gratification of his own insatiable desires, than to public peace and -justice; but as a wicked son may succeed to the station of a virtuous -and patriotic father, care should be taken to guard against a surprise, -by a vigilant watchfulness of the encroaching nature of power, even -when in benevolent hands, that those checks may not be undermined which -counteract its abuse in bad ones. Had the poor Cock exerted his usual -vigilance, it would have served him much more effectually than either -his innocence or his eloquence. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 263] - -THE FOWLER AND THE BLACKBIRD. - - -A Fowler was busy placing his nets, and putting his tackle in order, -by the side of a coppice, when a Blackbird, who was perched on an -adjacent tree, eyed him with great attention; but being at a loss to -know the use of all this apparatus and preparation, had the curiosity -to ask him what he was doing. I am, says the Fowler, building a fine -city for you birds to live in, and providing it with meat and all -manner of conveniences for you. Having said this, he departed and hid -himself, and the Blackbird, believing his words, came into the nets and -was taken; but when the man ran up to seize his captive, the Bird thus -addressed him: If this be your faith, and these the cities you build, -it will be a great pity if you should ever again persuade any poor -simple bird to try to inhabit them. - - -APPLICATION. - -The fowler’s professions of friendship for the birds, while he aimed -at their destruction, may be paralleled by too many instances in -real life; and however mortifying it may be to reflect upon, yet -so it is, that the designing knave far too often succeeds in his -deep-laid schemes to ensnare, over-reach, and ruin the honest and the -unsuspecting man. Planners and projectors of this character, both of -high and low degree, are suffered to roam at large, and it behoves the -inexperienced to guard against their plots with a watchful eye; for -while they smoothly disclaim taking any mean advantage over those they -are addressing, with their plausible pretensions, their sole study and -aim is to fill their own pockets, and then to hug themselves with the -thoughts of their success, and to laugh at those whom they have duped. -As long as people can be found credulous enough to suffer themselves to -be imposed upon, so long will there arise gentry of this description, -who will live in affluence by taking advantage of their weakness. - -[Illustration: _There will be sleeping enough in the Grave._] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 265] - -THE NURSE AND THE WOLF. - - -A Nurse, who was endeavouring to quiet a froward child, among other -things threatened to throw it out of doors to the Wolf, if it did not -leave off crying. A Wolf, who chanced to be prowling near the door -just at the time, heard the expression, and believing the woman to be -in earnest, waited a long while about the house, in expectation of -having her words made good. But at last the child, wearied with its own -perverseness, fell asleep, and the Wolf was forced to return back into -the woods, empty and supperless. The Fox meeting him, and surprized to -see him going home so thin and disconsolate, asked him what the matter -was, and how he came to speed no better that night? Ah! do not ask me, -says he, I was so silly as to believe what the Nurse said, and have -been disappointed. - - -APPLICATION. - -Many of the old moralists have interpreted this Fable as a caution -never to trust a woman: a barbarous inference, which neither the -obvious sense of the apologue, nor the disposition of the softer sex -will warrant. For though some women may be fickle and unstable, yet the -generality exceed their calumniators in truth and constancy, and have -more frequently to complain of being the victims, than to be arraigned -as the authors of broken vows. To us this Fable appears to mean little -more than merely to shew how easily inclined we are, in all our various -expectations through life, to delude ourselves into a belief of any -thing which we desire to be true. The lover interprets every smile of -his mistress in his own favour, and is then perhaps neglected. The -beauty believes all mankind are dying for her, and is then deserted by -her train of admirers. The followers of the great reckon a smile or a -nod very auspicious omens, and deceive themselves with groundless hopes -of employment or promotion, in expectation of which, they, like the -Wolf at the Nurse’s door, dangle away the time that might be usefully -employed elsewhere, and at last are obliged to retire disappointed -and hungry, crying out perhaps against the perfidy of those in power, -instead of blaming their own sanguine credulity. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 267] - -THE HARPER. - - -A Man who used to play upon the harp, and sing to it, in little -ale-houses, and made a shift in those narrow confined walls to please -the dull sots who heard him, from hence entertained an ambition of -shewing his parts in the public theatre, where he fancied he could not -fail of raising a great reputation and fortune in a very short time. He -was accordingly admitted upon trial; but the spaciousness of the place, -and the throng of the people, so deadened and weakened both his voice -and instrument, that scarcely either of them could be heard, and where -they could, his performance sounded so poor, so low, and wretched, in -the ears of his refined audience, that he was universally hissed off -the stage. - - -APPLICATION. - -When we are commended for our performances by people of much flattery -or little judgment, we should be sure not to value ourselves upon -it; for want of this caution, many a vain unthinking man has at once -exposed himself to the censure of the world. A buffoon, though he would -not be fit to open his mouth in a senate, or upon a subject where sound -sense and a grave and serious behaviour are expected, may be very -agreeable to a company disposed to be mirthful over a glass of wine. -It is not the diverting a little, insignificant, injudicious audience -or society, which can gain us a proper esteem, or insure our success, -in a place which calls for a performance of the first rate. We should -have either allowed abilities to please the most refined tastes, or -judgment enough to know that we want them, and to have a care how we -submit ourselves to the trial. And, if we have a mind to pursue a -just and true ambition, it is not sufficient that we study barely to -please; but it is of the greatest moment whom we please, and in what -respect, otherwise we may not only lose our labour, but make ourselves -ridiculous into the bargain. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 269] - -THE ANT AND THE FLY. - - -In a dispute between the Ant and the Fly concerning precedency, the -latter thus boasted: I have, said he, the uppermost seats at church, -and even frequent the altars; I am taster to the gods, and a partaker -of all their sacrifices; I am admitted into the palaces of kings, and -enjoy myself at every entertainment provided for the princes of the -earth, and all this without having occasion to labour. What have you to -boast of, poor sorry drudge, crawling upon the earth, living in caverns -and holes, and with constant exertion gathering up a grain of corn -to support a wretched existence? Indeed! said the Ant, I pretend to -none of these fine things. Visiting the great, and partaking of their -festivals and sacrifices, might be entitled to some consideration, were -you invited; but you are only an impudent intruder in such places. My -time, indeed, is spent differently: I lead a life of industry, which -is crowned with health and vigour, and I am constantly held up as an -example of prudence and foresight. I provide for present comforts -and future wants, and court not the favors, nor dread the frowns, of -any one; while your laziness and vanity make you a beggarly intruder -wherever you hope to get a present supply. You may, perhaps, sip honey -one day, but on the next you batten on carrion; and having propagated -a numerous progeny, equally as noxious and useless as yourself, I then -behold you from my comfortable, warm, well-stored mansion, in the -winter of your days, starving to death with hunger and cold. - - -APPLICATION. - -The worthless part of mankind, who pass through the world without being -of any service in it, and without acquiring the least reputation, -seldom fail of adding empty pride to all their other failings, and -behave with arrogance towards those who contribute to the comforts -and happiness of society. They treat industrious persons as wretched -drudges, appointed to labour for a poor subsistence, while they think -themselves entitled to enjoy all the good things of this life, though -they of all others least deserve them. But the worthy and industrious -will generally find that the pride and extravagance of these idle -flies, bring them at last to shame, if not to want, while their own -honest labours secure a good name, a happy mind, and a sufficiency for -their wants, if not a state of affluence. In short, no one is a better -gentleman than he whose own honest industry supplies him with all -necessaries, and who pretends to no more acquaintance with honour than -never to say or do a mean or an unjust thing. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 271] - -THE MOUSE AND THE WEASEL. - - -A thin hungry Mouse, after much pushing and twisting, crept through a -small hole, into a corn basket, where he gorged himself so plentifully, -that on his attempting to retire by the same passage, he found himself -so swelled out, that, with all his endeavours, he could not squeeze -through again. A Weasel, who stood at some distance, and had been -diverting himself with the vain efforts of the little glutton, called -to him sneeringly, Hark ye, Mr Mouse! remember that you were lean and -half-starved when you got in at that small hole; and take my word for -it, you must be as lean and half-starved before you can make your way -out again. - - -APPLICATION. - -That portion of mankind, whose inordinate desires push them on to -stick at nothing in acquiring wealth, are seldom the most happy; for -covetousness, which never produced one noble sentiment, often urges -its votaries to break through the rules of justice, and then deprives -them of the expected fruits of their iniquity. Besides great riches and -care are almost inseparable; and there is often a quiet and content -attending upon people of moderate circumstances, to which the wealthy -man is an utter stranger. It has happened, even to monarchs, that their -inroads on the possessions of others have tended to the detriment of -the aggressor, who has been obliged to resign the rich spoils obtained -by unjustifiable hostilities, and to refund the ill-gotten wealth, with -a very bad grace: a punishment which Providence has wisely annexed to -acts of violence and fraud, as the best security of the possessions -of the just and virtuous, against the attempts of the wicked. Some -men, from creeping in the lowest stations of life, have in process of -time reached the greatest places, and grown so bulky by pursuing their -insatiate appetite for money, that when they would have retired, they -found themselves too opulent and full to get off. There has been no -expedient for them to creep out, till they were squeezed and reduced in -some measure to their primitive littleness. They that fill themselves -with that which is the property of others, should always be so served -before they are suffered to escape. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 273] - -THE EAGLE AND THE FOX. - - -An Eagle that had young ones, looking for something to feed them -with, happened to spy a Fox’s Cub that lay basking itself abroad in -the sun: she made a stoop, and trussed it immediately; but before she -had carried it quite off, the old Fox coming home, implored her, with -tears, to spare her Cub, and pity the distress of a poor fond mother, -who would think no affliction so great as that of losing her child. -The Eagle, whose nest was high in an old hollow tree, thought herself -secure from all projects of revenge, and so bore away the Cub to her -young ones, without shewing any regard to the supplications of the Fox. -But that subtle creature, highly incensed at this outrageous barbarity, -ran to an altar, where some country people had been sacrificing a kid -in the open fields, and catching up a fire-brand in her mouth, made -towards the tree where the Eagle’s nest was, with a resolution of -revenge. She had scarcely reached its root, when the Eagle, terrified -with the approaching ruin of herself and family, begged of the Fox to -desist, and, with much submission, returned her the Cub safe and sound. - - -APPLICATION. - -When men in high situations happen to be wicked, how little scruple do -they make of oppressing their poor neighbours! They are perched upon -a lofty station, and, having outgrown all feelings of humanity, are -insensible to the pangs of remorse. The widow’s tears, the orphan’s -cries, and the curses of the miserable, fall by the way, and never -reach their hearts. But let such, in the midst of their flagrant -injustice, remember how easy it is, notwithstanding their superior -distance, for the meanest vassal to take his revenge. The bitterness -of affliction (even where cunning is wanting) may animate the poorest -spirit with desperate resolutions; and when once the fury of revenge -is thoroughly awakened, we know not what she may effect before she -is lulled to rest again. The most powerful tyrants cannot prevent a -resolved assassination: there are a thousand different ways for any -private man to do the business, who is heartily disposed to it, and -willing to satisfy his appetite for revenge, at the expence of his -life. An old woman may clap a fire-brand to the palace of a prince, and -a poor weak fool may destroy the children of the mighty. