{"collection":"myth-cosmogony","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/gutenberg_60004/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/gutenberg_60004","id":"gutenberg_60004","license":"Public Domain (US)","rights_basis":"gutenberg_metadata_copyright_false","source":"gutenberg","source_url":"https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/60004","summary":null,"tags":["Category: Classics of Literature","Category: Mythology, Legends & Folklore","Fables -- Translations into English","Fables, Greek -- Translations into English"],"text":"Transcriber\u2019s Notes\n\n\nItalics text is enclosed in _underscores_; crossed-out text on pages\n36 and 76 is enclosed in \\backslashes\\; and superscripted text in the\nfirst lines of the first page is preceded by carets, such as D^r.\n\nBracketed page numbers, such as [Page 81], at the beginning of each\nFable, were added as a Search aid by Transcriber, as the Table of\nContents is in alphabetical, rather than page number sequence.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration:\n\n _Newcastle 1^st. October 1818_\n _To Thomas Bewick & Son D^r.,\n To an Imp^l. Copy of Esop\u2019s Fables 1^\u00a3 11^s 6^d_\n\n _Received the above with thanks_\n\n _Thomas Bewick_ _Robert Elliot Bewick_\n\n _Thomas Bewick_\n\n _his Mark_\n]\n\n\n\n\n THE\n FABLES OF \u00c6SOP,\n AND OTHERS,\n WITH DESIGNS ON WOOD,\n\n BY\n THOMAS BEWICK.\n\n\n \u201c_The wisest of the Ancients delivered their Conceptions of the Deity,\n and their Lessons of Morality, in Fables and Parables._\u201d\n\n\n [Illustration]\n\n\n NEWCASTLE:\n\n PRINTED BY E. WALKER, FOR T. BEWICK AND SON.\n SOLD BY THEM, LONGMAN AND CO. LONDON,\n AND ALL BOOKSELLERS.\n\n 1818.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration:\n\n _Wise Men think\n Good Men Grieve\n Knaves invent\n and Fools believe._\n]\n\n\n\n\nTHE PREFACE DEDICATORY.\n\n\n_To the Youth of the British Isles._\n\nIn collecting together, for your use and benefit, some of the\nprudential maxims, and moral apothegms, of the ancient sages, the\nPublishers of this volume have been stimulated by an ardent desire to\nrender this excellent mode of instruction as agreeable as possible;\nand, at the same time, to impress the precepts contained in the\nFables more forcibly on your minds, they have endeavoured to make the\nembellishments worthy of your notice and examination.\n\nIf the seeds of morality and patriotism be early sown, they will spring\nup, and ripen to maturity, in a confirmed love of truth, integrity\nand honour; and without these for his guide, no man can do credit to\nhimself or his country. This consideration is of vital importance; for\nour comfort and happiness through life, mainly depend upon a strict\nadherence to the rules of morality and religion. The youth who is\nearly tutored in an invincible regard for his own character, will soon\nperceive the duties imposed upon him by society, and will have pleasure\nin fulfilling them, as much for his own satisfaction as for the sake of\nhis fellow men: but when the latent powers of the mind are neglected,\nor not directed into the paths of rectitude, by good precepts and\nworthy examples, vice and folly enter the opening, and lead their\nvictim into evils and errors, which render his life miserable, and\nsometimes hurry him into an ignominious grave.\n\nTo delineate the characters and passions of men, under the semblance of\nLions, Tigers, Wolves, and Foxes, is not so extravagant a fiction as it\nmay at first sight seem: for the innocent and inexperienced will find,\nwhen they engage in the busy scenes of the world, that they will have\nto deal with men of dispositions not unlike those animals; and that\ntheir utmost vigilance will be required to guard against their violence\nor machinations.\n\nIn attempting to form an estimate of the characters of mankind, many\ngradations and shades will be found between the two extremes of virtue\nand vice. The philanthropist views with feelings of benevolence the\nwavering balance, and adds those he finds on the confines, to the\nnumber of the virtuous; while the misanthrope, with gloomy malignity,\nendeavours to include within the circle of vice, those who are standing\nupon the ill-defined line of division, and thus swells the number\nof the bad. Both observe with pain, that great numbers exist, whose\nwhole lives seem to be spent in disfiguring the beautiful order which\nmight otherwise reign in society, regardless of the misery which their\nwickedness scatters around them. They see men, who suffer their bad\npassions and gross appetites to be the sole rule of their conduct;\nand whether these shew themselves in an inordinate ambition, a thirst\nafter false glory, or an insatiable avarice, their consequences are\npernicious, and diffuse evil, distress, and ruin among mankind, in\nproportion to the extent to which their baneful influence reaches. The\nmisanthrope, in contemplating the scene of mischief and disorder, is\napt to arraign the wisdom and justice of Providence for permitting it\nto exist; but the philanthropist views it with a more extended range of\nvision; and while he laments the evil, he attributes the apparent want\nof human feelings in the actors, to an early perversion of intellect,\nor to a stifling of the reasoning power given by the Great Creator to\nman for his guide, and without which he is the worst animal in the\ncreation, a mere two-legged Tiger. Upon the childhood and youth of\nsuch men, the great truth taught by the inspired and wisest writers\nof all ages, that \u201cno life can be pleasing to God which is not useful\nto man,\u201d has not been sufficiently impressed, or probably the energy\nwith which they pursue their wicked career might have been led into a\ndifferent course, and instead of the scourges, they would have been the\nbenefactors of mankind.\n\nWhen religion and morality are blended together in the mind, they\nimpart their blessings to all who seek the aid of the one and obey\nthe dictates of the other, and their joint effects are seen and felt\nin the perpetual cheerfulness they impart. They incite the innocent\nwhistle of the ploughman at his plough, of the cobler in his stall,\nand the song of the milk-maid at her pail: and it is a sign of their\nbeing perverted, when they engender melancholy notions; for these are\nthe offspring of bigotry, fanaticism, and ignorance. The service of\nthe Omnipotent is not of this gloomy cast; he has spread out the table\nof this beautiful world of wonders, for the use of his creatures, and\nhas placed man at the head of it, that he might enjoy its bounties, as\nwell as prepare himself for the approaching change to another, which\ninspiration has powerfully impressed on his soul as the _unknowable_\nregion of his next advance. The materialist, in his dreary reveries,\ncannot comprehend this, neither will he acknowledge that his being\nplaced here is equally as miraculous as that he should be placed in\nanother world or worlds, progressively to improve, to all eternity: but\nto harbour doubts on this subject, is like disputing the wisdom, the\njustice, and the mercy of the Author of our being, who, according to\nthe conceptions we form of his goodness, as exhibited in the design,\nthe grandeur, and the immensity of creation, where every thing is\nsystematic, regular, and in order, would never decree that man should\nbe placed here instinctively to know his Maker--to take a short peep at\nthe stupendous, the amazing whole--to view all these, and have powers\nof mind given him only to know and repugnantly to feel, that after a\nlife mixed with turmoil, grief, and disease, he is to be annihilated!\nIn our conception of things, and to the limited understanding which has\nbeen given us, all this would appear to be labour in vain.\n\nThe volume of the creation speaks alike to all, and cannot be defaced\nby man; but the ways of Providence are beyond his comprehension.\nOmnipotence has not been pleased to gratify his pride and vanity, nor\nto consult his understanding, in the government of the universe; but\nsufficient has been disclosed unto him to point out the moral duties he\nowes to society, and the religious worship due to his Maker, without\ngroping after what is utterly beyond his reach: for our feeble reason\nis too weak to comprehend the divine essence; and our thoughts, on\ntheir utmost stretch, roll back on darkness. We reason, but we err:\nfor how can we comprehend the immensity of endless space, of time and\neternity, a beginning or an end; or what conceptions can we form of\nthe Power which made the sun and worlds without number? Truly, this\nis far too much for a finite being, who does not know why he can move\none of his own fingers, or cease to do so when he pleases! But all may\nknow and fulfil their religious obligations, by reverencing and adoring\ntheir Creator, and walking humbly before him, and their moral duties,\nby being in their several stations, good sons, brothers, husbands,\nwives, fathers, mothers, neighbours, and members of society.\n\nHaving, with humble diffidence, in this masquerade of life, attempted\nto point out to youth the exterior of the temple of virtue, and to\nlead them to its steps, the Editor leaves them there, respectfully\nrecommending them to explore the whole interior, under the guidance of\nmen more eminent for their mental powers and attainments in learning,\nphilosophy, and piety. Of these, an illustrious band have placed, at\nevery avenue and turning, their inestimable works, as directions to\nguide us to usefulness and respectability here, and eternal happiness\nhereafter.\n\n[Illustration: _Thomas Bewick_]\n\n_Newcastle, September, 1818._\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration]\n\nTHE INTRODUCTION.\n\n\nFrom time to time, in all ages, men inspired, or gifted with a superior\ndegree of intellectual power, have appeared upon the stage of life, in\norder (by enlightening others) to fulfil the designs of Omnipotence, in\nuniting the world in a state of civilized society.\n\nPatriarchs, or heads of families, at first directed or governed those\nwho were immediately dependent upon them: these in time increased,\nand became _clans_; these again, by their quarrels, and their wars,\nwere induced to elect chieftains or kings over a number of united\nclans,--from which were formed the various nations and kingdoms of\nthe earth. In this early stage of the world, when men were ignorant\nand uncivilized, the chase and war seem almost wholly to have\noccupied their time and attention. Their kings ruled over them with\ndespotic sway, and the will of the prince was the only law: and thus\nthe barbarism of the subject and the tyranny of the ruler went hand\nin hand together. That over-swollen pride, which seems the natural\naccompaniment of despotic power, blinds the understandings of its\npossessors, and renders them wholly regardless of the important trust\nreposed in them. The evils arising out of their bad government, are\nfelt, more or less, by the whole people over whom they preside; and\npride and arrogance prevent the approach of sincerity and truth. The\nsycophant and the slave then only find admission, and all other men are\nkept at a distance. While kings and governors were of this character,\nthe voice of truth could only reach their ears through allegory and\nfable, which took their rise in the infancy of learning, and seem to\nhave been the only safe mode of conveying admonition to tyrants. This\npleasing method of instilling instruction into the mind, has been found\nby experience to be the shortest and best way of accomplishing that\nend, among all ranks and conditions of men.\n\nThe first Fable upon record, is that of Jotham and the Trees, in the\nBible; and the next, that of The Poor Man and his Lamb, as related by\nNathan to King David, and which carried with it a blaze of truth that\nflashed conviction on the mind of the royal transgressor. Lessons of\nreproof, religion, and morality, were, we find, continually delivered\nin this mode, by the sages of old, to the exalted among mankind.\n\nIt is asserted by authors, that Apologues and Fables had their\norigin in the Eastern world, and that the most ancient of them were\nthe productions of Veesh-nou Sarma, commonly called Pilpay, whose\nbeautiful collections of Apologues were esteemed as sacred books in\nIndia and Persia, whence they were spread abroad among other nations,\nand were by them celebrated and holden in much estimation. They were\ntranslated from the Persian and Arabian into Greek, by Simeon Seth, a\nman of great learning, who was an officer of the imperial household\nat Constantinople about the year 1070. Seth\u2019s Version was imitated\nin Latin by Piers Alfonse, a converted Jew, as early as the year\n1107; and this is supposed to have been the first version of Pilpay\u2019s\nApologues that made its way, and became familiarized in Europe. The\ntime in which Pilpay lived, seems not to be certainly known to the\nlearned; but some of them suppose that the Fables of \u00c6sop and others\nwere grounded upon his models. The time in which \u00c6sop lived is better\nascertained, and of all the Fabulists who have amused and instructed\nmankind by their writings, his name stands pre-eminent. Authors fix\nhis birth-place at Cotieum, in Phrygia Major. But the history of\nthis remarkable person, who lived about 572 years before Christ, and\nabout 100 years before Herodotus, the Greek historian, has been so\ninvolved in mystery, traditionary stories, and absurd conjectures,\nthat any attempt to give a detail from such materials, would only\nserve to bewilder youth, and lead them into a labyrinth of error; and\nit would be impertinent to trouble the learned reader with that which\nmust be sufficiently familiar to him.[A] The whole of the absurd\nfictions concerning this wise and amiable man, were invented by Maximus\nPlanudes, a Greek monk.[B] Plutarch, and other authentic historians,[C]\nhave, however, given a very different account of the illustrious\nFabulist. It would appear, according to some of these relations, that\n\u00c6sop, originally a shepherd\u2019s boy, had risen from the condition of a\nslave, to great eminence, and that he lived in the service of Xanthus\nand Judman, or Idmon, in the island of Samos, and afterwards at Athens.\nPh\u00e6drus speaks of him as living the greater part of his life at the\nlatter place, where, it appears, a handsome statue, executed by the\nhand of the famous statuary Lysippus, was erected to his memory, and\nplaced before those of the seven sages of Greece.[D] He also notices\nhis living at Samos, and interesting himself in a public capacity,\nin the administration of the affairs of that place; where Aristotle\nalso introduces him as a public speaker, and records the fact of his\nreciting the fable of the Fox and the Hedgehog,[E] while pleading on\nbehalf of a minister, upon the occasion of his being impeached for\nembezzling the public treasure. \u00c6sop is also mentioned as speaking\nin a public capacity to the Athenians, at the time when Pisistratus\nseized upon their liberties.[F] Upon each of these occasions he is\nrepresented as having introduced a Fable into his discourse, in a witty\nand pleasing manner. He was holden in the highest veneration and esteem\nin his day, by all men eminent for their wisdom and virtue. It appears\nthere was scarcely an author among the ancient Greeks who mixed any\nthing of morality in his writings, that did not either quote or mention\n\u00c6sop. Plato describes Socrates as turning some of \u00c6sop\u2019s Fables into\nverse, during those awful hours which he spent in prison, immediately\nbefore his death. Aristophanes not only takes hints from \u00c6sop, but\nmentions him much to his honour, as one whose works were, or ought to\nbe, read before any other. Ennius and Horace have embellished their\npoetry from his stores; and ancient sages and authors all concur in\nbearing the most ample testimony to his distinguished merits. Plutarch,\nin his imaginary banquet of the seven wise men, among several other\nillustrious persons of ancient times, celebrated for their wit and\nknowledge, introduces \u00c6sop, and describes him as being very courtly\nand polite in his behaviour. Upon the authority of Plutarch also, we\nfix the life of \u00c6sop in the time of Cr\u0153sus, king of Lydia, who invited\nhim to the court of Sardis. By this prince, he was holden in such\nesteem, as to be sent as his envoy to Periander, king of Corinth,\nwhich was about three hundred and twenty years after the time in which\nHomer lived, and 550 before Christ. He was also deputed by Cr\u0153sus to\nconsult the oracle of Delphi. While on this embassy, he was ordered\nto distribute to each of the citizens, four _min\u00e6_[G] of silver, but\nsome disputes arising between them and \u00c6sop, he reproached them for\ntheir indolence, in suffering their lands to lie uncultivated, and in\ndepending on the gratuities of strangers for a precarious subsistence:\nthe quarrel, which it would appear ran high between them, ended in\n\u00c6sop\u2019s sending back the money to Sardis. This so exasperated the\nDelphians, that they resolved upon his destruction; and that they might\nhave some colour of justice for what they intended, they concealed\namong his effects, when he was taking his departure from Delphi, a\ngold cup, consecrated to Apollo; and afterwards pursuing him, easily\nfound what they themselves had hidden. On the pretext that he had\ncommitted this sacrilegious theft, they carried him back to the city,\nand notwithstanding his imprecating upon them the vengeance of heaven,\nthey immediately condemned him to be cast from the rock Hypania, as\nthe punishment of the pretended crime. Ancient historians say, that\nfor this wickedness, the Delphians were for a long time visited with\npestilence and famine, until an expiation was made, and then the plague\nceased.\n\n [A] The curious enquirer is referred to the Essay on the\n \u00c6sopean Fable, by Sir Brooke Boothby, bart. from which this\n sketch is extracted.\n\n [B] Planudes lived at Constantinople in the 14th century. His\n Fables were printed at Milan, A.D. 1480.\n\n [C] The first person who took great pains to detect and expose\n the follies and absurdities of Planudes\u2019s Life of \u00c6sop, and\n collected what could be known, was Bachet de Mezeriac, a\n man of great learning, who flourished about the year 1632.\n\n [D] These sages were Solon, Thales, Chilo, Cleobulus, Bias,\n Pittacus, and Periander, to whom Laertius adds Anacharsis,\n Maro, Pherecydes, Epimenides, and Pisistratus.\n\n [E] \u201cYe men of Samos, let me entreat you to do as the Fox\n did; for this man, having got money enough, can have no\n further occasion to rob you; but if you put him to death,\n some needy person will fill his place, whose wants must be\n supplied out of your property.\u201d\n\n The Fable of the Fox and the Hedgehog was applied by\n Themistocles to dissuade the Athenians from removing their\n magistrates.--_B. Boothby._\n\n [F] The Fable of the Frogs desiring a King.\n\n [G] The mina of silver was 12 ounces, about \u00a33 sterling.\n\nIt was not until many ages after the death of \u00c6sop, that his most\nprominent successor, Ph\u00e6drus, arose. He translated \u00c6sop\u2019s Fables from\nthe Greek into Latin, and added to them many of his own. Of Ph\u00e6drus\nlittle is known, except from his works. He is said to have lived in\nthe times of the Emperors Augustus and Tiberius, and to have died in\nthe reign of the latter. The first printed edition of his Fables, with\ncuts, was published at Gauda, in 1482. Caxton published some of them in\n1484, and Bonus Accursius in 1489, to which he prefixed Planudes\u2019s Life\nof \u00c6sop. But the most perfect edition of Ph\u00e6drus\u2019s Works was published\nin five volumes, by Peter Pithou, at Troyes, in 1596, from manuscripts\ndiscovered by him in the cities of Rheims and Dijon. To these have\nsucceeded in later times, a numerous list of fabulists,[H] besides\nsuch of the poets as have occasionally interspersed Fables in their\nworks. These, in their day, have had, and many of them still have,\ntheir several admirers; but Gay and Dodsley best maintain their ground\nin this country, as is proved by the regular demand for new editions.\nCroxall\u2019s Fables, which were first published in 1722, with cuts on\nmetal, in the manner of wood, have also had a most extensive sale; and\nSir Brooke Boothby\u2019s elegant little volumes, in verse, published in\n1809, are now making their way into the public notice. The Editor of\nthe present volume, in attempting to continue the same pleasing mode of\nconveying instruction, long since laid down as a guide to virtue, has\nquoted and compiled from other fabulists, whatever seemed best suited\nto his purpose. His sole object is utility, and he is not altogether\nwithout hope, that in attempting to embellish and perpetuate a fabric,\nwhich has its foundations laid in religion and morality, his efforts\nmay not be wholly ineffectual to induce the young to keep steadily in\nview those great truths, which form the sure land-mark to the haven,\nwhere only they can attain peace and happiness.\n\n [H] Sir Roger L\u2019Estrange, born 1616, died 1704.\n John de la Fontaine, born 1621, died 1695.\n John Dryden, born 1631, died 1701.\n Antoine Houdart de la Motte, born 1672, died 1731.\n John Gay, born 1688, died 1732.\n Samuel Croxall, D.\u00a0D. Archdeacon of Hereford, died 1752.\n Edward Moore, died 1757.\n Draper.\n Robert Dodsley, born 1703, died 1764.\n William Wilkie, born 1721, died 1772.\n Abbe Brotier, born 1722, died 1789.\n\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration]\n\nTHE TABLE OF CONTENTS.\n\n\n A\n PAGE\n The Ape and her Young Ones 3\n\n The Sensible Ass 69\n\n \u00c6sop and the Impertinent Fellow 81\n\n The Angler and the Little Fish 111\n\n The Ass and the Lion hunting 161\n\n The Ass in the Lion\u2019s Skin 187\n\n The Ape chosen King 195\n\n The Ant and the Fly 269\n\n The Ant and the Grasshopper 307\n\n The Ape and the Fox 319\n\n \u00c6sop at Play 333\n\n The Ass eating Thistles 369\n\n\n B\n\n The Boy and his Mother 5\n\n The Brother and Sister 31\n\n The Shepherd\u2019s Boy and the Wolf 61\n\n The Bear and the Bee-Hives 119\n\n The Bees, the Drones, and the Wasp 145\n\n The Hunted Beaver 159\n\n The Bull and the Goat 171\n\n The Two Bitches 183\n\n The Boar and the Ass 205\n\n The Blackamoor 223\n\n The Belly and the Members 275\n\n The Boys and the Frogs 375\n\n\n C\n\n The Two Crabs 1\n\n The Collier and the Fuller 13\n\n The Cock and the Jewel 47\n\n The Wanton Calf 57\n\n The Crow and the Pitcher 63\n\n The Cat and the Fox 107\n\n The Cat and the Mice 149\n\n C\u00e6sar and the Slave 177\n\n The Clown and the Gnat 189\n\n The Countryman and the Snake 217\n\n The Cock and the Fox 219\n\n The Fighting Cocks 349\n\n The Cock and the Fox 359\n\n\n D\n\n The Dog in the Manger 77\n\n The Ship Dog 99\n\n The Dog invited to Supper 109\n\n The Dog and the Shadow 117\n\n The Mischievous Dog 169\n\n The Dog and the Sheep 207\n\n The Dog and the Wolf 287\n\n The One-eyed Doe 297\n\n The Deer and the Lion 315\n\n The Dove and the Bee 339\n\n The Dog and the Cat 371\n\n\n E\n\n The Eagle, the Cat, and the Sow 39\n\n The Eagle and the Fox 273\n\n The Eagle and the Crow 301\n\n\n F\n\n The Proud Frog and the Ox 17\n\n The Fox and the Vizor Mask 51\n\n The Fox and the Crow 67\n\n The Forester and the Lion 83\n\n The Fox without a Tail 95\n\n The Fox and the Ass 105\n\n The Fox and the Tiger 115\n\n The Frogs and their King 135\n\n The Fir and the Bramble 143\n\n The Frog and the Fox 147\n\n Fortune and the Boy 153\n\n The Fox and the Grapes 167\n\n The Fisherman 173\n\n The Fox and the Boar 175\n\n The Frogs and the Fighting Bulls 179\n\n The Two Frogs 199\n\n The Fox and the Briar 201\n\n The Fox and the Stork 215\n\n The Fox and the HedgeHog 227\n\n The Fox and the Goat 235\n\n The Fowler and the Ring-dove 249\n\n The Fowler and the Blackbird 263\n\n The Fatal Marriage 277\n\n The Fox and the Lion 285\n\n The Flying Fish and the Dolphin 289\n\n The Fox in the Well 311\n\n The Fox and the Sick Lion 323\n\n The Fox and the Countryman 331\n\n The Fox and the Wolf 335\n\n The Frogs and the Mice 353\n\n The Fowler and the Lark 355\n\n The Fowler and the Partridge 363\n\n\n G\n\n The Goat, the Kid, and the Wolf 29\n\n The Goat and the Lion 101\n\n The Gardener and his Dog 313\n\n The Wild and the Tame Geese 351\n\n\n H\n\n The Husbandman and his Sons 15\n\n Hercules and the Carter 37\n\n The Drunken Husband 121\n\n The Hen and the Swallow 127\n\n The Hart and the Vine 157\n\n The Old Hound 181\n\n The Hen and the Fox 185\n\n The Hare and the Tortoise 221\n\n The Hares and the Frogs 251\n\n The Harper 267\n\n The Horse and the Stag 303\n\n The Horse and the Lion 309\n\n The Horse and the Ass 327\n\n The Hawk and the Farmer 329\n\n The Horse and the over-loaded Ass 343\n\n The Husbandman and the Stork 345\n\n\n I\n\n Industry and Sloth 9\n\n\n J\n\n Jupiter and the Ass 79\n\n Jupiter and the Camel 139\n\n Jupiter and the Herdsman 209\n\n Juno and the Peacock 237\n\n Jupiter and Pallas 241\n\n The Vain Jack-daw 255\n\n\n K\n\n The Bald Knight 87\n\n The Kite and the Pigeons 281\n\n The Sick Kite 283\n\n The Kid and the Wolf 293\n\n\n L\n\n The Leopard and the Fox 21\n\n The Lark and her Young Ones 41\n\n The Lion and the Four Bulls 89\n\n The Lion, the Tiger, and the Wolf 93\n\n The Lioness and the Fox 123\n\n The Lamb brought up by a Goat 125\n\n The Old Lion 211\n\n The Lion in Love 225\n\n The Lion and other Beasts 239\n\n The Lion and the Mouse 257\n\n The Lion and the Frog 291\n\n The Lion, the Wolf, and the Dog 367\n\n\n M\n\n The Master and his Scholar 7\n\n The Young Man and the Swallow 11\n\n The Mole and her Dam 27\n\n The Young Men and the Cook 43\n\n The Mule 45\n\n Mercury and the Woodman 49\n\n The Man and his Goose 55\n\n The Old Man and his Sons 91\n\n The Miser and his Treasure 97\n\n A Man bitten by a Dog 113\n\n The Envious Man and the Covetous 129\n\n The Mice in Council 193\n\n The Old Man and Death 197\n\n The Man and the Weasel 203\n\n The Magpie and the Sheep 213\n\n The Man and his Two Wives 231\n\n Mercury and the Carver 233\n\n The Mountains in Labour 253\n\n The Mouse and the Weasel 271\n\n The Young Man and the Lion 279\n\n The Country and the City Mouse 295\n\n The Miller, his Son, and their Ass 305\n\n The Young Man and his Cat 361\n\n The Blind Man and the Lame 365\n\n\n N\n\n The Nurse and the Wolf 265\n\n\n O\n\n The Oak and the Reed 151\n\n\n P\n\n The Peacock and the Crane 23\n\n The Two Pots 25\n\n The Partridge and the Cocks 65\n\n The Porcupine and the Snakes 131\n\n The Polecat and the Cock 261\n\n The Ploughman and Fortune 317\n\n\n R\n\n The Raven and the Serpent 337\n\n\n S\n\n The Stag looking into the Water 19\n\n The Sheep Biter 33\n\n The Swallow and other Birds 71\n\n The Sow and the Wolf 133\n\n The Stag and the Fawn 141\n\n The Sow and the Bitch 163\n\n The Satyr and the Traveller 165\n\n The Sparrow and the Hare 229\n\n The Stag in the Ox-Stall 247\n\n The Sun and the Wind 325\n\n The Serpent and the Man 341\n\n The Shepherd turned Merchant 357\n\n\n T\n\n The Thief and the Dog 53\n\n The Boasting Traveller 59\n\n The Thieves and the Cock 73\n\n The two Travellers 103\n\n The Tortoise and the Eagle 259\n\n The Trees and the Woodman 299\n\n The Thief and the Boy 321\n\n The Travellers and the Bear 347\n\n The Trumpeter taken Prisoner 373\n\n\n V\n\n The Viper and the File 243\n\n\n W\n\n The Old Woman and her Maids 35\n\n The Wolves and the Sick Ass 75\n\n The Wolf, the Fox, and the Ape 85\n\n The Old Woman and the Empty Cask 137\n\n The Wolf and the Crane 155\n\n The Wolf and the Lamb 191\n\n The Wolf in Sheep\u2019s Clothing 245\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\nTHE\n\nFABLES OF \u00c6SOP,\n\nAND OTHERS.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 1]\n\nTHE TWO CRABS.\n\n\nTwo Crabs, the mother and daughter, having been left by the receding\ntide, were creeping again towards the water, when the former observing\nthe awkward gait of her daughter, got into a great passion, and desired\nher to move straight forward, in a more becoming and sprightly manner,\nand not crawl sideling along in a way so contrary to all the rest of\nthe world. Indeed mother, says the young Crab, I walk as properly as I\ncan, and to the best of my knowledge; but if you would have me to go\notherwise, I beg you would be so good as to practise it first, and shew\nme by your own example how you would have me to conduct myself.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nIll examples corrupt even the best natural disposition, and it is in\nvain to instruct our children, their talents being only imitation, to\nwalk by one rule, if we ourselves go by another. The good precepts\nwhich we may lay down to them, will be bestowed in vain, if they\nsee by our own conduct, that we pursue a contrary course to that\nwhich we recommend to them. Parents therefore, who are desirous of\nworking an effectual reformation in their children, should begin by\nmaking a visible amendment in themselves; and this is a duty they owe\nto society, as well as to their offspring, it being of the utmost\nimportance to both, that probity and honour be early instilled into\ntheir youthful minds, as these grow with their growth, and while at\nthe same time they command respect, they lay the foundation of their\nindividual happiness through life.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 3]\n\nTHE APE AND HER YOUNG ONES.\n\n\nAn Ape having two young ones, was dotingly fond of one, but disregarded\nand slighted the other. One day she chanced to be surprized by the\nhunters, and had much ado to get off. However, she did not forget her\nfavourite young one, which she took up in her arms, that it might be\nthe more secure: the other, which she neglected, by natural instinct,\nleapt upon her back, and so away they scampered together; but it\nunluckily fell out, in the over-anxiety of her precipitate flight,\nconfused and blinded with haste, that she struck her favourite\u2019s head\nagainst a branch, which threw it on the ground, where the darling\nbantling was seized by the dogs and killed. The hated one, clinging\nclose to her rough back, escaped all the danger of the pursuit.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\n By dear mamma\u2019s o\u2019er-weening fondness spoil\u2019d,\n Caress\u2019d and pamper\u2019d, dies the fav\u2019rite child:\n The boy she slights, rough, vig\u2019rous, and well-grown,\n Unaided, bears the brunt, and shifts alone.\n\nThe indulgence which parents shew to their children arises from the\nmost amiable of human weaknesses; but it is not the less injurious in\nits effects, and therefore it is of great importance to guard against\nit, and not to suffer a blind fondness to transport us beyond the\nbounds of a discreet affection, for this often proves the ruin of the\nchild. This fable is also intended to expose the folly of a system of\nfavouritism in families, for experience shews that those children who\nare the least pampered and indulged usually make the best and cleverest\nmen.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 5]\n\nTHE BOY AND HIS MOTHER.\n\n\nA little Boy having stolen a book from one of his school-fellows,\ntook it to his Mother, who, instead of correcting him, praised his\nsharpness, and rewarded him. In process of time, as he grew bigger,\nhe increased also in villainy, till at length he was taken up for\ncommitting a great robbery, and was brought to justice and condemned\nfor it. As the officers were conducting him to the gallows, he was\nattended by a vast crowd, and among the rest his Mother came sobbing\nalong, and deploring her son\u2019s unhappy fate; which the criminal\nobserving, he begged leave to speak to her: this being granted, he put\nhis mouth to her ear, as if he was going to whisper something, and\nbit it off! The officer, shocked at this behaviour, asked him if the\ncrimes he had committed were not sufficient to glut his wickedness,\nwithout being also guilty of such an unnatural violence towards his\nmother? Let no one wonder, said he, that I have done this to her, for\nshe deserves even worse at my hands. For if she had chastised instead\nof praising and encouraging me, when I stole my school-fellow\u2019s book, I\nshould not now have been brought to this ignominious and untimely end.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThe approaches to vice are by slow degrees, and the good or evil bias\ngiven to youth is seldom eradicated. The first deviations from sound\nmorality should therefore be most strictly watched, and wickedness\nchecked or punished in time; for when vice grows into a habit, it\nbecomes incurable, and both good governments and private families are\ndeeply concerned in its attendant consequences. One need not scruple to\naffirm that most of the depravity which is so frequent in the world,\nand so pernicious to society, is owing to the bad education of youth;\nand to the connivance or ill example of their parents. It is therefore\nof the utmost consequence that parents, guardians, and tutors, should\nbe of characters befitting them for the various and important offices\nthey have to perform. The latter description of persons may and ought\nto be carefully selected; but it is to be lamented that the base and\nmean-spirited hosts of bad parents are out of the reach of controul,\nand nothing can prevent the evils arising from their tutorage. Perhaps\nit would be harsh to make laws to check the marriages of such; but\nthere is no need to encourage the breed of them, for they are already\nover abundantly numerous.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 7]\n\nTHE MASTER AND HIS SCHOLAR.\n\n\nAs a School-master was walking upon the bank of a river, he heard a\ncry as of one in distress: advancing a few paces farther, he saw one\nof his Scholars in the water, hanging by the branch of a willow. The\nBoy had, it seems, been learning to swim with corks, and now thinking\nhimself sufficiently experienced, had thrown these implements aside,\nand ventured into the water without them; but the force of the stream\nhaving hurried him out of his depth, he had certainly been drowned, had\nnot the branch of the tree providentially hung in his way. The Master\ntook up the corks, which lay upon the ground, and throwing them to his\nScholar, made use of this opportunity to read a lecture to him upon the\ninconsiderate rashness of youth. Let this be an example to you, says\nhe, in the conduct of your future life, never to throw away your corks\ntill time has given you strength and experience enough to swim without\nthem.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nRashness is the peculiar vice of youth, and may be stiled the\ncharacteristic foible of that season of life. The foundation of this\nrashness is laid in a fond conceit of their own abilities, which\ntempts them to undertake affairs too great for their capacities, and\nto venture out of their depths, or to suffer themselves to be hurried\ninto the most precipitate and dangerous measures, before they find out\ntheir own weakness and inability. It therefore behoves inexperienced\nyoung men to keep a cautious guard over their passions, to check the\nirregularities of their disposition, and to listen to the wholesome\nadvice and good council of those whose judgments are matured by age\nand experience: for few are above the need of advice, nor are we ever\ntoo old to learn any thing for which we may be the better. But young\nmen, above all, should not disdain to open their eyes to good example,\nand their ears to admonition: neither should they be ashamed to borrow\nrules for their behaviour in the world, until they are enabled from\ntheir own knowledge of men and things, to stem its crooked tides and\ncurrents with ease and honour to themselves.\n\n Consult your elders, use their sense alone,\n Till age and practice have confirm\u2019d your own.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 9]\n\nINDUSTRY AND SLOTH.\n\n\nAn indolent Young Man being asked why he lay in bed so long? jocosely\nanswered, \u201cEvery morning of my life I am hearing causes. I have two\nfine girls, their names are Industry and Sloth, close at my bed-side\nas soon as I awake, pressing their different suits. One intreats me to\nget up, the other persuades me to lie still; and then they alternately\ngive me various reasons why I should rise, and why I should not. This\ndetains me so long, (it being the duty of an impartial judge to hear\nall that can be said on either side) that before the pleadings are\nover, it is time to go to dinner.\u201d\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\n \u201cHe who defers his work from day to day,\n Does on a river\u2019s brink expecting stay,\n \u2019Till the whole stream which stopt him shall be gone,\n Which, as it runs, for ever will run on.\u201d\n\nIndolence is like a stream which flows slowly on, but yet it undermines\nevery virtue; it rusts the mind, and gives a tincture to every\naction of one\u2019s life, the term of which does not allow time for long\nprotracted deliberations; and yet how many waste more of their time\nin idly considering which of two affairs to begin first, than would\nhave ended them both? To-morrow is still the fatal time when all is\nto be done; to-morrow comes, it goes, and still indolence pleases\nitself with the shadow, while it loses the substance: and thus men pass\nthrough life like a bird through the air, and leave no track behind\nthem, unmindful that the present time alone is ours, and should be\nmanaged with judicious care, since we cannot secure a moment to come,\nnor recal one that is past. It is no matter how many good qualities\nthe mind may be possessed of; they all lie dormant if we want the\nnecessary vigour and resolution to draw them forth; for this slumber\nof the mind leaves no difference between the greatest genius and the\nmeanest understanding. Neither the mind nor the body can be active and\nvigorous without proper exertion, and trouble springs from idleness,\nand grievous toil from useless ease; therefore, \u201cwhatsoever thy hand\nfindeth to do, do it with all thy might, for there is no work, nor\ndevice, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave, whither thou goest.\u201d\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 11]\n\nTHE YOUNG MAN AND THE SWALLOW.\n\n\nA prodigal thoughtless young Man, who had wasted his whole patrimony in\ntaverns and gaming-houses, among his lewd idle companions, was taking\na melancholy walk near a brook. It was in the spring, while the hills\nwere yet capped with snow, but it happened to be one of those clear\nsunny days which some times occur at that time of the year; and to\nmake appearances the more flattering, a Swallow which had been invited\nforth by the warmth, flew skimming along upon the surface of the water.\nThe Youth observing this, concluded that the summer was now come, and\nthat he should have little or no occasion for clothes, so went and\npawned them, and ventured the money for one stake more, among his\nsharping associates. When this too was gone, like all the rest of his\nproperty, he took another solitary walk in the same place as before,\nbut the weather being severe and frosty, every thing had put on a very\ndifferent aspect; the brook was frozen over, and the poor Swallow lay\ndead upon the bank. At this, the Youth, smarting under the sense of\nhis own misery, mistakingly reproached the Swallow as the cause of all\nhis misfortunes: he cried out, oh, unhappy bird, thou hast undone both\nthyself and me, who was so credulous as to trust to thy appearance.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThey who frequent taverns and gaming-houses, and keep bad company,\nshould not wonder if they are reduced in a very short time to penury\nand want. The wretched young fellows who once addict themselves to\nsuch a scandalous course of life, scarcely think of or attend to any\nthing besides: they seem to have nothing else in their heads but how\nthey may squander what they have got, and where they may get more when\nthat is gone. They do not make the same use of their reason as other\npeople, but like the jaundiced eye, view every thing in a false light,\nand having turned a deaf ear to all advice, and pursued their unaltered\ncourse until all their property is irrecoverably lost, when at length\nmisery forces upon them a sense of their situation, they still lay the\nblame upon any cause but the right one--their own extravagance and\nfolly; like the Prodigal in the fable, who would not have considered a\nsolitary occurrence as a general indication of the season, had not his\nown wicked desires blinded his understanding.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 13]\n\nTHE COLLIER AND THE FULLER.\n\n\nThe Collier and the Fuller being old acquaintances, happened upon a\ntime to meet together, and the latter being but ill provided with a\nhabitation, was invited by the former to come and live in the same\nhouse with him. I thank you, my dear friend, replied the Fuller, for\nyour kind offer; but it cannot be, for if I were to dwell with you,\nwhatever I should take pains to scour and make clean in the morning,\nthe dust of you and your coals would blacken and defile before night.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nIt is of no small importance in life to be cautious what company we\nkeep, and with whom we enter into friendship; for though we are ever so\nwell disposed ourselves, and free from vice, yet if those with whom\nwe frequently converse, are engaged in a lewd, wicked course, it will\nbe almost impossible for us to escape being drawn in with them. If we\nare truly wise, and would shun those rocks of pleasure upon which so\nmany have split, we should forbid ourselves all manner of commerce and\ncorrespondence with those who are steering a course, which reason tells\nus is not only not for our advantage, but would end in our destruction.\nAll the virtue we can boast of, will not be sufficient to insure our\nsafety, if we embark in bad company; for though our philosophy were\nsuch as would preserve us from being tainted and infected with their\nmanners, yet their characters would twist and entwine themselves along\nwith ours, in so intricate a fold, that the world would not take the\ntrouble to unravel and separate them. Reputation is of a blending\nnature, like water; that which is derived from the clearest spring, if\nit chance to mix with a foul current, runs on undistinguished, in one\nmuddy stream, and must ever partake of the colour and condition of its\nassociate.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 15]\n\nTHE HUSBANDMAN AND HIS SONS.\n\n\nA Husbandman, at the point of death, being desirous that his Sons\nshould pursue the same innocent course of agriculture in which he\nhimself had been engaged all his life, made use of this expedient.\nHe called them to his bed-side, and said: All the patrimony I have\nto bequeath to you, my sons, is my farm and my vine-yard, of which I\nmake you joint heirs; but I charge you not to let them go out of your\nown occupation, for if I have any treasure besides, it lies buried\nsomewhere in the ground within a foot of the surface. This made the\nSons conclude that he talked of money which he had hidden: so after\ntheir father\u2019s death, with unwearied diligence, they carefully dug up\nevery inch, and though they found not the money they expected, the\nground, by being well stirred and loosened, produced so plentiful\na crop of all that was sown in it, as proved a real, and that no\ninconsiderable treasure.