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 275] - -THE BELLY AND THE MEMBERS. - - -In former days, it happened that the Members of the human body, -taking some offence at the conduct of the Belly, resolved no longer -to grant it the usual supplies. The Tongue first, in a seditious -speech, aggravated their grievances; and after highly extolling the -activity and diligence of the Hands and Feet, set forth how hard -and unreasonable it was, that the fruits of their labour should be -squandered away upon the insatiable cravings of a fat and indolent -paunch. In short, it was resolved for the future to strike off his -allowance, and let him shift for himself as well as he could. The Hands -protested they would not lift a Finger to keep him from starving; and -the Teeth refused to chew a single morsel more for his use. In this -distress, the Belly remonstrated with them in vain; for during the -clamour of passion the voice of reason is always disregarded. This -unnatural resolution was kept as long as any thing of that kind can be -kept, which was, until each of the rebel members pined away to the skin -and bone, and could hold out no longer. Then they found there was no -doing without the Belly, and, that idle and insatiable as it seemed, it -contributed as much to the welfare of all the other parts, as they in -their several stations did towards its maintenance. - - -APPLICATION. - -This Fable was spoken by Menenius Agrippa, a Roman consul and general, -when he was deputed by the senate to appease a dangerous tumult and -insurrection of the people. The many wars the Romans were engaged in, -and the frequent supplies they were obliged to raise, had so soured -and inflamed the minds of the populace, that they were resolved to -endure it no longer, and obstinately refused to pay the taxes. It is -easy to discern how the great man applied this Fable: for, if the -branches and members of a community refuse the government that aid -which its necessities require, the whole must perish together. The -rulers of a state, useless or frivolous as they may sometimes seem, are -yet as necessary to be kept up and maintained in a proper and decent -grandeur, as the family of each private person is, in a condition -suitable to itself. Every man’s enjoyment of that little which he gains -by his daily labour, depends upon the government’s being maintained -in a condition to defend and secure him in the unmolested control and -possession of it. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 277] - -THE FATAL MARRIAGE. - - -A Mouse being ambitious of marrying into a noble family, paid his -addresses to a young Lioness, and at length succeeded in entering into -a treaty of marriage with her. When the day appointed for the nuptials -arrived, the bridegroom set out in a transport of joy to meet his -beloved bride; and coming up to her, passionately threw himself at -her feet; but she, like a giddy thing as she was, not minding how she -walked, accidentally set her foot upon her little spouse, and crushed -him to death. - - -APPLICATION. - -It is very unsafe for persons of low estate to form connections with -those of a very superior situation. When wealthy persons of mean -extraction and unrefined education, as an equivalent for their money, -demand brides out of the nursery of the peerage, if they should not -be ruined by the giddy extravagance of their high-born wives, their -being despised, or at least treated with neglect, is almost certain. -But indeed, much unhappiness follows the want of a sound judgment in -the choice of a partner for life, whether it be in high or low, rich -or poor. No human contract is of so important, as well as delicate -a nature, as marriage. It is one of the grand epochs in the history -of a man. It is an engagement which should be voluntary, judicious, -and disinterested, and can never be attended with honour, or blessed -with happiness, if it has not its origin in mutual affection. If it -be either unsuitable or compulsory, it produces not only individual -misery, but consequences universally pernicious. Sordid interest and -vile dependence may indeed sometimes act so powerfully, as to set -nature and true convenience aside, so as to make the yoke which is -jointly borne by the improper union of the high and low, or by age -and youth, put on an appearance of regard for each other; but natural -affection must needs be wanting on one side or the other. Nature has, -however, with a strong hand, pointed out the path to be pursued, and a -few prudential rules only are necessary to keep us within it. If a man -is of an unsound constitution, or if he cannot provide for a family, -let him forbear matrimony: it is the duty of every man who marries, to -take a healthy woman for his wife, for the sake of his children, and an -amiable one, for his own comfort. The same precaution ought to be taken -by the fair sex, unless they can make up their minds to become nurses -to tainted worn-out husbands, and their puny nerveless offspring. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 279] - -THE YOUNG MAN AND THE LION. - - -An opulent Old Man, who believed in omens and dreams, had an only Son, -of whom he was dotingly fond. One night he dreamt that he saw the Young -Man, while he was eagerly engaged in the chase, seized upon and torn in -pieces by a Lion. This operated upon his fears to such a degree, that -he instantly determined upon breaking off his Son’s strong propensity -to hunting, that he might be kept out of harm’s way. For this purpose, -he spared neither pains nor expence to make home agreeable to him. He -had the rooms decorated with the finest paintings of forest scenery, -and the hunting of wild beasts, with the reality of which the youth had -been so much delighted; but the Young Man, debarred from his favourite -pleasures, considered the palace a prison, and his father as the -keeper. One day, when looking at the pictures, he cast his eye upon -that of a Lion, and, enraged that he was confined for a dream about -such a beast, he struck at the painting with his fist, with all his -might. There happened to be a nail in the wall behind the canvas, which -lacerated the hand terribly. The wound festered, and threw the Young -Man into a fever, of which he died; so that the Father’s dream was -fulfilled by the very step he took to prevent it. - - -APPLICATION. - -Those people who govern their lives by forebodings and dreams, and -signs of ill-luck, are kept in a state of constant anxiety and -uneasiness. Such a disposition is grounded on superstition, which is -the offspring of a narrow mind, and adds greatly to the evils with -which life is sufficiently loaded. Heaven has kindly concealed from -us the knowledge of futurity, and it is therefore foolish for us to -attempt to pry into it, or to disturb our minds with absurd conceptions -of events which are only realised by our ridiculous precautions against -them. How inconsistent is the conduct of people who imagine things to -be predestined, and yet busy themselves in endeavours to prevent their -coming to pass; as if the vain efforts of human power or prudence were -able to counteract the will, or reverse the decrees of the Omnipotent. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 281] - -THE KITE AND THE PIGEONS. - - -A Kite who had kept sailing in the air for many days near a dove-house, -and made a stoop at several Pigeons to no purpose, for they were -too nimble for him, at last had recourse to stratagem, and made a -declaration to them, in which he set forth his own just and good -intentions, and that he had nothing more at heart than the defence -and protection of the Pigeons in their ancient rights and liberties, -and how concerned he was at their unjust and unreasonable suspicions -of himself, as if he intended by force of arms to break in upon their -constitution, and erect a tyrannical government over them. To prevent -all which, and thoroughly to quiet their minds, he thought proper -to propose such terms of alliance, as might for ever cement a good -understanding between them; one of which was, that they should accept -of him for their king, and invest him with all kingly privilege and -prerogative over them; in return for which he promised them protection -from all their enemies. The poor simple Pigeons consented: the Kite -took the coronation oath, after a very solemn manner, on his part, and -the Doves the oaths of allegiance and fidelity on theirs. But much time -had not passed over their heads before the good Kite pretended that it -was part of his prerogative to devour a Pigeon whenever he pleased; -and this he was not contented to do himself only, but instructed the -rest of the royal family in the same kingly arts. The Pigeons, reduced -to this miserable condition, said one to the other, Ah! we deserve no -better! Why did we let him come in? - - -APPLICATION. - -What can this Fable be applied to, but the exceeding blindness and -stupidity of that part of mankind, who wantonly and foolishly trust -their native rights of liberty without good security? Who often chuse -for guardians of their lives and fortunes, persons abandoned to the -most unsociable of vices; and seldom have any better excuse for such an -error in politics, than that they were deceived in their expectation, -or never thoroughly knew the manners of their king, till he had got -them entirely in his power. We ought not to incur the possibility of -being deceived in so important a matter as this; an unlimited power -should not be trusted in the hands of any one who is not endowed with a -perfection more than human. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 283] - -THE SICK KITE. - - -A Kite who had been sick a long time, beginning to be doubtful of -recovery, begged of his Mother to go to all the churches and religious -houses in the country, to try what prayers and offerings would effect -in his behalf. The old Kite replied, Indeed, my dear son, I would -willingly undertake any thing to save your life; but I have great -reason to despair of doing you any service in the way you propose: for, -with what face can I ask any thing of the Gods, in favour of one whose -whole life has been a continued scene of rapine and injustice, and who -has not scrupled, upon occasion, to rob even their altars? - - -APPLICATION. - -The rehearsal of this Fable almost unavoidably draws our attention -to that very serious and important point, the consideration of a -death-bed repentance, the sincerity of which we may justly suspect in -one whose whole life has been spent in acts of wickedness and impiety. -To expose the absurdity of relying upon such a weak foundation, we need -only ask the same question with the Kite in the Fable: how can he, -who has offended the Gods all his life-time by acts of dishonour and -injustice, expect that they will be pleased with him at last, for no -other reason but because he fears he shall not be able to offend them -any longer? Since the summons to “pass that bourn whence no traveller -returns,” must one day come, we ought always to be prepared to meet it. -But when the whole life has been wasted, without communion with, or -totally estranged from that Almighty Being, by whose fiat it was called -into existence, then indeed the polluted soul must be distracted with -the agonizing thoughts of appearing before Him, who created it for a -very different purpose. Nothing but the consciousness of having led a -virtuous life, can in the awful moment, disarm death of his terrors, -and fortify the mind with cheering hopes and resignation. But this is a -subject of the utmost importance, and the due enforcing of it is one of -the most solemn duties of the pulpit. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 285] - -THE FOX AND THE LION. - - -The first time the Fox saw the Lion, he fell down at his feet, and was -ready to die with fear. The second time he took courage, and could even -bear to look upon him. The third time he had the impudence to come up -to him, to salute him, and to enter into familiar conversation with him. - - -APPLICATION. - -From this Fable we may observe the two extremes in which we may -fail as to a proper behaviour towards our superiors. The one is a -bashfulness, proceeding either from a vicious guilty mind, or a -timorous rusticity; the other an over-bearing impudence, which assumes -more than becomes it, and so renders the person insufferable to the -conversation of well-bred reasonable people. But there is a difference -between the bashfulness which arises from a want of education, and the -shame-facedness that accompanies conscious guilt: the first by time and -a nearer acquaintance, may be ripened into a proper liberal behaviour; -the other no sooner finds an easy practicable access, but it throws off -all manner of reverence, grows every day more and more familiar, and -branches out at last into the utmost indecency and irregularity. Indeed -there are many occasions which may happen to cast an awe, or even a -terror, upon our minds at first view, without any just or reasonable -grounds; but upon a little recollection, or a nearer insight, we -recover ourselves, and can appear indifferent and unconcerned, where -before we were ready to sink under a load of diffidence and fear. We -should upon such occasions use our endeavours to regain a due degree -of steadiness and resolution; but at the same time we must have a care -that our efforts in that respect do not force the balance too much, and -make it rise to an unbecoming freedom, and an offensive familiarity. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 287] - -THE DOG AND THE WOLF. - - -A Wolf in quest of prey, happened to fall in with a well-fed Mastiff. -Ah, Tray, said he, one does not need to ask how you do, you look so -plump and hearty. I wish I were as well provided for; but my gaunt -looks shew that I fare very differently, although I dare say I venture -my life ten times more than you do, in searching for a precarious -subsistence, amidst woods and wilds, exposed to rain, and frost, and -snow. If you will follow me, replies the Dog, and do as I do, I have no -doubt you will change for the better, and soon be in as good plight as -I am. The Wolf eagerly requested to be informed what would be required -of him. Very little, replied the Mastiff; only drive away beggars, -guard the master’s house, caress him, and be submissive to his family, -and you will be well fed and warmly lodged. To these conditions the -Wolf had no objections; but as they were jogging along, he observed -the hair worn off around the Dog’s neck, and enquired the cause. O -nothing, answered he, or a mere trifle; perhaps the collar, to which -my chain is fastened, has left a mark. Chain! replied the Wolf, with -some surprize; so then you are not permitted to go where and when -you please? Not always, said Tray; but what does that signify? It -signifies so much, rejoined the Wolf, that I am resolved to partake of -no sumptuous fare with a chain about my neck; for half a meal, with -liberty, is preferable to a full one without it. - - -APPLICATION. - -True greatness of soul will never give up liberty for any consideration -whatever; for what are riches, grandeur, titles, or any other worldly -good, if they are holden by so precarious a tenure as the arbitrary -will of a tyrant! A mere competency, with liberty, is preferable to -servitude amidst the greatest affluence; and even the lowest condition -in life, with freedom, is better than the most exalted station without -it. But liberty in a state of society does not consist in doing -whatsoever we please; but only permits those actions by which we do -no injustice to our neighbour, or to the community. The well-being of -society requires the efforts of all, from the highest to the lowest, -to preserve and support it; and since it appears to be the will of -Omnipotence, that mankind should live in this state of social union -(which does not admit of the unbridled freedom of the savage state) a -certain portion of individual liberty must be given up for the good of -the whole; but the sacrifice should be bounded by the common good: all -beyond approaches towards slavery, and degrades the people who submit -to it. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 289] - -THE FLYING FISH AND THE DOLPHIN. - - -The Flying Fish, to avoid its enemies, leaves the water, takes wing, -and mounts up into the air. The Dolphin is one of the most constant -of these enemies; and its velocity through the liquid element, it is -said, surpasses that of every living creature, insomuch that as it -darts along, the brilliancy and changeableness of its colours, which -cannot be described, appear like the flash of a meteor. A Flying Fish -being pursued by a Dolphin, in his eagerness to escape, took too long -a flight, and his wings becoming dry, he fell upon a rock, where his -death was inevitable. The Dolphin, in the keenness of his pursuit, ran -himself on shore at the foot of the rock, and was left by the wave, -gasping in the same condition as the other. Well, says the Flying Fish, -I must die it is certain; but it is some consolation to behold my -merciless enemy involved in the same fate. - - -APPLICATION. - -When brought low by a cruel and insolent oppressor, there is no torture -we feel more poignantly, than to see him triumphantly exulting in our -downfal; and the opposite extreme must take place in our minds, on -seeing our enemy over-shoot his mark, and in his turn brought down -to the same level of distress with ourselves. The temper that is not -touched with feelings of this kind, must be of a highly philosophical -cast indeed. The great and powerful, for the sake of their own peace -of mind, should not unfeelingly persecute their inferiors; for nothing -is more sweet to some tempers, and scarcely any thing more easy to -compass, than revenge. - -[Illustration: _It is not so ugly as a purse-proud, ignorant, wicked -man._] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 291] - -THE LION AND THE FROG. - - -The Lion hearing an odd kind of hollow voice, and seeing nobody, -started up: he listened again, and hearing the noise repeated, he -trembled and quaked for fear. At last, seeing a Frog crawl out of the -lake, and finding that the noise he had heard was nothing but the -croaking of that little creature, he went up to it with great anger; -but checking himself, turned away from it, ashamed of his own timidity. - - -APPLICATION. - -The early prejudices of a wrong education can only be eradicated from -the strongest minds. The weak retain them through life. This Fable is -a pretty image of the vain fears and empty terrors, with which our -weak misguided nature is so apt to be alarmed and disturbed. If we -hear but ever so little noise which we are not able to account for, -immediately, nay, often before we give ourselves time to consider -about it, we are struck with fear, and labour under a most unmanly and -unreasonable trepidation; more especially if the alarm happens when we -are alone, and in the dark. These fears are ingrafted into our minds -very early, and therefore it is the more difficult, even when we are -grown up, and ashamed of them, to root them out of our nature. They -are chiefly the offspring of the nursery, and originate in the many -terrific tales, and lying stories, of those who have the management -there; and though every pains be afterwards taken to free the mind from -the impression of such groundless fears, the weaker part of mankind are -still apt to be terrified at the empty phantoms of ghosts, spectres, -apparitions, and hobgoblins. But whatever effect such phantasies -may have upon the guilty mind, innocence has nothing to dread from -supernatural causes. Fear is however a natural passion, and its use -is to put us upon our guard against danger, by alarming the spirits; -but it, like all our other passions, should be kept in a state of -subjection: for though they are all good and useful servants, yet if -once they get the better of our reason, they prove the most domineering -tyrants imaginable; nor do any of them treat us in so abject and -slavish a manner as fear: it unnerves and enfeebles our limbs, while -it fetters our understandings; and at the same time that it represents -a danger near at hand, disarms and makes us incapable of defending -ourselves from it. But we ought to call forth a sense of honour and -shame, to correct such weaknesses; and for this purpose it will be -useful to remember the Fable of the Lion and the Frog. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 293] - -THE KID AND THE WOLF. - - -A Kid being mounted upon the roof of a high shed, and seeing a Wolf -below, took the opportunity of affronting him with the foulest -reproaches: upon which the Wolf looking up, replied, Do not value -yourself, vain creature, upon thinking you mortify me, for I look upon -this ill-language not as coming from you, but from the place which -protects you. - - -APPLICATION. - -Place a coward out of the reach of danger, and then no man can put on -an appearance of greater courage. In his castle he makes a great deal -more bluster and threatening than a man of spirit and honour would -do, if placed in the same situation. A similar kind of overbearing -behaviour too often shews itself in the upstart worthless placeman, -who taking advantage of his situation, which protects him, and knowing -that he is out of the reach of our resentment, exhibits all the -“insolence of office:” but such should be put in mind, that a saucy -deportment is no sign of either courage, good sense, or good manners, -and that a gentleman and a man of spirit will use no ill or unbecoming -language to any person, however low in station. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 295] - -THE COUNTRY AND THE CITY MOUSE. - - -A plain Country Mouse was one day unexpectedly visited at his hole, -by a fine Mouse of the town, who had formerly been his play-fellow. -The honest rustic, pleased with the honour, resolved to entertain his -friend as sumptuously as possible. He set before him a reserve of -delicate grey pease and bacon, a dish of fine oatmeal, some parings -of new cheese, and to crown all with a dessert, a remnant of a -charming mellow apple. When the repast was nearly finished, the spark -of the town, taking breath, said, Old Crony, give me leave to be a -little free with you; how can you bear to live in this melancholy -hole here, with nothing but woods, and meadows, and mountains, and -rivulets about you? Do you not prefer the conversation of the world -to the chirping of birds, and the splendour of the court, to the rude -aspect of a wild like this? With many flowery arguments, he at last -prevailed upon his country friend to accompany him to town, and about -midnight they safely entered a certain great house, where there had -been an entertainment the day before. Here it was the courtier’s turn -to entertain, and placing his guest on a rich Persian carpet, they -both began to regale most deliciously, when on a sudden the noise of -somebody opening the door, made them scuttle in confusion about the -dining-room. The rustic in particular was ready to die with fear at the -many hair-breadth escapes which followed. At last, recovering himself, -Well, says he, if this be your town-life, much good may it do you. Give -me my poor quiet hole again, with my homely, but comfortable grey pease. - - -APPLICATION. - -A moderate fortune, with a quiet retirement in the country, is -preferable to the greatest affluence, attended with the care and the -perplexity of business. How often are we deceived by the specious -shows of splendour and magnificence; and what a poor exchange does he -make, who gives up ease and content in an humble situation, to engage -in difficulties, and encounter perils in affluence and luxury! The -ploughman in the field, who labours for his daily pittance, earns his -bread with less uneasiness and fatigue, than the man who haunts levees -to obtain wealth and preferment. Riches, properly used, are indeed -very conducive to ease and happiness; but if we leave any comfortable -situation to procure them, or abuse the possession of them by riot and -intemperance, we resign the end for the means, mistake the shadow for -the substance, and convert the instruments of good fortune into the -engines of anxiety and solicitude. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 297] - -THE ONE-EYED DOE. - - -A Doe that had lost an eye, used to graze near the sea; and that she -might be the more secure from harm, she kept her blind side towards -the water, from whence she had no apprehension of danger, and with -the other surveyed the country as she fed. By this vigilance and -precaution, she thought herself in the utmost security; but a sly -fellow, with two poaching companions, who had watched her several days -to no purpose, at last took a boat, and came gently down upon her, and -shot her. The Doe, in the agonies of death, breathed out this doleful -complaint: O hard fate, that I should receive my death’s wound from -the side whence I expected no ill, and be safe in that quarter where I -looked for the most danger. - - -APPLICATION. - -We are liable to many misfortunes that no care or foresight can -prevent; but we ought to provide in the best way we can against them, -and leave the rest to Providence. The wisest of men have their foibles -or blind sides, and have their enemies too, who watch to take advantage -of their weaknesses. It behoves us therefore to look to ourselves -on the blind side, as the part that lies most exposed to an attack. -Vigilance and caution are commonly our best preservatives from evil, -and security is often a fatal enemy, when we cherish it so as to lull -all our apprehensions to rest. We should not however encourage in -ourselves the slavish principle of fear, nor make ourselves miserable -on account of latent evils, which it is not in our power to prevent. -The ways and workings of Providence are inscrutable; and it is not in -the power of human prudence to obviate all the accidents of life. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 299] - -THE TREES AND THE WOODMAN. - - -A Countryman being in want of a handle for his hatchet, entered a wood -and looked among the branches for one that would suit his purpose. The -Trees, with a curiosity natural to some other creatures, asked him what -he was seeking? He replied that he only wanted a piece of wood to make -a handle to his axe, and begged they would be so good as to permit him -to serve himself. Since that is all, said the Trees, help yourself, -and welcome. He immediately availed himself of the permission, and had -no sooner fitted up his instrument, than he began pell-mell to cut and -hack about him, felling the noblest trees in all the forest, without -distinction. The Oak is said to have spoke thus to the Beech, in a low -whisper: Brother, we must take all this for our easy credulity, and -imprudent generosity. - - -APPLICATION. - -One would imagine that the natural principle of self-preservation -implanted in us, would make it unnecessary to caution any one not to -furnish an enemy with arms against himself. Yet daily experience shews -us that such instances of imprudence are not uncommon. In this life we -are liable to be surrounded with calamities and distresses: we should -therefore be cautious of adding to our misfortunes, by our own want -of caution, and of putting power into the hands of those enemies, -which our merit or our affluence may tempt to rise up against us. Any -person in a community, by what name or title soever distinguished, -who affects a power which may possibly hurt a people, is their enemy, -and therefore they ought not to trust him: for though he were ever -so fully determined not to abuse such a power, yet he is so far a -bad man, as he disturbs a nation’s quiet, and makes them jealous and -uneasy, by desiring to have it, or even retaining it, when it may prove -mischievous. If we consult history, we shall find that the thing called -prerogative, has been claimed and contended for chiefly by those who -never intended to make a good use of it; and as readily resigned by -wise and just princes, who had the true interest of their people at -heart. How like senseless stocks do they act, who, by complimenting -some capricious mortal, from time to time, with scraps of prerogative, -at last put it out of their power to maintain their just and natural -liberty! - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 301] - -THE EAGLE AND THE CROW. - - -An Eagle flew down from the top of a high rock, and making a stoop at -a Lamb, seized it with her strong talons, and bore aloft her bleating -prize to her young. A Crow observing what passed, was ambitious of -performing the same exploit, and darted down upon a Ram; but instead of -being able to carry it up into the air, she found she had got her claws -entangled in its fleece, and could neither move herself nor her fancied -prize. Thus fixed, she was soon taken by the Shepherd, and given away -to some boys, who eagerly enquired what bird it was? An hour ago, said -he, she fancied herself an Eagle; however I suppose she is by this time -convinced that she is but a Crow. - - -APPLICATION. - -It is impossible for any man to take a true measure of the abilities -of another, without an exact knowledge and true judgment of his own; a -false estimate of which always exposes him to ridicule, and sometimes -to danger. Every man ought therefore to examine the strength of his own -mind with attention and impartiality, and not fondly to flatter himself -that he can by an awkward and ill-judged emulation soar to the height -which has been attained by men endowed by nature with great abilities -and original talents, matured by industry. We can no more adopt the -genius of another man, than we can assume his shape and person. The -bright original in every department of the arts and sciences will be -valued and esteemed, whilst his puny imitators will be treated with -neglect, or be despised. Almost every man has something original in -himself, which, if duly cultivated, might perhaps procure him respect -and applause, and it is creditable for him to endeavour justly to -obtain them. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 303] - -THE HORSE AND THE STAG. - - -In ancient times, when the Horse and the Deer ranged the forest with -uncontrolled freedom, it happened that contentions arose between them -about grazing in particular meadows. These disputes ended in a conflict -between them, in which the Deer proved victorious, and with his sharp -horns drove the Horse from the pasture. Full of disappointment and -chagrin, the Horse applied to the Man, and craved his assistance, in -order to re-establish him in the possession of his rights. The request -was granted, on condition that he would suffer himself to be bridled, -saddled, and mounted by his new ally, with whose assistance he entirely -defeated his enemy; but the poor Horse was mightily disappointed when, -upon returning thanks to the Man, and desiring to be dismissed, he -received this answer: No, I never knew before how useful a drudge you -were; now I have found what you are good for, you may be assured I will -keep you to it. - - -APPLICATION. - -Victories may be purchased at too dear a rate, if we solicit the -assistance of allies capable of becoming our most formidable enemies, -and it will be vain to flatter ourselves, that the yoke of slavery, -if we once willingly suffer it to be laid upon our shoulders, can be -easily shaken off, when the ends for which we bore it are accomplished. -The Fable is intended to caution us against consenting to any thing -that might prejudice public liberty, as well as to keep us upon our -guard in the preservation of that which is of a private nature. This -is the use and interpretation given of it by Horace, one of the best -and most polite philosophers that ever wrote. After reciting the Fable, -he applies it thus: This, says he, is the case of him, who, dreading -poverty, parts with that invaluable jewel, liberty; like a wretch as he -is, he will always be subject to a tyrant of some sort or another, and -be a slave for ever, because his avaricious spirit knew not how to be -contented with that moderate competency, which he might have possessed -independent of all the world. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 305] - -THE MILLER, HIS SON, AND THEIR ASS. - - -A Miller and his Son were taking their Ass to market to sell him, and -that he might get thither in good condition, they drove him gently -before them. They had not proceeded far before they met a company of -travellers: Sure, say they, you are mighty careful of your Ass; one -of you might as well get up and ride, as suffer him to walk on at his -ease, while you trudge after on foot. In compliance with this advice, -the Old Man set his Son upon the beast. And now, they had scarcely -advanced a quarter of a mile further, before they met another company. -You idle young rogue, said one, why dont you get down, and let your -poor father ride? Upon this, the Old Man made his Son dismount, and got -up himself. While they were marching in this manner, a third company -began to insult the father. You hard-hearted wretch, say they, how can -you suffer that poor lad to wade through the dirt, while you, like an -alderman, ride at your ease? The good-natured Miller stood corrected, -and immediately took his Son up behind him. And now the next man -they met exclaimed, with more vehemence and indignation than all the -rest, Was there ever such a couple of lazy loobies! to overload in so -unconscionable a manner, a poor dumb creature, who is far less able -to carry you, than you are to carry him! The complying Old Man would -have been half inclined to make the trial, had not experience by this -time sufficiently convinced him, that there cannot be a more fruitless -attempt, than to endeavour to please all mankind. - - -APPLICATION. - -It is better to pursue the dictates of one’s own reason, than attempt -to please every body; for to do this is next to impossible. Therefore -we ought to decide according to the best of our judgment, and correct -our mistakes from our own experience. Wise men are instructed by -reason; men of less understanding by experience; the most ignorant by -necessity; and beasts by instinct. When a man so neglects himself, -as not to make a just use of his reason and his mental powers, in -combating with prejudice and folly, as well as the caprice of others, -he will ever be led on in a maze of error, wavering and embarrassed -about pursuing this or that path, until between them he is lost in a -labyrinth, from which he will never be able to extricate himself as -long as he lives. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 307] - -THE ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER. - - -A commonwealth of Ants, having, after a busy summer, provided every -thing for their wants in the winter, were about shutting themselves up -for that dreary season, when a Grasshopper in great distress, and in -dread of perishing with cold and hunger, approached their avenues, and -with great humility begged they would relieve his wants, and permit -him to take shelter in any corner of their comfortable mansion. One of -the Ants asked him how he had disposed of his time in summer, that he -had not taken pains and laid in a stock, as they had done? Alas! my -friends, says he, I passed away the time merrily and pleasantly, in -drinking, singing, and dancing, and never once thought of winter. If -that be the case, replied the Ant, all I have to say is this: that they -who drink, sing, and dance in the summer, run a great risk of starving -in the winter. - - -APPLICATION. - -As summer is the season in which the industrious laborious husbandman -lays up his supplies for the winter, so youth and manhood are the -times of life which we should employ in laying in such a stock as may -suffice for helpless old age; yet there are many whom we call rational -creatures, who squander away in a profuse prodigality, whatever they -get in their younger days, as if the infirmity of age would require no -supplies to support it, or at least would find them administered to it -in some miraculous way. From this Fable we learn this admirable lesson, -never to lose the present opportunity of fairly and honestly providing -against the future evils and accidents of life; and while health and -the vigour of our faculties remain firm and entire, to lay them out -to the best advantage; so that when age and infirmities despoil us of -our strength and abilities, we may not have to bewail that we have -neglected to provide for the wants of our latter days: for it should -always be remembered, that “a youth of revels breeds an age of care,” -and that temperance in youth lays the foundation of health and comfort -for old age. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 309] - -THE HORSE AND THE LION. - - -An old Lion, finding that many of the beasts had become too nimble -for him, and that he could not come at his prey so readily as before, -craftily gave out that he had long studied physic and surgery in -foreign countries, and that he could cure every kind of disorder -to which the beasts were liable. These professions having been -spread abroad, he hoped to get many of the animals to come within -his clutches. The Horse seeing through the whole of the scheme, was -resolved to be even with him; and so humouring the thing as if he -suspected nothing, he feigned himself to be in great pain from a wound -in his foot, and limping up to the Lion, he begged he would examine the -part and administer relief. The Lion, though intent only upon making -a good meal of horse-flesh, begged the Horse to hold up his foot that -he might see it: this was no sooner done, than the Horse gave him so -violent a blow on the nose, as quite stunned him, and scampered off, -neighing at the success of a trick, which had defeated the purpose of -one who intended to have tricked him out of his life. - - -APPLICATION. - -We ought never to put trust in the fair words and pretensions of those -who have both an interest and inclination to ruin us; and where we find -foul play thus intended against us, it is not in the nature of things -to expect that we should not, if we can, turn the tables upon the -plotters. Treachery has something so wicked and worthy of punishment in -its nature, that it deserves to meet with a return of its own kind. An -open revenge is too liberal for it, and nothing matches it but itself. -Though a man of sense and honour will always view tricking and fraud -of all kinds as mean and beneath him, and will despise setting such an -example, yet it cannot be inconsistent with virtue to counteract the -schemes of those who are taking all manner of undue advantages, and -hatching wicked plots to undermine us. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 311] - -THE FOX IN THE WELL. - - -A Fox having fallen into a well, made a shift, by sticking his claws -into the sides, to keep his head above water. Soon after, a Wolf came -and peeped over the brink, to whom the Fox applied, and very earnestly -implored his assistance to help him out, or he should be lost. Ah! poor -Reynard, says he, I pity your misfortune; poor creature, I am sorry for -you with all my heart: how did you happen to slip into this well? pray -how long have you been in this melancholy situation? Nay, I prithee -friend, replies the Fox, if you wish me well, do not stand pitying -me, but lend me some succour as soon as you can; for pity is but cold -comfort when one is up to the chin in water, and within a hair’s -breadth of starving or drowning. - -APPLICATION. - -If we would really manifest our sorrow for the sufferings of another, -let our pity be shewn by our friendly endeavours to relieve him; for -indeed pity of itself is but poor comfort at any time, unless it -produces something more substantial. If we cannot do this, let us not -offend the sensibility, and add to the anguish of a delicate mind, by -empty professions and unmeaning compassion. For, to stand bemoaning -the misfortunes of our friends, without offering some expedient to -alleviate them, is only echoing their grief, and putting them in mind -that they are miserable. He is truly my friend, who with a ready -presence of mind supports me; not he who merely condoles with me upon -my ill success, and expresses his sorrow for my mishap. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 313] - -THE GARDENER AND HIS DOG. - - -A Gardener’s Dog happened by some mischance to fall into the well: his -Master ran immediately to his assistance; but when helping him out, the -surly brute bit his hand. The Gardener took this ungrateful treatment -so ill, that he shook him off, and left him to shift for himself. Thou -wicked wretch! said he, to injure the hand that was stretched forth to -save thy life! The hand of thy Master, who has hitherto fed and taken -care of thee! Die there as thou deservest; for so base and unnatural a -creature is not fit to live. - - -APPLICATION. - -When a man has suffered his mind to become so debased as to be capable -to doing injuries to him who has showered benefits on his head, he can -scarcely be treated with too much severity. He deserves at least to -be scouted as an outcast to society. All the favours that are bestowed -upon men of this worthless disposition, are thrown away; for the envy -and malevolence of the ingrate, work him up into a hatred of his -benefactor. Generous men should therefore use a just circumspection in -the choice of the objects of their benevolence, before they give way -to the feelings of the heart, or waste its bountiful overflowings upon -those who, instead of making a grateful return, will bite them like a -drowning but spiteful dog. The Fable is also intended as an admonition -to servants, who owe an especial duty to their masters; whose kindness -should be met by their faithful exertions to serve them; and whose -interest they ever ought to make their own. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 315] - -THE DEER AND THE LION. - - -A Deer, terrified by the cry of the Hunters, instead of trusting to -his fleetness, made towards a cave which he chanced to espy, and in -which he hoped to conceal himself until they were passed by; but he -had scarcely reached the entrance before he was seized by a Lion who -lay crouching there, ready to spring upon his prey, and who instantly -killed and tore him to pieces. In the last agonies of death, he thus -gave vent to his feelings: Ah, me! said he, unhappy creature that I am. -I hoped in this cave to escape the pursuit of men; but have fallen into -the jaws of the most cruel and rapacious of wild beasts. - - -APPLICATION. - -This Fable points out the dangers to which we expose ourselves, when, -for want of presence of mind, we suffer ourselves to be guided by our -unreasoning fears, which no sooner shew us an evil, than they throw -us into the utmost confusion in our manner of escaping, and prevent -us from discerning the safe path by which we ought to avoid it. Thus, -in a rash endeavour to shun a less danger, we oftentimes blindly -run headlong into a greater. The fate of the Deer should warn us to -consider well what may be the ultimate consequences, before we take any -important step; for many paths which appear smooth and pleasant at a -distance, are found to be rough and dangerous, when we come to tread -them; and many a plausible scheme, which promises us ease and safety, -is no better than a tempting bower, with a Lion crouching among its -foliage, ready to spring upon and devour us. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 317] - -THE PLOUGHMAN AND FORTUNE. - - -As a Ploughman was turning up the soil, his plough uncovered a treasure -which had been hidden there. Transported with joy, he seized upon it, -and fervently began to thank the ground for being so liberal to him. -Fortune passing by, observed what he was about, and could not forbear -shewing her resentment at it. You stupid creature, said she, to lie -thus thanking the ground, and take no notice of me! If you had lost -such a treasure, instead of finding one, I should have been the first -you would have laid the blame upon. - - -APPLICATION. - -How often do we ascribe our success or misfortunes to wrong causes! -Vanity sometimes leads us to consider our prosperity as the natural -result of our own sagacity, and inattention sometimes induces us to -make acknowledgments to wrong persons. But if we would have our praises -valued, we should be cautious to direct them properly. Our thanks are -an indirect affront to those who receive them without deserving them; -and at the same time an act of open ingratitude to those who merit them -without receiving them. In prosperity, as well as in adversity, let us -not forget the power and goodness of Heaven; and if we implore the aid -of the Almighty in our distress, we should not neglect to send up our -acknowledgments of his goodness with the voice of gratitude. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 319] - -THE APE AND THE FOX. - - -An Ape meeting with a Fox, humbly requested he would be so good as to -give him some of the superfluous hair from his bushy tail, to make -into a covering for his bare posteriors, which were exposed to all the -inclemency of the weather; and he endeavoured to further his suit by -observing to Reynard, that he had far more than he had any occasion -for, and a great part even dragged along in the dirt. The Fox answered, -that as to his having too much, it was more than he knew; but be it as -it would, he had rather sweep the ground with his tail as long as he -lived, than part with the least bit of it for a covering to the filthy -posteriors of an Ape. - - -APPLICATION. - -Riches, in the hands of a wise and generous man, are a blessing to the -community in which he lives: they are like the light and the rain, and -diffuse a good all around them. But wealth, when it falls to the lot of -those who want benevolence and humanity, serves only as an instrument -of mischief, or at best produces no advantage to the rest of mankind. -The good man considers himself as a kind of steward to those from whom -fortune has withheld her smiles, and thus shews his gratitude to Heaven -for the abundance which has been showered down upon him. He directs the -superfluous part of his wealth at least, to the necessities of such of -his fellow-creatures as are worthy of it, and this he would do from -feeling, though there were no religion which enjoined it. But selfish -avaricious persons, who are generally knaves, how much soever they may -have, will never think they have enough, much less be induced, by any -consideration of virtue or religion, to part with any portion for the -purposes of charity and beneficence. If the riches and power of the -world were to be always in the hands of the virtuous part of mankind, -it would seem, according to our human conceptions, that they would -produce more good than in those of the vile and grovelling mortals, -who often possess them. Without any merit, these move apparently in -a sphere of ease and splendour, while good sense and honesty have to -struggle in adversity, or walk in the dirt. But the all-wise Disposer -of Events does certainly permit this order of things for just, good, -and wise purposes, though our shallow understandings are not able to -fathom them. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 321] - -THE THIEF AND THE BOY. - - -An arch mischievous Boy, sitting by the side of a well, observed a -noted Thief coming towards him. The little dissembler, wiping his -eyes, affected to be in great distress. The Thief asking him what was -the matter? ah! says the Boy, I shall be severely flogged, for in -attempting to get some water, I have dropped the silver tankard into -the well. Upon this the Thief, eager for a prize, stripped off his -cloaths, and went down to the bottom to search for it; where having -groped about to no purpose, he came up again, but found neither the Boy -nor the cloaths, the little wag having run off with and hidden them, -and left the Thief to look for the tankard at his leisure. - - -APPLICATION. - -Nothing gives more entertainment to honest men than to see rogues -and sharpers tricked and punished in the pursuit of their schemes of -villainy, by making their own contrivances instrumental in bringing -down their wickedness upon their own heads. In these instances, -Justice seems as it were to be acting in person, and saves the trouble -of publicly enforcing punishment by the penal laws; but indeed vice -carries with it its own punishment, and the misery attendant upon it in -this world, seems always pretty exactly balanced to its various degrees -of enormity. The abandoned man drags on a contemptible or infamous -life, with a constantly deadened or disturbed conscience, and amidst -associates like himself, where he can never hope to meet with either -friendship or fidelity. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 323] - -THE FOX AND THE SICK LION. - - -It was reported that the Lion was sick, and the beasts were given to -understand that they could not make their court better than by going to -visit him. Upon this they generally went; but it was particularly taken -notice of, that the Fox was not one of the number. The Lion therefore -dispatched one of his Jackalls to enquire why he had so little charity -and respect as never to come near him, at a time when he lay so -dangerously ill, and every body else had been to see him? Why, replies -the Fox, pray present my duty to his majesty, and tell him that I have -the same respect for him as ever, and have been coming several times, -but was fearful of being troublesome, as I have observed, from the -prints of their footsteps, that great numbers have gone into the royal -den; but I have not seen a single trace of their coming out again. - - -APPLICATION. - -He that embarks implicitly in any scheme, may be mistaken, -notwithstanding the number who keep him company; but he that keeps out -till he sees reason to enter, acts upon true maxims of policy; and it -is the quintessence of prudence not to be too easy of belief: for a -rash and hasty credulity has been the ruin of many. Men who habituate -themselves to think, will profit by the experience of others, as well -as their own: but commonly the multitude do not reason, but stupidly -follow each other step by step; not moving out of the sphere in which -chance has placed them: and the notions or prejudices they may have -imbibed in youth, remain with them to the last. There is no opinion, -however impious or absurd, that has not its advocates in some quarter -of the world. Whoever, therefore, takes up his creed upon trust, and -grounds his principles on no better reason than his being a native or -inhabitant of the regions wherein they prevail, becomes a disciple of -Mahomet in Turkey, and of Confucius in China; a Jew, or a Pagan, as the -accident of birth decides. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 325] - -THE SUN AND THE WIND. - - -A dispute arose between the North Wind and the Sun, about the -superiority of their power, and they agreed to determine matters by -trying which of them could first compel a Traveller to throw off his -cloak. The North Wind began, and blew a very cold blast, accompanied -by a sharp driving shower; but this, and whatever else he could do, -instead of making the Man quit his cloak, induced him to gird it about -him more closely. Next came the Sun, who, breaking out from a cloud, -drove away the cold vapours, and darted his warm sultry beams upon the -weather-beaten Traveller. The Man growing faint with the heat, first -threw off his heavy cloak, and then flew for protection to the shade of -a neighbouring grove. - - -APPLICATION. - -There is something in the temper of man so averse to severe and -boisterous treatment, that he who endeavours to carry his point in that -way, instead of prevailing, generally leaves the mind of him whom he -has thus attempted to subdue, in a more confirmed and obstinate state. -Bitter words and hard usage freeze the heart into an obduracy, which -mild, persuasive, and gentle language only can dissolve. Persecution -has always fixed those opinions which it was intended to dispel; and -the quick growth of christianity in early times, is attributed in a -great measure to the barbarous reception which its first teachers -met with in the Pagan world; and since that time the different modes -of faith which have grown out of christianity itself, have been each -established by the same kind of intolerant spirit. To reflect upon -these things, furnishes matter of wonder and regret, for the benevolent -Author of the christian religion taught neither intolerance nor -persecution. The doctrines he laid down are plain, pure, and simple. -They teach mercy to the contrite, aid to the humble, and eternal -happiness to the good. In short, persecution is the scandal of all -religion, and like the north wind in the Fable, only tends to make a -man wrap his notions more closely about him. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 327] - -THE HORSE AND THE ASS. - - -The Horse, adorned with his great war-saddle, and champing his foaming -bridle, came thundering along the high-way, and made the mountains echo -with his neighing. He had not gone far before he overtook an Ass, who -was labouring under a heavy burthen, and moving slowly on in the same -track. In an imperious tone he threatened to trample him in the dirt, -if he did not get out of the way. The poor Ass, not daring to dispute, -quietly got aside as fast as he could, and let him go by. Not long -after this, the same Horse, in an engagement, happened to be shot in -the eye, which made him unfit for show, or any military business, so he -was stripped of his ornaments, and sold to a carrier. The Ass meeting -him in this forlorn condition, thought that now it was his time to -retort: Hey-day, friend, says he, is it you! Well, I always believed -that pride of your’s would one day have a fall. - - -APPLICATION. - -It is an affectation of appearing considerable, that puts men upon -being proud and insolent; but this very affectation infallibly makes -them appear little and despicable in the eyes of discerning people. -Did the proud man but rightly consider what kind of ingredients -pride is composed of and fed with, and the unstable foundation, and -the tottering pinnacle upon which it stands, he would blush at the -thoughts of it, and cease to be puffed up by the little supernumerary -advantages, whether of birth, fortune, or title, which he may enjoy -above his neighbours. These might indeed be a blessing to him, and -to the community in which he lives, if wisely used; but if guided by -pride, and consequently by want of sense, they will prove only a curse; -and the reverence and respect which he looks for, will not be paid with -sincerity, nor does he deserve it; and should the tide of misfortune -set in against him, instead of friendship and commiseration, he will -meet with nothing but contempt, and that with much more justice than -ever he himself expressed it towards others. The vain proud man ought -to be put in mind, that the time is not far distant, when his skull -will not be distinguished from that of the beggar; and that there is no -state, however exalted, so permanent, that it may not be reduced to a -level with the lowest. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 329] - -THE HAWK AND THE FARMER. - - -A Hawk, in the eagerness of his pursuit after a Pigeon, flew with -such violence against the corner of a hedge, that he was stunned and -fell. A Farmer, who had been looking about his fields, saw the whole -transaction, and instantly ran and picked up the Hawk, and was going to -kill him; but the latter begged the Man would let him go, assuring him -he was only following a Pigeon, and neither intending, nor had done, -any harm to him. To which the Farmer replied, and what harm had the -Pigeon done to you? and wrung his head off immediately. - - -APPLICATION. - -In all our transactions through life, to suppose ourselves in the place -of those we may be dealing with, will be the most certain check upon -our own conduct; and we ought always to consult our conscience about -the rectitude of our behaviour: for this we may be assured of, that we -are acting wrong, whenever we are doing any thing to another, which we -should think unjust, if it were done to us. Let those, therefore, who -intend to act justly, but take this view of things, and all will be -well. There will be no danger of their oppressing others, or fear of -their falling into error or danger themselves. Nothing but an habitual -inadvertency as to this particular, can be the occasion of so many -ingenuous noble spirits being so often engaged in courses opposite to -virtue and honour. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 331] - -THE FOX AND THE COUNTRYMAN. - - -A Fox being closely pursued by the Hunters, and almost run down, -begged of a Countryman to give him protection, and save his life. The -Man consented, and pointed out a hovel, into which the Fox crept, and -covered himself up among some straw. Presently up came the Hunters, and -enquired of the Man it he had seen the Fox, and which way he had taken? -No, said he, I have not seen him here, he has passed another way; but -all the while he nodded with his head, and pointed with his finger -to the place where the Fox was hidden. These signals the Hunters, in -the eagerness of pursuit, did not notice, but calling off the dogs, -they dashed along in another direction. Soon after, the Fox came out -of his hiding-place, and was sneaking off; when the Man calling after -him,--Hollo, says he, is this the way you behave then, to go without -thanking the benefactor who has saved your life? Reynard, who had -peeped all the while, and had seen what passed, answered, I know what -obligation I owe you well enough, and I assure you if your actions had -agreed with your words, I should have endeavoured, however incapable of -it, to have returned you suitable thanks. - - -APPLICATION. - -Dissimulation and double dealing are among the most odious vices, -and a hollow friend is worse than an open enemy; for in the full -confidence of friendship, we are led to depend upon the man who uses -that confidence to betray us. To pretend to keep another’s council, and -appear in his interest, while underhand we are giving intelligence to -his enemies, is treacherous, knavish, and base. Truth is a plain and -open virtue, and cannot be practised in part; and truth and sincerity -are the same; wherefore he that equivocates and adheres to his promise -in one sense, without preserving it inviolably in its full extent and -meaning, departs as much from truth and sincerity as the most direct -liar. - - “And be those juggling friends no more believ’d, - That palter with us in a double sense; - That keep the word of promise to the ear, - And break it to our hope.” - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 333] - -ÆSOP AT PLAY. - - -An Athenian one day found Æsop entertaining himself with a company of -little Boys at their childish diversions, and began to jeer and laugh -at him for it. Æsop, who was too much a wag himself to suffer others to -ridicule him, took a bow unstrung, and laid it upon the ground. Then -calling the censorious Athenian, Now philosopher, says he, expound -the riddle if you can, and tell us what the unstrained bow implies. -The Man, after racking his brains a considerable time to no purpose, -at last gave it up, and declared he knew not what to make of it. Why, -says Æsop, smiling, if you keep a bow always bent, it will lose its -elasticity presently; but if you let it go slack, it will be fitter for -use when you want it. - - -APPLICATION. - -The mind of man is not formed for unremitted attention, nor his body -for uninterrupted labour; and both are in this respect like a bow. -We cannot go through any business requiring intense thought, without -unbending the mind, any more than we can perform a long journey without -refreshing ourselves by due rest at the several stages of it. Continual -labour, as in the case of the bended bow, destroys the elasticity and -energy of both body and mind. It is, therefore, absolutely necessary -for the studious man to unbend, and the laborious one to take his rest, -or both lose their tone and vigour, and become dull and languid. It -is to remedy these extremes, that pastimes and diversions ought to be -kept up, provided they are innocent. The heart that never tastes of -pleasure, shuts up, grows stiff, and is at last incapable of enjoyment. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 335] - -THE FOX AND THE WOLF. - - -The Wolf having laid in a store of provisions, snugly kept in his den, -and indulged himself in feasting upon them. The Fox observing this -seclusion of the Wolf, became inquisitive to know the cause, and by -way of satisfying his curiosity and his suspicions, he went and paid -the Wolf a visit. The latter excused himself from seeing the Fox, -by pretending he was very much indisposed. The Fox having smelt how -matters stood, took his leave, and immediately went to a Shepherd to -inform him of the discovery he had made, and that he had nothing else -to do but to take a good weapon with him, and with it easily dispatch -the Wolf as he lay dosing in his cave. The Shepherd following his -directions, presently went and killed the Wolf. The wicked Fox then -slily took possession of the cave and the provisions to himself; but -he did not enjoy them long, for the same Shepherd shortly afterwards -passing by the place, and seeing the Fox there, dispatched him also. - - -APPLICATION. - -A villain, whose only aim is to get what he can, will as soon betray -the innocent as the guilty. Let him but know where there is a suspected -person, and propose a reward, and he will seldom fail to work the -suspicion up to high treason, and will be at no loss to produce -sufficient proofs of it. Men of this stamp will not be content with -practising one single villainy; for having never laid down any good -principles for their guide, they will go on triumphantly in their -wickedness for a time, and though, perhaps, they may be the instruments -of bringing other villains to punishment, yet they will at last suffer -in their turn; for, after being detested by all good men, justice will, -sooner or later, overtake their crimes, and hurl down its vengeance -on their heads, with a measure equal at least to the sufferings their -perfidy has occasioned to others. The fate of such wretches can never -excite the smallest commiseration; for no character is so truly -detestable, as that of a spy and informer. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 337] - -THE RAVEN AND THE SERPENT. - - -A Raven in quest of food, seeing a Serpent basking in the sun, soused -down, seized it with his horny beak, and attempted to carry it off. -But the Serpent, writhing with the pain, twisted its elastic coils so -firmly about the Raven, and bit him with such envenomed fierceness, -that he fell to the ground mortally wounded. In the agonies of death, -the Raven confessed this was a just punishment upon him, for having -attempted to satisfy his greedy appetite at the expence of another’s -welfare. - - -APPLICATION. - -When men suffer their passions to set aside their reason, they soon -become sensual in their appetites, and inordinate in their desires. -Moral rectitude takes its departure from their minds, and led by -their evil spirit, they soon become fitted for the commission of -any enormity. They give the rein to their unbridled lusts, and -regardless of consequences, stop at nothing to gratify their brutal -desires. But if we mark the progress of such men through life, it -will be found that, besides losing the great and virtuous pleasures -of self-approbation, and incurring the stings of a guilty conscience, -their wicked career often meets just punishment from retaliations in -kind, which the objects of their iniquitous proceedings unexpectedly -retort upon them. - -[Illustration: _Waiting for Death_] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 339] - -THE DOVE AND THE BEE. - - -A Bee, whose business had led her to the brink of a purling stream, -was snatched away by its circling eddy, and carried down its current. -A Dove, pitying her distressed situation, cropped a twig from a tree, -and dropt it before her in the water, by means of which the Bee saved -herself, and got ashore. Not long after, a Fowler having a design upon -the Dove, espied her sitting on a tree, and keeping out of her sight, -was waiting the opportunity of shooting her. This the Bee perceiving, -stung him on the ear, which made him give so sudden a start, that the -Dove instantly took the alarm, and flew away. - - -APPLICATION. - -We ought ever with a ready zeal to extend our arm to relieve a sinking -friend from distress and danger, or endeavour to forewarn him against -the wicked plots of his enemies. The benevolent man, from the most -disinterested motives, will always be disposed to do good offices to -all, and the grateful man will never forget to return them in kind, if -it be possible; and there is not one good man in the world who may not -on some occasion stand in need of the help of another. But gratitude -is not very common among mankind. It is a heavenly spark, from which -many virtues spring; and the source of pleasures which never enter the -breast of the vile ingrate. The favours and kindnesses bestowed upon -the grateful man, he cannot forget; those which are conferred upon the -ungrateful, are lost: he concludes he would not have had them, if he -had not deserved them. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 341] - -THE SERPENT AND THE MAN. - - -A Child was playing in a meadow, and by chance trod upon a Serpent. -The Serpent, in the fury of his passion, turned up and bit the Child -with his venomous teeth, so that he died immediately. The Father of the -Child, inspired with grief and revenge, took a weapon, and pursuing the -Serpent, before he could get into his hole, struck at him and lopped -off a piece of his tail. The next day, hoping by stratagem to finish -his revenge, he brought to the Serpent’s hole honey, and meal, and -salt, and desired him to come forth, protesting that he only sought a -reconciliation on both sides; but the Serpent answered him with a hiss -to this purpose: In vain you attempt a reconciliation; for as long as -the memory of the dead Child and the mangled tail subsists, it will be -impossible for you and I to have any charity for each other. - - -APPLICATION. - -When persons have carried their differences to an extreme length, it -is in vain for them to think of renewing a cordial friendship; for in -the heat of their quarrel, many injuries must have been reciprocally -offered and received, which must tear asunder the strongest bands -of amity. The fury of their dissentions may indeed subside, yet -neither party can forgive the wrongs which neither can forget. The -consciousness of having provoked the resentment of another, will dwell -so continually upon the mind of the aggressor, that he cannot rest till -he has finished his work, and put it as much as possible out of his -enemy’s power to make any return upon him; and the old proverb will be -verified which says, “The man who has injured you, will never forgive -you.” Morality bids us forgive our enemies, and the voice of reason -confirms the same; but neither reason nor morality bids us enter into -a friendship with, or repose a confidence in, those who have injured -us, and of whom we have a bad opinion. We may resolve not to return -ill-usage; but ought never to put ourselves into the power of an enemy. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 343] - -THE HORSE AND THE OVER-LOADED ASS. - - -A clownish stupid Fellow, in travelling to market with his goods, -loaded his Horse very lightly, and put a heavy burden upon his Ass, and -was trudging along the road with them on foot. They had not travelled -half-way to their journey’s end, when the Ass felt greatly overpowered -with the weight he carried, and begged the Horse would be so good -as to assist him by taking a part of it upon his back, and lighten -the grievous burden, assuring him that through weakness he was quite -exhausted, and was ready to faint. No! said the Horse, keep your burden -to yourself, it does not concern me. Upon hearing this cruel reply, -the poor Ass dropped down, and soon expired. The Master then ungirded -the pack-saddle, and awkwardly tried several ways to relieve his Ass, -but all to no purpose; it was too late. When he perceived how matters -stood, he took the whole burden and laid it upon the Horse, together -with the skin of the dead Ass, and when he felt tired with walking, he -also mounted himself. The Horse is said to have often muttered as he -went along, Well, this is my proper punishment, for refusing to help my -fellow-servant in the depth of his distress. - - -APPLICATION. - -He who has no compassion in his breast, is unworthy the title of a man; -and the heart that feels no anguish at the misfortunes of others, nor a -desire to relieve those who groan under a load of sorrow, is destitute -of the very grounds and principles of virtue. The eye that has no tear -for the griefs of a friend, is also blind to its own interest; for the -burden of human affairs must be borne by some or other of us, and the -duty, as well as the common necessity of helping one another, ought -not to be shuffled off by the unworthy expression of “it is none of my -business:” for the business of society is more or less the business -of every man who lives in it; and he who permits his weak brother, -for want of timely assistance, to sink under a greater weight than he -is able to sustain, deserves to be punished for his cruelty, by being -obliged to bear the whole of his own distressing burdens himself. -The Fable also hints at the miseries which poor dumb useful animals -undergo, from the injudicious management or cruel treatment of those -under whose government they have the misfortune to fall. These kind -of “hogs in armour” ought to be taught by their own sufferings, the -benevolent text, that “A merciful man will be merciful to his beast.” - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 345] - -THE HUSBANDMAN AND THE STORK. - - -A Husbandman having placed nets in his fields to catch the Rooks and -the Geese, which came to feed upon the new-sown corn, found among his -prisoners a single Stork, who happened to be in their company. The -Stork pleaded hard for his life, and among other arguments, alleged -that he was neither Goose nor Crow, but a poor harmless Stork, whose -attachment to mankind, and his services to them in picking up noxious -creatures, as well as fulfilling his duties to his aged parents, he -trusted, were well known. All this may be true, says the Husbandman, -for what I know; but as I have taken you in company with thieves, and -in the same crime, you must also share the same fate with them. - - -APPLICATION. - -When we become so abandoned to stupidity and a disregard of our -reputation, as to keep bad company, however little we may be criminal -in reality, we must expect the same censure and punishment as is due -to the most notorious of our companions. The world will always form an -idea of the character of every man from his associates: nor is this -rule founded on wrong principles; for, generally speaking, those who -are constant companions, are either drawn together by a similitude of -manners and principles, or form such a similitude by daily commerce and -conversation. If, therefore, we are tender of our reputation, we should -be particularly delicate in the choice of our company, since some -portion of their fame or infamy must unavoidably be reflected upon us. -It is not enough to be virtuous ourselves, but we must be cautious not -to associate with those who are devoted to vice: for, though we cannot -confer any degree of our own credit upon them, we may suffer much -discredit, and incur much danger, from mixing with such bad companions. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 347] - -THE TRAVELLERS AND THE BEAR. - - -Two Men being to travel through a forest together, mutually engaged -to stand by each other in any danger they might encounter on the way. -They had not gone far, before a Bear rushed towards them out of a -thicket; upon which, one of them, being a light nimble fellow, got up -the branches of a tree, and kept out of sight. The other falling flat -upon his face, and holding his breath, lay still, while the Bear came -up and smelled at him, but not discovering any marks of life, he walked -quietly away again to the place of his retreat, without doing the Man -the least harm. When all was over, the Spark who had climbed the tree, -came down to his Companion, and asked him, what the Bear said to him? -for, says he, I took notice that he clapt his mouth very close to your -ear. Why, said the other, he advised me, for the future never to place -any confidence in such a faithless poltroon as you. - - -APPLICATION. - -There is nothing in this world that can lighten our burdens, in -passing through it, or contribute more to our happiness, than our -knowing we have a true friend, who will commiserate with and help us -in our misfortunes, and on whom we can rely in times of difficulty and -distress. There are many, indeed, who, with fair words, pretend to -that character, and are ever ready to offer their services when there -is no occasion for their help. But the real friend, like gold from -the furnace, shines forth in his true lustre, and with heart and hand -is ever ready to succour us, in times of tribulation and peril. It -is on such only we ought to place a confidence in any undertaking of -importance; for the man who is wholly actuated by the selfish unsocial -principle of caring only for himself, is not fit to be associated -with others of a more generous character; and he who will desert them -in adversity ought not to be made a partaker of the prosperity of -others. It therefore behoves us diligently to examine into the fidelity -of those we have to deal with, before we embark with them in any -enterprise, in which our lives and fortunes may be put to hazard by -their breach of faith. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 349] - -THE FIGHTING COCKS. - - -After a fierce battle between two Cocks for the sovereignty of the -dunghill, one of them having beaten his antagonist, he that was -vanquished slunk away and crept into a corner, where he for some time -hid himself; but the conqueror flew up to a high place, and clapped his -wings, crowing and proclaiming his victory. An Eagle, who was watching -for his prey, saw him from afar off, and in the midst of his exultation -darted down upon him, trussed him up, and bore him away. The vanquished -Cock perceiving this, quitted the place of his retreat, and shaking -his feathers and throwing off all remembrance of his late disgrace, -returned to the dunghill, and gallanted the Hens, as if nothing had -happened. - - -APPLICATION. - -This Fable shews us the impropriety and inconvenience of running -into extremes, and teaches us, that under all the various and sudden -vicissitudes of human life, we ought to bear success with moderation, -and misfortune with fortitude and equinamity; to repress immoderate -exultation, and unmanly despair. Much of our happiness depends upon -keeping an even balance in our words and actions, and in not suffering -circumstances to mount us too high in time of prosperity, nor to sink -us too low with the weight of adverse fortune. A wise man will not -place too high a value on blessings which he knows to be no more than -temporary; nor will he repine at evils, whose duration may perhaps be -but short, and cannot be eternal. He will submit himself with humility -and resignation to the decrees of providence, and the will of heaven. -In prosperity, the fear of evil will check the insolence of triumph; -and in adversity, the hope of good will sustain his spirit, and teach -him to endure his misfortunes with constancy and fortitude. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 351] - -THE WILD AND THE TAME GEESE. - - -A flock of Wild Geese and a parcel of Tame ones used often to feed -together in a corn field. At last, the Owner of the corn, with his -servants, coming upon them of a sudden, surprised them in the very -fact, and the Tame Geese being heavy, and fat full-bodied creatures, -were most of them sufferers; but the wild ones being thin and light, -easily flew away. - - -APPLICATION. - -When the enemy comes to make a seizure, they are sure to suffer most -whose circumstances are the richest and fattest. In any case of -persecution, money hangs like a dead weight about a man; and we never -feel gold so heavy as when we are endeavouring to make off with it. -Great wealth has many cares annexed to it, with which the poor and -needy are not afflicted. A competency to supply the necessities of -nature, and the wants of old age, is indeed to be desired; but we -should rather endeavour to contract our wants, than to multiply them, -and not too eagerly grasp at the augmentation of our possessions, -which will increase our cares by adding to our danger. Persons of -small fortune have as much reason to be contented as the rich: their -situation is full as happy, considered altogether, for if they are -deprived of some of the gratifications which the rich enjoy, they are -also exempted from many troubles and uneasinesses necessarily cleaving -to riches. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 353] - -THE FROGS AND THE MICE. - - -The Frogs and the Mice, who inhabited part of a most extensive fen, -(of which there remained unoccupied sufficient room to hold many -whole nations of both) could not agree with each other so as to live -in peace: many bitter disputes arose between them about the right to -particular pools, and their tuft-covered margins. At length, national -jealousies and animosities arose to such a height, that each claimed -the sovereignty of the whole fen, and the most rancorous war was waged -between them, in order to settle, by force of arms, their respective -pretensions. While their hostile armies were drawn up in battle array, -on a plain of several square yards in extent, protected on both flanks -and rear by dark pools and gloomy forests of sedges, reeds, and -bulrushes, their two chieftains advanced to meet each other, and to -it they fell as fierce as tigers. While these two combatants were thus -engaged, a Kite sailing in the air, beheld them from a great distance, -and darting down upon them, instantly bore them off in his talons; -while the field of battle presented a delicious repast to some Ravens, -who had chanced to spy the movements of these hostile armies. - - -APPLICATION. - -The leading feature in the character of men, in all ages of the world, -has ever been self-interest; and when this is not kept within due -bounds, by a just sense of morality and honour, their bad passions -are let loose, and money, power, or dominion, are the chief objects -they keep in view. When men thus depraved, have long soared above -restraint, and their numbers and power become predominant in a nation, -the accumulation of their wickedness hurries them blindly on to break -out into offensive wars with other nations, on the most frivolous -pretences, and rapine, plunder, and innumerable murders succeed, by -which humanity is outraged, and the fair face of nature is deluged -with blood. “Peace is the natural happy state of man, and war is his -disgrace.” The mighty among the Frogs and Mice attend not to this: they -strut and exult for a time; but their pride, tyranny, and injustice, -will have an end: for opposed to these vices are the attributes of -Omnipotence, and they are eternal. It often happens (as in the case of -the combatants in the Fable) that when national depravity has attained -its height, the Kites and Ravens of other regions are invited forth, -and made the instruments of a just retribution. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 355] - -THE FOWLER AND THE LARK. - - -A Fowler set his snares to catch birds in the open field. A Lark was -caught; and finding herself entangled, could not forbear lamenting her -hard fate. Ah! woe is me, says she, what crime have I committed that -man should be plotting my destruction? I have not taken either his -silver or gold, or any thing of value to him; and while other rapacious -birds deal about destruction and go unpunished, I must die for only -picking up a single grain of corn. - - -APPLICATION. - -The irregular administration of justice in the world, is indeed a -melancholy subject to think of. A poor fellow shall be hanged for -stealing a sheep, perhaps to keep his family from starving; while -one, who is already great and opulent, will not scruple to add to his -overflowing wealth by the most bare-faced peculation upon the public, -and yet shall escape punishment, and even censure, through powerful -interest with those who ought to be his judges, but allow themselves -to be swayed by the splendour of his connections, or corrupted by his -money. When justice is intrusted in such hands, then shall we see the -description given by one of our satirical poets, of a corrupt court of -law, realized. He calls it a place, - - Where little villains must submit to fate, - That great ones may enjoy the world in state. - -However, let no one, who violates the law, rest his defence on this -plea; for though crimes, committed by his superiors, ought not to -escape with impunity, yet his own nevertheless deserve punishment. -Hence we may also draw a hint, not unworthy of our attention, to -endeavour to preserve our own integrity, unshaken in the midst of -iniquity, and to shew ourselves unstained by the corruption even of the -worst of times. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 357] - -THE SHEPHERD TURNED MERCHANT. - - -A Shepherd was feeding his flock, on a very fine day, near the -sea-side. The beauty of the weather, the smoothness of the water, and -the ships with spreading sails floating along its surface, formed -altogether so charming a scene, that he lost all relish for a pastoral -life; and lured also by the prospect of gain, he determined to quit -an employment, which he now despised as yielding neither honour -nor profit. He quickly sold off his flocks, and commenced merchant -adventurer; and ere long, he embarked with his whole property on the -ocean. The ship had not long been at sea before a dreadful tempest -arose, which wrecked her and all her cargo; but our merchant and the -crew were fortunate enough to escape with their lives. The adventurer -having thus lost his all, returned to his former farm, and was glad to -hire himself to the man who had bought his stock, to attend the sheep -which were once his own. One day, as he sat meditating upon the change -that had happened, and viewing the sea calm and unruffled as before, -Ah! says he, thou deceitful tempting element, experience has made me -so wise, that if I should again acquire a property, I will never more -trust it upon thy faithless bosom. - - -APPLICATION. - -This Fable is intended to put men of fickle unsettled minds upon their -guard against that propensity which often inclines them so strongly -to shifting and changing, and leads them to imagine they would be -happier in any profession than the one to which they have been brought -up. By this disposition they are led away from an honest competency, -to adventure their all upon untried schemes, in the hope of bettering -their condition. But men of this wavering temper, who are comfortably -settled in the world, would do well to reflect, before they change -their situation, and rashly venture, perhaps, the acquisitions of their -whole life, on projects, the failure of which may subject them to great -calamities, which will be the more intolerable to bear, as they will -not have adverse fortune to blame, but merely their own folly. Of this -truth, experience will convince them when it is too late. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 359] - -THE COCK AND THE FOX. - - -A Fox, in one of his early visits to the farm-yard, happened to be -caught in a springe, which had been set for that very purpose; and -while he was struggling to escape, he was observed by the Cock, who, -with his Hens, was feeding near the place. The Cock, dreading so -dangerous a foe, approached him with the utmost caution. Reynard no -sooner cast his eye upon him, than with all the smooth and designing -artifice imaginable, thus addressed him. My dear friend, says he, -you see what an unfortunate accident has befallen me here, and all -upon your account, for not having heard you crow for a long time -past, I was resolved on my way homeward to pay you a friendly visit; -I therefore beg you will bring me something to cut this tormenting -wire, or at least be so good as to conceal my misfortune till I have -knawed it asunder. Yes, said the Cock, I can guess what kind of a -visit you intended to pay me, and will fetch you the proper assistance -immediately. He then hastened and told the Farmer, who instantly went -to the place, and knocked the Fox on the head. - - -APPLICATION. - -When the innocent fall into misfortune, it is the part of a generous -and brave spirit to contribute as far as possible to their relief; and -there is no quality of mind more amiable than that of tenderly feeling -for the distressed: but we ought not to let our compassion flow out -upon improper objects, lest we may, by saving a villain, be doing an -act of injustice to the community. When wicked men are entrapped in -their own pernicious schemes, and laid hold of by the arm of justice, -it is a misplaced lenity to endeavour to screen or protect them from -it, as by letting them loose to continue their depredations, we become -the advocates for their crimes, and in some degree partakers in their -enormities. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 361] - -THE YOUNG MAN AND HIS CAT. - - -A certain Young Man used to play with a beautiful Cat, of which he grew -so fond, that at last he fell in love with it to such a degree, that -he could rest neither night nor day for the excess of his passion. In -this condition he prayed to Venus, the goddess of beauty, to pity and -relieve his pain. The good-natured goddess was propitious, and heard -his prayers; and the Cat, which he held in his arms, was instantly -transformed into a beautiful Young Woman. The Youth was transported -with joy, and married her that very day. At night, while they were in -bed, the bride unfortunately heard a mouse behind the hangings, and -sprang from the arms of her lover to pursue it: the Youth was ashamed, -and Venus offended, to see her sacred rites thus profaned by such -unbecoming behaviour; and perceiving that her new convert, though a -woman in outward appearance, was a Cat in her heart, she caused her -to return to her old form again, that her manners and person might be -suitable to each other. - - -APPLICATION. - -This Fable, however extravagant and unnatural in its composition, is -intended to depicture and check the blind instinctive ardour of the -passion of love, the transports of which cover all imperfections, so -that its devotees consider neither quality nor merit. It is like an -idol of our own creating, which we fashion into whatever figure or -shape we please, and then run mad for it. The Fable also shews that - - “No charm can raise from dirt a grov’ling mind;” - -And that people of a low turn of spirit and mean education, cannot -change their principles by changing their situation: for in the midst -of splendour and magnificence, they still retain the same narrow -sentiments, and seldom fail to betray, by some dirty action, their -original baseness, which no embroidery can conceal; and though fortune -has been pleased to lift them out of the mire, we still see the silly -awkward blockheads displaying their lack of mind and education through -all their ensigns of dignity. If any thing more need be added, it can -only be with a view of more plainly putting inexperienced youth on -their guard against making inconsiderate connections, lest they take a -Cat into their bosom, instead of an amiable consort and companion for -life. - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 363] - -THE FOWLER AND THE PARTRIDGE. - - -A Fowler having taken a Partridge in his nets, the bird begged hard -for a reprieve, and promised the man, if he would let him go, to decoy -the other Partridges into his snares. No, replies the Fowler, if I had -before been undetermined what to do with you, now you have condemned -yourself by your own words: for he who is such a scoundrel as to offer -to betray his friends, to save himself, deserves if possible worse than -death. - - -APPLICATION. - -To betray our friends is one of the blackest of crimes; and however -much traitors may suppose they recommend themselves by their successful -acts of treachery, they will find that those who employ them as useful -instruments in any dirty business of faction or party, are shocked at -the baseness of their minds; and however convenient it may be to “like -the treason, the traitor will be despised.” History furnishes us with -many instances of kings and great men who have punished the actors of -treachery with death, though the part they acted had been so conducive -to their interests as to give them a victory, or perhaps the quiet -possession of a throne: nor can princes pursue a more just maxim than -this, for a traitor is a villain, and sticks at nothing to promote his -own selfish ends. He that will betray one master for a bribe, will -betray another on the same account. It is therefore impolitic in any -state to suffer such wretches to live under its protection. Since then -this maxim is so good, and likely at all times to be acted upon, what -stupid rogues must they be who undertake such precarious dirty work! - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 365] - -THE BLIND MAN AND THE LAME. - - -A blind Man and a lame Man happening to come at the same time to a -piece of very bad road, the former begged of the latter that he would -be so kind as to guide him through the difficulty. How can I do that, -said the lame Man, since I am scarcely able to drag myself along? But -as you appear to be very strong, if you will carry me, we will seek our -fortunes together. It will then be my interest to warn you against any -thing that may obstruct your way; your feet shall be my feet, and my -eyes your’s. With all my heart, replied the blind Man; let us mutually -serve each other. So, taking his lame companion on his back, they by -means of this union travelled on with safety and pleasure. - - -APPLICATION. - -There is no such thing as absolute independence, in a state of society, -and the defects and weaknesses of individuals form the cement by which -it is bound together. All men have their imperfections and wants, and -must help each other as a matter of expediency as well as virtue; for -Providence has so ordered things in this life, that like the blind -man and the lame in the Fable, we may be serviceable to each other in -almost every instance. What one man wants another supplies. Without -these failings there would be neither friendship nor company; so that -it is our interest to be both charitable and sociable, when our very -wants and necessities are converted by Providence into blessings. The -whole race of mankind ought indeed to be but so many members of the -same body; and in contributing to the ease and convenience of each -other, we are not only serviceable to the whole, but kind to ourselves. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 367] - -THE LION, THE WOLF, AND THE DOG. - - -A Lion having seized upon a Doe, while he was standing over his prize, -a Wolf stepped up to him, and impudently claimed to go halves. No! said -the Lion, you are too apt to take what is not your due. I therefore -shall never have any thing to do with you, and I peremptorily insist -on your immediate departure out of my sight. A poor honest Dog, who -happened to be passing, and heard what was going on, modestly withdrew, -intending to go about another way. Upon which the Lion kindly invited -him to come forward and partake with him of the feast, to which his -modesty had given him so good a title. - - -APPLICATION. - -There is something in modesty which ought ever strongly to prepossess -us in favour of those persons in whose nature it is interwoven; and -men of discerning and generous minds have a pleasure in discovering -it, and in bringing into notice the worthy man, who is diffident of -his merit, and cannot prevail upon himself to challenge the praise or -tribute he deserves. It is, however, to be lamented, that such patrons -are not very numerous, and that the assuming arrogance and teasing -importunities of the greedy forward man should so commonly succeed in -attaining his ends, while modesty in silence starves unnoticed, and -is for ever poor. Were men in exalted stations of life to pay more -attention to the importance of this, and endeavour to discover modest -worth, to draw merit from the shade, and virtue from obscurity, and -distribute their patronage and their favours to such only, their own -affairs, as well as those of the public, would be better managed, and -the difference between the conduct of upstart pride and sensible plain -honesty would soon shew itself in its true unvarnished colours. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 369] - -THE ASS EATING THISTLES. - - -An Ass was loaded with provisions of several sorts, which he was -carrying home for a grand entertainment. By the way, he met with a fine -large Thistle, and being very hungry, immediately eat it up, which, -while he was doing, he entered into this reflection: How many greedy -epicures would think themselves happy amidst such a variety of delicate -viands as I now carry! But to me, this bitter prickly Thistle is more -savory and relishing than the most exquisite and sumptuous banquet. - - -APPLICATION. - -Temperance and exercise may be regarded as the constituents of natural -luxury. It is not in the power of the whole art of cookery, to give -such an exquisite relish and seasoning to a dish, as these two will -confer on the plainest fare. Indolent epicures have no true taste: -they subsist entirely by whets and provocatives of appetite; but he -whose stomach is braced and strengthened by exercise, has a whet -within himself, which adds a poignancy to every morsel that he eats. -Providence seems to have carved out its blessings with an equal hand, -and what it has denied to the poor in one way, it has amply supplied -them with in another: if it have withheld riches, it has given them -a greater store of health; and if it have refused them the means of -luxury, it has at least formed them with the capacity of living as -happily without it. And it may further be observed, that if we except -hereditary diseases, almost every other ailment may be laid to the -account of indolence, intemperance, or anxiety of mind. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 371] - -THE DOG AND THE CAT. - - -Never were two creatures happier together than a Dog and a Cat, reared -in the same house from the time of their birth. They were so kind, so -gamesome, and diverting, that it was half the entertainment of the -family to see the gambols and love tricks that passed between them. -Still it was observed, that at mealtimes, when scraps fell from the -table, or a tit-bit was thrown to them, they would be snarling and -spitting at one another like the bitterest foes. - - -APPLICATION. - -This Fable is too true a picture of the practices and friendships -of the world. We first enter into agreeable conversations, contract -likings, and form close intimacies and connections, which one would -think nothing could ever break up; but clashing interests at length -come in the way, and dissolve the charm. An unreasonable desire to -engross more than we can enjoy, is the bone of contention, which in -greater or less degrees sets mankind together by the ears. A jealous -thought, a mistaken word or look, is then sufficient to cancel all -former bonds: the league is broken, and the farce concludes like the -Dog and the Cat in the Fable, with biting and scratching out one -another’s eyes. The same kind of over-grasping selfishness which -operates so powerfully upon and blinds individuals, may with equal -truth be charged against all public associations or societies of men, -from the greatest to the least, when they are under the influence of -that mistaken patriotism, which, instead of applying its powers to -the improvement of what they already possess, seeks aggrandizement by -engrossing the colonies or privileges of their less powerful neighbours. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 373] - -THE TRUMPETER TAKEN PRISONER. - - -A Trumpeter, being taken prisoner in battle, begged hard for quarter, -declaring his innocence, and protesting, that he neither had killed -nor could kill any man, bearing no arms but his trumpet, which he was -obliged to sound at the word of command. For that reason, replied his -enemies, we are determined not to spare you; for though you yourself -never fight, yet, with that wicked instrument of yours, you blow up -animosity among other people, and so become the cause of much bloodshed. - - -APPLICATION. - -The fomenter of mischief is at least as culpable as he who puts it -in execution. A man may be guilty of murder, who never has handled a -sword or pulled a trigger, or lifted up his arm with any mischievous -weapon. There is a little incendiary called the tongue, which is more -venomous than a poisoned arrow, and more killing than a two-edged -sword. The moral of the Fable therefore is this, that if in any civil -insurrection, the persons taken in arms against the government deserve -to die, much more do they whose devilish tongues or pens gave birth -to the sedition, and excited the tumult. The Fable is also equally -applicable to those evil counsellors, who excite corrupt or wicked -governments to sap and undermine, and then to overturn the just laws -and liberties of a whole people; or involve them in cruel offensive -wars, in which they cause thousands upon thousands of swords to -be drawn, and whole armies of men to be cut in pieces, while they -themselves coolly sit out of danger, and calculate the gains they -derive from the wide-spreading desolation. War is the most horrid -custom that ever resulted from human wickedness, and is caused only by -the ignorance of the people, or the wickedness of governments. - -[Illustration] - - - - -[Illustration] [Page 375] - -THE BOYS AND THE FROGS. - - -A company of idle Boys used to assemble on the margin of a lake, -inhabited by a great number of Frogs, and divert themselves by throwing -vollies of stones into the water, to the great annoyance and danger -of the poor terrified Frogs, who were thus pelted to death as soon as -any of them put up their heads. At length, one of the boldest of the -Frogs ventured, in behalf of the whole community, to croak out their -complaints. Ah, my Boys, said he, why will you learn so soon the cruel -practices of your race? Consider, I beseech you, that though this may -be sport to you, it is death to us! - - -APPLICATION. - -This Fable shews the propensity of unguided youth to do evil, and -points out the need of inculcating benignity of conduct upon their -minds, and giving them a direction towards a manly and generous -humanity, which in manhood will shew itself in actions and habits that -cannot fail to do honour to themselves, and qualify them for any office -in the service of their country. The contrary of all this will be -found to predominate in society, when youth are suffered to go on with -impunity, in indulging their wicked inclinations for cruelty, by which -their minds are hardened and debased. This hard-heartedness in boys -will grow into brutality and tyranny in man; and that cruelty which -was at first inflicted upon poor dumb animals, will soon shew itself -upon their fellows. The great man of this cast will tyrannize over -those below him: these again will shew the same hateful disposition to -their dependants, and so downwards to the lowest, who, guided only by -ignorance, will give vent to their natural baseness, by goading and -distressing the poor animals which are wretchedly toiling in their -service. - -[Illustration] - - -FINIS. - -NEWCASTLE: PRINTED BY EDWARD WALKER. - - - - -Transcriber’s Notes - - -Punctuation, hyphenation, and spelling were made consistent when a -predominant preference was found in the original book; otherwise they -were not changed. - -This book often uses commas where periods might be expected, -particularly when the next text might be expected to be in quotation -marks, but is not. - -Simple typographical errors were corrected; unbalanced quotation -marks were remedied when the change was obvious, and otherwise left -unbalanced. - -The first page is handwritten, with a woodcut illustration in the -middle and a fingerprint between the words “his mark.” - -Every Fable begins with a framed illustration and a Title; many Fables -end with an unframed illustration. - -Page viii: The illustration captioned "Thomas Beswick" is his signature. - -Page 36: In the caption of the illustration, “Brains” was crossed-out -(by the artist). - -Page 76: In the caption of the illustration, the first “the” was -crossed out (by the artist). - -Page 350: “equinamity” was printed that way. - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Fables of Æsop, and Others, by Thomas Bewick - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FABLES OF ÆSOP, AND OTHERS *** - -***** This file should be named 60004-0.txt or 60004-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/0/0/0/60004/ - -Produced by Chris Curnow, Charlie Howard, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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