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThe good name and the good counsel of a father, are the best legacies\nhe can leave to his children; and they ought to revere the one, and\nkeep in mind the other. The wealth which a man acquires by his honest\nindustry affords him greater pleasure in the enjoyment, than when\nacquired in any other way; and men who by personal labour have obtained\na competency, know its value better than those can who have had it\nshowered upon them without any efforts of their own. Idleness engenders\ndisease, while exercise is the great prop of health, and health is the\ngreatest blessing of life, which consideration alone ought to stimulate\nmen to pursue some useful employment; and among the almost endless\nnumber of those, to which good laws and well-organized society give\nbirth and encouragement, there are none equal to the culture of the\nearth, none which yield a more grateful return. The pleasures derived\nboth from agriculture and horticulture, are so various, so delightful,\nand so natural to man, that they are not easily to be described, and\nare never to be excelled: for in whatever way they are pursued, the\nmind may be constantly entertained with the wonderful \u0153conomy of the\nvegetable world; and the nerves are invigorated and kept in proper tone\nby the freshness of the earth, and the fragrancy of the air, which\nblush the countenance with health, and give a relish to every meal.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 17]\n\nTHE PROUD FROG AND THE OX.\n\n\nAn Ox, grazing in a meadow, chanced to set his foot among a parcel of\nyoung Frogs, and trod one of them to death. The rest informed their\nmother, when she came home, what had happened; telling her, that the\nbeast which did it, was the hugest creature that they ever saw in their\nlives. What, was it so big? says the old Frog, swelling and blowing up\nher speckled belly to a great degree. Oh! bigger by a vast deal, say\nthey: and so big? says she, straining herself yet more. Indeed, say\nthey, if you were to burst yourself, you would never be so big. She\nstrove yet again, and burst herself indeed.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nHow many vain people, of moderate easy circumstances, by entertaining\nthe silly ambition of vying with their superiors in station and\nfortune, get into the direct road to ruin. In whatever station of life\nit may have pleased Providence to place us, we ought to determine\nupon living within our income, and to endeavour by honesty, sobriety,\nand industry, to maintain our ground. Young men, upon their launching\nout into the world, would do well deeply to reflect upon this, for\ntheir future peace of mind and happiness greatly depend upon it. They\nneed only look a little about them to see how a contrary conduct has\noperated upon thousands; and it is to be feared, will continue to fill\nour gaols with debtors, and Bedlam with lunatics.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 19]\n\nTHE STAG LOOKING INTO THE WATER.\n\n\nA Stag drinking, saw himself in the water, and pleased with the sight,\nstood contemplating his shape. Ah, says he, what a glorious pair of\nbranching horns are here, how gracefully do these antlers project\nover my forehead, and give an agreeable turn to my whole face; but I\nhave such legs as really make me ashamed; they look so very long and\nunsightly, that I had rather have none at all. In the midst of this\nsoliloquy, he was alarmed with the cry of a pack of hounds. Away he\nflies in some consternation, and bounding nimbly over the plain, threw\ndogs and men at a vast distance behind him. After which, taking a\nvery thick copse, he had the ill fortune to be entangled by his horns\nin the branches, where he was held fast till the hounds came up and\nseized him. In the pangs of death, he is said to have uttered these\nwords: Unhappy creature that I am, I am too late convinced that what I\nprided myself in, has been the cause of my undoing; and what I so much\ndisliked, was the only thing that could have saved me.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWe often make a false estimate, in preferring our ornamental talents\nto our useful ones, and are apt to place our love and admiration on\nwrong objects. When our vanity is stronger than our reason, show and\nostentation find easy admission into our hearts, and we are much fonder\nof specious trifles than useful plainness. But the truest mark of\nwisdom is to estimate things at their just value, and to know whence\nthe most solid advantages may be derived: otherwise, like the Stag in\nthe Fable, we may happen to admire those accomplishments which are\nnot only of no real use, but often prove prejudicial to us, while we\ndespise those things on which our safety may depend. He that does not\nknow himself, will often form a false judgment upon other matters that\nmost materially concern him; and thus it fares with many, who suffer\nthemselves to be deluded with the false pomp of high life, and whose\nvanity prompts them to conceive they possess talents which qualify them\nto shine in that circle, into which, had they judged rightly, they\nnever would have entered, but rather have applied themselves to improve\nother qualifications, which might have insured their own happiness, and\nhave rendered them useful members of society.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 21]\n\nTHE LEOPARD AND THE FOX.\n\n\nThe Leopard, one day, took it into his head to value himself upon the\ngreat variety and beauty of his spots, and truly he saw no reason why\neven the Lion should take place of him, since he could not shew so\nbeautiful a skin. As for the rest of the wild beasts of the forest, he\ntreated them all without distinction in the most haughty and disdainful\nmanner. But the Fox being among them, went up to him with a great deal\nof spirit and resolution, and told him that he was mistaken in the\nvalue he was pleased to set upon himself, since people of judgment were\nnot used to form their opinion of merit from an outside appearance, but\nby considering the good qualities and endowments with which the mind\nwas stored within.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWise men are chiefly captivated with the beauty of the mind, rather\nthan that of the person; and whenever they are infatuated with a\npassion for any thing else, it is generally observed that they cease,\nduring that time at least, to be what they were, and indeed are\nonly considered to be playing the fool. It too often happens that\nwomen of remarkable beauty are so fully satisfied with their outward\nexcellencies, that they totally neglect the improvement of their\nminds; not considering that it is only a combination of mental and\npersonal charms that can entitle them to be ranked as Nature\u2019s greatest\nornaments. Unmindful of this, however, they are too apt to consider\nbeauty as the only thing requisite in their sex; and since they are\nendowed with it in such an eminent degree, they look down with disdain\non females less happy in personal charms. Beauty has undoubtedly great\ninfluence over the hearts of mankind, but when it is overrun with\naffectation and conceit, their admiration will soon be turned into\ndisgust; while women of more ordinary persons, but blessed with good\nsense and good humour, will captivate the hearts of worthy men, and\nmore effectually secure their constancy.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 23]\n\nTHE PEACOCK AND THE CRANE.\n\n\nThe Peacock and the Crane having by chance met together, the Peacock\nerected his tail, displayed his gaudy plumes, and looked with contempt\nupon the Crane, as some mean ordinary person. The Crane resolving to\nmortify his insolence, took occasion to say, that Peacocks were very\nfine birds indeed, if fine feathers could make them so; but that he\nthought it a much nobler thing to be able to rise above the clouds into\nendless space, and survey the wonders of the heavens, as well as of the\nearth beneath, with its seas, lakes, and rivers, as far as the eye can\nreach, than to strut about upon the ground, and be gazed at by children.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThere cannot be a greater sign of a weak mind, than a person\u2019s valuing\nhimself on a gaudy outside, whether it consist of the beauties of the\nperson, or the still more contemptible vanity of fine cloaths. This\nkind of misguided pride, while it endeavours to exalt, commonly tends\nto lower the persons who are infected with it; but never renders them\nso truly ridiculous as when it inspires them with a contempt of those\nwho have ten times more worth than themselves. To value ourselves\nupon the glitter and finery of dress is one of the most trifling of\nall vanities; and a man of sense would be ashamed to bestow upon it\nthe least attention. They who examine things by the scale of common\nsense, must find something of weight and substance before they can be\npersuaded to set a value upon it. The mind that is stored with virtuous\nand rational sentiments, and the behaviour which is founded upon\ncomplacency and humility, stamp a value upon the possessor, which all\nmen of discernment are ever ready to admire and acknowledge.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 25]\n\nTHE TWO POTS.\n\n\nAn earthen Pot, and one of brass, standing together upon the brink of\na river, were both carried away by the sudden rise of the water. The\nearthen Pot shewed some uneasiness, fearing he should be broken; but\nhis companion of brass bade him be under no apprehension, as he would\ntake care of him. Oh! replies the other, keep as far off as you can, I\nentreat you: it is you I am most afraid of; for whether the stream dash\nyou against me, or me against you, I am sure to be the sufferer, and,\ntherefore, I beg of you do not let us come near one another.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nA man of moderate fortune, who is contented with what he has, and finds\nhe can live happily upon it, should be particularly guarded against\nthe ill-judged ambition of associating with the rich and powerful, for\nwhat in them is \u0153conomy, would in him be the height of extravagance;\nand at the very time they honour him with their countenance, they are\nleading him on to his ruin. People of equal conditions may float down\nthe current of life without hurting each other; but it is no easy\nmatter to steer one\u2019s course in company with the great, so as to escape\nwithout a bulge: neither is it desirable to live in the neighbourhood\nof a very great man; for whether we ignorantly trespass upon him, or he\nknowingly encroach upon us, we are sure to be the sufferers.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 27]\n\nTHE MOLE AND HER DAM.\n\n\nThe young Mole snuffed up her nose, and told her Dam she smelt an odd\nkind of a smell. Bye and bye, O strange! says she, what a noise there\nis in my ears, as if ten thousand hammers were going. A little after,\nshe was at it again: look, look, what is that I see yonder? it is just\nlike the flame of a fiery furnace. The Dam replied, pray child hold\nyour idle tongue; and if you would have us allow you any sense at all,\ndo not affect to shew more than nature has given you.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nBy affectation, we aim at being thought to possess some accomplishment\nwhich we have not, or at shewing what we have, in a conceited\nostentatious manner. There is scarcely any species of ridiculous\nbehaviour, which is not derived from it; it grows out of folly and\ninsincerity; it derogates from genius; it is the bane of beauty, and\ndiminishes its charms; it is disagreeable to others, and hurtful to the\nperson who uses it; it detracts from some real possession, and makes\nqualities that would otherwise pass well enough, appear nauseous and\noffensive; and whoever indulges in it, may be sure to lay themselves\nopen, and call forth the attention of others to notice their vanity.\nTo cure ourselves of affectation, we have only to call in the aids of\ntruth and sincerity, which will cut off the whole train of its follies\nat one stroke.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 29]\n\nTHE GOAT, THE KID, AND THE WOLF.\n\n\nThe Goat going abroad to feed, shut up her young Kid at home, charging\nhim to bolt the door fast, and open it to nobody till she herself\nshould return. The Wolf who lay lurking hard by, heard the charge\ngiven, and soon after came and knocked at the door, counterfeiting the\nvoice of the Goat, and desired to be admitted. The Kid looking out at\nthe window, and finding the cheat, bade him go about his business, for,\nhowever he might imitate a Goat\u2019s voice, yet he appeared too much like\na Wolf to be trusted.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nDeceit, hypocrisy, and villainy, are constantly on the watch to entrap\nand ensnare the innocent and the unwary. Every beautiful woman is\ncommonly surrounded by a kind of men who would undermine her virtue;\nand inexperienced men of fortune, in the outset of life, are almost\nconstantly beset with rogues and sharpers; and these artful villains,\nunder one specious pretext or another, too often effect the ruin of the\nweak and unsuspicious of both sexes. As a guard against all these, the\nearly admonitions of parents are of inestimable worth: they are built\nupon the tenderest regard, and the most sincere affection. Those who\nhave already travelled over the difficult paths of life, and buffeted\nits storms, have observed the snares and the dangers with which the\nway is strewed, and they are enabled by their experience, to forewarn\nthose who are about to launch out on the troubled ocean of life, to\nsteer their course clear of its hidden rocks, its shoals, and its\nquick-sands. Did youth but know the importance of this early advice,\nhow eagerly would they treasure it in their minds, and as occasion\nrequired, with what pleasure would they draw it forth, and obey its\ndictates. To the neglect of these precepts, may be attributed much of\nthe ill conduct we see in the world, and most of the misfortunes which\nbefal mankind through life.\n\n[Illustration:\n\n _Honour thy Father\n and thy mother\n that thy Days may be long\n in the land which\n The LORD thy God\n giveth Thee._\n]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 31]\n\nTHE BROTHER AND SISTER.\n\n\nA certain man had two children, a Son and a Daughter; the Boy very\nhandsome, and the Girl only moderately so. They were both young, and\nhappened to be one day playing near the looking-glass, which stood\non their mother\u2019s toilet. The Boy, pleased with the novelty of the\nthing, viewed himself for some time, and in a wanton roguish manner,\nobserved to the Girl how handsome he was. She resented it, and could\nnot bear the insolent manner in which he spoke, for she understood it\n(as how could she do otherwise) to be intended as a direct affront to\nher. Therefore she ran immediately to her Father, and with a deal of\naggravation, complained of her Brother, particularly of his having\nacted so effeminate a part as to look in a glass, and meddle with\nthings which belonged to women only. The father embraced them both\nwith much tenderness and affection, and told them that he should\nlike to have them look in a glass every day: to the intent that you,\nsays he, addressing himself to the Boy, if you think that face of\nyours handsome, may not disgrace and spoil it by an ugly temper, and\na foul behaviour; and that you, speaking to the girl, may make up for\nthe defects of your person, if there be any, by the sweetness of your\nmanners, and the agreeableness of your conversation.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWe should every day view ourselves considerately in a looking-glass,\nwith the intent of converting it to a better purpose than that of\nmerely observing and admiring our persons. Let those on whom nature has\nbeen liberal of her bounties, in bestowing a fine countenance, with\nsymmetry of person, health, and strength, always remember that these\nare the gifts of providence, for which we ought ever to be thankful,\nbut never vain: these qualifications ought only to act as a spur to\ninduce us to cultivate the mind, by study, by reading, and reflection,\nso as to cause it to correspond in its beauties with those of our\noutward appearance. Let others again who have not any thing in their\npersonal appearance to attract the attention of the world, strive also\nto improve the faculties of the mind, and to excel in the beauties of\na good temper, and an agreeable conversation, the charms of which,\nnotwithstanding a rough exterior, cannot fail to endear the possessor\nto all men of sense, who will readily discover intrinsic worth, whether\nit be made up of a lively imagination, clear perceptions, or the\ntransparent sincerity of an honest heart.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 33]\n\nTHE SHEEP-BITER.\n\n\nA certain Shepherd had a Dog, upon whose fidelity he relied very much,\nfor whenever he had occasion to be absent himself, he committed the\ncare of his flock to the charge of this Dog; and to encourage him to do\nhis duty cheerfully, he fed him constantly with sweet milk and curds,\nand sometimes threw him a bone extraordinary. Yet, notwithstanding\nthis, no sooner was his back turned, than the treacherous Cur fell upon\nsome one of the flock, and thus devoured the sheep instead of guarding\nand defending them. The Shepherd having at length found out his tricks,\nwas resolved to hang him; and the Dog, when the rope was about his\nneck, and he was just going to be tied up, began to expostulate with\nhis master, asking him why he was so unmercifully bent against him, who\nwas his own servant and creature, and had only committed a few crimes;\nand why he did not rather take vengeance on the Wolf who was an open\nand declared enemy? Nay, replied the Shepherd, it is for that very\nreason that I think you ten times more worthy of death, for from him\nI expected nothing but hostilities, and therefore could guard against\nhim; you I depended on as a just and faithful servant, and fed and\nencouraged you accordingly, and therefore your treachery is the more\nbase, and your ungratitude the more unpardonable.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThe common disappointments which we are liable to through life,\ndo not bring with them any thing to be compared to the bitterness\nwe experience from the perfidy of those we esteemed and trusted\nas friends: an open enemy we can guard against, and we look upon\nhim when he is at rest, as we do at the sword within its scabbard;\nbut the man who betrays his trust, masked under the appearance of\nfriendship, wounds us in the tenderest part, and involves us in a\ncruelly complicated grief, which frets the mind and heightens the sum\nof our infelicity. Friendship is the cordial of human life, the balm\nof society; and he who violates its laws, by treachery and deceit,\nconverts it into the deadliest poison, and renders that which ought to\nbe the defence and support of our steps, our greatest snare and danger.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 35]\n\nTHE OLD WOMAN AND HER MAIDS.\n\n\nAn Old Woman, who had several Maid Servants, used to call them up to\ntheir work at the crowing of the Cock. The damsels, not liking to have\ntheir sweet slumbers disturbed so early, combined together, and killed\nthe Cock, thinking they might then enjoy their warm beds a little\nlonger. But in this they found themselves mistaken, for the Old Woman,\nhaving lost her unerring guide, from that time roused them out of their\nbeds whenever she awoke, although it might be at midnight.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWe govern our lives by imagination rather than by judgment, mistaking\nthe reason of things, and imputing the issue of them to wrong causes.\nWe should endeavour to content ourselves in our present station, if it\nbe not very bad indeed, for it seldom happens that every thing can be\nin all respects agreeable to our wishes. When we give full scope to the\nimpatience of our tempers, and quit our present condition in life, we\noften find we have not changed for the better; but we are too fond of\ncarving out our fortunes for ourselves, and wish to remove this or that\nobstacle which we imagine stands between us and our felicity: then,\ntoo late, we see how greatly we are mistaken in our notions, when we\nfeel we have changed for the worse. Before we attempt any alteration of\nmoment, we should, if possible, ascertain what state it will produce,\nand not suffer infirmity of temper to embitter our lives; but, above\nall, we should never aim at mending our fortunes by fraud and violence.\n\n[Illustration: _They all want \\Brains\\ Wigs_]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 37]\n\nHERCULES AND THE CARTER.\n\n\nAs a clownish Fellow was driving his cart along a deep miry lane, the\nwheels stuck so fast in the clay, that his horses could not draw it\nout. Upon this he fell a bawling and praying to Hercules to come and\nhelp him. Hercules, looking down from a cloud, bid him not lie there\nlike an idle dastardly looby as he was, but get up and whip his horses,\nand clap his shoulder stoutly to the wheel, adding that this was the\nonly way for him to obtain assistance.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThe man who sits down at his ease, and prays to Heaven to have all\nhis wants supplied, and his wishes accomplished, by a miracle wrought\nin his favour, without using his own exertions and honest endeavours\nto obtain them, deserves to be disappointed. Many men who have a fair\nshare of natural good sense, and who also value themselves upon having\ntheir reasoning powers enlightened by revelation, yet fall into this\nerror: led by fanatics and bigots, they follow the fashion of running\noften to prayers and sermons, when they might be much better employed\nat home. The industrious good man, instead of publicly praying for\nthe comforts of life, pursues his business, which is the proper means\nof procuring them; and if at the same time he holds converse with his\nMaker, which all men ought to do, and no man can be happy without\ndoing, he needs no veil of hypocrisy to make the world believe he is\nbetter than he really is: he feels it his duty and pleasure so to\nproceed, while he sojourns here, and knows not how he can do better,\nthan by sober and honest industry to provide for those of his own\nhousehold, and to endeavour for the means of helping him that needeth.\nThe man who is virtuously and honestly engaged, is actually serving\nGod all the while; and is more likely to have his silent wishes,\naccompanied with strenuous endeavours, complied with by the Supreme\nBeing, than he who begs with an unnecessary vehemence, and solicits\nwith an empty hand--a hand which would be more religious, were it\nusefully employed, and more devout, were it stretched out to do good to\nthose that want it.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 39]\n\nTHE EAGLE, THE CAT, AND THE SOW.\n\n\nAn Eagle had built her nest upon the top branches of an old oak; a\nWild Cat inhabited a hole in the middle; and in the hollow part at the\nbottom was a Sow with a whole litter of Pigs. A happy neighbourhood,\nand might long have continued so, had it not been for the wicked\ninsinuations of the designing Cat: for first of all, up she crept to\nthe Eagle, and, Good neighbour, says she, we shall all be undone; that\nfilthy Sow yonder does nothing but lie rooting at the foot of the\ntree, and, as I suspect, intends to grub it up, that she may the more\neasily come at our young ones. For my part, I will take care of my\nown concerns, you may do as you please; but I will watch her motions,\nthough I stay at home this month for it. When she had said this, which\ncould not fail of putting the Eagle into a great fright, down she went,\nand made a visit to the Sow at the bottom: putting on a sorrowful\nface, I hope, says she, you do not intend to go abroad to-day: why not?\nsays the Sow: nay, replies the other, you may do as you please, but I\noverheard the Eagle tell her young ones, that she would treat them with\na Pig the first time she saw you go out; and I am not sure but she may\ntake up with a Kitten in the mean time; so good morrow to you, you will\nexcuse me, I must go and take care of the little folks at home. Away\nshe went accordingly, and by contriving to steal out softly at nights\nfor her prey, and to stand watching and peeping all day at her hole,\nas under great concern, she made such an impression upon the Eagle and\nthe Sow, that neither of them dared to venture abroad, for fear of the\nother; the consequence of which was, that they in a little time were\nstarved, and their young ones fell a prey to the treacherous Cat and\nher Kittens.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThis shews us the ill consequence of giving ear to a gossiping\ndouble-tongued neighbour. Many sociable well-disposed families have\nbeen blown up into a perpetual discord, by one of these wicked\ngo-betweens; so that whoever would avoid the imputation of being a\nbad neighbour, should guard both against receiving ill impressions by\nhearsay, and uttering his opinions of others, to those busy bodies,\nwho, to gratify a malignant disposition, or gain some selfish end\nof their own, can magnify a gnat to the size of a camel, or swell a\nmole-hill to a mountain.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 41]\n\nTHE LARK AND HER YOUNG ONES.\n\n\nA Lark who had Young Ones in a field of corn nearly ripe, was under\nsome fear lest the reapers should come and cut it down before her young\nbrood were fledged, and able to remove from the place; wherefore, when\nshe flew abroad in the morning to seek for food for them, she charged\nthem to listen to what the Farmer said about shearing. On her return,\nher young family opened all their little throats at once, to inform her\nthat the Farmer had sent to his neighbours to reap the corn the next\nmorning. Is that all? said the old Lark, then there is no danger. When\nshe went abroad again the next morning, she left the same instructions\nas before. At night, she found her Young Ones more alarmed than at\nfirst; for the Farmer had applied to his friends, earnestly requesting\nthem to begin the harvest the next day. She received this intelligence\nas calmly as before, and took no other precautions the next day, than\nrepeating the same orders. In the evening, they told her that the\nFarmer had been charging his son to get the sickles ready, for it was\nin vain to wait for other people, and that they would cut the corn\nto-morrow themselves. Nay, then said the old Lark, we must be off as\nsoon as we can; for when a man undertakes to do his business himself,\nit is not so likely that he will be disappointed.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nHe who depends on the assistance of others to perform what he is able\nto do himself, must not be surprised to find that his business is\nneglected. He may be sure that it will be best done when he puts forth\nhis own hands, and looks after it with his own eyes. How indeed can any\nman imagine, that other people will be active in his interest, while he\nhimself remains indolent and unconcerned about his own affairs. Men of\nsuch tempers and dispositions, live in a state of suspense, and subject\nthemselves to perpetual disappointments and losses, which their own\nindustry would have prevented, and have kept their minds at ease. They\ndo not use their reasoning powers, but sink down into a kind of stupid\nabject dependence upon others, which degrades even the finest talents\nwith which human nature is dignified.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 43]\n\nTHE YOUNG MEN AND THE COOK.\n\n\nTwo Young Men went into a Cook\u2019s shop, under pretence of buying some\nmeat; and while the Cook\u2019s back was turned, one of them snatched up a\npiece of beef, and gave it to his companion, who clapt it under his\ncloak. The Cook turning about, and missing his beef, began to charge\nthem with it: upon which he that first took it swore bitterly he had\nnone of it. He that had it, swore as heartily that he had not taken it.\nWhy, look ye, gentlemen, says the Cook, I see your equivocation; and\nthough I cannot tell which of you has taken my meat, I am sure between\nyou there is a thief.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThis fable shews how little reliance can be placed on either the word\nor the oath of those who, like the thieves in the cook\u2019s shop, have\nneither honour nor honesty. An honest man\u2019s word is as good as his\noath; and so is a rogue\u2019s too: for he that will cheat and lie, will\nnot scruple to forswear himself. The former needs no oath to bind him;\nand the latter, though he swear in the most solemn manner that can be\ninvented, only deceives you the more certainly, as he who scruples\nnot to steal, will never regard the heinous guilt of calling upon\nthe Supreme Being to witness his atrocity. It is no less wicked to\nquibble and evade the truth, than it is to deny it altogether, for the\nfalsehood consists in what we wish the hearer to believe, not in the\nliteral import of what we say. Men who habituate themselves to this\nspecies of deceit, will soon be ready to go the length of any perjury.\nEarly to impress the mind with the unspeakable worth of truth, is of\nthe utmost importance. It is sacred, and no man can say in the face of\nthe world, that it ought not to prevail. No discussions can injure its\ncause--it emanates from heaven--it is an attribute of omnipotence, and\nis therefore eternal.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 45]\n\nTHE MULE.\n\n\nA Mule, which was pampered up and easily worked, became plump, sleek,\nand in high condition, and in the height of his wantonness, would\nscamper about from hill to dale in all the wildness of unbridled\nrestraint. Why should not I, said he to himself, be as good a racer as\nany horse whatever? My father, whose pedigree was well known, was one\nof the best of them; do not I resemble him in every respect? While he\nwas indulging his vanity in reveries of this kind, his master having\noccasion to mount him upon urgent business, put him upon his speed,\nand, ere long, was obliged to use both whip and spur to force him to\npush forward. Thus jaded and tired, he muttered to himself, Alas! I\nfind now, I was mistaken in my pedigree, for my sire was not a Horse,\nbut an Ass.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThe man who has been brought up in ease and affluence, and pampered and\nanticipated in all his wants, little imagines what a figure he would\nmake in the world, were his supplies cut off, and he were put to the\ntrial to rub through its thorny mazes, and provide for himself. The\nchildren of the poor industrious honest man, when brought up like their\nparents, are put to a kind of school, such as the opulent it is feared\ncan seldom form any conception of; and if the former, by their industry\nand abilities, rise above poverty, their enjoyments in life commonly\nsurpass those who have been, without effort, upheld in every real as\nwell as imaginary want. The sensible poor man does not trouble his head\nabout his pedigree, but he knows that his descent must of course be as\nancient as that of any man on earth; and that if he is respected in the\nworld, it must arise solely from his own good conduct and merit. The\nman who has nothing to boast but the merely tracing back his ancestry,\nis building upon a hollow foundation. If indeed his ancestry have\narisen to their high station by patriotic and virtuous means, and have\ndeservedly maintained a high character for probity, worth, and honour,\nlet him follow their example: if otherwise, all he can do or say will\nonly prove him to be a mongrel, or an ass.\n\n \u201cThe pride of family is all a cheat,\n \u201c\u2019Tis personal merit only makes us great.\u201d\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 47]\n\nTHE COCK AND THE JEWEL.\n\n\nA gallant young Cock, in company with his mistresses, raking upon a\ndung-hill for something to entertain them with, happened to scratch\nup a Jewel. He knew what it was well enough, for it sparkled with\nan exceeding bright lustre; but not knowing what to do with it, he\nshrugged up his wings, shook his head, and putting on a grimace,\nexpressed himself to this purpose: Indeed, you are a very fine thing;\nbut I know not any business you have here. I make no scruple of\ndeclaring, that my taste lies quite another way; and I had rather have\none grain of dear, delicious barley, than all the Jewels under the sun.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nMoralists have interpreted this Fable in various ways, some of them\nascribing the want of setting a proper value upon the Jewel, to\nignorance, and say:--\n\n \u201cTo fools, the treasures dug from wisdom\u2019s mine\n \u201cAre Jewels thrown to Cocks, and Pearls to Swine.\u201d\n\nBut the most obvious meaning of the Fable is surely to shew, that\nmen who weigh well their own real wants, and shape their pursuits to\ntheir abilities, will always prefer those things which are necessary,\nto such as are merely ornamental or superfluous, and will not easily\nsuffer themselves to be led astray by the gaudy allurements of glitter\nand show, which have no other value than what vanity, pride, or luxury\nmay have set upon them; but governing their minds by their own reason,\njudge of every thing by its intrinsic worth.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 49]\n\nMERCURY AND THE WOODMAN.\n\n\nA Man was felling a tree on the steep bank of a river, and by chance\nlet slip his hatchet, which dropt into the water, and sunk to the\nbottom. Being in distress for want of his tool, he sat down and\nbemoaned himself on the occasion. Upon this, Mercury appeared to him,\nand being informed of the cause of his complaint, dived to the bottom\nof the river, and coming up again, shewed the Man a golden hatchet,\ndemanding if that were his? he denied that it was: upon which Mercury\ndived a second time, and brought up a silver one; the Man refused it,\nalleging likewise that it was not his: he dived a third time, and\nfetched up the individual hatchet the Man had lost; upon sight of\nwhich the poor fellow was overjoyed, and took it with all humility and\nthankfulness. Mercury was so pleased with his honesty, that he gave him\nthe other into the bargain, as a reward for his just dealing. Away\ngoes the Man to his companions, and giving them an account of what\nhad happened, one of them went presently to the river\u2019s side, and let\nhis hatchet fall designedly into the stream. Then sitting down upon\nthe bank, he fell to weeping and lamenting as if he had been really\nand sorely afflicted. Mercury appeared as before, and diving, brought\nhim up a golden hatchet, asking if that were the hatchet he had lost?\nTransported at the precious metal, he answered yes, and went to snatch\nit greedily; but the God, detesting his abominable impudence, not only\nrefused him that, but would not so much as let him have his own again.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nHonesty is the best policy; and one of our best poets has further\nstamped a value upon the good old maxim, by his assertion that \u201can\nhonest man is the noblest work of God.\u201d The paths of truth and\nintegrity are so plain, direct, and easy, that the man who pursues\nthem, stands in no need of subtle contrivances to deceive the world. He\nlistens to the honest monitor within, and makes good his professions\nwith his practice: neither gold nor silver hatchets can make him\ndeviate from it; and whatever situation he may be placed in, he is sure\nto meet the esteem of all men within the circle in which he moves, and\nhas besides the constant pleasure of feeling self-approbation within\nhis own breast.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 51]\n\nTHE FOX AND THE VIZOR MASK.\n\n\nA Fox being in a shop where Vizor Masks were sold, laid his foot upon\none of them, and considering it awhile attentively, at last broke out\ninto this exclamation: Bless me! says he, what a handsome goodly figure\nthis makes! what a pity it is that it should want brains!\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\n The accomplished beau in air and mein how blest,\n His hat well fashioned, and his hair well drest,\n Is yet undrest within: to give him brains\n Exceeds his hatter\u2019s or his barber\u2019s pains.\n\nThis Fable is levelled at that numerous part of mankind, who, out of\ntheir own ample fortunes take care to accomplish themselves in every\nthing but common sense, and seem not even to bestow a thought upon\nthe important consequences of cultivating their understandings. The\nsmooth address and plausible behaviour of the varnished fop may indeed\npass current with the ignorant and superficial, but however much he\nmay value himself upon his birth or figure, he never fails exciting\nthe contempt or the pity of men of sagacity and penetration, and the\nridicule of those who are disposed to amuse themselves at the folly\nand vanity of such as put on the mask of wisdom to cover their want of\nbrains.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 53]\n\nTHE THIEF AND THE DOG.\n\n\nA Thief coming to rob a certain house in the night, was thwarted in his\nattempts by a fierce vigilant Dog, who kept barking at him continually.\nUpon which the Thief, thinking to stop his mouth, threw him a piece\nof bread; but the Dog refused it with indignation, telling him that\nbefore he only suspected him to be a bad man, but now upon his offering\nto bribe him, his suspicions were fully confirmed; and that as he was\nentrusted with the guardianship of his master\u2019s house, he would never\ncease barking while such a rogue was lurking about it.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nNothing can alter the honest purpose of him whose mind is embued with\ngood principles. He will despise an insidious bribe, and the greater\nthe offer which is designed to buy his silence, the louder and more\nindignantly will he open out against the miscreant who would thus\npractise upon him. He knows that the favours held out to him are not\nmarks of the love and regard of him who would confer them, but are\nmeant as the price at which he is to sell his honour and his virtue.\nWith a mind unpolluted, his noble resolution never fails to produce\nthe happiest consequences, by preserving his friends and himself from\nthe mischievous projects laid against them. So true it is, that virtue\nis its own reward; while corruption and venality are sure in the end\nto bring the greatest miseries on those, and their adherents, who are\nso base, or perhaps inconsiderate, as to subject themselves to future\nevils of the most fatal nature, for the sake of a little present profit.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 55]\n\nTHE MAN AND HIS GOOSE.\n\n\nA certain Man had a Goose, which laid him a golden egg every day.\nBut not contented with this, which rather increased than abated his\navarice, he was resolved to kill the Goose, and cut up her belly,\nthat by so doing he might come at the inexhaustible treasure which he\nfancied she had within her. He did so, and to his great sorrow and\ndisappointment, found nothing.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nNo passion can be a greater torment to those who are led by it, or more\nfrequently mistakes its aim, than insatiable covetousness. It makes\nmen blind to their present happiness, and conjures up ideal prospects\nof increasing felicity, which often tempt its deluded votaries to\ntheir ruin. Men who give themselves up to this propensity, know not\nhow to be contented with the constant and continued sufficiency with\nwhich Providence may have blessed them: their minds are haunted with\nthe prospect of becoming rich, and their impatient craving tempers are\nperpetually prompting them to try to obtain their object all at once.\nThey lose all present enjoyment in remotely contemplating the future;\nand while they are shewing by their conduct how insensible they are\nto the bounty of Providence, they are at the same time laying the\nfoundation of their own unhappiness.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 57]\n\nTHE WANTON CALF.\n\n\nA Calf, which had been some time fattening in a rich pasture, full of\nwantonness and arrogance, could not forbear insulting an old Ox every\ntime he saw him at the plough. What a sorry drudge art thou, says he,\nto bear that heavy yoke, and draw all day a plough at thy tail! See,\nwhat a fat, sleek, and comely appearance I make, and what a life of\nease I lead: I go where I please, and frisk about in the sunshine, or\nlie down under the cool shade, just as my own fancy prompts me. The Ox,\nnot moved by this insolence, made no reply, but pursued his daily round\nof alternate labour and rest, until he saw the Calf taken and delivered\nto a priest, who immediately led him to the altar, and prepared to\nsacrifice him. When the fatal knife was just at his throat, the Ox drew\nnear, and whispered him to this purpose: see what your wanton and lazy\nlife has brought you to, a premature and painful death.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWe may learn by this Fable the general consequence of an idle life,\nand how well rewarded laborious diligent men are in the end, when\nthey quietly enjoy the fruits of their industry. They who by little\ntricks and chicanery, or by open violence and robbery, are enabled\nto live in a high expensive way, often despise the poor honest man,\nwho is contented with the humble produce of his daily labour. But how\noften is the poor man comforted, by seeing these wanton villains led\nin disgrace and misery to the altar of justice, while he has many a\ncheerful summer\u2019s morning to enjoy abroad, and many a long winter\u2019s\nevening to indulge in at home, by a quiet hearth, and under an unenvied\nroof: blessings, which often attend a sober industrious man, though\nthe idle and the profligate are utter strangers to them. Luxury and\nintemperance, besides their inevitable tendency to shorten a man\u2019s\ndays, are very apt to engage their besotted votaries in a debauched\nlife, not only prejudicial to their health, but which engenders in\nthem a contempt for those whose good sense and true taste of happiness\ninspire them with an aversion to idleness and effeminacy, and put them\nupon hardening their constitution by innocent exercise and laudable\nemployment. How many do gluttony and sloth tumble into an untimely\ngrave! while the temperate and the active drink sober draughts of\nlife, and spin out the thread of their existence to the most desirable\nlength.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 59]\n\nTHE BOASTING TRAVELLER.\n\n\nOne who had been abroad, was giving an account of his travels,\nand among other places, said he had been at Rhodes, where he had\ndistinguished himself so much in leaping, an exercise which that city\nwas famous for, that not a Rhodian could come near him. When those\nwho were present did not seem to credit this relation so readily as\nhe intended they should, he took some pains to convince them of it by\noaths and protestations: upon which, one of the company told him he\nneed not give himself so much trouble about it, since he would put him\nin a way to demonstrate the fact; which was, to suppose the place they\nwere in to be Rhodes, and to perform his extraordinary leap over again.\nThe boaster, not liking this proposal, sat down quietly, and had no\nmore to say for himself.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWe had better be contented to keep our exploits to ourselves, than to\nappear ridiculous by attempting to force a belief of that which is\nimprobable; and travelled gentlemen should have a care how they import\nfalsehoods and inventions of their own from foreign parts, and attempt\nto vend them at home for staple truths. It cannot be too strongly\nimpressed upon the mind, that a lie is upon all occasions degrading\nto the person who utters it, and should be most scrupulously avoided,\nnot only on account of its baseness, but because it is impossible to\nforesee in how many troubles it may involve him who passes it off.\nIt will not always receive credit, and is ever liable to detection.\nWhen it is calculated for wicked purposes, it will deservedly incur\npunishment; and when it is of a harmless or insignificant nature, it\nwill even then often expose its author to contempt and ridicule; and\nvanity never mistakes its end more grossly, than when it attempts to\naggrandize itself at the expence of truth.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 61]\n\nTHE SHEPHERD\u2019S BOY AND THE WOLF.\n\n\nA Shepherd\u2019s Boy, while attending his flock, used frequently to\ndivert himself by crying out, \u201cthe Wolf! the Wolf!\u201d The Husbandmen in\nthe adjoining grounds, thus alarmed, left their work and ran to his\nassistance, but finding that he was only sporting with their feelings,\nand bantering them, they resolved at last to take no notice of his\nalarms. It was not long, however, before the Wolf really came, and the\nBoy bawled out \u201cthe Wolf! the Wolf!\u201d as he had done before; but the men\nhaving been so often deceived, paid no attention to his cries, and the\nsheep were devoured without mercy.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThe man who would go through the world with reputation and success,\nmust preserve a religious adherence to truth: for no talents or\nindustry can give him weight with others, or induce the sensible part\nof mankind to place any confidence in him, if he be known to deviate\nwithout scruple from veracity. Men of this stamp soon become notorious;\nand besides the ignominy which attaches to their characters, they have\nto undergo the mortification of not being believed even when they\ndo speak the truth. Whatever misfortune may befal them, and however\nsincere they may be in making known their distress, yet, like the boy\nin the Fable, their complaints and most earnest asseverations cannot\nprocure them credit, and are received at best with doubt and suspicion.\nThe same consequences follow falsehood and deception, whether practised\nby individuals or public governors, and they will both find in the end\nthat they have been guided by cunning, and not by wisdom: for although\nthe ignorant part of mankind may, to serve the temporary purposes of a\nbad government, be acted upon by false alarms of imaginary dangers, yet\neven these in time will see through the stale tricks and artifices of\nthose whose designs are to gull and impose upon them.\n\n[Illustration:\n\n This Stone (like many\n 10000000 of Men in the World)\n has held up its bare\n useless head for many\n Centuries past.\n]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 63]\n\nTHE CROW AND THE PITCHER.\n\n\nA Crow, ready to die with thirst, flew with joy to a Pitcher which he\nbeheld at some distance. When he came, he found water in it, indeed,\nbut so near the bottom, that with all his stooping and straining, he\nwas not able to reach it. He then endeavoured to overturn the Pitcher,\nthat at least he might be able to get a little of it; but his strength\nwas not sufficient for the accomplishment of this purpose. At last\nseeing some pebbles lie near the place, he cast them one by one into\nthe Pitcher, and thus, by degrees, raised the water up to the very\nbrim, and satisfied his thirst.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWhat we cannot accomplish by strength, we may by ingenuity and\nindustry. A man of sagacity and penetration, upon meeting with a few\ndifficulties, does not drop his pursuits, but if he cannot succeed in\none way, sets his mind to work upon another, and does not hesitate\nabout stepping out of the old beaten track which had been thoughtlessly\npursued in a roundabout way by thousands before him. The present\nstate of the world, enlightened by arts and sciences, is a proof that\ndifficulties seemingly unsurmountable, and undertakings once imagined\nto be impossible, have been accomplished; and this ought to be kept in\nmind as a spur to continued exertion: for we are not acquainted with\nthe strength of our own minds till we exercise them, nor to what length\nour abilities will carry us, till we put them to the trial.\n\n \u201cWhat is discovered only serves to shew,\n That nothing\u2019s known to what is yet to know.\u201d\n\nThe man who enriches the present fund of knowledge with some new and\nuseful improvement, does an honour to himself, and ought invariably\nto be rewarded by the public: for, like a happy adventurer by sea,\nhe discovers as it were an unknown land, and imports an additional\ntreasure to his own country.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 65]\n\nTHE PARTRIDGE AND THE COCKS.\n\n\nA Man having caught a Partridge, plucked the feathers out of one of\nits wings, and turned it into a little yard where he kept Game Cocks.\nThe Cocks led the poor bird a sad life, continually pecking at and\ndriving it away from the meat. This treatment was taken the more\nunkindly, because offered to a stranger; and the Partridge could not\nhelp concluding that they were the most uncivil inhospitable people he\nhad ever met with. But observing how very frequently they quarrelled\nand fought with each other, he comforted himself with reflecting, that\nit was no wonder they were so cruel to him, since they shewed the same\ndisposition to each other.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nNo peace is to be expected among those who are naturally fierce,\nquarrelsome, and inhospitable; and people of a different disposition\nshould avoid, as much as possible, having any thing to do with them.\nBut when we cannot help coming into contact with such characters, there\nis no remedy but patience; and this virtue a wise man will call to his\naid under every misfortune. When our sufferings are inflicted by the\nwickedness of others, it is some consolation to reflect, that people\nof this character are continually waging war among themselves, and\npunishing each other; and that the consequences of their own wickedness\nfollow them like their shadow, besides rendering them the objects of\ngeneral aversion. No virtue was more universally practised, or more\nstrongly recommended, by the ancients, than a mild conduct to our\ncompanions, and an hospitable entertainment of strangers; and when this\nis not the general character of any people, it shews, in greater or\nless degrees, the wretched state of society in which they live.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 67]\n\nTHE FOX AND THE CROW.\n\n\nA Crow having taken a piece of meat out of a cottage window, flew\nup into a tree with it; which a Fox observing, came underneath, and\nbegan to compliment the Crow upon her beauty. I protest, says he, your\nfeathers are of a more delicate white than I ever saw in my life! Ah!\nwhat a fine shape and graceful turn of body is there! and I make no\nquestion but you have a tolerable voice: if it be but as fine as your\ncomplexion, I do not know a bird that can stand in competition with\nyou. The Crow, tickled with this very civil language, wriggled about,\nand hardly knew where she was; and having a mind to convince the Fox\nin the matter of her voice, attempted to sing, and in the same instant\nlet the meat drop out of her mouth. This being what the Fox wanted,\nhe chopped it up in a moment, and trotted away, laughing at the easy\ncredulity of the Crow.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\n \u201cIt is a maxim in the schools,\n That flattery is the food of fools.\u201d\n\nThey that love flattery will have cause to repent of their foible\nin the long run; and yet how few there are among the whole race of\nmankind, who are proof against its attacks. The gross way in which it\nis managed by some silly practitioners, is enough to alarm the dullest\napprehension; but let the ambuscade be disposed with judgment, and it\nwill scarcely fail of seizing the most guarded heart. How many are\ntickled to the last degree with the pleasure of flattery, even while\nthey are applauded for their honest detestation of it. There is no\nway to baffle the force of this engine, but by every one\u2019s examining\nimpartially for himself, the true estimate of his own qualities. If he\ndeal sincerely in the matter, nobody can tell so well as himself, what\ndegree of esteem ought to attend any of his actions; and therefore he\nshould be entirely easy as to the opinion others have of them. If they\nattribute more to him than is his due, they are either designing, or\nmistaken; if they allow him less, they are envious, or possibly still\nmistaken; and in either case are to be despised or disregarded: for he\nthat flatters without designing to make advantage of it, is a fool;\nand whoever encourages that flattery which he has sense enough to see\nthrough, is a vain coxcomb.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 69]\n\nTHE SENSIBLE ASS.\n\n\nAn old Man who was feeding his Ass in a fine green meadow, being\nalarmed by the sudden approach of an enemy, began urging the Ass to put\nhimself forward, and fly with all the speed he was able. The Ass asked\nhim whether he thought the enemy would clap two pair of panniers upon\nhis back? The Man said, No, there was no fear of that. Why then, says\nthe Ass, I will not stir an inch, for what is it to me who my master\nis, since I shall but carry my panniers as usual.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThis Fable shews us how much in the wrong the poorer sort of people\nmost commonly are, when they are under any concern about the\nrevolutions of a government. All the alteration which they can feel, is\nperhaps in the name of their sovereign, or some such important trifle;\nbut they cannot well be poorer, or made to work harder, than they did\nbefore. And yet how are they sometimes imposed upon and drawn in by\nthe artifices of a few mistaken or designing men, to foment factions,\nand raise rebellions, in cases where they can get nothing by success;\nbut if they miscarry, are in danger of suffering an ignominious and\nuntimely end.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 71]\n\nTHE SWALLOW AND OTHER BIRDS.\n\n\nA Swallow, observing a Farmer sowing his field with flax, called the\nBirds together, and informed them what he was about. She told them that\nflax was the material of which the thread was made that composed the\nfowler\u2019s nets, so fatal to the feathered race, and strongly advised\nthem to assist her in picking up the seed, and destroying it. The Birds\nheard her with indifference, and gave themselves no trouble about the\nmatter. In a little time the flax sprung up, and appeared above the\nground. She then put them in mind once more of their impending danger,\nand wished them to pluck it up in the bud, before it grew any farther.\nBut they still slighted her warnings, and the flax grew up into stalk.\nShe again urged them to attack it, for it was not yet too late; but\nthey only ridiculed her for a silly pretending prophet. The Swallow,\nfinding all her remonstrances availed nothing, was resolved to leave\nthe society of such careless unthinking creatures, before it was too\nlate: so quitting the woods, she repaired to the houses; and, forsaking\nthe conversation of the Birds, has ever since taken up her abode among\nthe dwellings of men.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWise men read effects in their causes, and profit by them; but their\nadvice is thrown away when given to the arrogant and self-conceited,\nwho are too proud to listen to it. It is equally lost upon fools, who\nstupidly or obstinately shut their eyes against impending danger,\ntill it is too late to prevent it. In both cases, those who have no\nforesight of their own, and those who despise the wholesome admonitions\nof their friends, deserve to suffer from the misfortunes which their\nown obstinacy, folly, or negligence, brings upon their heads. A great\nportion of mankind, from an overweening conceit of their own abilities,\nare unwilling to be advised by any one, and through this stubborn\ndisposition, deprive themselves of the aids of friendship, and the\nbenefits which the good-will of their more sensible neighbours would\nhave conferred on them with pleasure.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 73]\n\nTHE THIEVES AND THE COCK.\n\n\nTwo Thieves broke into a house with a design to rob it; but when they\nhad pried into every corner, found nothing worth taking away but a\nCock, which they seized upon and carried off. When they were about to\nkill him, he begged very hard that they would spare his life, putting\nthem in mind how useful he was to mankind, by crowing and calling them\nup betimes to their work. You villain, replied they, it is for that\nvery reason we will wring your head off; for you alarm and keep the\npeople waking, so that we cannot rob in quiet for you.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThe same thing which recommends us to the esteem of good people, will\nmake those that are bad have nothing but hatred and ill-will towards\nus; for every man who has engaged himself in a vicious or wicked\ncourse of life, fiend-like, makes himself, as it were, the natural\nadversary of virtue. It is in vain for innocent men, under oppression,\nto complain to those who are the occasion of it: all they can urge\nwill but make against them; and even their very innocence, though\nthey should say nothing, would render them sufficiently suspected.\nThe moral, therefore, that this Fable brings along with it, is to\ninform us that there is no trusting, nor any hopes of living well,\nwith wicked unjust men; for their disposition is such, that they will\ndo mischief to others as soon as they have the opportunity. When vice\nflourishes, and is in power, were it possible for a good man to live\nquietly in its neighbourhood, and preserve his integrity, it might be\nsometimes perhaps convenient for him to do so, rather than quarrel\nwith and provoke it against him. But as it is certain that rogues are\nirreconcileable enemies to men of worth, if the latter would be secure,\nthey must take methods to free themselves from the power and society of\nthe former.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 75]\n\nTHE WOLVES AND THE SICK ASS.\n\n\nAn Ass being sick, the report was spread abroad in the country, and\nsome did not scruple to say, that she would die before another night\nwent over her head. Upon this, several Wolves went to the stable where\nshe lay, under pretence of making her a visit; but rapping at the door,\nand asking how she did, the young Ass came out, and told them that his\nmother was much better than they desired.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nIf the kind enquiries after the sick were all to be interpreted with as\nmuch frankness as those in the Fable, the porters of the great might\ncommonly answer with the strictest propriety, that their masters were\nmuch better than was wished or desired. The charitable visits which\nare made to many sick people, proceed from much the same motive with\nthat which induced the hungry Wolves to make their enquiries after\nthe sick Ass, namely, that they may come in for some share of their\nremains, and feast themselves upon the reversion of their goods and\nchattels. The sick man\u2019s heir longs for his estate; one friend waits\nin anxious expectation of a legacy, and another wants his place; it,\nhowever, does not unfrequently happen, that the mask of these selfish\nvisitants, and their counterfeit sorrow, are seen through, and their\nimpertinent officiousness treated with the contempt it so justly\ndeserves.\n\n[Illustration: \u2019Tis \\the\\ a world! floating about, like an illumined\nmote, in the immensity of endless space--and is inhabited by nations of\nproud pismires.--]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 77]\n\nTHE DOG IN THE MANGER.\n\n\nA Dog was lying upon a stall full of hay. An Ox, being hungry, came\nnear, and offered to eat of the hay; but the ill-natured Cur getting up\nand snarling at him, would not suffer him to touch it. Upon which the\nOx, in the bitterness of his heart, said, A curse light on thee for a\nmalicious wretch, who will neither eat hay thyself, nor suffer others\nto do it.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThere are men in the world of so snarling, malevolent, and ill-natured\na disposition, that they will even punish themselves, rather than\nput forth a finger to serve any one. It gives them a malignant kind\nof pleasure to have it in their power to cause trouble and vexation\nto others, whenever they have an opportunity of doing so; and could\nthey have their will, they would shut out the light and warmth of\nthe sun, and suffer the fruits of the earth to rot upon it, provided\nthey could see those about them unhappy; and in thus taking delight\nin other people\u2019s miseries, it of course follows that they are their\nown tormentors. These characters, in common life, are diabolical and\ndetestable; but the evils they inflict, are only like a drop to the\nocean, when compared to those which men of the same stamp shed abroad\nin the world, when, in an evil hour, they happen to be exalted to\ngovern the affairs of a nation. Then, indeed, their baleful influence\nis felt in every direction: they may be termed fiends in human shape;\nfor, as far as they are able, they thwart the benevolent intentions of\nOmnipotence, and the very breath of their nostrils seems to blast the\nhappiness of mankind.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 79]\n\nJUPITER AND THE ASS.\n\n\nAn Ass which had been some time in the service of a Gardener, and\ncarried his vegetables to market, became tired of his place, and\npetitioned Jupiter that he would permit him to enter upon the service\nof a neighbouring Potter. Jupiter granted his request. He here,\nhowever, soon found that the latter loaded him with heavier burthens,\nand kept him on poorer fare than he had been used to before. He again\nprayed to Jupiter to grant that he might be allowed to better his\ncondition by engaging himself to a Tanner. Jupiter again heard his\nprayer; but here he soon found he had changed for the worse: for,\nbesides being hard worked, he was also often cruelly treated; and\nseeing what was going on in this place, he could not forbear upbraiding\nhimself with his folly and inconstancy. Oh, tofo that I was! said he to\nhimself, for leaving my former mild master, to become the servant of\none, who, after working me to death, will not spare my very hide after\nI am dead.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThe man that carries about with him the plague of a restless mind, can\nnever be pleased; he is ever shifting and changing, and is in truth\nnot so weary of his condition as of himself. Seldom or never contented\nwith his lot, he is ever hunting after happiness where it is not to\nbe found, without ever looking for it where it is. He indulges in the\nstrange propensity of his nature, which leads him to suppose that his\nown lot is the most miserable, and therefore concludes that any change\nhe can make must be for the better. He loses sight of the virtues of\npatience, constancy, and resignation, and seems not to know that every\nstation in life has its real or imaginary inconveniences; and that\nit is better to bear with those which we are accustomed to endure,\nand of which we know the utmost extent, than by aiming at the seeming\nadvantages of another way of life, to subject ourselves to all its\nhidden miseries.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 81]\n\n\u00c6SOP AND THE IMPERTINENT FELLOW.\n\n\n\u00c6sop having occasion to go out to seek a light to kindle his fire, went\nfrom house to house for some time before he could succeed; but having\nat last got what he wanted, he posted back in haste with his lighted\ncandle in his hand. An impudent Fellow, leaving his companions, caught\nhold of \u00c6sop by the sleeve, and would fain have shewn off his wit, and\nbeen arch upon him. Hey day! oh, rare \u00c6sop! says he, what occasion for\na candle, old boy! what, are you going to light the sun to bed? Let me\nalone, says \u00c6sop, for with it I am looking for an honest man.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nIt is plain that our old philosopher in the Fable did not take the\nimpertinent fellow for an honest man, and he gave him to understand\nthat it required a good light to find out one who fully came up to\nthat character; and he might have added, that the world very much\nabounded with ignorant and impudent ones, who, with their empty\nnonsense, which they call wit, often unseasonably interrupt men of\nthought and business: for to those whose minds are wholly intent upon\nmatters of importance, nothing is so offensive as the intrusion of a\nfool. Men of eminent parts and great natural abilities, make their\nappearance in the world only now and then. These qualifications are\nthe gift of Providence, and seem to be intended to throw fresh lights\non the understandings of mankind; but in all the gradations from these\ndownwards, it is in the power of every one to improve their manners,\nand integrity is within the reach of those of the meanest capacity, if\nthey will endeavour to amend their lives, and take it for their guide.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 83]\n\nTHE FORESTER AND THE LION.\n\n\nThe Forester meeting with the Lion one day, they discoursed together\nfor a while without much differing in opinion. At last, a dispute\nhappening to arise about the point of superiority between a Man and a\nLion, the former wanting a better argument, shewed the latter a marble\nmonument, on which was placed the statue of a Man striding over a\nvanquished Lion. If this, says the Lion, is all you have to say for it,\nlet us be the sculptors, and we will make the Lion striding over the\nMan.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nSuch is the partiality of mankind in favour of themselves and their\nown actions, that it is extremely difficult, nay almost impossible\nto come at any certainty, by reading the accounts that are written\non one side only. The simple truth is still perverted, as prejudice,\nvanity, or interest warps the mind, and it is not discovered in all\nits brilliancy, till the mists which obscure it are swept away by the\nmost rigid investigation. In what an odious light would our party men\nplace each other, if the transactions of the times were handed down\nto posterity by a warm zealot on either side; and were such records\nto survive a few centuries, with what perplexities and difficulties\nwould they embarrass the historian, as by turns he consulted them for\nthe character of his great forefathers. The same difficulties would\noccur in writing the history of nations, both ancient and modern. Some\nof those who flourish at this day, and consider themselves as having\nreached perfection in civilization and polished manners, will perhaps,\nnot unjustly, be branded in after-times with cruelty, injustice,\nand oppression, in having confounded all simplicity of manners, and\ndisturbed the peace of whole nations, by carrying the horrors of\nwar, of murder, and desolation, into regions formerly blessed with\nuninterrupted tranquillity.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 85]\n\nTHE WOLF, THE FOX, AND THE APE.\n\n\nThe Wolf indicted the Fox for felony before the Ape, who upon that\noccasion was appointed special judge of the cause. The Fox gave in his\nanswer to the Wolf\u2019s accusation, and denied the fact. After hearing\nboth sides, the Ape, penetrating the character of the parties, gave\njudgment to this purpose: I am of opinion, that you, says he to the\nWolf, never lost the goods you sue for; and as for you, turning to the\nFox, I make no question but you at least have stolen what is laid to\nyour charge. And thus the court was dismissed with this public censure\nupon each party.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWell may both judge and jury, in the outset of trial, be puzzled to\ndecide between and do justice to men whose quarrels are made up of\nbaseness and villainy, and carried on with mutual treachery, fraud,\nand violence, and whose witnesses are perhaps of the same character\nwith themselves. Each party may justly enough accuse the other, though\nneither of them are worthy of belief, and deserve even no credit for\nthe imputations with which they asperse each other\u2019s characters. But\nsuch men need not hope long to deceive the world: a penetrating judge\nand an honest jury will, upon sifting the matter, clearly see what kind\nof men they have been occupying their attention with, and shew a proper\ndisgust at the wicked impudence of both plaintiff and defendant.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 87]\n\nTHE BALD KNIGHT.\n\n\nA certain Knight growing old, his hair fell off, and he became bald;\nto hide which imperfection he wore a periwig. But as he was riding out\nwith some others a hunting, a sudden gust of wind blew off the periwig,\nand exposed his bald pate. The company could not forbear laughing at\nthe accident; and he himself laughed as loud as any body, saying, how\nwas it to be expected that I could keep strange hair upon my head, when\nmy own would not stay there?\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThere is no disposition, or turn of mind, which on many occasions\ncontributes more to keep us easy, than that which enables us to rally\nany of our failings, or joke upon our own infirmities: this blunts\nthe edge, and baffles and turns aside the malignant sneers of little\nwits, and the ill nature and ridicule of others. If we should at any\ntime happen to incur the laughter of those about us, we cannot stifle\nit sooner or better than by receiving it all with a cheerful look,\nand by an ingenuous and pleasant remark, parry the jest which another\nis ready to throw out at our expence. To appear fretted or nettled,\nonly serves to gratify the wishes of those who take a secret pleasure\nin seeing such an effect produced; and, besides, a testy or captious\ntemper is a source of perpetual disquietude, both to ourselves and our\nacquaintances, and like a little leaven, sours the whole mass of our\ngood qualities. If we had no other imperfections, this of itself would\nbe sufficient to cause our company to be shunned.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 89]\n\nTHE LION AND THE FOUR BULLS.\n\n\nFour Bulls, who had entered into a very strict friendship, kept always\nnear one another, and fed together. The Lion often saw them, and as\noften had a mind to make one of them his prey; but though he could\neasily have subdued any of them singly, yet he was afraid to attack\nthe whole alliance, knowing they would have been too powerful for him,\nand therefore was obliged to keep himself at a distance. At last,\nperceiving that no attempt was to be made upon them as long as their\ncombination lasted, he artfully contrived, by the whispers and hints of\nhis emissaries, to foment jealousies, and raise divisions among them.\nThis stratagem succeeded so well, that the Bulls grew cold and reserved\nto one another, which soon after ripened into a downright hatred and\naversion, and at last ended in a total separation. The Lion had now\nattained his ends; and though it had been impossible for him to hurt\nthem while they were united, he found no difficulty, now they were\nparted, to seize and devour every Bull of them, one after another.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nSince friendships and alliances are of the greatest importance to our\nwell-being and happiness, we cannot be too often cautioned against\nsuffering them to be broken by tale bearers and whisperers, or by\nany dark plots and contrivances of our enemies: for when by such\nwicked means as these, or by our own imprudence, we lose a friend,\nwe shake the very basis of our interest, and remove the pillar that\ncontributed to support it. Whatever in cases of this kind is applicable\nto individuals, is equally so to kingdoms and states; and it is as\nundisputed a maxim as ever was urged upon the attention of mankind, by\nthe best man that ever lived, that a \u201ckingdom divided against itself\ncannot stand:\u201d the people are invincible when united.\n\n Faction and feuds will overturn the state\n Which union renders flourishing and great.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 91]\n\nTHE OLD MAN AND HIS SONS.\n\n\nAn old Man had several Sons, who were constantly quarrelling with each\nother, notwithstanding he used every means in his power to persuade\nthem to cease their contentions, and to live in amity together. At last\nhe had recourse to the following expedient:--He ordered his Sons to\nbe called before him, and a bundle of sticks to be brought, and then\ncommanded them to try if, with all their strength, any of them could\nbreak it. They all tried, but without effect: for the sticks being\nclosely and compactly bound together, it was impossible for the force\nof man to break them. After this, the Father ordered the bundle to be\nuntied, and gave a single stick to each of his Sons, at the same time\nbidding them try to break it. This they did with ease, and soon snapped\nevery stick asunder. The Father then addressed them to this effect: O,\nmy Sons, behold the power of unity! for if you, in like manner, would\nbut keep yourselves strictly conjoined in the bands of friendship, it\nwould not be in the power of any mortal to hurt you; but when you are\ndivided by quarrels and animosities, you fall a prey to the weakest\nenemies.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nA kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and the\nsame holds good in all societies and corporations of men, from the\nconstitution of the nation, down to every little parochial vestry.\nEvery private family should consider itself a little state, in which\nthe several members ought to be united by one common interest. Quarrels\nwith each other are as fatal to their welfare, as factions are\ndangerous to the peace of the commonwealth. But indeed the necessity\nof union and friendship extends itself to all kinds of relations in\nlife, and they conduce mightily to the advantage of those who cherish\nand cultivate them. No enemy will dare to attack a body of men firmly\nattached to each other, and will fear to offend one of the number,\nlest he should incur the resentment of the rest; but if they split\ninto parties, and are disunited by quarrels, every petty opponent will\nventure to attack them, and the whole fraternity will be liable to\nwrongs and violence.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 93]\n\nTHE LION, THE TIGER, AND THE WOLF.\n\n\nA Lion and a Tiger, at the same instant seized on a young Fawn, which\nthey immediately killed. This they had no sooner performed, than they\nfell to fighting, in order to decide whose property it should be. The\nbattle was so obstinate, that they were both compelled, by weariness\nand loss of blood, to desist and lie down breathless and quite\ndisabled. A Wolf passing that way, perceiving how the case stood, very\nimpudently stepped up and seized the booty, which they had all this\nwhile been contending for, and carried it off. The two combatants, who\nbeheld this without being able to prevent it, could only make this\nreflection: How foolish, said they, has been our conduct! Instead of\nbeing contented, as we ought, with our respective shares, our senseless\nrage has rendered us unable to prevent this rascally Wolf from robbing\nus of the whole.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWhen people go to law about an uncertain title, and have spent the\nvalue of their whole estate in the contest, nothing is more common\nthan to find that some unprincipled attorney has secured the object\nin dispute to himself. The very name of law seems to imply equity and\njustice, and that is the bait which has drawn in many to their ruin.\nIf we would lay aside passion, prejudice, and folly, and think calmly\nof the matter, we should find that going to law is not the best way\nof deciding differences about property; it being, generally speaking,\nmuch safer to trust to the arbitration of two or three honest sensible\nneighbours, than at a vast expence of money, time, and trouble, to run\nthrough the tedious frivolous forms, with which, by the artifices of\ngreedy lawyers, a court of judicature is contrived to be attended. Or\nif a case should happen to be so intricate that a man of common sense\ncannot distinguish who has the best title, how easy would it be to have\nthe opinion of the best counsel in the land, and agree to abide by his\ndecision. If it should appear dubious, even after that, how much better\nwould it be to divide the thing in dispute, rather than go to law, and\nhazard the losing, not only of the whole, but costs and damages into\nthe bargain!\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 95]\n\nTHE FOX WITHOUT A TAIL.\n\n\nA Fox being caught in a trap, escaped after much difficulty with the\nloss of his tail. He was, however, a good deal ashamed of appearing in\npublic without this ornament, and at last, to avoid being singular and\nridiculous in the eyes of his own species, he formed the project of\ncalling together an assembly of Foxes, and of persuading them that the\ndocking of their tails was a fashion that would be very agreeable and\nbecoming. Accordingly he made a long harangue to them for that purpose,\nand endeavoured chiefly to shew the awkwardness and inconvenience of a\nFox\u2019s tail, adding that they were quite useless, and that they would be\na very great deal better without them. He asserted, that what he had\nonly conjectured and imagined before, he now found by experience to be\ntrue, for he never enjoyed himself so much, and found himself so easy\nas he had done since he cut off his tail. He then looked round with a\nbrisk air, to see what proselytes he had gained; when a sly old Fox\nin company answered him, with a leer: I believe you may have found a\nconvenience in parting with your tail, and perhaps when we are in the\nsame circumstances, we may do so too.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nMany of the fashions which obtain in the world, originate in the whim\nor caprice of some vain conceited creature, who takes a pride in\nleading the giddy multitude in a career of folly. Others again take\ntheir rise from an artful design to cover some vice, or hide some\ndeformity in the person of the inventor. Projectors and planners of a\nhigher stamp are also not uncommon in the world. These men appear to\ntoil only for the public good, and the sacred name of patriotism is\ntheir shield. It, however, often happens that when their deep schemes\nare opened out, they are found to proceed from nothing better than\nself-interested motives, and a sincere desire to serve themselves.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 97]\n\nTHE MISER AND HIS TREASURE.\n\n\nA certain Miser, having got together a large sum of money, sought\nout a sequestered spot, where he dug a hole and hid it. His greatest\npleasure was to go and look upon his treasure; which one of his\nservants observing, and guessing there was something more than ordinary\nin the place, came at night, found the hoard, and carried it off. The\nnext day, the Miser returning as usual to the scene of his delight,\nand perceiving the money gone, tore his hair for grief, and uttered\nthe most doleful accents of despair. A neighbour, who knew his temper,\noverhearing him, said, Cheer up, man! thou hast lost nothing: there is\nstill a hole to peep at: and if thou canst but fancy the money there,\nit will do just as well.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nOf all the appetites to which human nature is subject, none is so\nlasting, so strong, and so unaccountable, as avarice. Other desires\ngenerally cool at the approach of old age; but this flourishes under\ngrey hairs, and triumphs amidst infirmities. All our other longings\nhave something to be said in excuse for them; but it is above reason,\nand therefore truly incomprehensible, why a man should be passionately\nfond of money only for the sake of gazing upon it. His treasure is as\nuseless to him as a heap of oyster shells; for though he knows how\nmany substantial pleasures it might procure, yet he dares not touch\nit, and is as destitute, to all intents and purposes, as the man who\nis not worth a groat. This is the true state of a covetous person, to\nwhich one of that fraternity perhaps may reply, that when we have said\nall, since pleasure is the grand aim of life, if there arise a delight\nto some, from the bare possession of riches, though they do not use,\nor even intend to use them, we may be puzzled how to account for it,\nand think it strange, but ought not absolutely to condemn those who\nthus closely, but innocently, pursue what they esteem the greatest\nhappiness. True! people would be in the wrong to paint covetousness in\nsuch odious colours, were it compatible with innocence. But here arises\nthe mischief: a covetous man will stop at nothing to attain his ends;\nand when once avarice takes the field, honesty, charity, humanity, and\nevery virtue which opposes it, are sure to be put to the rout.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 99]\n\nTHE SHIP DOG.\n\n\nA young saucy Dog, having been found not to like any employment at\nhome, was taken by a sea captain on board his ship, where, being well\nfed, he soon became both stout and fierce, and shewed himself off as\nsuch in every foreign port. He no sooner got ashore, than he held up\nhis leg against every post and corner, and scraped the ground with his\nfeet, quite regardless what dog he might bespatter; and if any of them\nhappened to look sulkily at him, he thought nothing of seizing upon\nand rolling them in the kennel. If he happened to fall into company,\nhe always began to give himself airs, to talk big, and to express his\ncontempt for the dogs of the place. He would boast that he was from\na better country, and belonged to a better family than any dog among\nthem. In short, said he, \u201cI come from Cheviot, the highest mountain in\nthe world, and the very heart of all England, where my forefathers,\nthousands of years ago, assembled to hunt the Wild Bull, the Wolf, and\nthe Boar.\u201d He was once going on at this rate, when he was interrupted\nby a sedate, experienced Bitch, who assured him that there were good\ndogs and bad dogs in every country, and that the only difference arose\nfrom their education; that many of the forefathers he boasted of, had\nlong since worried each other, and the remainder of them had become so\ntroublesome, that part had been transported across the sea to another\nplace; and she knew, from good authority, that both his father and his\nmother were hanged.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWhen foreigners speak slightingly of the country they happen to be in,\nand praise their own, it shews in them a want of good sense and good\nbreeding. It is indeed natural to have an affection for one\u2019s native\nland, nor can we help preferring it to every other; but to express this\nin another country, to people whose opinion it must needs contradict,\nby the same rule that it is conformable to our own, cannot fail of\ngiving them just offence. It matters not how highly some particular\ncountries may stand in the estimation of the rest of the world: this\nhas little to do with private individuals; the advantage of having\nbeen born in one of those favoured countries, is accidental, and no\nman ought to be esteemed merely on that account. In order to merit the\nrespect of virtuous and wise men in every foreign land, it must appear\nto them that by our talents, our acquirements, and our patriotism, we\ndo credit to the country which gave us birth.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 101]\n\nTHE GOAT AND THE LION.\n\n\nThe Lion, seeing a Goat upon a steep craggy rock, where he could not\ncome at him, asked him what delight he could take to skip from one\nprecipice to another all day, and venture the breaking of his neck\nevery moment? I wonder, says he, you will not come down and feed on the\nplain here, when there is such plenty of grass, and fine sweet herbs.\nWhy, replies the Goat, I cannot but say your opinion is right; but you\nlook so very hungry and designing, that, to tell you the truth, I do\nnot care to venture my person where you are.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nAdvice, though good in itself, is to be suspected when it is given\nby a tricking, self-interested man. Perhaps we should take upon\nourselves not only a very great, but an unnecessary trouble, if we\nwere to suspect every man who offers to advise us; but this however\nis necessary, that when we have reason to question any one in point\nof honour and justice, we not only consider well before we suffer\nourselves to be persuaded by him, but even resolve to have nothing to\ndo in any affair where such treacherous slippery sparks are concerned,\nif we can avoid it without much inconvenience.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 103]\n\nTHE TWO TRAVELLERS.\n\n\nTwo Men travelling upon the road, one of them saw an Axe lying upon\nthe ground, where somebody had been hewing timber: so taking it up,\nsays he, I have found an Axe. Do not say I, says the other, but we have\nfound; for as we are companions, we ought to share the value between\nus: but the first would not consent. They had not gone far, before the\nowner of the Axe, hearing what was become of it, pursued them with a\nwarrant; which, when the fellow that had it, perceived, Alas! says he\nto his companion, we are undone. Nay, says the other, do not say we,\nbut I am undone: for, as you would not let me share the prize, neither\nwill I share the danger with you.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWe cannot reasonably expect those to bear a part in our ill-fortune,\nwhom we never permitted to share in our prosperity; and whoever is so\nover-selfish and narrow-minded, as to exclude his friend from a portion\nof the benefits to which an intimate connection entitles him, may,\nperhaps, engross some petty advantages to himself, but he must lay his\naccount on being left to do as well as he can for himself in times of\ndifficulty and distress. The very life and soul of friendship subsist\nupon mutual benevolence, and in conferring and receiving obligations\non either hand, with a free, open, and unreserved behaviour, without\nthe least tincture of jealousy, suspicion, or distrust, guided by a\nstrict observance of the rules of honour and generosity; and as no\nman includes within himself every thing necessary for his security,\ndefence, preservation, and support, these rules are the requisites of\nfriendship, to make it firm and lasting, and the foundation on which it\nmust be built.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 105]\n\nTHE FOX AND THE ASS.\n\n\nAn Ass finding a Lion\u2019s skin, disguised himself in it, and ranged\nabout the forest, putting all the beasts in bodily fear. After he had\ndiverted himself thus for some time, he met a Fox, and being desirous\nto frighten him too, as well as the rest, he leapt at him with some\nfierceness, and endeavoured to imitate the roaring of a Lion. Your\nhumble servant, says the Fox, if you had held your tongue, I might have\ntaken you for a Lion, as others did, but now you bray, I know who you\nare.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nA man is known by his words, as a tree is by the fruit; and if we\nwould be apprized of the nature and qualities of any one, let him\nbut discourse, and he will speak them to us better than another can\ndescribe them. We may therefore perceive, from this Fable, how proper\nit is for those to hold their tongues, who would not discover the\nshallowness of their understandings. \u201cEmpty vessels make the greatest\nsound,\u201d and the deepest rivers are most silent; the greatest noise\nis ever found where there is the least depth of water. It is a true\nobservation, that those who are the weakest in understanding, and most\nslow of apprehension, are generally the most precipitate in uttering\ntheir crude conceptions. Grave looks, an aspect of dignity, and a\nsolemn deportment, may sometimes deceive even an accurate observer; but\nwise discourse cannot be successfully counterfeited or assumed, and the\nsententious blockhead is as easily recognised as the pert coxcomb. It\nmatters not what disguise one of these may assume; he utters himself,\nand undeceives us: he brays, and tells the whole company what he is.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 107]\n\nTHE CAT AND THE FOX.\n\n\nAs the Cat and the Fox were once talking politics together, in the\nmiddle of a forest, Reynard said, let things turn out ever so bad, he\ndid not care, for he had a thousand tricks for them yet, before they\nshould hurt him; but pray, says he, Mrs Puss, suppose there should be\nan invasion, what course do you design to take? Nay, says the Cat, I\nhave but one shift for it, and if that won\u2019t do, I am undone. I am\nsorry for you, replies Reynard, with all my heart, and would gladly\nfurnish you with one or two of mine; but indeed neighbour, as times go,\nit is not good to trust, we must even be every one for himself, as the\nsaying is, and so your humble servant. These words were scarcely out of\nhis mouth, when they were alarmed with a pack of hounds, that came upon\nthem in full cry. The Cat, by the help of her single shift, ran up a\ntree and sat securely among the branches, whence she beheld Reynard,\nwho had not been able to get out of sight, overtaken with his thousand\ntricks, and torn into as many pieces by the Dogs, which had surrounded\nhim.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nOne good discreet expedient made use of upon an emergency, will do\na man more real service, and make others think better of him, than\nto have passed all his life for a shrewd crafty fellow, full of his\nstratagems and expedients, and valuing himself upon his having a deeper\nknowledge of the world than his neighbours. Plain good sense, and a\ndownright honest meaning, are a better guide through life, and more\ntrusty security against danger, than the low shifts of cunning, and the\nrefinements of artifice. Cunning is of a deep entangling nature, and\nis a sign of a small genius; though when it happens to be successful,\nit often makes an ostentatious pretension to wisdom; but simplicity of\nmanners is the ally of integrity, and plain common sense is the main\nrequisite of wisdom.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 109]\n\nTHE DOG INVITED TO SUPPER.\n\n\nA Gentleman having invited several friends to supper, his Dog thought\nthis a fit opportunity to invite another Dog, an intimate of his own,\nto partake with him of the good cheer, in the kitchen. Accordingly the\nstranger punctually attended, and seeing the mighty preparations going\nforward, promised himself a most delicious repast. He began to smell\nabout, and, with his eyes intent upon the victuals, to lick his lips,\nand wag his tail. This drew the attention of the Cook, who stole slyly\nup, and seizing him by the hind legs, whirled him out of the window\ninto the street. The Dog, stunned and hurt by his hard fall on the\npavement, began to howl, the noise of which drew several Dogs about\nhim, who knowing of the invitation, began to enquire how he had fared?\nO! charmingly, said he; only I ate and drank till I scarce knew which\nway I came out of the house.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThere is no depending upon a second-hand interest; unless we know\nourselves to be well with the principal, and are assured of his favour\nand protection, we stand upon a slippery foundation. They are strangers\nto the world who are so weak as to think they can be well with any\none by proxy; they may by this means be cajoled, bubbled, and imposed\nupon, but are under great uncertainty as to gaining their point, and\nmay probably be treated with scorn and derision in the end. Yet there\nare not wanting among the several species of fops, silly people of this\nsort, who pride themselves in an imaginary happiness, from being in\nthe good graces of a great man\u2019s friend\u2019s friend. Alas! the great men\nthemselves are but too apt to deceive and fail in making good their\npromises, how then can we expect any good from those who do but promise\nand vow in their names? To place a confidence in such sparks, is\nindeed so false a reliance, that we ought to be ashamed to be detected\nin it; and, like the Dog in the Fable, rather own we had been well\ntreated, than let the world see how justly we had been punished for our\nridiculous credulity.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 111]\n\nTHE ANGLER AND THE LITTLE FISH.\n\n\nAn Angler caught a small Trout, and as he was taking it off the hook,\nand going to put it into his basket, it opened its little throat, and\nbegged most piteously that he would throw it into the river again. The\nman demanded what reason it had to expect this indulgence? Why, says\nthe Fish, because I am so young and so little, that it is not worth\nyour while taking me now, and certainly I shall be better worth your\nnotice, if you take me a twelvemonth afterwards, when I shall be grown\na great deal larger. That may be, replied the Angler, but I am sure of\nyou now; and I am not one of those who quit a certainty in expectation\nof an uncertainty.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThey who neglect the present opportunity of reaping a small advantage,\nin the hope that they shall obtain a greater afterwards, are far from\nacting upon a reasonable and well advised foundation. We ought never\nthus to deceive ourselves, and suffer the favourable moment to slip\naway; but secure to ourselves every fair advantage, however small, at\nthe moment that it offers, without placing a vain reliance upon the\nvisionary expectation of something better in time to come. Prudence\nadvises us always to lay hold of time by the forelock, and to remember\nthat \u201ca bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.\u201d\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 113]\n\nA MAN BITTEN BY A DOG.\n\n\nA Man, who had been sadly torn by a Dog, was advised by some Old Woman,\nas a cure, to dip a piece of bread in the wound, and give it to the\nCur that bit him. He did so, and \u00c6sop happening to pass by just at the\ntime, asked him what he meant by it? The man informed him. Why then,\nsays \u00c6sop, do it as privately as you can, I beseech you; for if the\nrest of the Dogs of the town were to see you, we should all be eaten up\nalive by them.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nVice should always be considered as the proper object of punishment,\nand we should on no account connive at offences of an atrocious nature,\nmuch less confer rewards on the criminals: for nothing contributes so\nmuch to the increase of roguery, as when the undertakings of a knave\nare attended with success. If it were not for the fear of punishment, a\ngreat part of mankind, who now make a shift to keep themselves honest,\nwould be great villains. But if criminals, instead of meeting with\npunishment, were, by having been such, to attain honour and preferment,\nour natural inclination to mischief would be increased, and we should\nbe wicked out of emulation. We should rather strive to make virtue as\ntempting as possible, and throw out every allurement in our power to\ndraw the minds of the wavering and unsettled to espouse her cause.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 115]\n\nTHE FOX AND THE TIGER.\n\n\nA skilful Archer coming into the woods, directed his arrows so\nsuccessfully, that he slew many wild beasts, and wounded several\nothers. This put the whole savage kind into a great consternation, and\nmade them fly into the most retired thickets for refuge. At last, the\nTiger resumed courage, and bidding them not be afraid, said that he\nalone would engage the enemy, telling them they might depend on his\nvalour to avenge their wrongs. In the midst of these threats, while\nhe was lashing himself with his tail, and tearing up the ground with\nanger, an arrow pierced his ribs, and hung by its barbed point in his\nside. He set up a loud and hideous roar, occasioned by the anguish he\nfelt, and endeavoured to draw out the painful dart with his teeth: when\nthe Fox approaching him, enquired with an air of surprise, who it was\nthat could have strength and courage enough to wound so mighty and\nvalorous a beast? Ah! says the Tiger, I was mistaken in my reckoning:\nit was that invincible Man yonder.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThough strength and courage are very good ingredients towards\nmaking us secure and formidable in the world, yet unless there be a\nproper portion of wisdom or policy to direct them, instead of being\nserviceable, they often prove detrimental to their proprietors. A\nrash forward man, who depends upon the excellence of his own parts\nand accomplishments, is likewise apt to expose a weak side, which his\nenemies might not otherwise have observed; and gives an advantage to\nothers by those very means which he fancied might have secured it to\nhimself. Counsel and conduct always did and always will govern the\nworld; and the strong, in spite of all their force, can never avoid\nbeing tools to the crafty. Some men are as much superior to others in\nwisdom and policy, as man in general is above the brute. Strength,\nill-governed, opposed to them, is like a quarter staff in the hands\nof a huge, robust, but bungling fellow, who fights against a master\nof the science. The latter, though without a weapon, would have skill\nand address enough to disarm his adversary, and drub him with his own\nstaff. In a word, savage fierceness and brutal strength, must not\npretend to stand in competition with policy and stratagem.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 117]\n\nTHE DOG AND THE SHADOW.\n\n\nA Dog, crossing a rivulet with a piece of flesh in his mouth, saw his\nown shadow represented in the clear mirror of the stream; and believing\nit to be another Dog, who was carrying another piece of flesh, he could\nnot forbear catching at it; but was so far from getting any thing by\nhis greedy design, that he dropt the piece he had in his mouth, which\nimmediately sunk to the bottom, and was irrecoverably lost.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\n Base is the man who pines amidst his store,\n And fat with plenty, griping covets more.\n\nExcessive greediness, in the end, mostly misses what it aims at, and\nhe that catches at more than belongs to him, justly deserves to lose\nwhat he has. Yet nothing is more common, and, at the same time more\npernicious, than this selfish principle. It prevails from the king\nto the peasant; and all orders and degrees of men are more or less\ninfected with it. Great monarchs have been drawn in by this greedy\nhumour to grasp at the dominions of their neighbours; not that they\nwanted any thing more to feed their luxury, but to gratify their\ninsatiable appetite for vain glory; and many states have been reduced\nto the last extremity by attempting such unjust encroachments. He that\nthinks he sees the estate of another in a pack of cards, or a box and\ndice, and ventures his own in the pursuit of it, should not repine, if\nhe finds himself a beggar in the end.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 119]\n\nTHE BEAR AND THE BEE-HIVES.\n\n\nA Bear, climbing over the fence into a place where Bees were kept,\nbegan to plunder the hives, and rob them of their honey; but the Bees,\nto revenge the injury, attacked him in a whole swarm together; and\nthough they were not able to pierce his rugged hide, yet, with their\nlittle stings they so annoyed his eyes and nostrils, that, unable to\nendure the smarting pain, with impatience he tore the skin over his\nears, with his own claws, and suffered ample punishment for the injury\nhe had done the Bees, in breaking open their waxen cells.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nMany and great are the injuries of which men are guilty towards each\nother, for the sake of gratifying some base appetite: for there are\nthose who would not scruple to bring desolation upon their country, and\nrun the hazard of their own necks into the bargain, rather than balk\na wicked inclination, either of cruelty, ambition, or avarice. But it\nwere to be wished, that all who are hurried on by such blind impulses,\nwould consider a moment before they proceed to irrevocable execution.\nInjuries and wrongs not only call for revenge and reparation with the\nvoice of equity itself, but oftentimes carry their punishment along\nwith them; and, by an unforeseen train of events, are retorted on the\nhead of the actor, who not seldom, from a deep remorse, expiates them\nupon himself by his own hand.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 121]\n\nTHE DRUNKEN HUSBAND.\n\n\nA certain Woman had a Drunken Husband, whom she had endeavoured to\nreclaim by several ways, without effect. She, at last, tried this\nstratagem: when he was brought home one night dead drunk, she ordered\nhim to be carried to a burial-place, and there laid in a vault, as if\nhe had been dead indeed. Thus she left him, and went away till she\nthought he might be come to himself, and grown sober again. When she\nreturned, and knocked at the door of the vault, the man cried out,\nwho\u2019s there? I am the person, says she, in a dismal tone of voice, that\nwaits upon the dead folks, and I am come to bring you some victuals.\nAh, good waiter, says he, let the victuals alone and bring me a little\ndrink, I beseech thee. The Woman hearing this, fell to tearing her\nhair, and beating her breast in a woeful manner: Unhappy wretch that I\nam, says she, this was the only way that I could think of to reform the\nbeastly sot; but instead of gaining my point, I am only convinced that\nhis drunkenness is an incurable habit, which he intends to carry with\nhim into the other world.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThis Fable is intended to shew us the prevalence of custom; and how\nby using ourselves to any evil practice, we may let it grow into\nsuch a habit as we shall never be able to divest ourselves of. \u201cO!\nthat men should put an enemy into their mouths to steal away their\nbrains!\u201d There is no vice which gains an ascendant over us more\ninsensibly, or more incurably, than drunkenness: it takes root by\ndegrees, and comes at length to be past both remedy and shame. Habitual\ndrunkenness stupifies the senses, destroys the understanding, fills\nits votaries with diseases, and makes them incapable of business. It\ncuts short the thread of life, or brings on an early old age, besides\nthe mischief it does in the mean time to a man\u2019s family and affairs,\nand the scandal it brings upon himself: for a sot is one of the most\ndespicable and disgusting characters in life. After he has destroyed\nhis reasoning faculties, and thus shewn his ingratitude to the giver of\nthem, he flies to palliatives as a remedy for the diseases which his\nintemperance has caused, and goes on in a course of taking whets and\ncordials, and more drink, till he falls a martyr to the vice, to which\nthrough life he has been a slave.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 123]\n\nTHE LIONESS AND THE FOX.\n\n\nThe Lioness and the Fox meeting together, fell into discourse, and\nthe conversation turning upon the breeding and fruitfulness of some\nliving creatures above others, the Fox could not forbear taking the\nopportunity of observing to the Lioness, that for her part, she thought\nFoxes were as happy in that respect as almost any other creatures; for\nthey bred constantly once a year, if not oftener, and always had a\ngood litter of cubs at every birth; and yet, says she, there are some\nfolks who are never delivered of more than one at a time, and that\nperhaps not above once or twice in their whole lives, who hold up their\nnoses, and value themselves so much upon it, that they think all other\ncreatures beneath them, and scarce worthy to be spoken to. The Lioness,\nwho all the time perceived at whom this reflection pointed, replied,\nwhat you have observed is true. You litter often, and produce a great\nmany at a time; but what are they? Foxes! I, indeed, may have but one\nat a time; but you should remember that that one is a Lion.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nOur productions, of whatsoever kind, are not to be esteemed so much by\ntheir quantity as by their quality. It is not being employed much, but\nwell, and to the purpose, which will make us useful to the age we live\nin, and celebrated by those which are to come. As the multiplication\nof foxes and other vermin is a misfortune to the countries which are\ninfested with them, so one cannot help throwing out a melancholy\nreflection, when one sees some particular classes of the human kind\nincrease so fast as they do. But the most obvious meaning of this\nFable is the hint it gives us in relation to authors. These gentlemen\nshould never attempt to raise themselves a reputation by trumping up\na long catalogue of their various productions, since there is more\nglory in having written one tolerable piece than a thousand indifferent\nones; and whoever has had the good fortune to please in one literary\nperformance, should be very cautious how he stakes his reputation in a\nsecond attempt.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 125]\n\nTHE LAMB BROUGHT UP BY A GOAT.\n\n\nA Wolf, prowling about for his prey, espied a Lamb sucking a Goat. You\nsilly creature! says he, you quite mistake; this is not your mother;\nshe is yonder among a flock of sheep: do allow me to conduct you to\nher. No, no, replies the Lamb, the mother that bore me may indeed be\nyonder; but when she dropped me, she shewed no further care, but left\nme unprovided for, to shift for myself, regardless of what might become\nof me; and had it not been for the kindness of this honest Goat, who\ntook compassion upon my helplessness, I must have suffered all the\nmiseries to which inexperienced youth and innocence are exposed, when\nleft without a guide to the mercy of the world.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThis Fable is levelled at those parents, too often met with in society,\nwho, through negligence or ignorance of their duty, suffer their\noffspring to grow up to maturity, without instilling into their minds\na single good principle of morality, or a reverence for religion,\nto guide them through life, and to guard them from falling into the\nsnares of every wolf who may seek their destruction. Others again,\nmore abandoned indeed, and callous to the tender ties of nature,\nbring forth an offspring whom they neither cherish nor provide for.\nSuch a description of persons are not fit to become parents, and they\nmust not be surprized, if their want of parental affection produce a\ncorresponding want of filial attachment and respect: for the duties\nbetween parents and children are reciprocal. It is the goodness of\nparents which chiefly entitles them to the respect due to that name;\nand it is a paramount duty of children to honour, obey, and revere such\nparents as fulfil the obligations which the laws of God and nature\nimpose upon those who bring children into the world.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 127]\n\nTHE HEN AND THE SWALLOW.\n\n\nA Hen, having found a nest of Serpent\u2019s eggs in a dung-hill,\nimmediately, with a fostering care, sat upon them, with a design to\nhatch them. A Swallow observing this, flew towards her, and with great\nearnestness forewarned her of her danger. What! said she, are you mad,\nto bring forth a brood of such pernicious creatures? Be assured, the\ninstant they are warmed into life, you are the first they will attack\nand wreak their venomous spite upon: but the Hen persisted in her\nfolly, and the end verified the Swallow\u2019s prediction.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nIt is too often the hard fortune of many a kind good-natured man in the\nworld to breed up a bird to pick out his own eyes, in despite of all\ncautions to the contrary; but they who want foresight should hearken to\nthe council of the wise, as this might have the effect of preventing\ntheir spending much time and good offices on the undeserving, perhaps\nto the utter ruin of themselves. It is the duty of all men to act\nfairly, openly, and honestly, in all their transactions in life; to\ndo justice to all; but to consider well the character of those on\nwhom they would confer favours: for gratitude is one of the rarest\nas well as the greatest of virtues. The Fable is intended to shew\nthat we should never have any dealings with bad men, even to do them\nkindnesses. Men of evil principles are a generation of vipers, that\nought to be crushed; and every rogue should be looked upon by honest\nmen as a venomous serpent. The man who is occasionally, or by accident,\none\u2019s enemy, may be mollified by kindness, and reclaimed by good usage:\nsuch a behaviour both reason and morality expect from us: but we should\never resolve, if not to suppress, at least to have no connexion with\nthose whose blood is tinctured with hereditary, habitual villainy, and\ntheir nature leavened with evil, to such a degree as to be incapable of\na reformation.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 129]\n\nTHE ENVIOUS MAN AND THE COVETOUS.\n\n\nAn Envious Man happened to be offering up his prayers to Jupiter, at\nthe same time and in the same place with a covetous miserable Fellow.\nJupiter sent Apollo to examine the merits of their petitions, and to\ngive them such relief as he should think proper. Apollo therefore\nopened his commission, and told them, that to make short of the matter,\nwhatever the one asked, the other should have doubled. Upon this, the\nCovetous Man, who had a thousand things to request, forebore to ask\nfirst, hoping to receive a double quantity; for he concluded that\nall men\u2019s wishes sympathized with his own. By this circumstance, the\nEnvious Man had the opportunity of giving vent to his malignity, and of\npreferring his petition first, which was what he aimed at; so without\nhesitation he prayed to have one of his eyes put out, knowing that of\nconsequence his companion would be deprived of both.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThis Fable is levelled at two of the most odious passions which degrade\nthe mind of man. In the extremes of their unsocial views, envy places\nits happiness in the misery and the misfortunes of others, and pines\nand sickens at their joy; and avarice, unblest amidst its stores,\nis never satisfied unless it can get all to itself, although its\ninsatiable cravings are at once unaccountable, miserable, and absurd.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 131]\n\nTHE PORCUPINE AND THE SNAKES.\n\n\nA Porcupine, wanting a shelter for himself, begged a nest of Snakes to\ngive him admittance into their snug cave. They were prevailed upon,\nand let him in accordingly; but were so annoyed with his sharp prickly\nquills, that they soon repented of their easy compliance, and intreated\nthe Porcupine to withdraw, and leave them their hole to themselves. No,\nsaid he, let them quit the place that dont like it; for my part, I am\nwell enough satisfied as I am.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThis Fable points out the danger of entering into any degree of\nfriendship, alliance, or partnership with any person whatever,\nbefore we have thoroughly considered his nature and qualities, his\ncircumstances, and his humour; and also the necessity of examining\nour own temper and disposition, to discover, if we can, how far these\nmay accord with the genius of those with whom we are about to form\na connection; otherwise our associations, of whatever kind they be,\nmay prove the greatest plague of our life. Young people, who are warm\nin all their passions, and suffer them, like a veil, to hoodwink\ntheir reason, often throw open their arms at once, and admit into the\ngreatest intimacy persons whom they know little of, but by false and\nuncertain lights, and thus, perhaps, take a Porcupine into their bosom,\ninstead of an inmate who might sooth the cares of life, as an amiable\nconsort, or a valuable friend.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 133]\n\nTHE SOW AND THE WOLF.\n\n\nA Sow that had just farrowed, and lay in her sty with her whole litter\nof Pigs, was visited by a Wolf, who secretly longed to make a meal of\none of them, but knew not how to come at it. So, under the pretence\nof a friendly visit, he gave her a call, and endeavoured to insinuate\nhimself into her good graces by his apparently kind enquiries after the\nwelfare of herself and her young family. Can I be of any service to\nyou, Mrs Sow? said he: if I can, it shall not on my part be wanting;\nand if you have a mind to go abroad for a little fresh air, you may\ndepend upon my taking as much care of your young family as you could\ndo yourself. No, I thank you, Mr Wolf, I thoroughly understand your\nmeaning, and the greatest favour you can do to me and my Pigs, is to\nkeep your distance.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWhen an entire stranger, or any one of whom we have no reason to\nentertain a good opinion, obtrudes upon us an offer of his services,\nwe ought to look to our own safety, and shew a shyness and coldness\ntowards him. But there are also many men with whom it is dangerous to\nhave the least connection, and with whom any commerce or correspondence\nwill certainly be to our detriment. From these we should, therefore,\nresolve not to accept even favours, but carefully avoid being under\nany obligation to them: for in the end, their apparent kindness will\nshew itself to be a real injury; and there is no method of guarding so\neffectually against such people, as that of entirely avoiding their\nsociety, or shutting our doors against them, as we would do against a\nthief.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 135]\n\nTHE FROGS AND THEIR KING.\n\n\nIn antient times, the nation of Frogs lived an easy free life among\ntheir lakes and ponds; but at length grew dissatisfied with such a\ncontinuance of undisturbed tranquillity, and petitioned Jupiter for\na king. Jupiter smiled at their folly, and threw them down a log of\nwood, and with a thundering voice said, \u201cthere is a king for you.\u201d With\nthis, and the sudden splash it made in the water, they were at first\nquite panic-struck, and for some time durst not put their heads up; but\nby degrees they ventured to take a peep, and at length even to leap\nupon the log. Not being pleased with so tame and insipid a king, they\nagain petitioned Jupiter for another, who would exert more authority.\nJupiter, disgusted at their importunate folly, sent them a Stork for\ntheir king, who, without ceremony, eat them up whenever his craving\nappetite required a supply.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThis Fable is said to have been spoken by \u00c6sop to the Athenians, who\nhad flourished under their commonwealth, and lived under good and\nwholesome laws of their own enacting, until, in process of time,\nthey suffered their liberty to run into licentiousness; and factious\ndesigning men fomented divisions, and raised animosities among them.\nWhen thus rendered weak, Pisistratus took the advantage, and seized\nupon their citadel and liberties both together. The Athenians finding\nthemselves in a state of slavery, though their tyrant happened to be a\nmerciful one, could not bear the thoughts of it; but \u00c6sop in reciting\nthe Fable to them, prescribes patience where there was no other remedy,\nand adds, at last, \u201cWherefore, my dear countrymen, be contented with\nyour present condition, bad as it is, for fear a change should make it\nworse.\u201d\n\n[Illustration: _Set them up with a king indeed!_]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 137]\n\nTHE OLD WOMAN AND THE EMPTY CASK.\n\n\nAn Old Woman, seeing a Wine Cask, which had been emptied of its\ncontents, but the very lees of which still perfumed the air with a\ngrateful cordial scent, applied her nose to the bunghole, and snuffing\nvery heartily for some time, at last broke out into this exclamation: O\ndelicious smell! How good! how charming must you have been once, when\nyour very dregs are so agreeable and refreshing!\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nPh\u00e6drus was an old man when he wrote his Fables, and this he applies\nto himself; intimating what we ought to judge of his youth, when his\nold age was capable of such productions. It is at once a pleasing\nand melancholy idea that is given us by the intercourse with elderly\npersons, whose conversation is relishing and agreeable, and we cannot\nhelp concluding that they must have been very engaging in the prime of\nlife, when in their decline they are still capable of yielding us so\nmuch pleasure. Nor can we help feeling regret, that this fountain of\ndelight is now almost dried up, and going to forsake us for ever. On\nthe contrary, when people have neglected to cultivate their minds in\nyouth, their whole deportment through life is marked with the effects\nof this great want, and their old age is burthensome to themselves, and\ntheir conversation insipid to others; and like liquor of a thin body,\nand vile quality, soon becomes sour, vapid, or good for nothing.\n\n[Illustration: _An old filtering stone_]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 139]\n\nJUPITER AND THE CAMEL.\n\n\nThe Camel presented a petition to Jupiter, complaining of the hardships\nof his case, in not having, like bulls and other creatures, horns,\nor any weapon of defence to protect himself from the attacks of his\nenemies; and praying that relief might be granted him in such manner as\nshould be thought most expedient. Jupiter could not help smiling at his\nimpertinent address; but, however, rejected the petition, and told him,\nthat so far from granting his unreasonable request, he would take care\nthat henceforward his ears should be shortened, as a punishment for his\npresumptuous importunity.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThe nature of things is so fixed in every particular, that they are\nvery weak, superstitious people, who think that it can be altered.\nBut besides the impossibility of producing a change by foolish\nimportunities, they who employ much of their time in that way, instead\nof getting, are sure to lose in the end. When any man is so silly and\nvexatious as to make unreasonable complaints, and to harbour undue\nrepinings in his heart, his peevishness will lessen the real good which\nhe possesses, and the sourness of his temper shorten that allowance\nof comfort which he already thinks too scanty. Thus, in truth, it is\nnot Providence, but ourselves, who punish our own importunity, in\nsoliciting for impossibilities, with a sharp corroding care, which\nabridges us of some part of that little pleasure which Heaven has cast\ninto our lot.\n\n Happy the man without a wish for more,\n Who quietly enjoys his little store,\n And knows to heaven, with gratitude to pay\n Thanks for what\u2019s given, and what is ta\u2019en away.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 141]\n\nTHE STAG AND THE FAWN.\n\n\nA Stag, grown old and mischievous, was, according to custom, stamping\nwith his foot, making threatening motions with his head, and bellowing\nso terribly, that the whole herd quaked for fear of him; when one of\nthe little Fawns coming up, addressed him to this purpose: Pray what\nis the reason that you, who are so stout and formidable at all other\ntimes, if you do but hear the cry of the hounds, are ready to fly out\nof your skin for fear? What you observe is true, replied the Stag,\nthough I know not how to account for it: I am indeed vigorous and\nable enough, I think, to defend myself against all attacks, and often\nresolve with myself, that nothing shall ever dismay my courage for the\nfuture; but, alas! I no sooner hear the voice of the hounds, but all my\nspirits fail, and I cannot help making off as fast as my legs can carry\nme.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\n Try what we can, do what we will,\n Yet nature will be nature still.\n\nThe predominance of nature will generally shew itself through all\nthe disguises which artful men endeavour to throw over it. Cowardice\nparticularly gives us but the more suspicion of its existence, when it\nwould conceal itself under an affected fierceness, as they who would\nsmother an ill smell by a cloud of perfume, are imagined to be but the\nmore offensive. When we have done all, nature will remain what she was,\nand shew herself whenever she is called upon: therefore, whatever we do\nin contradiction to her laws, is so forced and affected, that it must\nneeds expose and make us truly ridiculous.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 143]\n\nTHE FIR AND THE BRAMBLE.\n\n\nA tall Fir, that stood towering up in the forest, was so proud of his\ndignity and high station, that he looked with disdain upon the little\nshrubs that grew beneath him. A lowly Bramble had often been made to\nfeel the insults and gloomy frowns of his lofty neighbour, who, on the\nslightest rufflings of the winds, shook his extended arms over the\nhumble shrub, and upbraided him with his contemptible situation. As for\nme, said the Fir, I am the first in the forest for beauty and rank:\nmy top shoots up into the clouds, and my branches display a perpetual\nverdure, whilst you lie grovelling upon the ground, and could not live\nwere I to leave off sprinkling you with the drops from my extremities.\nAt this the Bramble set up his prickles, and replied, that this\nhaughtiness arose from pride and ignorance; for He that made thee a\nlofty tree, could, with equal ease, have made thee an humble Bramble;\nand high as thou art, a puff of His breath, in the message of a north\nwind, can rob thee of thy verdure, or lay thee low; and further, I\npray thee tell me, when the woodman comes with his axe to fell timber,\nwhether thou wouldst not rather be a Bramble than a Fir?\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nPride, which was implanted in the human breast for wise purposes,\nshould carefully be directed aright. It was intended only to exalt the\nminds of all ranks and conditions of men, to that pitch, which will\nmake them spurn at, and despise the doing of a mean or dishonourable\naction; and it is only misapplied, when it puffs up those whom fortune\nhas placed in high stations, or overloaded with riches, and tempts\nthem to look down with derision on those below them. The higher a man\nis exalted in life, but especially if he have risen by dishonourable\nmeans, the more unlikely it is that he will escape a storm, or the\nmischiefs to which he may be exposed in his public capacity, in any\nconvulsion that may befal his country. When public justice overtakes\nhim, and he finds the day of reckoning near at hand, the honest monitor\nwithin will put him in mind of his true situation, and he will then be\nenabled to make a just comparison between his own lofty station, and\nthat of the poor, but honest, man.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 145]\n\nTHE BEES, THE DRONES, AND THE WASP.\n\n\nA number of Drones, who had long lived at their ease in a hive of Bees,\nwithout contributing by their labour to make any honey, at length began\nto dispute the right of the Bees, and insisted that both the honey and\nthe combs were their property. The Bees, after much altercation, at\nlast offered to leave the dispute to reference, and this being assented\nto by the Drones, the Wasp was chosen umpire. Accordingly, he began by\ndeclaring, that as both parties, he hoped, were his friends, and he\nwished them well, he would instantly proceed upon the investigation. I\nmust own, says he, that the point is somewhat dubious, for I have often\nseen you both in the same hive, and excepting that the Drones are of a\nmore portly size and appearance, you are all otherwise nearly alike in\nperson: but as I have not been able to see who worked, and who did not,\nI know of no mode in which I shall be enabled to judge so correctly, as\nby setting each party to work at the making of the honey. Therefore,\naddressing himself to the Bees, you take one hive; and you, speaking to\nthe Drones, will be so good as to take another, and both go to work to\nmake honey as fast as you can. The Bees readily accepted the proposal;\nbut the Drones hung back, and would not agree to it. So, so! says\nJudge Wasp, I see clearly how the matter stands; and without further\nceremony, declared in favour of the Bees.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThe surest method of detecting ignorance and inability, is to put\narrogant pretenders to the test, and appreciate their claims by a fair\ntrial; and when those who assume the merit due to works of ingenuity,\nrefuse to prove their title by a display of their talents, we may well\nconclude that their pretensions are unfounded, and that they are mere\nimpostors. When men, who are at the head of national affairs, will not\nbe at the pains to find out merit (for men of that character are too\nmodest to obtrude themselves) they will be surrounded by a swarm of\nidle, impudent, good-for-nothing drones; and these too often succeed in\nobtaining those benefits which should be the reward of men of parts,\nintegrity, and industry.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 147]\n\nTHE FROG AND THE FOX.\n\n\nA Frog leaping out of the lake, and taking the advantage of a rising\nground, made a proclamation to all the beasts of the forest, that he\nwas an able physician, and for curing all manner of distempers, would\nturn his back to no person living. This discourse, with the aid of some\nhard cramp words, which nobody understood, made the beasts admire his\nlearning, and give credit to every thing he said. At last, the Fox,\nwho was present, with indignation asked him, how he could have the\nimpudence, with those thin lanthorn jaws, that meagre pale phiz, and\nblotched spotted body, to pretend to cure the infirmities of others?\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nA sickly and infirm look is as disadvantageous in a physician, as a\nrakish one in a clergyman, or a sheepish one in a soldier. We should\nnot set up for correctors of the faults of others, whilst we labour\nunder the same ourselves. Good advice ought always to be followed,\nwithout our being prejudiced upon account of the person from whom it\ncomes; but it is seldom that men can be brought to think us worth\nminding, when we prescribe cures for maladies with which we ourselves\nare afflicted. Physician heal thyself, is too scriptural, not to be\napplied upon such an occasion; and if we would avoid being the jest of\nan audience, we must be sound and free from those diseases of which we\nwould endeavour to cure others. How shocked must people have been to\nhear a preacher for a whole hour declaim against drunkenness, when his\nown weaknesses have been such, that he could neither bear nor forbear\ndrinking, and perhaps was the only person in the congregation who\nmade the doctrine at that time necessary! Others, too, have been very\nzealous in censuring crimes, of which none were suspected more than\nthemselves: but let such silly hypocrites remember, that they whose\neyes want couching, are the most improper people in the world to set up\nfor oculists.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 149]\n\nTHE CAT AND THE MICE.\n\n\nA certain house being much infested with Mice, a Cat was at length\nprocured, who very diligently hunted after them, and killed great\nnumbers every night. The Mice, being exceedingly alarmed at this\ndestruction among their family, consulted together upon what was\nbest to be done for their preservation against so terrible and cruel\nan enemy. After some debate, they came to the resolution, that no\none should, in future, descend below the uppermost shelf. The Cat,\nobserving their extreme caution, endeavoured to draw them down to their\nold haunts by stratagem, for which purpose, she suspended herself by\nher hinder legs upon a peg in the pantry, and hoped by this trick\nto lull their suspicions, and to entice them to venture within her\nreach. She had not long been in this posture, before a cunning old\nMouse peeped over the edge of the shelf, and squeaked out thus: Aha!\nMrs Puss, are you there then? There may you be; but I would not trust\nmyself with you, though your skin were stuffed with straw.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWe cannot be too much upon our guard against fraud and imposition of\nevery kind; and prudence in many cases would rather counsel us to\nforego some advantages, than endeavour to gain them at a risk of which\nwe cannot certainly ascertain the amount. We should more particularly\nsuspect some design in the professions of those who have once injured\nus; and though they may promise fairly for the future, it is no breach\nof charity to doubt their sincerity, and decline their proposals,\nhowever plausible they may appear; for experience shews that many of\nthe misfortunes which we experience through life, are caused by our own\ntoo great credulity.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 151]\n\nTHE OAK AND THE REED.\n\n\nAn Oak, which hung over the bank of a river, was blown down by a\nviolent storm of wind, and as it was carried along by the stream, some\nof its boughs brushed against a Reed which grew near the shore. This\nstruck the Oak with a thought of admiration, and he could not forbear\nasking the Reed how he came to stand so secure and unhurt, in a tempest\nwhich had been furious enough to tear up an Oak by the roots? Why, says\nthe Reed, I secure myself by a conduct the reverse of yours: instead\nof being stubborn and stiff, and confiding in my strength, I yield\nand bend to the blast, and let it go over me, knowing how vain and\nfruitless it would be to resist.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThough a tame submission to injuries which it is in our power to\nredress, be generally esteemed a base and dishonourable thing, yet\nto resist where there is no probability, or even hope of getting the\nbetter, may also be looked upon as the effect of a blind temerity, and\nperhaps of a weak understanding. The strokes of fortune are oftentimes\nas irresistible as they are severe, and he who with an impatient spirit\nfights against her, instead of alleviating, does but double the blows\nupon himself. A person of a quiet still temper, whether it be given him\nby nature, or acquired by art, calmly composes himself in the midst\nof a storm, so as to elude the shock, or receive it with the least\ndetriment,--like a prudent experienced sailor, who, in swimming to the\nshore from a wrecked vessel, in a swelling sea, does not oppose the\nfury of the waves, but stoops and gives way, that they may roll over\nhis head without obstruction. The doctrine of absolute submission in\nall cases, is an absurd dogmatical precept, with nothing but ignorance\nand superstition to support it; but, upon particular occasions, and\nwhere it is impossible for us to overcome, to submit patiently is one\nof the most reasonable maxims of life.\n\n[Illustration:\n\n _O God of infinite Wisdom\n Truth Justice & Mercy\n I thank Thee_\n]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 153]\n\nFORTUNE AND THE BOY.\n\n\nA School Boy, fatigued with play, laid himself down by the brink of a\ndeep well, where he fell fast asleep. Fortune, whose wheel is always\nin motion, passing by, kindly gave him a tap on the head, and awoke\nhim. My good boy, said she, arise and depart from this dangerous\nsituation immediately; for if you had tumbled into this well, and been\ndrowned, your friends would not have attributed the accident to your\ncarelessness, but would have laid the whole blame upon me.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nMankind suffer more evils from their own imprudence, than from events\nwhich it is not in their power to controul; but they are ever ready\nto complain of the perverseness of chance, and the capriciousness of\nfortune, and to impute the blame to her for whatever mischiefs may\nbefal them, when these clearly arise from their own misconduct. Few\nmen pass through life without having had reason at one time or another\nto thank Fortune for her favours; and great is the number of those who\nhave, through their own folly, indolence, or inattention, neglected\nto profit by her kindness. Prudent people take every care not to put\nthemselves in the power of accidents; but those who carelessly give\nup all their concerns to the guidance of blind chance, must not be\nsurprised if by some of the revolutions of Fortune\u2019s wheel, they feel\nthe punishment due to their negligence and folly.\n\n[Illustration: BLOODO ET GUTTO\n\n _The Butchers Coat\n of Arms_\n]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 155]\n\nTHE WOLF AND THE CRANE.\n\n\nA Wolf, after devouring his prey, happened to have a bone stick in his\nthroat, which gave him so much pain, that he went howling up and down,\nand importuning every creature he met to lend him a kind hand in order\nto his relief; nay, he promised a reasonable reward to any one who\nshould perform the operation with success. At last, the Crane undertook\nthe business, ventured his long neck into the rapacious felon\u2019s throat,\nplucked out the bone, and asked for the promised reward. The Wolf,\nturning his eyes disdainfully towards him, said, I did not think you\nhad been so unconscionable: I had your head in my mouth, and could have\nbit it off whenever I pleased, but suffered you to take it away without\nany damage, and yet you are not contented!\n\n Who serves a villain, might as wisely free\n The hardened murderer from the fatal tree.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThere are people in the world to whom it may be wrong to do services,\nupon a double score: first, because they never deserve to have a good\noffice done them; and secondly, because when once engaged, it is so\nhard a matter to get well rid of their acquaintance. We ought to\nconsider what kind of people they are, to whom we are desired to do\ngood offices, before we do them: for he that grants a favour, or even\nconfides in a person of no honour, instead of finding his account in\nit, comes off well, if he be no sufferer in the end.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 157]\n\nTHE HART AND THE VINE.\n\n\nA Hart being closely pursued by the Hunters, concealed himself under\nthe broad leaves of a shady Vine. When the Hunters were gone by, and\nhad given him over for lost, he thinking himself very secure, began to\ncrop and eat the leaves of his shelter. By this, the branches being\nput into a rustling motion drew the attention of some of the Hunters\nthat way, who seeing the Vine stir, and fancying some wild beast had\ntaken covert there, shot their arrows at a venture, and killed the\nDeer. Before he expired, he uttered his dying words to this purpose:\n\u201cAh!\u201d says he, \u201cI suffer justly for my ingratitude; because I could not\nforbear doing an injury to the Vine, which so kindly concealed me in\ntime of danger.\u201d\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThere is no maxim which deserves more frequent repetition, and if the\nheart be capable of amendment by precept and admonition, no virtue\nshould be more strongly enforced and recommended than gratitude.\nWhere sentiments of this kind are wanting, our natures soon become\ndebased, and our minds depraved. Ingratitude has ever been justly\nbranded as the blackest of crimes, and, as it were, comprehending\nall other vices within it. Nor can we say that this opinion is too\nsevere: for if a man be capable of injuring his benefactor, what will\nhe scruple doing towards another? We may fairly conclude that he\nwho is guilty of ingratitude, will not hesitate at any other crime\nof an inferior nature. Since there are no human laws to punish this\ninfamous prevailing vice, it would only be doing an act of justice, and\nsupplying the want, to point out criminals of this description to the\nreprobation of mankind, that men of worth might avoid all intercourse\nand communication with them. The ingrate should also bear in mind, that\nhe strips himself of the protection which might have been afforded by\nhis friends, and exposes himself to the shafts of his enemies, who will\nnot fail to take advantage of the defenceless state to which his folly\nand depravity have reduced him.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 159]\n\nTHE HUNTED BEAVER.\n\n\nA Beaver, having strayed far from his dwelling, (which it is well known\nthese animals construct with infinite sagacity) was closely pursued by\nthe hunters, and knowing that he was thus persecuted for the sake of\nthe castor, which is contained in two little bags placed underneath and\nnear the tail, he, with great resolution and presence of mind, bit them\noff with his teeth, and leaving them behind him, thus escaped with his\nlife.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nIt is in vain for individuals to contend against an overwhelming power,\nand an ineffectual resistance to violence only tends to double our\nsufferings. When life is pursued, and in danger, whoever values it\nshould give up every thing but his honour to preserve it; and there\ncan be no disgrace in yielding voluntarily to our persecutors, when we\nare certain that resistance is in vain: but this doctrine can seldom be\napplied to the case of a whole nation, for when tyranny and rapine are\nmaking their wicked strides over a country (as has sometimes happened\neven in Europe) the people would seldom fail to rid themselves of their\noppressors, if they resolved to rise as one man, and bravely oppose\nthem.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 161]\n\nTHE ASS AND THE LION HUNTING.\n\n\nThe Lion, having thinned the forest of great numbers of the beasts upon\nwhich he preyed, and so scared and intimidated the rest, that he found\nit very difficult to get hold of any more of them, bethought himself of\na new expedient to obtain more readily a fresh supply. He invited the\nAss to assist him in his plan, and gave him instructions how to act.\nGo, said the Lion, and hide thyself in yonder thicket, and then let me\nhear thee bray in the most frightful manner thou possibly canst. The\nstratagem took effect accordingly. The Ass brayed most hideously, and\nthe timorous beasts, not knowing what to think of it, began to scour\noff as fast as they could; when the Lion, who was posted at a proper\navenue, seized and killed them as he pleased. Having got his belly\nfull, he called out to the Ass, and bade him leave off, telling him\nhe had done enough. Upon this, the long-eared brute came out of his\nambush, and approaching the Lion, asked him, with an air of conceit,\nhow he liked his performance? Prodigiously! says he, you did it so\nwell, that I protest had I not known your nature and temper, I might\nhave been frightened myself.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nA bragging cowardly fellow may impose upon people that do not know him;\nbut is the greatest jest imaginable to those who do. There are many\nmen who appear very terrible and big in their manner of expressing\nthemselves, and if you could be persuaded to take their own word for\nit, are perfect Lions; but if we take the pains to enquire a little\ninto their true nature, are as arrant Asses as ever brayed.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 163]\n\nTHE SOW AND THE BITCH.\n\n\nA Sow and a Bitch happening to meet, a debate arose between them\nconcerning their fruitfulness. The Bitch insisted upon it, that she\nbrought forth more at a litter, and oftener, than any other four-legged\ncreature. Nay, said the Sow, you do not do so, for others are as\nprolific as you; and besides, you are always in such a hurry, that you\nbring your puppies into the world blind.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nIt is no wonder that our productions should come into the world blind\nor lame, or otherwise defective, when by forced or unnatural methods\nwe accelerate their birth, and impatiently refuse to let them go their\nfull time. Then it is that the excellent proverb of the more haste the\nworse speed, is felt and fully verified. This Fable has been pointed\nat those authors whose itch for scribbling has been an annoyance to\nthe world, rather than of any real use to it; and who have been proud\nof, and boasted of the numerous but flimsy productions of their vain\nand shallow brains. It is proper to put such people in mind, that it\nis not he who does most, but he who does the best, that will meet the\napprobation of mankind.\n\n[Illustration: _Who told the Lamb to suck its Mother\u2019s Paps?_]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 165]\n\nTHE SATYR AND THE TRAVELLER.\n\n\nA Satyr, as he was ranging the forest in an exceeding cold snowy\nseason, met with a Traveller half-starved with the extremity of the\nweather. He took compassion on him, and kindly invited him home to a\nwarm cave he had in the hollow of a rock. As soon as they had entered\nand sat down, notwithstanding there was a good fire in the place, the\nchilly Traveller could not forbear blowing his fingers. Upon the Satyr\nasking him why he did so? He answered, that he did it to warm his\nhands. The honest Sylvan having seen little of the world, admired a\nman who was master of so valuable a quality as that of blowing heat;\nand therefore resolved to entertain him in the best manner he could.\nHe spread the table with dried fruits of several sorts, and produced a\nremnant of old cordial wine, which he mulled with some warm spices over\nthe fire, and presented to his shivering guest. But this the Traveller\nthought fit to blow upon likewise; and when the Satyr demanded a\nreason why he did so, he replied, to cool his dish. This second answer\nprovoked the Satyr\u2019s indignation as much as the first had kindled his\nsurprise; so, taking the man by the shoulders, he thrust him out of the\nplace, saying, he would have nothing to do with a wretch who had so\nvile a quality as to blow hot and cold with the same breath.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nNothing can be more offensive to a man of a sincere honest heart, than\nhe who blows with different breaths from the same mouth: who flatters a\nman to his face, and reviles him behind his back. Such double-dealing\nfalse friends ought and will always be considered as unworthy of being\ntreated otherwise than as worthless and disagreeable persons: for\nunless the tenor of a man\u2019s life be always true and consistent with\nitself, the less one has to do with him the better. It is unfortunately\ntoo common with persons of this cast of character, in the exalted\nstations of life, to serve a present view, or perhaps only the caprice\nor whim of the moment, to blow nothing but what is warm, benevolent,\nand cherishing, to raise up the expectations of a dependent to the\nhighest degree; and when they suspect he may prove troublesome, they\nthen, by a sudden cold forbidding air, easily blast all his hopes and\nexpectations: but such a temper, whether it proceed from a designed or\nnatural levity, is detestable, and has been the cause of much trouble\nand mortification to many a brave deserving man.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 167]\n\nTHE FOX AND THE GRAPES.\n\n\nA hungry Fox coming into a vineyard where there hung delicious\nclusters of ripe Grapes, his mouth watered to be at them; but they\nwere nailed up to a trellis so high, that with all his springing and\nleaping he could not reach a single bunch. At last, growing tired and\ndisappointed, Let who will take them! says he, they are but green and\nsour; so I\u2019ll e\u2019en let them alone.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nTo affect to despise that which they have long ineffectually laboured\nto obtain, is the only consolation to which weak minds can have\nrecourse, both to palliate their inability, and to take off the\nbitterness of disappointment. There is a strange propensity in mankind\nto this temper, and there is a numerous class of vain coxcombs in the\nworld, who, because they would never be thought to be disappointed in\nany of their pursuits, pretend a dislike to every thing they cannot\nobtain. The discarded statesman, considering the corruption of the\ntimes, would not have any hand in the administration of affairs for\nthe world! The needy adventurer, and pretended patriot, would fain\npersuade all who will listen to them, that they would not go cringing\nand creeping into a drawing-room, for the best place the king has in\nhis disposal! Worthless young fellows, who find that their addresses to\nvirtue and beauty are rejected; and poor rogues who laugh to scorn the\nrich and great, are all alike in saying, like sly Reynard, the Grapes\nare sour!\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 169]\n\nTHE MISCHIEVOUS DOG.\n\n\nA certain Man had a Dog which was so ferocious and surly, that he\nwas compelled to fasten a heavy clog to his collar, to keep him from\nrunning at and indiscriminately seizing upon every animal that came in\nhis way. This the vain Cur took for a badge of honourable distinction,\nand grew so insolent upon it, that he looked down with an air of scorn\nupon the neighbouring Dogs, and refused to keep them company: but a sly\nold poacher, who was one of the gang, assured him that he had no reason\nto value himself upon the favour he wore, since it was fixed upon him\nas a badge of disgrace, not of honour.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThe only true way of estimating the value of tokens of distinction,\nis to reflect on what account they were conferred. Those which have\nbeen acquired for virtuous actions, will be regarded as illustrious\nsigns of dignity; but if they have been bestowed upon the worthless and\nbase, as the reward of vice or corruption, all the stars and garters,\nand collars of an illustrious order,--all the tinsel glories in which\nsuch creatures may strut about in fancied superiority, will not mask\nthem from the sight of men of discernment, who will always consider the\nmeans by which their honours have been obtained, and truly estimate\nthem as badges of abasement and disgrace.\n\n[Illustration: THE WAGES OF CRUELTY.]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 171]\n\nTHE BULL AND THE GOAT.\n\n\nA Bull being pursued by a Lion, fled towards a cave, in which he\ndesigned to secure himself; but was opposed at the entrance by a Goat,\nwho had got possession before him, and, threatening a kind of defiance\nwith his horns, seemed resolved to dispute the pass. The Bull, who\nthought he had no time to lose in a contest of this nature, immediately\nmade off; but told the Goat, that it was not for fear of him or his\ndefiances: for, says he, if the Lion were not so near, I would soon\nteach you the difference between a Bull and a Goat.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\n O\u2019er-match\u2019d, unaided, and his foes at hand,\n Safely the coward may the brave withstand;\n But think not, dastard, thus thy glories shine--\n He fears a greater force, but scoffs at thine.\n\nIt is very inhuman to deny succour and comfort to people in\ntribulation; but to insult them, and add to their misfortunes, is\nsomething superlatively brutish and cruel. There is, however, in\nthe world, a sort of people of this vile temper, and littleness of\nmind, who wait for an opportunity of aggravating their neighbour\u2019s\naffliction, and defer the execution of their evil inclinations until\nthey can do it with the severest effect. If a person suffer under an\nexpensive law-suit, lest he should escape from that, one of these\ngentlemen will take care to arrest him in a second action, hoping, at\nleast, to keep him at bay, while the more powerful adversary attacks\nhim on the other side. One cannot consider this temper, without\nobserving something remarkably cowardly in it: for these shuffling\nantagonists never begin their encounter till they are very sure the\nperson they aim at is already over-matched.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 173]\n\nTHE FISHERMAN.\n\n\nA certain Fisherman having laid his nets in the river, and placed\nthem across the whole stream from one side to the other, took a long\npole, and fell to beating the water to make the fish strike into his\nnets. One of his neighbours seeing him do so, wondered what he meant,\nand going up to him, Friend, says he, what are you doing here? Do you\nthink it is to be suffered that you shall stand splashing and dashing\nthe water, and making it so muddy, that it is not fit for use? Who do\nyou think can live at this rate? He was going on in a great fury, when\nthe other interrupted him, and replied, I do not much trouble myself\nhow you are to live with my doing this; but I assure you I cannot live\nwithout it.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThis Fable is levelled at those who love to \u201cfish in troubled waters,\u201d\nand whose execrable principles are such, that they care not what\nmischief or what confusion they occasion in the world, provided they\ncan obtain their ends, or even gratify some little selfish appetite.\nLittle villains would set fire to a town, provided they could rake\nsomething of value to themselves out of its ashes; or kindle the flames\nof discord among friends and neighbours, purely to gratify their own\nmalicious temper; and among the great ones there are those who, to\nsucceed in their ambitious designs, will make no scruple of involving\ntheir country in divisions and animosities at home, and sometimes in\nwar and bloodshed abroad: provided they do but maintain themselves in\npower, they care not what havoc and desolation they bring upon the rest\nof mankind. Their only reason is, that it must be so, because they\ncannot live as they wish without it. But brutish unsocial sentiments\nlike these, are such as a mere state of nature would scarcely suggest;\nand it is perverting the very end, and overturning the first principles\nof society, when, instead of contributing to the welfare of mankind,\nin return for the benefits we receive from them, we thrive by their\nmisfortunes, or subsist by their ruin. Those, therefore, who have\nthe happiness of mankind at heart, (for happiness and morality are\ninseparably connected) should enter their protest against such wicked\nselfish notions, and oppose them with all their might; at the same time\nshunning the society of their possessors as a plague, and consigning\ntheir characters to the detestation of posterity.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 175]\n\nTHE FOX AND THE BOAR.\n\n\nThe Fox, in traversing the forest, observed a Boar rubbing his tusks\nagainst a tree. Why how now, said the Fox, why make those martial\npreparations of whetting the teeth, since there is no enemy near that I\ncan perceive? That may be, said the Boar; but you ought to know, Master\nReynard, that we should scour up our arms while we have leisure: for\nin time of danger we shall have something else to do; and it is a good\nthing always to be prepared against the worst that can happen.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nAll business that is necessary to be done should be done betimes: for\nthere is as little trouble in doing it in season as out of season; and\nhe that is always ready can never be taken by surprize. Wise, just,\nand vigilant governments know that they cannot be safe in peace, unless\nthey are always prepared for war, and are ready to meet the worst that\ncan happen. When they become corrupt, or supine, and off their guard,\nthey thereby invite and expose their country to the sudden attacks of\nits enemies. In private life, many evils and calamities befal those\nwho make no provision against unforeseen or untoward accidents, which\nthe prudent man prevents by looking forward to probable contingencies,\nand having a reserve of every thing necessary before-hand,--that he\nmay not be put into hurry and confusion, nor thrown into dilemmas and\ndifficulties, when the time comes that he may have to encounter them.\nIt cannot be too strongly impressed upon the minds of all men, that\nday by day they are approaching towards old age, and that they should\nhonourably endeavour to provide a store of conveniences against that\ntime, when they will be most in want of them, and least able to procure\nthem. To reflect properly upon this, will give them pleasure instead\nof pain; and they will not die a day sooner for being always ready for\nthat certain event: to do otherwise is acting like weak-minded men, who\ndelay making their wills, and properly settling their worldly affairs,\nbecause to them it looks so like the near approach of death.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 177]\n\nC\u00c6SAR AND THE SLAVE.\n\n\nAs Tiberius C\u00e6sar was upon a journey to Naples, he stopped at a house\nwhich he had upon the mountain Misenus. As he was walking in the\ngardens attached to the house, one of his domestic slaves appeared\nin the walks, sprinkling the ground with a watering pot, in order to\nlay the dust, and this he did so officiously, and ran with so much\nalertness from one walk to another, that wherever the Emperor went,\nhe still found this fellow mighty busy with his watering pot. But at\nlast his design being discovered, which was to attract the notice of\nC\u00e6sar by his extraordinary diligence, in the hope that he would make\nhim free,--part of the ceremony of doing which consisted in giving the\nSlave a gentle stroke on one side of his face,--his imperial Majesty\nbeing disposed to be merry, called the Man to him, and when he came\nup, full of the joyful expectation of his liberty, Hark you friend,\nsays he, I have observed that you have been very busy a great while;\nbut you were officiously meddling where you had nothing to do, while\nyou might have employed your time better elsewhere; and therefore I\nmust tell you, that I cannot afford a box on the ear at so low a price\nas you bid for it.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nPh\u00e6drus tells us upon his word, that this is a true story, and that\nhe wrote it for the sake of a set of industrious idle gentlemen at\nRome, who were harassed and fatigued with a daily succession of care\nand trouble, because they had nothing to do. Always in a hurry, but\nwithout business; busy, but to no purpose; labouring under a voluntary\nnecessity, and taking abundance of pains to shew they were good for\nnothing. But what great town or city is so entirely free of this sect,\nas to render the moral of this Fable useless any where? For it points\nat all those officious good-natured people, who are eternally running\nup and down to serve their friends, without doing them any good; who,\nby a complaisance wrong judged or ill applied, displease whilst they\nendeavour to oblige, and are never doing less to the purpose than when\nthey are most employed. In a word, this Fable is designed for the\nreformation of all those who endeavour to gain for themselves benefits\nand applause, from a misapplied industry. It is not our being busy and\nofficious that will procure us the esteem of men of sense; but the\napplication of our actions to some noble useful purpose, and for the\ngeneral good of mankind.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 179]\n\nTHE FROGS AND THE FIGHTING BULLS.\n\n\nA Frog, one day, peeping out of the lake, and looking about him, saw\ntwo Bulls fighting at some distance off in the meadow, and calling\nto his associates, Look, says he, what dreadful work is yonder! Dear\nsirs, what will become of us? Tush, said one of his companions, do not\nfrighten yourself so about nothing; how can their quarrels affect us?\nThey are of a different kind, and are at present only contending which\nshall be master of the herd. That is true, replies the first, their\nquality and station in life are different from ours; but as one of them\nwill certainly prove conqueror, he that is worsted, being beaten out of\nthe meadow, will take refuge here in the marshes, and possibly tread\nsome of us to death; so you see we are more nearly concerned in this\ndispute of theirs, than you were at first aware.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nA wise man, however low his condition in life, looks forward through\nthe proper and natural course and connection of causes and effects;\nand in so doing, he fortifies his mind against the worst that can\nbefal him. It is of no small importance to the honest and quiet part\nof mankind, who desire nothing so much as to see peace and virtue\nflourish, to consider well the consequences that may arise to them out\nof the quarrels and feuds of the great, and to endeavour, by every\nmeans in their power, to avoid being in any way drawn in by their\ninfluence to become a party concerned in their broils and disputes: for\nno matter in which way the strife between the high contending parties\nmay terminate, those who may have had the misfortune to be concerned\nwith them, ought to think themselves well off if they do not smart for\nit severely in the end. How often has it happened, that men in eminent\nstations, who want to engross all power into their own hands, begin,\nunder the mask of patriotism, to foment divisions and form factions,\nand excite animosities between well-meaning, but undiscerning people,\nwithout whose aid in one way or another they could not succeed; but\nwho, at the same time, little think that the great aim of their leaders\nis nothing more than the advancement of their own private interest, or\nambitious ends. The good of the public is always pretended upon such\noccasions, and may sometimes happen to be tacked to their own; but then\nit is purely accidental, and never was originally intended.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 181]\n\nTHE OLD HOUND.\n\n\nAn Old Hound, who had excelled in his time, and given his Master great\nsatisfaction in many a chace, at last, through age, became feeble and\nunserviceable. However, being in the field one day, when the Stag was\nalmost run down, he happened to be the first that came in with him,\nand seized him by the haunch; but his decayed and broken teeth not\nbeing able to keep their hold, the Deer escaped; upon which, his Master\nfell into a great passion, and began to whip him severely. The honest\nold creature is said to have barked out this apology: Ah! do not thus\nstrike your poor old servant: it is not my heart and inclination, but\nmy strength and speed, that fail me. If what I now am displease you,\npray do not forget what I have been!\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\n O let not those, whom honest servants bless,\n With cruel hands their age infirm oppress;\n Forget their service past, their former truth,\n And all the cares and labours of their youth.\n\nThis Fable is intended to reprove the ingratitude too common among\nmankind, which leaves the faithful servant to want and wretchedness,\nafter he has spent the prime of his life in our service for a bare\nsubsistence. Where slavery is allowed, the laws compel the master to\nprovide for the worn-out slave; and where there is no law to enforce\nthe debt of gratitude, none but those who are insensible to all the\nfiner feelings of humanity will neglect it. Those who forget past\nservices, and treat their faithful servants or friends unkindly or\ninjuriously, when they are no longer of use to them, however high\ntheir pride, are unworthy of the name of gentleman. They are, indeed,\ncommonly of an upstart breed, with whom the failure of human nature\nitself is imputed as a crime; and servants and dependents, instead of\nbeing considered their fellow-men, are treated like brutes for not\nbeing more than men. The imprudence of this conduct is equal to its\nwickedness, inasmuch as it directly tends to extinguish the honest\ndesire to please and to act faithfully, in the younger servants,\nwhen they see that worn-out merit thus goes unrewarded. Humanity and\ngratitude are the greatest ornaments of the human mind, and when they\nare extinguished, every generous and noble sentiment perishes along\nwith them.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 183]\n\nTHE TWO BITCHES.\n\n\nA Bitch, who was just ready to whelp, intreated another to lend her\nher kennel only till her month was up, and assured her that then she\nshould have it again. The other very readily consented, and with a\ngreat deal of civility, resigned it to her immediately. However, when\nthe time was elapsed, she came and made her a visit, and very modestly\nintimated, that now she was up and well, she hoped she should see her\nabroad again; for that, really, it would be inconvenient for her to be\nwithout her kennel any longer, and therefore, she told her, she must\nbe so free as to desire her to provide herself with other lodgings\nas soon as she could. The lying-in Bitch replied, that truly she was\nashamed of having kept her so long out of her own house; but it was not\nupon her own account (for indeed she was well enough to go any where)\nso much as that of her puppies, who were yet so weak, that she was\nafraid they would not be able to follow her; and, if she would be so\ngood as to let her stay a fortnight longer, she would take it as the\ngreatest obligation in the world. The other Bitch was so good-natured\nand compassionate as to comply with this request also; but at the\nexpiration of the term, came and told her positively that she must\nturn out, for she could not possibly let her be there a day longer.\nMust turn out, says the other; we will see to that: for I promise you,\nunless you can beat me and my whole litter of whelps, you are never\nlikely to have any thing more to do here.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWise and good-natured men do not shut their ears, nor harden their\nhearts, against the calls of humanity, and the cries of distress; but\nhow often are their generous natures imposed upon by the artifices of\nthe base and worthless! These fail not to lay their plans with deep\ncunning, to work themselves into the good graces of the benevolent, and\nhaving accomplished their ends, the return they often make is abusive\nlanguage, or the most open acts of violence. One of the evil and\nlamentable consequences arising out of this, is, that worth in distress\nsuffers by it: for distrust and suspicion take hold of the minds of\ngood men, and the hand of charity is thus benumbed. This Fable may\nalso serve to caution us never to let any thing we value go out of our\npossession without good security. The man who means to act prudently,\nought never to put himself in the power of others, or to run any risk\nof involving his own family in ruin.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 185]\n\nTHE HEN AND THE FOX.\n\n\nA Fox having crept into an out-house, looked up and down, seeking what\nhe might devour, and at last spied a Hen perched up so high, that he\ncould by no means come at her. My dear friend, says he, how do you\ndo? I heard that you were ill, and kept within; at which I was so\nconcerned, that I could not rest till I came to see you. Pray how is it\nwith you now? Let me feel your pulse a little: indeed you do not look\nwell at all. He was running on after this fulsome manner, when the Hen\nanswered him from the roost, Truly, friend Reynard, you are judging\nrightly, for I never was in more pain in my life: I must beg your\npardon for being so free as to tell you that I see no company; and you\nmust excuse me too for not coming down to you, for, to say the truth,\nmy condition is such, that I fear I should catch my death by it.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nIt is generally the design of hypocritical persons to delude and\nimpose upon others, with an eye to derive some benefit to themselves,\nwhen they pretend to feel a flattering anxiety for their welfare; or\nsometimes they may perhaps, with impertinent folly, mean no more than\nmerely to mock and befool men who are weak enough to become their\ndupes. In both cases they are enemies to truth and sincerity, which\nadorn and tend so greatly to promote the happiness of society, and\nthey ought to be exposed as such. For although men of penetration see\nthrough the pretence, and escape its dangers, yet the weak, the vain,\nand the unsuspicious are put off their guard, and have not discernment\nenough to shun the trap so pleasingly baited. The Fable also furnishes\na hint against hypocritical, legacy hunters, whose regard is generally\nof the same nature as that of the Fox for the Hen.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 187]\n\nTHE ASS IN THE LION\u2019S SKIN.\n\n\nAn Ass, while feeding upon the coarse herbage by the edge of a wood,\nfound a Lion\u2019s skin, and putting it on, went in this disguise into the\nadjoining forests and pastures, and threw all the flocks and herds\ninto the greatest consternation and dismay. At length, his master,\nwho was in search of him, made his appearance, and the silly beast,\nentertaining the idea of frightening him also, capered forward with a\nterrific gait towards him; but the good man seeing his long ears stick\nout, presently knew him, and with a stout cudgel made him sensible,\nthat notwithstanding his being dressed in a Lion\u2019s skin, he was really\nno more than an Ass.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nAs all affectation is wrong, and tends to expose and make a man\nridiculous, so the more distant he is from the thing which he affects\nto appear, the stronger will be the ridicule which he excites, and\nthe greater the inconvenience into which he thereby runs himself. How\nstrangely absurd it is for a timorous person to procure a military\npost, in order to keep himself out of danger! and to fancy a red coat\nthe surest protection for cowardice! Yet there have been those who\nhave purchased a commission to avoid being insulted; and have been so\nsilly as to think courage was interwoven with a sash, or tied up in\na cockade. But it would not be amiss for such gentlemen to consider\nthat it is not in the power of scarlet cloth to alter nature, and that\nas it is expected a soldier should shew himself a man of courage and\nintrepidity upon all proper occasions, they may by this means meet the\ndisgrace they intended to avoid, and appear greater Asses than they\nneeded to have done. However, it is not in point of fortitude only\nthat people are liable to expose themselves, by assuming a character\nto which they are not equal; but he who puts on a shew of learning,\nof religion, of a superior capacity in any respect, or in short, of\nany virtue or knowledge, to which he has no proper claim, is, and will\nalways be found to be, an Ass in a Lion\u2019s skin.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 189]\n\nTHE CLOWN AND THE GNAT.\n\n\nAs a clownish Fellow was sitting musing upon a bank, a Gnat alighted\nupon his leg and bit it. He slapped his hand upon the place, with the\nintention of crushing the assailant; but the little nimble insect\nescaped between his fingers, and repeated its attacks. Every time he\nstruck at it, he gave himself a smart blow upon the leg, but missed his\naim. At this he became enraged, and in the height of his peevish and\nimpatient humour, he earnestly prayed to Hercules, beseeching him with\nhis mighty power to stretch forth his arm against a pernicious insect,\nby which he was so miserably tormented.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nHe who suffers his mind to be ruffled by every little inconvenience,\nsubjects himself to perpetual uneasiness and disquiet. There is no\naccident, however trivial, but is capable of disconcerting him, and\nhe becomes absurdly miserable on the most foolish occasion. His good\nhumour is soured in an instant, and he is rendered uncomfortable to\nhimself, and odious or ridiculous to all about him. He prays with\nearnestness to the Supreme Being to aid him in all his paltry selfish\nschemes, or to gratify vanities, for which, as a rational being, he\nought to blush and be ashamed. The imaginary distresses, which his\nunfortunate disposition heightens into severe calamities, are matter\nof diversion to those who are disposed to sneer at him; and when his\npettish humour makes him rave like a madman, and curse his fate, at the\ndropping of a hat, or the blunder of a servant, even his friends must\nview his behaviour with a mixed emotion of pity and contempt.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 191]\n\nTHE WOLF AND THE LAMB.\n\n\nOne hot sultry day, a Wolf and a Lamb happened to come just at the\nsame time, to quench their thirst in the stream of a brook that fell\ntumbling down the side of a rocky mountain. The Wolf stood upon the\nhigher ground, and the Lamb at some distance below him. However, the\nWolf, having a mind to pick a quarrel with the Lamb, asked him what he\nmeant by disturbing the water, and making it so muddy that he could\nnot drink? and, at the same time, demanded satisfaction. The Lamb,\nfrightened at this threatening charge, told him, in a tone as mild as\npossible, that with humble submission, he could not conceive how that\ncould be, since the water which he drank ran down from the Wolf to him,\nand therefore could not be disturbed so far up the stream. Be that as\nit may, replies the Wolf, you are a rascal, and I have been told that\nyou used ill language concerning me behind my back, about half a year\nago. Upon my word, says the Lamb, the time you mention was before I was\nborn. The Wolf, finding it to no purpose to argue any longer against\ntruth, fell into a great passion, snarling and foaming at the mouth as\nif he had been mad; and drawing nearer to the Lamb, Sirrah, says he, if\nit were not you, it was your father, and that is the same. So he seized\nthe poor innocent helpless thing, tore it to pieces, and made a meal of\nit.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\n Where\u2019er oppression rules, fell Wolves devour;\n And the worst crimes are want of strength and pow\u2019r.\n\nThey who do not feel the sentiments of humanity, will seldom listen\nto the voice of reason; and when cruelty and injustice are armed with\npower, and determined on oppression, the strongest pleas of innocence\nare preferred in vain, and nothing is more easy than finding pretences\nto criminate the unsuspecting victims of tyranny. How many of the\ndegenerate, corrupt, and arbitrary governments with which the civilized\nworld has been disfigured, have exercised their vengeance upon the\nhonest and virtuous, who have dared in bad times to speak the truth;\nand how many men in private life are to be met with, whose wolfish\ndispositions, and envious and rapacious tempers cannot bear to see\nhonest industry rear its head!\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 193]\n\nTHE MICE IN COUNCIL.\n\n\nThe Mice called a general council, and after the doors were locked,\nentered into a free consultation about ways and means how to render\nthemselves more secure from the danger of the Cat. Many schemes were\nproposed, and much debate took place upon the matter. At last, a\nyoung Mouse, in a fine florid speech, broached an expedient, which he\ncontended was the only one to put them entirely out of the power of the\nenemy, and this was, that the Cat should wear a bell about her neck,\nwhich, upon the least motion, would give the alarm, and be a signal for\nthem, to retire into their holes. This speech was received with great\napplause, and it was even proposed by some, that the Mouse who had made\nit should have the thanks of the assembly. Upon which, an old Mouse,\nwho had sat silent hitherto, gravely observed, that the contrivance\nwas admirable, and the author of it, without doubt, very ingenious; but\nhe thought it would not be so proper to vote him thanks, till he should\nfurther inform them how the bell was to be fastened about the Cat\u2019s\nneck, and who would undertake the task.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nIt is easy for visionary projectors to devise schemes, and to descant\non their utility, which, after all, are found to be so impracticable,\nor so difficult, that no man of solid judgment can be prevailed upon to\nattempt putting them into execution. In all matters where the good of\nthe community is at stake, new projects should be carefully examined\nin all their bearings, that the ruinous consequences which might\nfollow them may be avoided. All business of this import ought to be\nleft to the decision of such men only as are distinguished for their\ngood sense, probity, honour, and patriotism. When these have examined\nthem in all their different bearings, we may place confidence in their\nlabours, and adopt their plans; but the Fable teaches us not to listen\nto those rash and ignorant politicians, who are always foisting their\nschemes upon the public upon every occurrence of mal-administration,\nwithout looking beneath the surface, or considering whether they be\npracticable or otherwise.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 195]\n\nTHE APE CHOSEN KING.\n\n\nOn the death of the old Lion, without his leaving an heir, the beasts\nassembled to choose another king of the forest in his stead. The crown\nwas tried on many a head, but did not sit easy upon any one. At length\nthe Ape putting it upon his own, declared that it fitted him quite\nwell, and after shewing them many antic tricks, he with a great deal\nof grimace, and an affected air of wisdom, offered himself to fill the\nhigh office. The silly creatures being pleased with him at the moment,\ninstantly, by a great majority, proclaimed him king. The Fox, quite\nvexed to see his fellow-subjects act so foolishly, resolved to convince\nthem of their sorry choice, and knowing of a trap ready baited, at no\ngreat distance, he addressed himself to King Ape, and told him that he\nhad discovered a treasure, which being found on the waste, belonged to\nhis Majesty. The Ape presently went to take possession of the prize;\nbut no sooner had he laid his paws upon the bait, than he was caught\nfast in the trap. In this situation, between shame and anger, he\nchattered out many bitter reproaches against the Fox, calling him rebel\nand traitor, and threatening revenge: to all which Reynard gravely\nreplied, that this was nothing but a beginning of what he would meet\nwith in the high station his vanity had prompted him to aspire to, as\nit was only one of the many traps that would be laid for him, and in\nwhich he would be caught; but he hoped, this one might be a treasure to\nhim, if it operated as a caution, and served to put him in mind of the\nfalse estimate he had put upon his abilities, in supposing, that with\nhis inexperienced empty pate, he could manage the weighty affairs of\nstate. He then, with a laugh, left him to be relieved from his peril by\none or other of his foolish loving subjects.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWhen Apes are in power, Foxes will never be wanting to play upon them.\nMen shew their folly, rashness, and want of consideration, when they\nelect rulers without the qualifications of integrity and abilities to\nrecommend them to the office; and the higher it is, the more important\nit is to the interests of the community that it should be properly\nfilled. The Fable also shews the weakness of those who, through\nself-conceit, aspire to any high station without the requisites to\nbefit them for it, and the want of which exposes authority to scorn.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 197]\n\nTHE OLD MAN AND DEATH.\n\n\nA poor feeble old Man, who had crawled from his cottage into a\nneighbouring wood to gather a few sticks, had made up his bundle, and\nlaying it over his shoulders, was trudging homewards; but what with\nage, and the length of the way, he grew so faint and weak, that he sunk\nunder it, and as he sat upon the ground, called upon Death to come once\nfor all and ease him of his troubles. Death no sooner heard him, than\nhe came and demanded what he wanted? The poor old Creature, who little\nthought Death was so near, frightened almost out of his senses with his\nterrible aspect, answered him trembling, That having by chance let his\nbundle of sticks fall, and being too infirm to get it up himself, he\nhad made bold to call upon him to help him; and he hoped his worship\nwas not offended with him for the liberty he had taken in craving his\nassistance.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThis Fable gives us a lively representation of the general behaviour\nof mankind towards that grim king of terrors, Death. Such liberties do\nthey take with him behind his back, that upon every little accident\nwhich happens in their way, Death is immediately called upon, and they\neven wish it might be lawful for them to finish with their own hands\na life so odious, so perpetually tormenting, and vexatious. When, let\nbut Death make his appearance, and the very sense of his near approach\nalmost does the business: then it is that they change their minds,\nand would be glad to come off so well as to have their old burthen\nlaid upon their shoulders again. But wise and good men know that care\nand numberless disappointments must be their portion in their passage\nthrough life, and know also that it is their duty to endure them with\npatience; for he is the best and happiest man who neither wishes nor\nfears the approach of Death.\n\n[Illustration: TEMPERANCE IN THE GRAND BUSINESS OF LIFE.]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 199]\n\nTHE TWO FROGS.\n\n\nOne hot sultry summer, the lakes and ponds being almost every where\ndried up, a couple of Frogs agreed to travel together in search of\nwater. At last they came to a deep well, and sitting upon the brink of\nit, began to consult whether they should leap in or not. One of them\nwas for it, urging that there was plenty of clear spring water, and no\ndanger of being disturbed. Well, says the other, all this may be true,\nand yet I cannot come into your opinion for my life; for if the water\nshould happen to dry there too, how should we get out again?\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\n In human affairs, many stations we meet,\n Where \u2019tis easy to enter, but hard to retreat.\n\nWe ought never to change our situation in life, nor undertake any\naction of importance, without first duly and deliberately weighing\nthe consequences that may follow, in all their different bearings. It\nis commonly owing to the neglect of such wholesome precautions, that\nnumbers of young people are led into unfortunate matches, suddenly made\nup; and others are from the same causes led into a round of profuse\nliving, or into gaming and other extravagant conduct, which is sure\nto terminate in ruin. To look before we leap, is a maxim worthy of\nbeing remembered by all ranks and conditions of men, from the lowest\nto the highest: even kings may reap benefit by it; for when they\ninconsiderately execute those schemes which their wicked counsellors\nadvise, they have often abundant reason to repent. By this blind\nstupidity, wars are commenced, from which a state cannot be extricated\neither with honour or safety; and unwise projects are encouraged by the\nrash accession of those who never considered the consequences, or how\nthey were to get out, till they had plunged themselves irrecoverably\ninto them.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 201]\n\nTHE FOX AND THE BRIAR.\n\n\nA Fox scrambling hastily over a hedge, in his flight from the hounds,\ngot his foot severely torn by a Briar. Smarting with the pain, he burst\ninto revilings and complaints at this treatment, which he declared he\nlittle expected to meet with for only passing over a hedge; and he\ncould not help thinking it was very bad usage to be thus grappled by\nthe long arms, and cut and wounded by the sharp crooked spines of a\nBriar. True, says the Briar, but recollect that you intended to have\nmade me serve your turn, and would, without ceremony, have trampled me\ndown to the ground: but none of your freedoms with me, Master Reynard;\nyou may make a convenience of others perhaps, but the family of the\nBriars are not of that cast. Whoever presumes to use any impudent\nfamiliarities with them, is sure to smart for it.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nPresuming and arrogant people do not hesitate to make a convenience,\nor a kind of stepping stone, of any one who will suffer them to do so;\nand if they can only get their turn served, no matter how, they use no\nceremony, nor shew any delicacy in accomplishing their ends. But the\nselfish and impudent gentry, who are so apt to take liberties of this\nkind, now and then mistake their men, and are justly retorted upon; and\nhowever upon these occasions they may be surprized and angry, others,\nwho are indifferent spectators, instead of viewing them as objects\nof pity, feel a secret satisfaction in seeing them suffer, as proper\nexamples of justice.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 203]\n\nTHE MAN AND THE WEASEL.\n\n\nA Man having caught a Weasel in his pantry, was just going to kill it,\nwhen the little captive begged that he would not do so cruel a deed,\nbut spare his life; and he assured the Man that he was his friend, and\nonly entered his pantry with a view of destroying the mice with which\nit was infested. That may be, said the Man, but you do not do this\nwith the intention of serving me, nor with any other view but that\nof serving yourself; and besides, you are so ferocious and cruel a\nlittle creature, that you kill every animal you have within your power,\nwithout the least compunction, and seem to delight in killing for\nkilling\u2019s sake; therefore, your pretensions to serve me, and your plea\nfor mercy, are good for nothing.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nMany people in the world are ever ready to set up the pretensions of\ntheir acting with zeal, purely to serve the public, and pretend that\nit is through the warmth of their friendship that they do the same to\nindividuals; but the main spring of all the actions of the agents of\ntreachery, and of bad men, is set a-going with the view only of serving\nthemselves. It is thus that the unprincipled and mercenary thief-taker\nwould like well to be accounted a public spirited man; and he cannot\nhelp boasting of his services as such. The hangman\u2019s pretensions are\nof the same kind: but however useful and necessary some of such a\ndescription of men may be, to keep down the wicked part of mankind, who\nare a nuisance to civilized society, yet the instruments themselves are\nvery like in character to the Weasel in the Fable. The same may be said\nof those factious writers, who pester the public with their clamorous\ncharges, under the mask of patriotism, but whose real motive is either\nto gain money by the sale of their highly seasoned scandals, or to run\ndown their corrupt opponents in order to obtain their places.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 205]\n\nTHE BOAR AND THE ASS.\n\n\nAn Ass happening to meet with a Boar, and being in a frolicsome\nhumour, and having a mind to shew some of his silly wit, began in a\nsneering familiar style to accost the Boar with, So ho, brother, your\nhumble servant, how is all at home with you? The Boar, nettled at his\nfamiliarity, muttered out, Brother indeed! then bristled up towards\nhim, told him he was surprized at his impudence, and was just going\nto shew his resentment by giving him a rip in the flank: but wisely\nstifling his passion, he contented himself with only saying, Go, thou\nsorry beast! I could be easily and amply revenged upon thee; but I dont\ncare to foul my tusks with the blood of so base a creature!\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nIt is no uncommon thing to meet with impudent fools, so very eager of\nbeing thought wits, that they will run great hazards in attempting to\nshew themselves such, and will often persist in their awkward raillery\nto the last degree of offence. But these kind of folks, instead of\nraising themselves into esteem, are held in contempt by men of sense;\nand though the generous and the brave may scorn to suffer themselves to\nbe ruffled by the insolent behaviour of every ass that offends them,\nyet such sparks must not from thence conclude, that they will not meet\nwith retorts in kind from men far superior to themselves in mental\nendowments; or that their unseasoned wit will always escape a more\nproper, but a different chastisement.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 207]\n\nTHE DOG AND THE SHEEP.\n\n\nThe Dog sued the Sheep for a debt, of which the Kite and the Wolf\nwere to be the judges. They, without debating long upon the matter,\nor making any scruple for want of evidence, gave sentence for the\nplaintiff, who immediately tore the poor Sheep in pieces, and divided\nthe spoil with the unjust judges.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nOf the many evils which throw back the well-being of society, none\nraise in the honest mind more painful and indignant feelings, than\nbeholding the judgment seat of mercy and justice filled by an unjust,\ncorrupt, and wicked judge, who has become, step by step, hardened in\nhis impious enormities, and is the fully-prepared tool and supporter\nof tyranny and arbitrary power. Fraud and oppression follow in his\ntrain: the righteous laws of a just government are frittered away, or\nsuperseded: truth and innocence are obnoxious; honesty is sneered at,\nand it becomes criminal to espouse the cause of virtue. In this state\nof things, wickedness predominates, and its rapacious abettors give\nfull scope to the exercise of all kind of oppression and injustice,\nto gratify their own vicious lusts. Then it is that mankind are made\nto feel the evils of power being in the hands of the worst of their\nspecies, who, without hesitation, rob them of their property, and\ndivide the spoils. If there be not a sufficiency of the most spirited\nand virtuous patriotism to rescue the country from their fangs, then is\ndespotism and degradation near at hand.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 209]\n\nJUPITER AND THE HERDSMAN.\n\n\nA Herdsman missing a young heifer, went up and down the forest to seek\nit; and having walked over a great deal of ground to no purpose, he\nfell a praying to Jupiter for relief, promising to sacrifice a kid\nto him, if he would help him to a discovery of the thief. After this\nhe went on a little farther, and came near a grove of oaks, where he\nespied the carcase of his heifer, and a Lion growling over it, and\nfeeding upon it. This sight almost scared him out of his wits; so down\nhe fell upon his knees once more, and addressing himself to Jupiter, O\nJupiter, says he, I promised thee a kid to shew me the thief; but now I\npromise thee a bull, if thou wilt be so merciful as to deliver me out\nof his clutches.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWe ought never to supplicate the Divine power, but through motives\nof religion and virtue. Prayers dictated by blind self-interest,\nor to gratify some misguided passion, cannot, it is presumed, be\nacceptable to the Deity; and of all the involuntary sins which men\ncommit, scarcely any are more frequent than their praying absurdly\nand improperly, as well as unseasonably, when their time might have\nbeen employed to a better purpose. Would men, as they ought to do,\nobey the commands of Omnipotence, by fulfilling their moral duties,\nand endeavour with all their might to live as justly as they can, a\njust Providence would give them what they ought to have: but stupidity\nand ignorance, until better informed, and divested of superstition\nand bigotry, will continue to form their notions of the Supreme Being\nfrom their own poor shallow conceptions; and nothing contributes\nmore to keep up this injudicious practice among simple, but perhaps\nwell-meaning people, than the numerous collections of those crude\nrhapsodies, the offspring of itinerant bigotry, with which the country\noverflows; while most of those prayers are neglected which have been\ncomposed with due reflection and matured deliberation, by the most\nlearned and pious of men. This Fable also teaches us, that frequently\nthe gratification of our vain prayers would only lead us into dangers\nand evils, of the existence of which we had no previous suspicion.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 211]\n\nTHE OLD LION.\n\n\nA Lion, that in the prime of his life had been very rapacious and\ncruel, was reduced by age and infirmities to extreme feebleness.\nSeveral of the beasts of the forest, who had been great sufferers\nby him, now came and revenged themselves upon him. The Boar ripped\nhim with his tusks, the Bull gored him with his horns, and others in\nvarious ways had each a stroke at him. When the Ass saw that they might\ndo all this without any danger, he also came and threw his heels in\nthe Lion\u2019s face. Upon which, the poor expiring tyrant is said to have\ngroaned out these words: Alas! how grievous is it to suffer insults,\neven from the brave and valiant; but to be spurned at by so base a\ncreature as this, is worse than dying ten thousand deaths!\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWhen men in power lose sight of justice and mercy, and cruelly and\nunjustly tyrannise over the people under their sway, they never will\ngain sincere reverence or respect from the rest of mankind. The\ninjuries they inflict in the hey-day of their wicked career, will be\nremembered with detestation through life; and when age and impotence\nlay hold of them, they must not expect to meet with friends they\nnever deserved; but may be certain of being treated with neglect and\ncontempt, and the baser their enemies are, the more insolent and\nintolerable will be the affront. It will then be discovered, with\nbitter remorse, that the days have passed away, in which virtue and\ndignity ought to have laid the foundation of a reputation which would\nhave been the solace of old age, and also extended a good name to\nposterity with feelings of veneration; instead of which the remembrance\nof past crimes will haunt the guilty mind, and the unjust man will at\nlast be thrown into the grave with the common dust, amidst the whispers\nof \u201cLet him go,\u201d and he will be no more remembered than the animals on\nwhich he feasted, or the herbage which was cut down when he was a child.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 213]\n\nTHE MAGPIE AND THE SHEEP.\n\n\nA Magpie sat chattering upon the back of a Sheep, and pulling off the\nwool to line her nest. Peace, you noisy thing, says the Sheep: if I\nwere a dog, you durst not serve me so. That is true enough, replies\nthe Magpie, I know very well whom I have to deal with: I never meddle\nwith the surly and revengeful; but I love to plague such poor helpless\ncreatures as you are, who cannot do me any harm.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nIt is the characteristic of a mean, low, base spirit, to be insolent\nor tyrannical to those who are obliged to submit to it, and slavishly\nsubmissive to those who have the spirit and the power to resist. Men of\nthis stamp take especial care not to meddle with people of their own\nmalicious principles, for fear of meeting with a suitable return; but\nthey delight in doing mischief for mischief\u2019s sake, and seem pleased\nwhen they can insult the innocent with impunity. This kind of behaviour\nis inconsistent with all the rules of honour and generosity, and is\nopposite to every thing that is great, good, amiable, and praise-worthy.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 215]\n\nTHE FOX AND THE STORK.\n\n\nThe Fox invited the Stork to dinner, and, being disposed to divert\nhimself at the expence of his guest, provided nothing for the\nentertainment but soup, which he served up in a wide shallow dish.\nThis the Fox could lap up with a great deal of ease; but the Stork,\nwho could but just dip in the point of his bill, was not a bit the\nbetter for his entertainment. However, a few days after, he returned\nthe compliment, and invited the Fox; but suffered nothing to be brought\nto table excepting some minced meat in a glass jar, the neck of which\nwas so deep, and so narrow, that, though the Stork with his long bill\nmade a shift to fill his belly, all that the Fox, who was very hungry,\ncould do, was to lick the brims as the Stork slabbered them with his\neating. Reynard was heartily vexed at first; but when he came to take\nhis leave, owned ingenuously, that he had been used as he deserved; and\nthat he had no reason to take any treatment ill, of which himself had\nset the example.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nIt is very imprudent, as well as uncivil, to affront any one, and we\nshould always reflect, before we rally another, whether we can bear to\nhave the jest retorted. Whoever takes the liberty to exercise his witty\ntalent in that way, must not be surprised if he meet reprisals in the\nend. Indeed, if all those who are thus paid in their own coin, would\ntake it with the same frankness that the Fox did, the matter would not\nbe much; but we are too apt, when the jest comes to be turned home upon\nourselves, to think that insufferable in another which we looked upon\nas pretty and facetious when the humour was our own. The rule of doing\nas we would be done by, so proper to be our model in every transaction\nof life, may more particularly be of use in this respect. People seldom\nor never receive any advantage by these little ludicrous impositions;\nand yet, if they were to ask themselves the question, would find, that\nthey would receive the same treatment from another with a very bad\ngrace.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 217]\n\nTHE COUNTRYMAN AND THE SNAKE.\n\n\nA Villager found a Snake under a hedge, almost dead with cold. Having\ncompassion on the poor creature, he brought it home, and laid it upon\nthe hearth near the fire, where it had not lain long before it revived\nwith the heat, and began to erect itself, and fly at the wife and\nchildren of its preserver, filling the whole cottage with its frightful\nhissings. The Countryman hearing an outcry, came in, and perceiving how\nthe matter stood, took up a mattock, and soon dispatched the ingrate,\nupbraiding him at the same time in these words: Is this, vile wretch,\nthe reward you make to him that saved your life? Die, as you deserve;\nbut a single death is too good for you.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThere are some minds so depraved, and entirely abandoned to wickedness,\nso dead to all virtuous feelings, that the tenderness and humanity of\nothers, though exerted in their own favour, not only fail to make a\nproper impression of gratitude upon them, but are not able to restrain\nthem from repaying benevolence with injuries. Moralists, in all\nages, have incessantly declaimed against the enormity of this crime,\nconcluding that they who are capable of injuring their benefactors,\nare not fit to live in a community; being such as the natural ties of\nparent, friend, or country are too weak to restrain within the bounds\nof society. Indeed, the sin of ingratitude is so detestable, that none\nbut the basest tempers can be guilty of it. Men of low grovelling\nminds, who have been rescued from indigence by the hand of benevolence,\nor of charity, forget their benefactors, as well as their original\nwretchedness; and as soon as prosperity flows upon them, it too often\nserves only to rekindle their native rancour and venom, and they hiss\nand brandish their tongues against those who are so inadvertent or\nunfortunate as to have served them. But prudent people need not to be\nadmonished on this subject; for they know how much it behoves them to\nbeware of taking a snake into their bosom.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 219]\n\nTHE COCK AND THE FOX.\n\n\nA Cock, perched upon a lofty tree, crowed so loud, that his voice\nechoed through the wood, and drew to the place a Fox, who was prowling\nin quest of prey. But Reynard finding the Cock was inaccessible, had\nrecourse to stratagem to decoy him down. Approaching the tree, Cousin,\nsays he, I am heartily glad to see you; but I cannot forbear expressing\nmy uneasiness at the inconvenience of the place, which will not let\nme pay my respects to you in a better manner, though I suppose you\nwill come down presently, and that difficulty will be removed. Indeed,\ncousin, says the Cock, to tell you the truth, I do not think it safe to\nventure upon the ground; for, though I am convinced how much you are my\nfriend, yet I may have the misfortune to fall into the clutches of some\nother beast, and what will become of me then? O dear, says Reynard,\nis it possible you do not know of the peace that has been so lately\nproclaimed between all kinds of birds and beasts; and that we are for\nthe future to forbear hostilities, and to live in harmony, under the\nseverest penalties. All this while the Cock seemed to give little\nattention to what was said, but stretched out his neck as if he saw\nsomething at a distance. Cousin, says the Fox, what is that you look\nat so earnestly? Why, says the Cock, I think I see a pack of hounds\nyonder, a good way off. O then, says the Fox, your humble servant, I\nmust be gone. Nay, pray cousin do not go, says the Cock, I am just\ncoming down; sure you are not afraid of the dogs in these peaceable\ntimes. No, no, says he; but ten to one whether they have yet heard of\nthe proclamation!\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThe moral of this Fable principally instructs us not to be too\ncredulous in believing the insinuations of those who are already\ndistinguished by their want of faith and honesty, for perfidious\npeople ought ever to be suspected in the reports that favour their own\ninterest. When, therefore, any such would draw us into a compliance\nwith their destructive measures, by a pretended civility, or plausible\nrelation, we should consider such proposals as a bait, artfully\nplaced to conceal some fatal hook, which is intended to draw us into\ndanger; and if by any simple counterplot we can unmask the design and\ndefeat the schemes of the wicked, it will not only be innocent, but\npraise-worthy.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 221]\n\nTHE HARE AND THE TORTOISE.\n\n\nA Hare vainly boasting of her great speed in running, and casting a\nlook of disdain upon a Tortoise, that was slowly moving along, What\na poor crawling thing are you! said she: I can go over a territory\nof country with the velocity of the wind, while you are an hour in\naccomplishing a journey of half a furlong. In a race I could leave you\ntwenty miles behind me, in the time you were about reaching the end of\none. I don\u2019t know that, said the Tortoise, and will give you a trial.\nUpon this, a match was made to run a certain distance, and the Fox, who\nhad heard the dispute, was chosen umpire of the race. They then started\ntogether, and away went the Hare with great swiftness, and soon left\nthe Tortoise out of sight, and thinking herself certain of winning the\nrace, she made a jest of the matter, squatted down in a tuft of fern,\nand took a nap, concluding she could easily make up the lost ground,\nshould the Tortoise at any time pass by. Indulging in this security,\nshe over-slept herself, until the Tortoise, in a continued steady pace,\narrived first at the fixed distance, and won the race.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWe must not flatter ourselves with coming to the end of our journey in\ntime, if we sleep by the way; and unnecessary delays, in all pressing\naffairs, are just so much time lost. Action is an important part of the\nbusiness of life; and \u201cup and be doing\u201d is a motto we ought to keep\nin mind, as it has guided many a plain plodding man, with steady aim,\nto carry his point effectually in making his own fortune, and at the\nsame time gaining the esteem of the world. Industry and application to\nbusiness make amends for the want of a quick and ready wit; but men of\ngreat natural abilities, and vivacity of imagination, often presume too\nmuch upon the superiority of their genius, and if to this presumption\nthey add pride and conceit, they despise the drudgery of business, and\nsuffer their affairs to go to disorder or ruin, through idleness and\nneglect.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 223]\n\nTHE BLACKAMOOR.\n\n\nA Man having bought a Blackamoor, was so simple as to think that the\ncolour of his skin was only dirt which he had contracted for want of\ndue care under his former master. This fault he fancied might easily\nbe removed by washing, so he ordered the poor Black to be put into a\ntub, and was at a considerable charge in providing ashes, soap, and\nscrubbing brushes for the operation. To work they went, rubbing and\nscouring his skin all over, but to no manner of purpose: for when they\nhad repeated their washings several times, and were grown quite weary,\nall they got by it was, that the Blackamoor caught cold and died.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\n \u201cWhat\u2019s bred in the bone will never come out of the flesh.\u201d\n\nNature cannot by any art or labour be changed; she may indeed be\nwrought upon and moulded by good council and discipline; but it is\nin vain to attempt a total transformation of our genius, person, or\ncomplexion: therefore our application, assiduity, and pains, when\nwrong directed, are of no avail. We should, indeed, strive to discover\nwhich way the bent of our genius lies, that we may apply ourselves\nto a judicious cultivation and improvement of it; but we ought to be\nsure never to thwart or oppose nature\u2019s fixed laws. When men aspire to\neminence in any of the various arts or sciences, without being gifted\nwith the innate powers or abilities for such attainments, it is only\nlike attempting to wash the Blackamoor white.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 225]\n\nTHE LION IN LOVE.\n\n\nThe Lion by chance saw a fair maid, the forester\u2019s daughter, as she\nwas tripping over a lawn, and fell in love with her. Nay, so violent\nwas his passion, that he could not live unless he made her his own;\ntherefore, without more delay, he broke his mind to the father, and\ndemanded the damsel for his wife. The man, odd as the proposal seemed\nat first, soon recollected that, by complying, he might get the Lion\ninto his power; but, by refusing him, should only exasperate and\nprovoke his rage. Accordingly, he seemed to consent; but told him it\nmust be upon these conditions: that, considering the girl was young and\ntender, he must let his teeth be plucked out, and his claws be cut off,\nlest he should hurt her, or at least frighten her with the apprehension\nof them. The Lion was too much in love to hesitate; but was no sooner\ndeprived of his teeth and claws, than the treacherous forester\nattacked him with a huge club, and knocked out his brains.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nOf all the ill consequences that may attend the blind passion of love,\nfew prove so fatal as that of its drawing people into a sudden and\nill-concerted marriage. In the midst of a fit of madness, they commit\na rash act, of which, as soon as they come to themselves, they find\nreason to repent as long as they live. Many an unthinking young man\nhas been treated as much like a savage in this respect as the Lion in\nthe Fable. He has, perhaps, had nothing valuable belonging to him but\nhis estate, and the documents which formed his title to it; and if he\nis so far captivated, as to be persuaded to part with these, his teeth\nand his claws are gone, and he lies entirely at the mercy of madam and\nher relations, who will most likely not fail to keep him in complete\nsubjection, after they have stripped him of all his power. Nothing but\na true friendship, and a mutual interest, can keep up a reciprocal love\nbetween the conjugal pair, and when these are wanting, contempt and\naversion soon step in to supply their place. Matrimony then becomes a\nstate of downright enmity and hostility; and what a miserable case he\nmust be in, who has put himself and his whole power into the hands of\nhis enemy. Let those reflect upon this (while they are in their sober\nsenses) who abhor the thoughts of being betrayed into their ruin, by\nfollowing the impulse of a blind unheeding passion.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 227]\n\nTHE FOX AND THE HEDGEHOG.\n\n\nA Fox, in swimming across a river, was forced down by the rapidity of\nthe stream to a place where the bank was so steep and slippery, that he\ncould not ascend it. While he was struggling in this situation, a swarm\nof flies settled on his head and eyes, and tormented him grievously.\nA Hedgehog, who saw and pitied his condition, offered to call in the\nassistance of the Swallow to drive them away. No, no, friend, replies\nthe Fox, I thank you for your kind offer; but it is better to let this\nswarm alone, for they are already pretty well filled, and should they\nbe driven away, a fresh and more hungry set would succeed them, and\nsuck me until I should not have a drop of blood left in my veins.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThis Fable is recorded by Aristotle, who tells us that \u00c6sop spoke it to\nthe Samians on occasion of a popular sedition, to dissuade them from\ndeposing their great minister of state, lest they might, in getting\nrid of one who was already glutted with their spoils, make room for a\nmore hungry and rapacious one in his stead. By this it would appear,\nthat some ministers of state in ancient times, instead of being guided\nby integrity and patriotism, were intent only upon filling their own\ncoffers, and aggrandizing and enriching their own relations, from the\nplunder of the people whose affairs they were entrusted with; and\nthat they considered them as their prey, rather than their charge. A\nsuccession of such ministers, who can be countenanced by weak monarchs\nonly, is more calamitous to a nation than plague, pestilence, and\nfamine; for the effects of their mal-administration do not end with\ntheir wicked lives, but lay the foundation of ruin to nations that\nwould, under a patriotic government, have been virtuous, great, and\nflourishing.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 229]\n\nTHE SPARROW AND THE HARE.\n\n\nA Hare being seized by an Eagle, squeaked out in a most woful manner.\nA Sparrow, that sat upon a tree just by, and saw the affair, could not\nforbear being unseasonably witty, but called out to the Hare: So, ho!\nwhat, sit there and be killed! prithee up and away; I dare say if you\nwould but try, so swift a creature as you are would easily escape from\nan Eagle. As he was going on with his cruel raillery, down came a Hawk\nand snapped him up, and notwithstanding his cries and lamentations,\nfell to devouring him in an instant. The Hare, who was just expiring,\naddressing her last words to the Sparrow, said, You who just now\ninsulted my misfortune, with so much security as you thought, may\nplease to shew us how well you can bear the like, now it has befallen\nyou.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nTo insult people in distress, is the characteristic of a cruel,\nindiscreet, and giddy temper; and he must surely have a very bad\nheart, and no very good head, who can look on the day of grief, and\nthe hour of distress, as a time for impertinent raillery. If any other\narguments were necessary, or might be supposed capable of enforcing\nmoral precepts on those who cannot be actuated by humanity, it might\nbe added, that the vicissitudes of human affairs render such behaviour\nimprudent, as well as barbarous; since we cannot tell how soon we may\nbe ourselves reduced to lament the woes which are now the objects of\nour derision: for nobody knows whose turn may be the next.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 231]\n\nTHE MAN AND HIS TWO WIVES.\n\n\nA Man, in times when polygamy was allowed, had two wives, one of\nwhom, like himself, had seen her best days, and was verging upon the\ndecline of life, but possessed many engaging qualities. The other was\nyoung and beautiful, and shared the affection of her husband, whom\nshe made as happy as he was capable of being, but was not completely\nso herself. The white hairs mixed with the black upon the good man\u2019s\nhead, gave her some uneasiness, by proclaiming the great disparity of\ntheir years; wherefore, under colour of dressing his head, she plucked\nout the silver hairs, that he might still have as few visible signs\nof an advanced age as possible. The older dame, for reasons directly\nopposite, esteemed these grey locks as the honours of his head, and\nthought, while they gave him a venerable look, they made her appear\nsomething younger, so that every time she combed his head, she took\nequal pains to extirpate the black hairs. Each continued her project,\nunknown to the other, until the poor man, who thought their desire to\noblige him put them upon this extraordinary officiousness in dressing\nhis head, found himself without any hair at all!\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nAs Christianity has banished polygamy, no immediate moral can be\nderived by husbands from this Fable, unless we conclude, that it is\nas impossible to serve two mistresses as two masters; for whatever we\ndo to please the one, will probably offend the other. To conciliate\nthe affections of persons whose tempers are opposite, is extremely\ndifficult, if not impracticable. To wives it may teach, that those\nwhose love is tempered with a tolerable share of good sense, will\nbe sure to have no separate views of their own, nor do any thing\nimmediately relating to their husbands, without consulting them first.\nAll that we shall add to what has been said, is to observe, that many\nwomen may ignorantly, out of a pure effect of complaisance, do a\nthousand disagreeable things to their husbands. But in a married state,\none party should not be guessing at or presuming, but inform themselves\ncertainly, what will please the other; and if a wife use her husband\nlike a friend only, the least she can do is first to communicate to\nhim all the important enterprizes she undertakes, and especially those\nwhich she intends should be for his honour and advantage.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 233]\n\nMERCURY AND THE CARVER.\n\n\nMercury being very desirous to know what credit he had obtained in\nthe world, and how he was esteemed among mankind, disguised himself,\nand went to the shop of a famous Statuary, where images were to be\nsold. He saw Jupiter, Juno, and himself, and most of the other gods\nand goddesses: so, pretending that he wanted to buy, he asked the\nprices of several, and at length pointing to Jupiter, What, says he,\nis the lowest price you will take for that? A crown, says the other;\nand what for that? pointing to Juno: I must have something more for\nthat. Mercury then, casting his eye upon the figure of himself, with\nall his symbols about it, Here am I, said he to himself, in quality of\nJupiter\u2019s messenger, and the patron of artisans, with all my trades\nabout me; and then smiling with a self-sufficient air, and pointing to\nthe image, and pray friend, what is the price of this elegant figure?\nOh, replied the Statuary, if you will buy Jupiter and Juno, I will\nthrow you that into the bargain.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nIf we knew ourselves, of what could any of us be vain? Vanity is the\nfruit of ignorance, and the froth of perverted pride. Humility is the\nconstant attendant on men of great talents and good qualities: these\nenable them to see how far they are short of perfection; but the vain\nand arrogant conceive they have attained its height. All vain men, who\naffect popularity, fancy other people have the same opinion of them\nthat they have of themselves; but nothing makes them look so cheap\nand little in the eyes of discerning people as their enquiring (like\nMercury in the Fable) after their own worth, and wanting to know what\nvalue others set upon them: and those who are so full of themselves,\nas to hunt for praise, and lay traps for commendation, will generally\nbe disappointed, and be marked out as the emptiest of fellows; for\nit argues a littleness of mind to be too anxious and solicitous\nconcerning our fame. He that behaves himself as he should do, need not\nfear procuring a good share of respect, and a fair reputation; but\nthen these should not be the end or the motive of our pursuits: our\nprincipal aim should be the welfare of our country, our friends, and\nourselves, and should be directed by the rules of honour and virtue.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 235]\n\nTHE FOX AND THE GOAT.\n\n\nA Fox having tumbled, by chance, into a well, had been ineffectually\nendeavouring a long while to get out again, when, at last, a Goat came\nto the place, and wanting to drink, asked Reynard whether the water was\ngood? Good! said he, aye, so sweet, that I am afraid I have surfeited\nmyself, I have drank so abundantly. The Goat, upon this, without more\nconsideration, leapt in; when the Fox mounted upon his back, and taking\nthe advantage of his horns, bounded up in an instant, and left the poor\nsimple Goat at the bottom of the well to shift for himself. Upon the\nGoat\u2019s reproaching him for his perfidy, Ah, Master Goat, said he, you\nhave far more hairs in your beard than brains in your head.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nCredulity may be said to be the child of ignorance, and the mother\nof distress. A wise man will not suffer himself to be imposed upon\nby slender artifices and idle tales; but the credulous man is easily\ndeluded, and subjects himself to numberless misfortunes. He is ever\nthe dupe of designing knaves, and of needy adventurers, who are always\nintent upon serving themselves at the expence of others. They fasten\nupon opulent men of weak minds, as the objects of delusion, and for\nthis purpose, tempt them with proposals of apparently advantageous\nschemes, which they have ready made out, to entice their victims to\nembark along with them. By credulity, they hope to establish their own\nfortune, and provided this be done, they care not, even if the ruin of\ntheir unsuspecting associates follow. It will likewise ever be found\nthat when an honest man and a knave happen to become partners in the\nsame common interest, the latter, whenever necessity pinches, will be\nsure to shift for himself, and leave the former in the lurch.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 237]\n\nJUNO AND THE PEACOCK.\n\n\nThe Peacock complained to Juno, how hardly he was used in not having\nso good a voice as the Nightingale. That little bird, says he, charms\nevery ear with his melody, while my hoarse screamings disgust every\none who hears them. The Goddess, concerned at the uneasiness of her\nfavourite bird, answered him very kindly to this purpose: If the\nNightingale be blest with a fine voice, you have the advantage in point\nof beauty and majesty of person. Ah! said the Peacock, but what avails\nmy silent unmeaning beauty, when I am so far excelled in voice? The\nGoddess dismissed him with this advice: Consider that the properties\nof every creature were appointed by the decree of fate: to you beauty;\nstrength to the Eagle; to the Nightingale a voice of melody; the\nfaculty of speech to the Parrot; and to the Dove innocence. Each of\nthese is contented with his own peculiar quality; and unless you have a\nmind to be miserable, you must learn to be so too.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThe most useful lesson that we can possibly learn, towards the\nattainment of happiness in this world, is to enjoy those blessings\nthat we have in our power, without vainly pining after those which\nwe have not. Instead of being ambitious of having more endowments\nthan nature has allotted to us, we should spare no pains to cultivate\nthose we have; and which a sourness or peevishness of temper, instead\nof improving, will certainly lessen and impair. Whoever neglects the\nhappiness within his reach, in order to brood over the consideration\nof how much happier he might have been, had his situation been like\nthat of others, ingeniously contrives to torment himself, and opens a\nperpetual source of discontent, which prevents his ever being at ease.\nHe does not reflect, or he would soon discover, that all the desirable\nproperties in the world never centered in one man, and that those who\nhave had the greatest share of them, if of an unhappy disposition,\nstill wished for something more, and wanted to possess some inherent\ngifts which shone forth in other men: but such persons ought to be\nput in mind, that it does not become mortals to repine at the will of\nHeaven, which distributes happiness with an equal hand upon the highest\nand the lowest of mankind, if they were wise enough, and grateful\nenough, to perceive it.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 239]\n\nTHE LION AND OTHER BEASTS.\n\n\nThe Lion having entered into an alliance with other Beasts of prey,\nit was agreed, for their mutual advantage, that they should hunt in\ncompany, and divide the spoil. They accordingly met on a certain day,\nand commenced the chase, and ere long they ran down and killed a fine\nfat Deer, which was instantly divided into four parts, there happening\nto be then only the Lion and three others present. After the division\nwas made, the Lion advancing forward with an air of majesty, and\npointing to one of the shares, was pleased to declare himself after the\nfollowing manner: This I take possession of as my right, which devolves\nto me, as I am descended by a true, lineal, hereditary succession from\nthe royal family of Lion: that, pointing to the second, I claim by, I\nthink, no unreasonable title, considering that the success of all the\nengagements you have with the enemy depends chiefly upon my courage\nand conduct; and you very well know that wars are too expensive to\nbe carried on without large supplies. Then, nodding his head towards\nthe third, that I shall take by virtue of my prerogative, to which I\nmake no question but so dutiful and loyal a people will pay all the\ndeference and regard that I can desire. Now, as for the remaining part,\nthe necessity of our present affairs is so very urgent, our stock so\nlow, and our credit so impaired and weakened, that I must insist upon\nyour granting that without hesitation or demur; and hereof fail not at\nyour peril.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nNo alliance is safe which is made with the wicked, if they be superior\nto us in power. The most solemn treaties will be disregarded as soon as\nthey can be broken with advantage. Powerful potentates, when they are\nregardless of moral obligation, and consider might only to be right,\nwill never want specious pretences to furbish out their declarations\nof war, nor hesitate about inveigling less powerful states to join\nthem, and after subduing the enemy, and seizing upon the spoils, will\nfall upon their allies on the slightest pretences, or for no better\nreason but because they are powerful enough to do so. No man ought to\nbe entrusted with unlimited power; and when a community has been stupid\nenough to put the management of their affairs into such hands, they\nhave ever found their confidence abused, and their property invaded.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 241]\n\nJUPITER AND PALLAS.\n\n\nOnce upon a time, the Heathen Gods agreed to adopt each a particular\ntree into their patronage. Jupiter chose the Oak; Venus was pleased\nto name the Myrtle; Apollo pitched upon the Laurel; Cybele took the\nPine; and Hercules the Poplar. Pallas being present, expressed her\nsurprise at their fancy, in making choice of trees that bore nothing.\nOh, says Jupiter, the reason of that is plain enough, for we would not\nbe thought to dispense our favours with any mercenary view. You may do\nas you please, says she, but let the Olive be my tree; and I declare\nmy reason for choosing it is, because it bears plenty of noble useful\nfruit. Upon which the Thunderer, putting on a serious composed gravity,\nspoke thus to the Goddess: Indeed daughter, it is not without cause\nthat you are so celebrated for your wisdom; for unless some benefit\nattend our actions, to perform them for the sake of glory is but a\nsilly business.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nIn all our actions, we should intend something useful and beneficial;\nfor the standing value of all things is in proportion to their use. To\nundertake affairs with no other view but that of empty glory, whatever\nsome curious dreamers may fancy, is employing our time after a very\nfoolish manner. The Almighty created the world out of his infinite\ngoodness, for the good of his creatures, and not out of a passion for\nglory, which is a vain, silly, mean principle; and when we talk of\nglorifying the Author of our being, if we think reasonably, we must\nmean shewing our gratitude to him, by imitating this goodness of his,\nas far as we are able, and endeavouring to make some good or other the\naim of all our undertakings. For if empty glory be unworthy the pursuit\nof a wise man, how vastly improper must it be to make an offering of it\nto an all-wise Deity.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 243]\n\nTHE VIPER AND THE FILE.\n\n\nA Viper having entered a smith\u2019s shop, looked up and down for something\nto eat; when, casting his eye upon a file, he greedily seized upon it,\nand fell to gnawing it with his teeth. After he had spent some time\nin his attempts to devour it, the File told him very gruffly, that he\nhad better be quiet and let him alone; for he would get very little by\nnibbling at one who, upon occasion, could bite iron and steel.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThis Fable is levelled at those spiteful people who take so malignant a\npleasure in the design of hurting others, as not to feel and understand\nthat they hurt only themselves; and at those who are blinded by\nenvy, which prompts them rather than not bite at all, to fall foul\nwhere they cannot expect their nibbling will meet with any thing but\ndisappointment, as every one must who is biting at that which is too\nhard for his teeth. Thus it is that spite and malignity, which are twin\nbrothers, and the offspring of envy, are, as well as their parent,\ntheir own tormentors. They intend that the wounds they inflict should\nbe deadly, and the greatest wits and brightest characters in all ages\nhave been the objects of their attacks; but the brilliancy of truth\nand justice at length shines forth, and shews the deformity of such\ncharacters in the clearest light. Other people, of the same character\nand disposition, though of minor consideration indeed, ought not to\nbe passed over unnoticed. These may be called nibblers, who let their\ntongues slip very freely, in censuring the actions of persons who, in\nthe esteem of the world, are of such an unquestionable reputation,\nthat nobody will believe what is insinuated against them, and of such\ninfluence through their own veracity, that the least word from them\nwould ruin the credit of such adversaries to all intents and purposes.\nThe efforts of little villains of this stamp, like dirty liquor\nsquirted against the wind, recoil back and bespatter their own faces;\nor like the shades of a picture, serve to set off the brilliant tints\nof the opposite virtues, which support and adorn society.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 245]\n\nTHE WOLF IN SHEEP\u2019S CLOTHING.\n\n\nA Wolf disguising himself in the skin of a sheep, and getting in\namong the flock, easily caught and devoured many of them. At last the\nShepherd discovered him, and cunningly watched the opportunity of\nslipping a noose about his neck, and immediately hung him up on the\nbranch of a tree. Some other Shepherds observing what he was about,\ndrew near and expressed their surprize at it. Brother Shepherd! says\none of them, what! are you hanging your sheep? No, replies the other,\nbut I am hanging a Wolf in Sheep\u2019s clothing, and shall never fail to do\nthe same, whenever I can catch one of them in that garb. The Shepherds\nthen expressed themselves pleased at his dexterity, and applauded the\njustice of the execution.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWe ought not to judge of men by their looks, or their dress and\nappearances, but by the character of their lives and conversation,\nand by their works; for when we do not examine these, we must not be\nsurprized if we find that we have mistaken evil for good, and instead\nof an innocent sheep, taken a wolf in disguise under our protection.\nThe finished hypocrite, by assuming the character of virtue, makes the\nvice more odious and abominable, and when the mask is torn off, and\nfraud and imposture are detected, every honest man rejoices in the\npunishment of the offender. Men who have not had good, religious, and\nmoral principles early instilled into their minds, find no barrier to\ncheck their propensity to evil, and get hardened as they advance in\nyears; and even the most liberal education, if it want the foundation\nof truth and honesty, is often a curse instead of a blessing, and\nthe objects of it fail to do honour either to themselves or to their\ncountry. Thus it is we see tyranny stalking along under the mask of\ncare and protection. Injustice sets up the letter of the law against\nits spirit. Oppression strips the widow and the orphan, and at the same\ntime preaches up mercy and compassion. Treachery covers itself under\na cloak of kindness; and above all, it is peculiarly painful to find\nnumbers of men, even of the learned professions, who ought to set an\nexample of probity and honour, misapply their abilities to twist and\npervert the sacred meaning of both law and gospel to the basest and\nworst of purposes.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 247]\n\nTHE STAG IN THE OX-STALL.\n\n\nA Stag, pursued by the hunters, took refuge in a stable, and begged\nof the Oxen, to suffer him to conceal himself under the straw in one\nof the stalls. They told him that he would be in great danger there,\nfor both the master and the servants would soon come to fodder them,\nand then he might be sure of meeting his doom. Ah! says the Stag, if\nyou will be so good as not betray me, I hope I shall be safe enough.\nPresently, in came a servant, who gave a careless look around, and\nthen went out without any discovery. All the other servants of the\nfarm came and went like the first. Upon this, the Stag began to exult,\nimagining himself quite secure; but a shrewd old Ox told him that he\nwas reckoning upon his safety too soon, for there was another person to\ncome, by whom he would not so readily be looked over. Accordingly, by\nand by came the master, who carefully peeped into every corner, and at\nlast, in turning over the litter, discovered the Stag\u2019s horns sticking\nout of the straw: upon which, he called all his servants back, and soon\nmade prize of the poor creature.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThis Fable is levelled against those worthless hirelings, who slide\nover their time in negligent disorder, and this not so much for want of\ncapacity as honesty; their own private interest almost solely occupying\ntheir attention, while that of their master, whose wages they receive,\nand whose bread they eat, is postponed, or entirely neglected. Such\nservants deserve not to be inmates in any good man\u2019s house; but where\nthey are, it is absolutely necessary for the governors of families to\nlook into their affairs with their own eyes; for though they may happen\nnot to be in personal danger from the treachery of their domestics,\nthey are perpetually liable to injuries from their negligence, which\nleaves the master open to the artifices of those who would defraud him.\nFew families are reduced to poverty merely by their own extravagance:\nthe inattention of servants swells every article of expence in domestic\neconomy; and the retinue of great men, instead of exerting their\nindustry to increase their master\u2019s wealth, commonly exercise no other\noffice than that of caterpillars, to consume and devour it. The fate\nof the Stag also warns us not to engage in any hazardous speculation,\nthe success of which is to depend upon the ignorance or carelessness\nof those with whom we have to deal; for though we may over-reach one\nor two, yet some master-eye is sure at last to pierce our covering of\nstraw, and make us pay dearly for deviating from the straight road of\ncandour and prudence.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 249]\n\nTHE FOWLER AND THE RING-DOVE.\n\n\nA Fowler took his gun, and went into the woods a-shooting. He spied a\nRing-dove among the branches of an Oak, and clapping the piece to his\nshoulder, took his aim, and made himself sure of killing it. But just\nas he was going to pull the trigger, an Adder, which he had trod upon\nunder the grass, bit him so painfully in the leg, that he was obliged\nto quit his design, and throw his gun down in an agony. The venom\nimmediately infected his blood, and his whole body began to mortify;\nwhich, when he perceived, he could not help owning it to be just. Fate,\nsays he, has brought destruction upon me, while I was contriving the\ndeath of another.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThe mischief that bad men meditate to others, commonly, like a\njudgment, falls upon their own heads; and the punishment of wickedness\nis so just in itself that the sufferer, who has made others feel it,\ncannot, if he think rightly, but confess that he deserves the like\ninflicted on himself. The hardened unfeeling heart of a cruel and\nunjust man, can, however, continue to do a thousand bitter things to\nothers, until he tastes calamity himself, and then only it is that he\nfeels the insupportable uneasiness it occasions. Why should we think\nothers born to hard treatment more than ourselves, or imagine it can be\nreasonable to do to another what we should think very hard to suffer in\nour own persons?\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 251]\n\nTHE HARES AND THE FROGS.\n\n\nThe Hares in a certain park having met to consult upon some plan to\npreserve themselves from their numerous enemies, all agreed that life\nwas full of care and misery, and that they saw no prospect of things\nchanging for the better. Full of these desponding thoughts, and just as\nit had been proposed that they should put an end to their existence, a\nstorm arose, which tore the branches from the trees, and whirled the\nleaves about their ears. Panic-struck, they ran like mad creatures,\nuntil they were stopped by a lake, into which they hastily resolved to\nthrow themselves headlong, rather than lead a life so full of dangers\nand crosses: but upon their approaching its margin, a number of Frogs,\nwhich were sitting there, frightened at their sudden approach, in the\ngreatest confusion leapt into the water, and dived to the bottom; which\nan old Hare, more sedate than the rest, observing, called out, Have\na care what ye do! Here are other creatures I perceive, which have\ntheir fears as well as we. Dont then let us fancy ourselves the most\nmiserable of any upon earth; but rather, by their example, learn to\nbear patiently those inconveniences which nature has thrown upon us.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThis Fable is designed to shew us how unreasonable many people are, who\nlive in continual fears and disquiet about the miserableness of their\ncondition. There is hardly any state of life great enough to satisfy\nthe wishes of an ambitious man; and scarcely any so mean, but may\nsupply the necessities of him that is moderate. There are few beings so\nvery wretched, that they cannot pick out others in a more deplorable\nsituation, and with whom they would not change cases. The rich man\nenvies the poor man\u2019s health, without considering his wants; and the\npoor man envies the other\u2019s treasure, without considering his diseases.\nThe miseries of others should serve to add vigour to our minds, and\nteach us to bear up against the load of lighter misfortunes. But what\nshall we say to those who have a way of creating themselves panics from\nthe rustling of the wind, the scratching of a rat or a mouse behind the\nhangings, the fluttering of a moth, or the motion of their own shadow\nby moon-light! Their whole life is as full of alarms as that of a Hare,\nand they never think themselves so easy as when, like the timorous\nfolks in the Fable, they meet with a set of creatures as fearful as\nthemselves.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 253]\n\nTHE MOUNTAINS IN LABOUR.\n\n\nThe Mountains were said to be in labour, and uttered the most dreadful\ngroans. People came together, far and near, to see what birth would be\nproduced; and after they had waited a considerable time in expectation,\nout crept a Mouse.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nProjectors of all kinds, who endeavour by artful rumours, large\npromises, and vast preparations, to raise the expectations of mankind,\nand then by their mean performances disappoint them, have, time out of\nmind, been lashed with the recital of this Fable. It should teach us\nto suspect those who promise very largely, and to examine cautiously\nwhat grounds they proceed upon, and whether their pretensions are not\nintended to render us their tools, or the dupes of their artifices.\nIt likewise teaches us not to rely implicitly upon those constant\ndeclarations for liberty and the public good, which artful politicians\nuse as stepping stones to power; but who having raised the people\u2019s\nexpectations to the highest pitch, and obtained their desire by the\npublic enthusiasm, then turn their whole art and cunning to embezzling\nthe public treasure for their own private wicked ends, or to ruin\nand enslave their country; or at best but imitate the bad conduct of\nthose whom they turned out by their clamour, while the sanguine hopes\nof all those that wished well to virtue, and flattered themselves\nwith a reformation of every thing that opposed the well-being of the\ncommunity, vanish away in smoke, and are lost in a gloomy uncomfortable\nprospect. The Fable likewise intimates, that the uncertain issue of\nall human undertakings should induce us not to make pompous boasts of\nourselves, but to guard against promising any thing exceedingly great,\nfor fear of coming off with a production ridiculously little. If we set\nout modestly, and perform more than we engaged to do, we shall find\nour fame grow upon us, and every unexpected addition we make to our\nplan will raise us more and more in the good opinion of the world; but\nif, on the contrary, we make ample professions of the greatness of our\ndesigns, and the excellence of our own abilities, it will too often\nhappen, that instead of swelling our reputation, we shall only blow the\ntrumpet to our shame.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 255]\n\nTHE VAIN JACK-DAW.\n\n\nA certain Jack-daw was so proud and ambitious, that, not contented\nto live within his own sphere, he picked up the feathers which fell\nfrom the Peacocks, stuck them in among his own, and very confidently\nintroduced himself into an assembly of those beautiful birds. They soon\nfound him out, stripped him of his borrowed plumes, and falling upon\nhim with their sharp bills, punished him as his presumption deserved.\nUpon this, full of grief and affliction, he returned to his old\ncompanions, and would have lived with them again; but they, knowing his\nlate life and conversation, industriously avoided him, and refused to\nadmit him into their company; and one of them, at the same time, gave\nhim this serious reproof: If, friend, you could have been contented\nwith our station, and had not disdained the rank in which nature had\nplaced you, you had not been used so scurvily by those upon whom you\nintruded yourself, nor suffered the notorious slight which now we think\nourselves obliged to put upon you.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nTo aim at making a figure by the means of either borrowed wit, or\nborrowed money, generally subjects us at last to a ten-fold ridicule.\nA wise man, therefore, will take his post quietly, in his own station,\nwithout pretending to fill that of another, and never affect to look\nbigger than he really is, by means of a false or borrowed light. It\nshews great weakness and vanity in any man to be pleased at making an\nappearance above what he really is; but if to enable him to do so with\nsomething of a better grace, he has clandestinely feathered his nest\nout of his neighbour\u2019s goods, it is a pity if he should not be found\nout, stripped of his plunder, and treated like a felonious rogue into\nthe bargain.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 257]\n\nTHE LION AND THE MOUSE.\n\n\nA Lion having laid down to take his repose under the spreading boughs\nof a shady tree, a company of Mice scampered over his back and waked\nhim. Upon which, starting up, he clapped his paw upon one of them, and\nwas just going to put it to death, when the little suppliant implored\nhis mercy, begging him not to stain his noble character with the blood\nof so small and insignificant a creature. The Lion, touched with\ncompassion, instantly released his little trembling captive. Not long\nafter, traversing the forest in search of his prey, he chanced to run\ninto the toils of the hunters, and not being able to disengage himself,\nhe set up a loud roar. The Mouse hearing the voice, and knowing it to\nbe the Lion\u2019s, immediately repaired to the place, and bade him fear\nnothing, for that he was his friend. Instantly he fell to work, and\nwith his little sharp teeth gnawed asunder the knots and fastenings of\nthe toils, and set the royal brute at liberty.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThey who generously shower benefits on their fellow-creatures, seldom\nfail of inspiring the great bulk of them with a benevolent regard for\ntheir benefactors, and often receive returns of kindness which they\nnever expected. Mercy is of all other virtues the most likely to kindle\ngratitude in those to whom it is extended, and it is difficult to find\nan instance of a conqueror who ever had occasion to repent of his\nhumanity and clemency. The Fable gives us to understand, that there is\nno person in the world so little, but even the greatest may, at some\ntime or other, stand in need of his assistance; and consequently, it\nis good to shew favour, when there is room for it, towards those who\nfall into our power. As the lowest people in life may, upon occasion,\nbe able either to serve or hurt us, it is as much our interest as our\nduty to behave with good-nature and lenity towards all with whom we\nhave any intercourse. A great soul is never so much delighted as when\nan opportunity offers of making a return for favours received; and a\nsensible man, however exalted his station, will never consider himself\nsecure from the necessity of accepting a service from the poorest.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 259]\n\nTHE TORTOISE AND THE EAGLE.\n\n\nA Tortoise, weary of his condition, by which he was confined to\ncreep upon the ground, and ambitious to look about him with a larger\nprospect, proclaimed that if any bird would take him up into the air,\nand shew him the world, he would reward him with the discovery of an\ninvaluable treasure, which he knew was hidden in a certain place of\nthe earth. The Eagle accepted the offer, and having performed his\nundertaking, gently set the Tortoise again on the ground, and demanded\nthe reward. The Tortoise was obliged to confess that he could not\nfulfil his promise, which he had made only with the view of having his\nfancy gratified. The Eagle, stung with resentment at being thus duped,\ngrasped him again in his talons, and then soaring to a great height,\nlet him fall, by which he was dashed to pieces.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nMen of honour are careful not to tarnish their reputations by\nfalsifying their word, and always consider well how far it may be in\ntheir power to fulfil their promises before they make them. They always\nstrive to walk on the straight line of rectitude; and should they, in\nan unguarded moment, happen to stagger from it, they instantly retrace\ntheir steps, and feel unhappy until they have regained their station.\nThere is a simplicity in truth and virtue, which requires no artifices,\nand never leads us into difficulties, but points out the plain and safe\nway. Deceit and cunning, on the contrary, involve those who practise\nthem in a maze, and they are bewildered in their own falsehoods, from\nwhich no dexterity can extricate them. The brain-racking schemes which\nvillains practise to delude others, are commonly detected, and end in\nthe unpitied punishment of themselves; for they seldom discover the\nfolly of being wicked, until it has betrayed them into their ruin. But\nsuch persons would do well to refresh their memories with the old adage\nwhich says, that \u201call knaves are fools, but all fools are not knaves.\u201d\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 261]\n\nTHE POLECAT AND THE COCK.\n\n\nA Polecat, that had long committed depredations on the farm-yard,\nhaving a mind to make a meal of the blood of the Cock, seized him one\nmorning by surprize, and asked him what he could say for himself why\nslaughter should not pass upon him? The Cock replied, that he was\nserviceable to mankind by crowing in the morning, and calling them\nup to their daily labour. That is true, says the Polecat, and is the\nvery objection that I have against you, for you make such a shrill\nimpertinent noise, that people cannot sleep for you. Besides, you are\nan incestuous rascal, and make no scruple of lying with your mother\nand sisters. Well, says the Cock, this I do not deny; but I do it to\nprocure eggs and chickens for my master. Ah! villain, says the Polecat,\nhold your wicked tongue, such impieties as these declare that you are\nno longer fit to live.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWhen a wicked man in power has a mind to glut his appetite in any\nrespect, innocence or even merit is no protection against him. The\ncries of justice and the voice of reason, are of no effect upon a\nconscience hardened in iniquity, and a mind versed in a long practice\nof wrong and robbery. Remonstrances, however reasonably urged, or\nmovingly couched, have no more influence upon the hearts of such,\nthan the gentle evening breeze has upon the oak, when it whispers\namong its branches; or the rising surges upon the deaf rock, when they\ndash and break upon its sides. Power should never be trusted in the\nhands of an impious selfish man, and one that has more regard to the\ngratification of his own insatiable desires, than to public peace and\njustice; but as a wicked son may succeed to the station of a virtuous\nand patriotic father, care should be taken to guard against a surprise,\nby a vigilant watchfulness of the encroaching nature of power, even\nwhen in benevolent hands, that those checks may not be undermined which\ncounteract its abuse in bad ones. Had the poor Cock exerted his usual\nvigilance, it would have served him much more effectually than either\nhis innocence or his eloquence.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 263]\n\nTHE FOWLER AND THE BLACKBIRD.\n\n\nA Fowler was busy placing his nets, and putting his tackle in order,\nby the side of a coppice, when a Blackbird, who was perched on an\nadjacent tree, eyed him with great attention; but being at a loss to\nknow the use of all this apparatus and preparation, had the curiosity\nto ask him what he was doing. I am, says the Fowler, building a fine\ncity for you birds to live in, and providing it with meat and all\nmanner of conveniences for you. Having said this, he departed and hid\nhimself, and the Blackbird, believing his words, came into the nets and\nwas taken; but when the man ran up to seize his captive, the Bird thus\naddressed him: If this be your faith, and these the cities you build,\nit will be a great pity if you should ever again persuade any poor\nsimple bird to try to inhabit them.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThe fowler\u2019s professions of friendship for the birds, while he aimed\nat their destruction, may be paralleled by too many instances in\nreal life; and however mortifying it may be to reflect upon, yet\nso it is, that the designing knave far too often succeeds in his\ndeep-laid schemes to ensnare, over-reach, and ruin the honest and the\nunsuspecting man. Planners and projectors of this character, both of\nhigh and low degree, are suffered to roam at large, and it behoves the\ninexperienced to guard against their plots with a watchful eye; for\nwhile they smoothly disclaim taking any mean advantage over those they\nare addressing, with their plausible pretensions, their sole study and\naim is to fill their own pockets, and then to hug themselves with the\nthoughts of their success, and to laugh at those whom they have duped.\nAs long as people can be found credulous enough to suffer themselves to\nbe imposed upon, so long will there arise gentry of this description,\nwho will live in affluence by taking advantage of their weakness.\n\n[Illustration: _There will be sleeping enough in the Grave._]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 265]\n\nTHE NURSE AND THE WOLF.\n\n\nA Nurse, who was endeavouring to quiet a froward child, among other\nthings threatened to throw it out of doors to the Wolf, if it did not\nleave off crying. A Wolf, who chanced to be prowling near the door\njust at the time, heard the expression, and believing the woman to be\nin earnest, waited a long while about the house, in expectation of\nhaving her words made good. But at last the child, wearied with its own\nperverseness, fell asleep, and the Wolf was forced to return back into\nthe woods, empty and supperless. The Fox meeting him, and surprized to\nsee him going home so thin and disconsolate, asked him what the matter\nwas, and how he came to speed no better that night? Ah! do not ask me,\nsays he, I was so silly as to believe what the Nurse said, and have\nbeen disappointed.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nMany of the old moralists have interpreted this Fable as a caution\nnever to trust a woman: a barbarous inference, which neither the\nobvious sense of the apologue, nor the disposition of the softer sex\nwill warrant. For though some women may be fickle and unstable, yet the\ngenerality exceed their calumniators in truth and constancy, and have\nmore frequently to complain of being the victims, than to be arraigned\nas the authors of broken vows. To us this Fable appears to mean little\nmore than merely to shew how easily inclined we are, in all our various\nexpectations through life, to delude ourselves into a belief of any\nthing which we desire to be true. The lover interprets every smile of\nhis mistress in his own favour, and is then perhaps neglected. The\nbeauty believes all mankind are dying for her, and is then deserted by\nher train of admirers. The followers of the great reckon a smile or a\nnod very auspicious omens, and deceive themselves with groundless hopes\nof employment or promotion, in expectation of which, they, like the\nWolf at the Nurse\u2019s door, dangle away the time that might be usefully\nemployed elsewhere, and at last are obliged to retire disappointed\nand hungry, crying out perhaps against the perfidy of those in power,\ninstead of blaming their own sanguine credulity.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 267]\n\nTHE HARPER.\n\n\nA Man who used to play upon the harp, and sing to it, in little\nale-houses, and made a shift in those narrow confined walls to please\nthe dull sots who heard him, from hence entertained an ambition of\nshewing his parts in the public theatre, where he fancied he could not\nfail of raising a great reputation and fortune in a very short time. He\nwas accordingly admitted upon trial; but the spaciousness of the place,\nand the throng of the people, so deadened and weakened both his voice\nand instrument, that scarcely either of them could be heard, and where\nthey could, his performance sounded so poor, so low, and wretched, in\nthe ears of his refined audience, that he was universally hissed off\nthe stage.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWhen we are commended for our performances by people of much flattery\nor little judgment, we should be sure not to value ourselves upon\nit; for want of this caution, many a vain unthinking man has at once\nexposed himself to the censure of the world. A buffoon, though he would\nnot be fit to open his mouth in a senate, or upon a subject where sound\nsense and a grave and serious behaviour are expected, may be very\nagreeable to a company disposed to be mirthful over a glass of wine.\nIt is not the diverting a little, insignificant, injudicious audience\nor society, which can gain us a proper esteem, or insure our success,\nin a place which calls for a performance of the first rate. We should\nhave either allowed abilities to please the most refined tastes, or\njudgment enough to know that we want them, and to have a care how we\nsubmit ourselves to the trial. And, if we have a mind to pursue a\njust and true ambition, it is not sufficient that we study barely to\nplease; but it is of the greatest moment whom we please, and in what\nrespect, otherwise we may not only lose our labour, but make ourselves\nridiculous into the bargain.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 269]\n\nTHE ANT AND THE FLY.\n\n\nIn a dispute between the Ant and the Fly concerning precedency, the\nlatter thus boasted: I have, said he, the uppermost seats at church,\nand even frequent the altars; I am taster to the gods, and a partaker\nof all their sacrifices; I am admitted into the palaces of kings, and\nenjoy myself at every entertainment provided for the princes of the\nearth, and all this without having occasion to labour. What have you to\nboast of, poor sorry drudge, crawling upon the earth, living in caverns\nand holes, and with constant exertion gathering up a grain of corn\nto support a wretched existence? Indeed! said the Ant, I pretend to\nnone of these fine things. Visiting the great, and partaking of their\nfestivals and sacrifices, might be entitled to some consideration, were\nyou invited; but you are only an impudent intruder in such places. My\ntime, indeed, is spent differently: I lead a life of industry, which\nis crowned with health and vigour, and I am constantly held up as an\nexample of prudence and foresight. I provide for present comforts\nand future wants, and court not the favors, nor dread the frowns, of\nany one; while your laziness and vanity make you a beggarly intruder\nwherever you hope to get a present supply. You may, perhaps, sip honey\none day, but on the next you batten on carrion; and having propagated\na numerous progeny, equally as noxious and useless as yourself, I then\nbehold you from my comfortable, warm, well-stored mansion, in the\nwinter of your days, starving to death with hunger and cold.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThe worthless part of mankind, who pass through the world without being\nof any service in it, and without acquiring the least reputation,\nseldom fail of adding empty pride to all their other failings, and\nbehave with arrogance towards those who contribute to the comforts\nand happiness of society. They treat industrious persons as wretched\ndrudges, appointed to labour for a poor subsistence, while they think\nthemselves entitled to enjoy all the good things of this life, though\nthey of all others least deserve them. But the worthy and industrious\nwill generally find that the pride and extravagance of these idle\nflies, bring them at last to shame, if not to want, while their own\nhonest labours secure a good name, a happy mind, and a sufficiency for\ntheir wants, if not a state of affluence. In short, no one is a better\ngentleman than he whose own honest industry supplies him with all\nnecessaries, and who pretends to no more acquaintance with honour than\nnever to say or do a mean or an unjust thing.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 271]\n\nTHE MOUSE AND THE WEASEL.\n\n\nA thin hungry Mouse, after much pushing and twisting, crept through a\nsmall hole, into a corn basket, where he gorged himself so plentifully,\nthat on his attempting to retire by the same passage, he found himself\nso swelled out, that, with all his endeavours, he could not squeeze\nthrough again. A Weasel, who stood at some distance, and had been\ndiverting himself with the vain efforts of the little glutton, called\nto him sneeringly, Hark ye, Mr Mouse! remember that you were lean and\nhalf-starved when you got in at that small hole; and take my word for\nit, you must be as lean and half-starved before you can make your way\nout again.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThat portion of mankind, whose inordinate desires push them on to\nstick at nothing in acquiring wealth, are seldom the most happy; for\ncovetousness, which never produced one noble sentiment, often urges\nits votaries to break through the rules of justice, and then deprives\nthem of the expected fruits of their iniquity. Besides great riches and\ncare are almost inseparable; and there is often a quiet and content\nattending upon people of moderate circumstances, to which the wealthy\nman is an utter stranger. It has happened, even to monarchs, that their\ninroads on the possessions of others have tended to the detriment of\nthe aggressor, who has been obliged to resign the rich spoils obtained\nby unjustifiable hostilities, and to refund the ill-gotten wealth, with\na very bad grace: a punishment which Providence has wisely annexed to\nacts of violence and fraud, as the best security of the possessions\nof the just and virtuous, against the attempts of the wicked. Some\nmen, from creeping in the lowest stations of life, have in process of\ntime reached the greatest places, and grown so bulky by pursuing their\ninsatiate appetite for money, that when they would have retired, they\nfound themselves too opulent and full to get off. There has been no\nexpedient for them to creep out, till they were squeezed and reduced in\nsome measure to their primitive littleness. They that fill themselves\nwith that which is the property of others, should always be so served\nbefore they are suffered to escape.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 273]\n\nTHE EAGLE AND THE FOX.\n\n\nAn Eagle that had young ones, looking for something to feed them\nwith, happened to spy a Fox\u2019s Cub that lay basking itself abroad in\nthe sun: she made a stoop, and trussed it immediately; but before she\nhad carried it quite off, the old Fox coming home, implored her, with\ntears, to spare her Cub, and pity the distress of a poor fond mother,\nwho would think no affliction so great as that of losing her child.\nThe Eagle, whose nest was high in an old hollow tree, thought herself\nsecure from all projects of revenge, and so bore away the Cub to her\nyoung ones, without shewing any regard to the supplications of the Fox.\nBut that subtle creature, highly incensed at this outrageous barbarity,\nran to an altar, where some country people had been sacrificing a kid\nin the open fields, and catching up a fire-brand in her mouth, made\ntowards the tree where the Eagle\u2019s nest was, with a resolution of\nrevenge. She had scarcely reached its root, when the Eagle, terrified\nwith the approaching ruin of herself and family, begged of the Fox to\ndesist, and, with much submission, returned her the Cub safe and sound.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWhen men in high situations happen to be wicked, how little scruple do\nthey make of oppressing their poor neighbours! They are perched upon\na lofty station, and, having outgrown all feelings of humanity, are\ninsensible to the pangs of remorse. The widow\u2019s tears, the orphan\u2019s\ncries, and the curses of the miserable, fall by the way, and never\nreach their hearts. But let such, in the midst of their flagrant\ninjustice, remember how easy it is, notwithstanding their superior\ndistance, for the meanest vassal to take his revenge. The bitterness\nof affliction (even where cunning is wanting) may animate the poorest\nspirit with desperate resolutions; and when once the fury of revenge\nis thoroughly awakened, we know not what she may effect before she\nis lulled to rest again. The most powerful tyrants cannot prevent a\nresolved assassination: there are a thousand different ways for any\nprivate man to do the business, who is heartily disposed to it, and\nwilling to satisfy his appetite for revenge, at the expence of his\nlife. An old woman may clap a fire-brand to the palace of a prince, and\na poor weak fool may destroy the children of the mighty.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 275]\n\nTHE BELLY AND THE MEMBERS.\n\n\nIn former days, it happened that the Members of the human body,\ntaking some offence at the conduct of the Belly, resolved no longer\nto grant it the usual supplies. The Tongue first, in a seditious\nspeech, aggravated their grievances; and after highly extolling the\nactivity and diligence of the Hands and Feet, set forth how hard\nand unreasonable it was, that the fruits of their labour should be\nsquandered away upon the insatiable cravings of a fat and indolent\npaunch. In short, it was resolved for the future to strike off his\nallowance, and let him shift for himself as well as he could. The Hands\nprotested they would not lift a Finger to keep him from starving; and\nthe Teeth refused to chew a single morsel more for his use. In this\ndistress, the Belly remonstrated with them in vain; for during the\nclamour of passion the voice of reason is always disregarded. This\nunnatural resolution was kept as long as any thing of that kind can be\nkept, which was, until each of the rebel members pined away to the skin\nand bone, and could hold out no longer. Then they found there was no\ndoing without the Belly, and, that idle and insatiable as it seemed, it\ncontributed as much to the welfare of all the other parts, as they in\ntheir several stations did towards its maintenance.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThis Fable was spoken by Menenius Agrippa, a Roman consul and general,\nwhen he was deputed by the senate to appease a dangerous tumult and\ninsurrection of the people. The many wars the Romans were engaged in,\nand the frequent supplies they were obliged to raise, had so soured\nand inflamed the minds of the populace, that they were resolved to\nendure it no longer, and obstinately refused to pay the taxes. It is\neasy to discern how the great man applied this Fable: for, if the\nbranches and members of a community refuse the government that aid\nwhich its necessities require, the whole must perish together. The\nrulers of a state, useless or frivolous as they may sometimes seem, are\nyet as necessary to be kept up and maintained in a proper and decent\ngrandeur, as the family of each private person is, in a condition\nsuitable to itself. Every man\u2019s enjoyment of that little which he gains\nby his daily labour, depends upon the government\u2019s being maintained\nin a condition to defend and secure him in the unmolested control and\npossession of it.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 277]\n\nTHE FATAL MARRIAGE.\n\n\nA Mouse being ambitious of marrying into a noble family, paid his\naddresses to a young Lioness, and at length succeeded in entering into\na treaty of marriage with her. When the day appointed for the nuptials\narrived, the bridegroom set out in a transport of joy to meet his\nbeloved bride; and coming up to her, passionately threw himself at\nher feet; but she, like a giddy thing as she was, not minding how she\nwalked, accidentally set her foot upon her little spouse, and crushed\nhim to death.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nIt is very unsafe for persons of low estate to form connections with\nthose of a very superior situation. When wealthy persons of mean\nextraction and unrefined education, as an equivalent for their money,\ndemand brides out of the nursery of the peerage, if they should not\nbe ruined by the giddy extravagance of their high-born wives, their\nbeing despised, or at least treated with neglect, is almost certain.\nBut indeed, much unhappiness follows the want of a sound judgment in\nthe choice of a partner for life, whether it be in high or low, rich\nor poor. No human contract is of so important, as well as delicate\na nature, as marriage. It is one of the grand epochs in the history\nof a man. It is an engagement which should be voluntary, judicious,\nand disinterested, and can never be attended with honour, or blessed\nwith happiness, if it has not its origin in mutual affection. If it\nbe either unsuitable or compulsory, it produces not only individual\nmisery, but consequences universally pernicious. Sordid interest and\nvile dependence may indeed sometimes act so powerfully, as to set\nnature and true convenience aside, so as to make the yoke which is\njointly borne by the improper union of the high and low, or by age\nand youth, put on an appearance of regard for each other; but natural\naffection must needs be wanting on one side or the other. Nature has,\nhowever, with a strong hand, pointed out the path to be pursued, and a\nfew prudential rules only are necessary to keep us within it. If a man\nis of an unsound constitution, or if he cannot provide for a family,\nlet him forbear matrimony: it is the duty of every man who marries, to\ntake a healthy woman for his wife, for the sake of his children, and an\namiable one, for his own comfort. The same precaution ought to be taken\nby the fair sex, unless they can make up their minds to become nurses\nto tainted worn-out husbands, and their puny nerveless offspring.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 279]\n\nTHE YOUNG MAN AND THE LION.\n\n\nAn opulent Old Man, who believed in omens and dreams, had an only Son,\nof whom he was dotingly fond. One night he dreamt that he saw the Young\nMan, while he was eagerly engaged in the chase, seized upon and torn in\npieces by a Lion. This operated upon his fears to such a degree, that\nhe instantly determined upon breaking off his Son\u2019s strong propensity\nto hunting, that he might be kept out of harm\u2019s way. For this purpose,\nhe spared neither pains nor expence to make home agreeable to him. He\nhad the rooms decorated with the finest paintings of forest scenery,\nand the hunting of wild beasts, with the reality of which the youth had\nbeen so much delighted; but the Young Man, debarred from his favourite\npleasures, considered the palace a prison, and his father as the\nkeeper. One day, when looking at the pictures, he cast his eye upon\nthat of a Lion, and, enraged that he was confined for a dream about\nsuch a beast, he struck at the painting with his fist, with all his\nmight. There happened to be a nail in the wall behind the canvas, which\nlacerated the hand terribly. The wound festered, and threw the Young\nMan into a fever, of which he died; so that the Father\u2019s dream was\nfulfilled by the very step he took to prevent it.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThose people who govern their lives by forebodings and dreams, and\nsigns of ill-luck, are kept in a state of constant anxiety and\nuneasiness. Such a disposition is grounded on superstition, which is\nthe offspring of a narrow mind, and adds greatly to the evils with\nwhich life is sufficiently loaded. Heaven has kindly concealed from\nus the knowledge of futurity, and it is therefore foolish for us to\nattempt to pry into it, or to disturb our minds with absurd conceptions\nof events which are only realised by our ridiculous precautions against\nthem. How inconsistent is the conduct of people who imagine things to\nbe predestined, and yet busy themselves in endeavours to prevent their\ncoming to pass; as if the vain efforts of human power or prudence were\nable to counteract the will, or reverse the decrees of the Omnipotent.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 281]\n\nTHE KITE AND THE PIGEONS.\n\n\nA Kite who had kept sailing in the air for many days near a dove-house,\nand made a stoop at several Pigeons to no purpose, for they were\ntoo nimble for him, at last had recourse to stratagem, and made a\ndeclaration to them, in which he set forth his own just and good\nintentions, and that he had nothing more at heart than the defence\nand protection of the Pigeons in their ancient rights and liberties,\nand how concerned he was at their unjust and unreasonable suspicions\nof himself, as if he intended by force of arms to break in upon their\nconstitution, and erect a tyrannical government over them. To prevent\nall which, and thoroughly to quiet their minds, he thought proper\nto propose such terms of alliance, as might for ever cement a good\nunderstanding between them; one of which was, that they should accept\nof him for their king, and invest him with all kingly privilege and\nprerogative over them; in return for which he promised them protection\nfrom all their enemies. The poor simple Pigeons consented: the Kite\ntook the coronation oath, after a very solemn manner, on his part, and\nthe Doves the oaths of allegiance and fidelity on theirs. But much time\nhad not passed over their heads before the good Kite pretended that it\nwas part of his prerogative to devour a Pigeon whenever he pleased;\nand this he was not contented to do himself only, but instructed the\nrest of the royal family in the same kingly arts. The Pigeons, reduced\nto this miserable condition, said one to the other, Ah! we deserve no\nbetter! Why did we let him come in?\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWhat can this Fable be applied to, but the exceeding blindness and\nstupidity of that part of mankind, who wantonly and foolishly trust\ntheir native rights of liberty without good security? Who often chuse\nfor guardians of their lives and fortunes, persons abandoned to the\nmost unsociable of vices; and seldom have any better excuse for such an\nerror in politics, than that they were deceived in their expectation,\nor never thoroughly knew the manners of their king, till he had got\nthem entirely in his power. We ought not to incur the possibility of\nbeing deceived in so important a matter as this; an unlimited power\nshould not be trusted in the hands of any one who is not endowed with a\nperfection more than human.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 283]\n\nTHE SICK KITE.\n\n\nA Kite who had been sick a long time, beginning to be doubtful of\nrecovery, begged of his Mother to go to all the churches and religious\nhouses in the country, to try what prayers and offerings would effect\nin his behalf. The old Kite replied, Indeed, my dear son, I would\nwillingly undertake any thing to save your life; but I have great\nreason to despair of doing you any service in the way you propose: for,\nwith what face can I ask any thing of the Gods, in favour of one whose\nwhole life has been a continued scene of rapine and injustice, and who\nhas not scrupled, upon occasion, to rob even their altars?\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThe rehearsal of this Fable almost unavoidably draws our attention\nto that very serious and important point, the consideration of a\ndeath-bed repentance, the sincerity of which we may justly suspect in\none whose whole life has been spent in acts of wickedness and impiety.\nTo expose the absurdity of relying upon such a weak foundation, we need\nonly ask the same question with the Kite in the Fable: how can he,\nwho has offended the Gods all his life-time by acts of dishonour and\ninjustice, expect that they will be pleased with him at last, for no\nother reason but because he fears he shall not be able to offend them\nany longer? Since the summons to \u201cpass that bourn whence no traveller\nreturns,\u201d must one day come, we ought always to be prepared to meet it.\nBut when the whole life has been wasted, without communion with, or\ntotally estranged from that Almighty Being, by whose fiat it was called\ninto existence, then indeed the polluted soul must be distracted with\nthe agonizing thoughts of appearing before Him, who created it for a\nvery different purpose. Nothing but the consciousness of having led a\nvirtuous life, can in the awful moment, disarm death of his terrors,\nand fortify the mind with cheering hopes and resignation. But this is a\nsubject of the utmost importance, and the due enforcing of it is one of\nthe most solemn duties of the pulpit.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 285]\n\nTHE FOX AND THE LION.\n\n\nThe first time the Fox saw the Lion, he fell down at his feet, and was\nready to die with fear. The second time he took courage, and could even\nbear to look upon him. The third time he had the impudence to come up\nto him, to salute him, and to enter into familiar conversation with him.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nFrom this Fable we may observe the two extremes in which we may\nfail as to a proper behaviour towards our superiors. The one is a\nbashfulness, proceeding either from a vicious guilty mind, or a\ntimorous rusticity; the other an over-bearing impudence, which assumes\nmore than becomes it, and so renders the person insufferable to the\nconversation of well-bred reasonable people. But there is a difference\nbetween the bashfulness which arises from a want of education, and the\nshame-facedness that accompanies conscious guilt: the first by time and\na nearer acquaintance, may be ripened into a proper liberal behaviour;\nthe other no sooner finds an easy practicable access, but it throws off\nall manner of reverence, grows every day more and more familiar, and\nbranches out at last into the utmost indecency and irregularity. Indeed\nthere are many occasions which may happen to cast an awe, or even a\nterror, upon our minds at first view, without any just or reasonable\ngrounds; but upon a little recollection, or a nearer insight, we\nrecover ourselves, and can appear indifferent and unconcerned, where\nbefore we were ready to sink under a load of diffidence and fear. We\nshould upon such occasions use our endeavours to regain a due degree\nof steadiness and resolution; but at the same time we must have a care\nthat our efforts in that respect do not force the balance too much, and\nmake it rise to an unbecoming freedom, and an offensive familiarity.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 287]\n\nTHE DOG AND THE WOLF.\n\n\nA Wolf in quest of prey, happened to fall in with a well-fed Mastiff.\nAh, Tray, said he, one does not need to ask how you do, you look so\nplump and hearty. I wish I were as well provided for; but my gaunt\nlooks shew that I fare very differently, although I dare say I venture\nmy life ten times more than you do, in searching for a precarious\nsubsistence, amidst woods and wilds, exposed to rain, and frost, and\nsnow. If you will follow me, replies the Dog, and do as I do, I have no\ndoubt you will change for the better, and soon be in as good plight as\nI am. The Wolf eagerly requested to be informed what would be required\nof him. Very little, replied the Mastiff; only drive away beggars,\nguard the master\u2019s house, caress him, and be submissive to his family,\nand you will be well fed and warmly lodged. To these conditions the\nWolf had no objections; but as they were jogging along, he observed\nthe hair worn off around the Dog\u2019s neck, and enquired the cause. O\nnothing, answered he, or a mere trifle; perhaps the collar, to which\nmy chain is fastened, has left a mark. Chain! replied the Wolf, with\nsome surprize; so then you are not permitted to go where and when\nyou please? Not always, said Tray; but what does that signify? It\nsignifies so much, rejoined the Wolf, that I am resolved to partake of\nno sumptuous fare with a chain about my neck; for half a meal, with\nliberty, is preferable to a full one without it.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nTrue greatness of soul will never give up liberty for any consideration\nwhatever; for what are riches, grandeur, titles, or any other worldly\ngood, if they are holden by so precarious a tenure as the arbitrary\nwill of a tyrant! A mere competency, with liberty, is preferable to\nservitude amidst the greatest affluence; and even the lowest condition\nin life, with freedom, is better than the most exalted station without\nit. But liberty in a state of society does not consist in doing\nwhatsoever we please; but only permits those actions by which we do\nno injustice to our neighbour, or to the community. The well-being of\nsociety requires the efforts of all, from the highest to the lowest,\nto preserve and support it; and since it appears to be the will of\nOmnipotence, that mankind should live in this state of social union\n(which does not admit of the unbridled freedom of the savage state) a\ncertain portion of individual liberty must be given up for the good of\nthe whole; but the sacrifice should be bounded by the common good: all\nbeyond approaches towards slavery, and degrades the people who submit\nto it.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 289]\n\nTHE FLYING FISH AND THE DOLPHIN.\n\n\nThe Flying Fish, to avoid its enemies, leaves the water, takes wing,\nand mounts up into the air. The Dolphin is one of the most constant\nof these enemies; and its velocity through the liquid element, it is\nsaid, surpasses that of every living creature, insomuch that as it\ndarts along, the brilliancy and changeableness of its colours, which\ncannot be described, appear like the flash of a meteor. A Flying Fish\nbeing pursued by a Dolphin, in his eagerness to escape, took too long\na flight, and his wings becoming dry, he fell upon a rock, where his\ndeath was inevitable. The Dolphin, in the keenness of his pursuit, ran\nhimself on shore at the foot of the rock, and was left by the wave,\ngasping in the same condition as the other. Well, says the Flying Fish,\nI must die it is certain; but it is some consolation to behold my\nmerciless enemy involved in the same fate.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWhen brought low by a cruel and insolent oppressor, there is no torture\nwe feel more poignantly, than to see him triumphantly exulting in our\ndownfal; and the opposite extreme must take place in our minds, on\nseeing our enemy over-shoot his mark, and in his turn brought down\nto the same level of distress with ourselves. The temper that is not\ntouched with feelings of this kind, must be of a highly philosophical\ncast indeed. The great and powerful, for the sake of their own peace\nof mind, should not unfeelingly persecute their inferiors; for nothing\nis more sweet to some tempers, and scarcely any thing more easy to\ncompass, than revenge.\n\n[Illustration: _It is not so ugly as a purse-proud, ignorant, wicked\nman._]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 291]\n\nTHE LION AND THE FROG.\n\n\nThe Lion hearing an odd kind of hollow voice, and seeing nobody,\nstarted up: he listened again, and hearing the noise repeated, he\ntrembled and quaked for fear. At last, seeing a Frog crawl out of the\nlake, and finding that the noise he had heard was nothing but the\ncroaking of that little creature, he went up to it with great anger;\nbut checking himself, turned away from it, ashamed of his own timidity.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThe early prejudices of a wrong education can only be eradicated from\nthe strongest minds. The weak retain them through life. This Fable is\na pretty image of the vain fears and empty terrors, with which our\nweak misguided nature is so apt to be alarmed and disturbed. If we\nhear but ever so little noise which we are not able to account for,\nimmediately, nay, often before we give ourselves time to consider\nabout it, we are struck with fear, and labour under a most unmanly and\nunreasonable trepidation; more especially if the alarm happens when we\nare alone, and in the dark. These fears are ingrafted into our minds\nvery early, and therefore it is the more difficult, even when we are\ngrown up, and ashamed of them, to root them out of our nature. They\nare chiefly the offspring of the nursery, and originate in the many\nterrific tales, and lying stories, of those who have the management\nthere; and though every pains be afterwards taken to free the mind from\nthe impression of such groundless fears, the weaker part of mankind are\nstill apt to be terrified at the empty phantoms of ghosts, spectres,\napparitions, and hobgoblins. But whatever effect such phantasies\nmay have upon the guilty mind, innocence has nothing to dread from\nsupernatural causes. Fear is however a natural passion, and its use\nis to put us upon our guard against danger, by alarming the spirits;\nbut it, like all our other passions, should be kept in a state of\nsubjection: for though they are all good and useful servants, yet if\nonce they get the better of our reason, they prove the most domineering\ntyrants imaginable; nor do any of them treat us in so abject and\nslavish a manner as fear: it unnerves and enfeebles our limbs, while\nit fetters our understandings; and at the same time that it represents\na danger near at hand, disarms and makes us incapable of defending\nourselves from it. But we ought to call forth a sense of honour and\nshame, to correct such weaknesses; and for this purpose it will be\nuseful to remember the Fable of the Lion and the Frog.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 293]\n\nTHE KID AND THE WOLF.\n\n\nA Kid being mounted upon the roof of a high shed, and seeing a Wolf\nbelow, took the opportunity of affronting him with the foulest\nreproaches: upon which the Wolf looking up, replied, Do not value\nyourself, vain creature, upon thinking you mortify me, for I look upon\nthis ill-language not as coming from you, but from the place which\nprotects you.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nPlace a coward out of the reach of danger, and then no man can put on\nan appearance of greater courage. In his castle he makes a great deal\nmore bluster and threatening than a man of spirit and honour would\ndo, if placed in the same situation. A similar kind of overbearing\nbehaviour too often shews itself in the upstart worthless placeman,\nwho taking advantage of his situation, which protects him, and knowing\nthat he is out of the reach of our resentment, exhibits all the\n\u201cinsolence of office:\u201d but such should be put in mind, that a saucy\ndeportment is no sign of either courage, good sense, or good manners,\nand that a gentleman and a man of spirit will use no ill or unbecoming\nlanguage to any person, however low in station.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 295]\n\nTHE COUNTRY AND THE CITY MOUSE.\n\n\nA plain Country Mouse was one day unexpectedly visited at his hole,\nby a fine Mouse of the town, who had formerly been his play-fellow.\nThe honest rustic, pleased with the honour, resolved to entertain his\nfriend as sumptuously as possible. He set before him a reserve of\ndelicate grey pease and bacon, a dish of fine oatmeal, some parings\nof new cheese, and to crown all with a dessert, a remnant of a\ncharming mellow apple. When the repast was nearly finished, the spark\nof the town, taking breath, said, Old Crony, give me leave to be a\nlittle free with you; how can you bear to live in this melancholy\nhole here, with nothing but woods, and meadows, and mountains, and\nrivulets about you? Do you not prefer the conversation of the world\nto the chirping of birds, and the splendour of the court, to the rude\naspect of a wild like this? With many flowery arguments, he at last\nprevailed upon his country friend to accompany him to town, and about\nmidnight they safely entered a certain great house, where there had\nbeen an entertainment the day before. Here it was the courtier\u2019s turn\nto entertain, and placing his guest on a rich Persian carpet, they\nboth began to regale most deliciously, when on a sudden the noise of\nsomebody opening the door, made them scuttle in confusion about the\ndining-room. The rustic in particular was ready to die with fear at the\nmany hair-breadth escapes which followed. At last, recovering himself,\nWell, says he, if this be your town-life, much good may it do you. Give\nme my poor quiet hole again, with my homely, but comfortable grey pease.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nA moderate fortune, with a quiet retirement in the country, is\npreferable to the greatest affluence, attended with the care and the\nperplexity of business. How often are we deceived by the specious\nshows of splendour and magnificence; and what a poor exchange does he\nmake, who gives up ease and content in an humble situation, to engage\nin difficulties, and encounter perils in affluence and luxury! The\nploughman in the field, who labours for his daily pittance, earns his\nbread with less uneasiness and fatigue, than the man who haunts levees\nto obtain wealth and preferment. Riches, properly used, are indeed\nvery conducive to ease and happiness; but if we leave any comfortable\nsituation to procure them, or abuse the possession of them by riot and\nintemperance, we resign the end for the means, mistake the shadow for\nthe substance, and convert the instruments of good fortune into the\nengines of anxiety and solicitude.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 297]\n\nTHE ONE-EYED DOE.\n\n\nA Doe that had lost an eye, used to graze near the sea; and that she\nmight be the more secure from harm, she kept her blind side towards\nthe water, from whence she had no apprehension of danger, and with\nthe other surveyed the country as she fed. By this vigilance and\nprecaution, she thought herself in the utmost security; but a sly\nfellow, with two poaching companions, who had watched her several days\nto no purpose, at last took a boat, and came gently down upon her, and\nshot her. The Doe, in the agonies of death, breathed out this doleful\ncomplaint: O hard fate, that I should receive my death\u2019s wound from\nthe side whence I expected no ill, and be safe in that quarter where I\nlooked for the most danger.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWe are liable to many misfortunes that no care or foresight can\nprevent; but we ought to provide in the best way we can against them,\nand leave the rest to Providence. The wisest of men have their foibles\nor blind sides, and have their enemies too, who watch to take advantage\nof their weaknesses. It behoves us therefore to look to ourselves\non the blind side, as the part that lies most exposed to an attack.\nVigilance and caution are commonly our best preservatives from evil,\nand security is often a fatal enemy, when we cherish it so as to lull\nall our apprehensions to rest. We should not however encourage in\nourselves the slavish principle of fear, nor make ourselves miserable\non account of latent evils, which it is not in our power to prevent.\nThe ways and workings of Providence are inscrutable; and it is not in\nthe power of human prudence to obviate all the accidents of life.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 299]\n\nTHE TREES AND THE WOODMAN.\n\n\nA Countryman being in want of a handle for his hatchet, entered a wood\nand looked among the branches for one that would suit his purpose. The\nTrees, with a curiosity natural to some other creatures, asked him what\nhe was seeking? He replied that he only wanted a piece of wood to make\na handle to his axe, and begged they would be so good as to permit him\nto serve himself. Since that is all, said the Trees, help yourself,\nand welcome. He immediately availed himself of the permission, and had\nno sooner fitted up his instrument, than he began pell-mell to cut and\nhack about him, felling the noblest trees in all the forest, without\ndistinction. The Oak is said to have spoke thus to the Beech, in a low\nwhisper: Brother, we must take all this for our easy credulity, and\nimprudent generosity.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nOne would imagine that the natural principle of self-preservation\nimplanted in us, would make it unnecessary to caution any one not to\nfurnish an enemy with arms against himself. Yet daily experience shews\nus that such instances of imprudence are not uncommon. In this life we\nare liable to be surrounded with calamities and distresses: we should\ntherefore be cautious of adding to our misfortunes, by our own want\nof caution, and of putting power into the hands of those enemies,\nwhich our merit or our affluence may tempt to rise up against us. Any\nperson in a community, by what name or title soever distinguished,\nwho affects a power which may possibly hurt a people, is their enemy,\nand therefore they ought not to trust him: for though he were ever\nso fully determined not to abuse such a power, yet he is so far a\nbad man, as he disturbs a nation\u2019s quiet, and makes them jealous and\nuneasy, by desiring to have it, or even retaining it, when it may prove\nmischievous. If we consult history, we shall find that the thing called\nprerogative, has been claimed and contended for chiefly by those who\nnever intended to make a good use of it; and as readily resigned by\nwise and just princes, who had the true interest of their people at\nheart. How like senseless stocks do they act, who, by complimenting\nsome capricious mortal, from time to time, with scraps of prerogative,\nat last put it out of their power to maintain their just and natural\nliberty!\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 301]\n\nTHE EAGLE AND THE CROW.\n\n\nAn Eagle flew down from the top of a high rock, and making a stoop at\na Lamb, seized it with her strong talons, and bore aloft her bleating\nprize to her young. A Crow observing what passed, was ambitious of\nperforming the same exploit, and darted down upon a Ram; but instead of\nbeing able to carry it up into the air, she found she had got her claws\nentangled in its fleece, and could neither move herself nor her fancied\nprize. Thus fixed, she was soon taken by the Shepherd, and given away\nto some boys, who eagerly enquired what bird it was? An hour ago, said\nhe, she fancied herself an Eagle; however I suppose she is by this time\nconvinced that she is but a Crow.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nIt is impossible for any man to take a true measure of the abilities\nof another, without an exact knowledge and true judgment of his own; a\nfalse estimate of which always exposes him to ridicule, and sometimes\nto danger. Every man ought therefore to examine the strength of his own\nmind with attention and impartiality, and not fondly to flatter himself\nthat he can by an awkward and ill-judged emulation soar to the height\nwhich has been attained by men endowed by nature with great abilities\nand original talents, matured by industry. We can no more adopt the\ngenius of another man, than we can assume his shape and person. The\nbright original in every department of the arts and sciences will be\nvalued and esteemed, whilst his puny imitators will be treated with\nneglect, or be despised. Almost every man has something original in\nhimself, which, if duly cultivated, might perhaps procure him respect\nand applause, and it is creditable for him to endeavour justly to\nobtain them.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 303]\n\nTHE HORSE AND THE STAG.\n\n\nIn ancient times, when the Horse and the Deer ranged the forest with\nuncontrolled freedom, it happened that contentions arose between them\nabout grazing in particular meadows. These disputes ended in a conflict\nbetween them, in which the Deer proved victorious, and with his sharp\nhorns drove the Horse from the pasture. Full of disappointment and\nchagrin, the Horse applied to the Man, and craved his assistance, in\norder to re-establish him in the possession of his rights. The request\nwas granted, on condition that he would suffer himself to be bridled,\nsaddled, and mounted by his new ally, with whose assistance he entirely\ndefeated his enemy; but the poor Horse was mightily disappointed when,\nupon returning thanks to the Man, and desiring to be dismissed, he\nreceived this answer: No, I never knew before how useful a drudge you\nwere; now I have found what you are good for, you may be assured I will\nkeep you to it.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nVictories may be purchased at too dear a rate, if we solicit the\nassistance of allies capable of becoming our most formidable enemies,\nand it will be vain to flatter ourselves, that the yoke of slavery,\nif we once willingly suffer it to be laid upon our shoulders, can be\neasily shaken off, when the ends for which we bore it are accomplished.\nThe Fable is intended to caution us against consenting to any thing\nthat might prejudice public liberty, as well as to keep us upon our\nguard in the preservation of that which is of a private nature. This\nis the use and interpretation given of it by Horace, one of the best\nand most polite philosophers that ever wrote. After reciting the Fable,\nhe applies it thus: This, says he, is the case of him, who, dreading\npoverty, parts with that invaluable jewel, liberty; like a wretch as he\nis, he will always be subject to a tyrant of some sort or another, and\nbe a slave for ever, because his avaricious spirit knew not how to be\ncontented with that moderate competency, which he might have possessed\nindependent of all the world.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 305]\n\nTHE MILLER, HIS SON, AND THEIR ASS.\n\n\nA Miller and his Son were taking their Ass to market to sell him, and\nthat he might get thither in good condition, they drove him gently\nbefore them. They had not proceeded far before they met a company of\ntravellers: Sure, say they, you are mighty careful of your Ass; one\nof you might as well get up and ride, as suffer him to walk on at his\nease, while you trudge after on foot. In compliance with this advice,\nthe Old Man set his Son upon the beast. And now, they had scarcely\nadvanced a quarter of a mile further, before they met another company.\nYou idle young rogue, said one, why dont you get down, and let your\npoor father ride? Upon this, the Old Man made his Son dismount, and got\nup himself. While they were marching in this manner, a third company\nbegan to insult the father. You hard-hearted wretch, say they, how can\nyou suffer that poor lad to wade through the dirt, while you, like an\nalderman, ride at your ease? The good-natured Miller stood corrected,\nand immediately took his Son up behind him. And now the next man\nthey met exclaimed, with more vehemence and indignation than all the\nrest, Was there ever such a couple of lazy loobies! to overload in so\nunconscionable a manner, a poor dumb creature, who is far less able\nto carry you, than you are to carry him! The complying Old Man would\nhave been half inclined to make the trial, had not experience by this\ntime sufficiently convinced him, that there cannot be a more fruitless\nattempt, than to endeavour to please all mankind.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nIt is better to pursue the dictates of one\u2019s own reason, than attempt\nto please every body; for to do this is next to impossible. Therefore\nwe ought to decide according to the best of our judgment, and correct\nour mistakes from our own experience. Wise men are instructed by\nreason; men of less understanding by experience; the most ignorant by\nnecessity; and beasts by instinct. When a man so neglects himself,\nas not to make a just use of his reason and his mental powers, in\ncombating with prejudice and folly, as well as the caprice of others,\nhe will ever be led on in a maze of error, wavering and embarrassed\nabout pursuing this or that path, until between them he is lost in a\nlabyrinth, from which he will never be able to extricate himself as\nlong as he lives.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 307]\n\nTHE ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER.\n\n\nA commonwealth of Ants, having, after a busy summer, provided every\nthing for their wants in the winter, were about shutting themselves up\nfor that dreary season, when a Grasshopper in great distress, and in\ndread of perishing with cold and hunger, approached their avenues, and\nwith great humility begged they would relieve his wants, and permit\nhim to take shelter in any corner of their comfortable mansion. One of\nthe Ants asked him how he had disposed of his time in summer, that he\nhad not taken pains and laid in a stock, as they had done? Alas! my\nfriends, says he, I passed away the time merrily and pleasantly, in\ndrinking, singing, and dancing, and never once thought of winter. If\nthat be the case, replied the Ant, all I have to say is this: that they\nwho drink, sing, and dance in the summer, run a great risk of starving\nin the winter.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nAs summer is the season in which the industrious laborious husbandman\nlays up his supplies for the winter, so youth and manhood are the\ntimes of life which we should employ in laying in such a stock as may\nsuffice for helpless old age; yet there are many whom we call rational\ncreatures, who squander away in a profuse prodigality, whatever they\nget in their younger days, as if the infirmity of age would require no\nsupplies to support it, or at least would find them administered to it\nin some miraculous way. From this Fable we learn this admirable lesson,\nnever to lose the present opportunity of fairly and honestly providing\nagainst the future evils and accidents of life; and while health and\nthe vigour of our faculties remain firm and entire, to lay them out\nto the best advantage; so that when age and infirmities despoil us of\nour strength and abilities, we may not have to bewail that we have\nneglected to provide for the wants of our latter days: for it should\nalways be remembered, that \u201ca youth of revels breeds an age of care,\u201d\nand that temperance in youth lays the foundation of health and comfort\nfor old age.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 309]\n\nTHE HORSE AND THE LION.\n\n\nAn old Lion, finding that many of the beasts had become too nimble\nfor him, and that he could not come at his prey so readily as before,\ncraftily gave out that he had long studied physic and surgery in\nforeign countries, and that he could cure every kind of disorder\nto which the beasts were liable. These professions having been\nspread abroad, he hoped to get many of the animals to come within\nhis clutches. The Horse seeing through the whole of the scheme, was\nresolved to be even with him; and so humouring the thing as if he\nsuspected nothing, he feigned himself to be in great pain from a wound\nin his foot, and limping up to the Lion, he begged he would examine the\npart and administer relief. The Lion, though intent only upon making\na good meal of horse-flesh, begged the Horse to hold up his foot that\nhe might see it: this was no sooner done, than the Horse gave him so\nviolent a blow on the nose, as quite stunned him, and scampered off,\nneighing at the success of a trick, which had defeated the purpose of\none who intended to have tricked him out of his life.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWe ought never to put trust in the fair words and pretensions of those\nwho have both an interest and inclination to ruin us; and where we find\nfoul play thus intended against us, it is not in the nature of things\nto expect that we should not, if we can, turn the tables upon the\nplotters. Treachery has something so wicked and worthy of punishment in\nits nature, that it deserves to meet with a return of its own kind. An\nopen revenge is too liberal for it, and nothing matches it but itself.\nThough a man of sense and honour will always view tricking and fraud\nof all kinds as mean and beneath him, and will despise setting such an\nexample, yet it cannot be inconsistent with virtue to counteract the\nschemes of those who are taking all manner of undue advantages, and\nhatching wicked plots to undermine us.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 311]\n\nTHE FOX IN THE WELL.\n\n\nA Fox having fallen into a well, made a shift, by sticking his claws\ninto the sides, to keep his head above water. Soon after, a Wolf came\nand peeped over the brink, to whom the Fox applied, and very earnestly\nimplored his assistance to help him out, or he should be lost. Ah! poor\nReynard, says he, I pity your misfortune; poor creature, I am sorry for\nyou with all my heart: how did you happen to slip into this well? pray\nhow long have you been in this melancholy situation? Nay, I prithee\nfriend, replies the Fox, if you wish me well, do not stand pitying\nme, but lend me some succour as soon as you can; for pity is but cold\ncomfort when one is up to the chin in water, and within a hair\u2019s\nbreadth of starving or drowning.\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nIf we would really manifest our sorrow for the sufferings of another,\nlet our pity be shewn by our friendly endeavours to relieve him; for\nindeed pity of itself is but poor comfort at any time, unless it\nproduces something more substantial. If we cannot do this, let us not\noffend the sensibility, and add to the anguish of a delicate mind, by\nempty professions and unmeaning compassion. For, to stand bemoaning\nthe misfortunes of our friends, without offering some expedient to\nalleviate them, is only echoing their grief, and putting them in mind\nthat they are miserable. He is truly my friend, who with a ready\npresence of mind supports me; not he who merely condoles with me upon\nmy ill success, and expresses his sorrow for my mishap.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 313]\n\nTHE GARDENER AND HIS DOG.\n\n\nA Gardener\u2019s Dog happened by some mischance to fall into the well: his\nMaster ran immediately to his assistance; but when helping him out, the\nsurly brute bit his hand. The Gardener took this ungrateful treatment\nso ill, that he shook him off, and left him to shift for himself. Thou\nwicked wretch! said he, to injure the hand that was stretched forth to\nsave thy life! The hand of thy Master, who has hitherto fed and taken\ncare of thee! Die there as thou deservest; for so base and unnatural a\ncreature is not fit to live.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWhen a man has suffered his mind to become so debased as to be capable\nto doing injuries to him who has showered benefits on his head, he can\nscarcely be treated with too much severity. He deserves at least to\nbe scouted as an outcast to society. All the favours that are bestowed\nupon men of this worthless disposition, are thrown away; for the envy\nand malevolence of the ingrate, work him up into a hatred of his\nbenefactor. Generous men should therefore use a just circumspection in\nthe choice of the objects of their benevolence, before they give way\nto the feelings of the heart, or waste its bountiful overflowings upon\nthose who, instead of making a grateful return, will bite them like a\ndrowning but spiteful dog. The Fable is also intended as an admonition\nto servants, who owe an especial duty to their masters; whose kindness\nshould be met by their faithful exertions to serve them; and whose\ninterest they ever ought to make their own.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 315]\n\nTHE DEER AND THE LION.\n\n\nA Deer, terrified by the cry of the Hunters, instead of trusting to\nhis fleetness, made towards a cave which he chanced to espy, and in\nwhich he hoped to conceal himself until they were passed by; but he\nhad scarcely reached the entrance before he was seized by a Lion who\nlay crouching there, ready to spring upon his prey, and who instantly\nkilled and tore him to pieces. In the last agonies of death, he thus\ngave vent to his feelings: Ah, me! said he, unhappy creature that I am.\nI hoped in this cave to escape the pursuit of men; but have fallen into\nthe jaws of the most cruel and rapacious of wild beasts.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThis Fable points out the dangers to which we expose ourselves, when,\nfor want of presence of mind, we suffer ourselves to be guided by our\nunreasoning fears, which no sooner shew us an evil, than they throw\nus into the utmost confusion in our manner of escaping, and prevent\nus from discerning the safe path by which we ought to avoid it. Thus,\nin a rash endeavour to shun a less danger, we oftentimes blindly\nrun headlong into a greater. The fate of the Deer should warn us to\nconsider well what may be the ultimate consequences, before we take any\nimportant step; for many paths which appear smooth and pleasant at a\ndistance, are found to be rough and dangerous, when we come to tread\nthem; and many a plausible scheme, which promises us ease and safety,\nis no better than a tempting bower, with a Lion crouching among its\nfoliage, ready to spring upon and devour us.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 317]\n\nTHE PLOUGHMAN AND FORTUNE.\n\n\nAs a Ploughman was turning up the soil, his plough uncovered a treasure\nwhich had been hidden there. Transported with joy, he seized upon it,\nand fervently began to thank the ground for being so liberal to him.\nFortune passing by, observed what he was about, and could not forbear\nshewing her resentment at it. You stupid creature, said she, to lie\nthus thanking the ground, and take no notice of me! If you had lost\nsuch a treasure, instead of finding one, I should have been the first\nyou would have laid the blame upon.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nHow often do we ascribe our success or misfortunes to wrong causes!\nVanity sometimes leads us to consider our prosperity as the natural\nresult of our own sagacity, and inattention sometimes induces us to\nmake acknowledgments to wrong persons. But if we would have our praises\nvalued, we should be cautious to direct them properly. Our thanks are\nan indirect affront to those who receive them without deserving them;\nand at the same time an act of open ingratitude to those who merit them\nwithout receiving them. In prosperity, as well as in adversity, let us\nnot forget the power and goodness of Heaven; and if we implore the aid\nof the Almighty in our distress, we should not neglect to send up our\nacknowledgments of his goodness with the voice of gratitude.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 319]\n\nTHE APE AND THE FOX.\n\n\nAn Ape meeting with a Fox, humbly requested he would be so good as to\ngive him some of the superfluous hair from his bushy tail, to make\ninto a covering for his bare posteriors, which were exposed to all the\ninclemency of the weather; and he endeavoured to further his suit by\nobserving to Reynard, that he had far more than he had any occasion\nfor, and a great part even dragged along in the dirt. The Fox answered,\nthat as to his having too much, it was more than he knew; but be it as\nit would, he had rather sweep the ground with his tail as long as he\nlived, than part with the least bit of it for a covering to the filthy\nposteriors of an Ape.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nRiches, in the hands of a wise and generous man, are a blessing to the\ncommunity in which he lives: they are like the light and the rain, and\ndiffuse a good all around them. But wealth, when it falls to the lot of\nthose who want benevolence and humanity, serves only as an instrument\nof mischief, or at best produces no advantage to the rest of mankind.\nThe good man considers himself as a kind of steward to those from whom\nfortune has withheld her smiles, and thus shews his gratitude to Heaven\nfor the abundance which has been showered down upon him. He directs the\nsuperfluous part of his wealth at least, to the necessities of such of\nhis fellow-creatures as are worthy of it, and this he would do from\nfeeling, though there were no religion which enjoined it. But selfish\navaricious persons, who are generally knaves, how much soever they may\nhave, will never think they have enough, much less be induced, by any\nconsideration of virtue or religion, to part with any portion for the\npurposes of charity and beneficence. If the riches and power of the\nworld were to be always in the hands of the virtuous part of mankind,\nit would seem, according to our human conceptions, that they would\nproduce more good than in those of the vile and grovelling mortals,\nwho often possess them. Without any merit, these move apparently in\na sphere of ease and splendour, while good sense and honesty have to\nstruggle in adversity, or walk in the dirt. But the all-wise Disposer\nof Events does certainly permit this order of things for just, good,\nand wise purposes, though our shallow understandings are not able to\nfathom them.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 321]\n\nTHE THIEF AND THE BOY.\n\n\nAn arch mischievous Boy, sitting by the side of a well, observed a\nnoted Thief coming towards him. The little dissembler, wiping his\neyes, affected to be in great distress. The Thief asking him what was\nthe matter? ah! says the Boy, I shall be severely flogged, for in\nattempting to get some water, I have dropped the silver tankard into\nthe well. Upon this the Thief, eager for a prize, stripped off his\ncloaths, and went down to the bottom to search for it; where having\ngroped about to no purpose, he came up again, but found neither the Boy\nnor the cloaths, the little wag having run off with and hidden them,\nand left the Thief to look for the tankard at his leisure.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nNothing gives more entertainment to honest men than to see rogues\nand sharpers tricked and punished in the pursuit of their schemes of\nvillainy, by making their own contrivances instrumental in bringing\ndown their wickedness upon their own heads. In these instances,\nJustice seems as it were to be acting in person, and saves the trouble\nof publicly enforcing punishment by the penal laws; but indeed vice\ncarries with it its own punishment, and the misery attendant upon it in\nthis world, seems always pretty exactly balanced to its various degrees\nof enormity. The abandoned man drags on a contemptible or infamous\nlife, with a constantly deadened or disturbed conscience, and amidst\nassociates like himself, where he can never hope to meet with either\nfriendship or fidelity.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 323]\n\nTHE FOX AND THE SICK LION.\n\n\nIt was reported that the Lion was sick, and the beasts were given to\nunderstand that they could not make their court better than by going to\nvisit him. Upon this they generally went; but it was particularly taken\nnotice of, that the Fox was not one of the number. The Lion therefore\ndispatched one of his Jackalls to enquire why he had so little charity\nand respect as never to come near him, at a time when he lay so\ndangerously ill, and every body else had been to see him? Why, replies\nthe Fox, pray present my duty to his majesty, and tell him that I have\nthe same respect for him as ever, and have been coming several times,\nbut was fearful of being troublesome, as I have observed, from the\nprints of their footsteps, that great numbers have gone into the royal\nden; but I have not seen a single trace of their coming out again.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nHe that embarks implicitly in any scheme, may be mistaken,\nnotwithstanding the number who keep him company; but he that keeps out\ntill he sees reason to enter, acts upon true maxims of policy; and it\nis the quintessence of prudence not to be too easy of belief: for a\nrash and hasty credulity has been the ruin of many. Men who habituate\nthemselves to think, will profit by the experience of others, as well\nas their own: but commonly the multitude do not reason, but stupidly\nfollow each other step by step; not moving out of the sphere in which\nchance has placed them: and the notions or prejudices they may have\nimbibed in youth, remain with them to the last. There is no opinion,\nhowever impious or absurd, that has not its advocates in some quarter\nof the world. Whoever, therefore, takes up his creed upon trust, and\ngrounds his principles on no better reason than his being a native or\ninhabitant of the regions wherein they prevail, becomes a disciple of\nMahomet in Turkey, and of Confucius in China; a Jew, or a Pagan, as the\naccident of birth decides.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 325]\n\nTHE SUN AND THE WIND.\n\n\nA dispute arose between the North Wind and the Sun, about the\nsuperiority of their power, and they agreed to determine matters by\ntrying which of them could first compel a Traveller to throw off his\ncloak. The North Wind began, and blew a very cold blast, accompanied\nby a sharp driving shower; but this, and whatever else he could do,\ninstead of making the Man quit his cloak, induced him to gird it about\nhim more closely. Next came the Sun, who, breaking out from a cloud,\ndrove away the cold vapours, and darted his warm sultry beams upon the\nweather-beaten Traveller. The Man growing faint with the heat, first\nthrew off his heavy cloak, and then flew for protection to the shade of\na neighbouring grove.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThere is something in the temper of man so averse to severe and\nboisterous treatment, that he who endeavours to carry his point in that\nway, instead of prevailing, generally leaves the mind of him whom he\nhas thus attempted to subdue, in a more confirmed and obstinate state.\nBitter words and hard usage freeze the heart into an obduracy, which\nmild, persuasive, and gentle language only can dissolve. Persecution\nhas always fixed those opinions which it was intended to dispel; and\nthe quick growth of christianity in early times, is attributed in a\ngreat measure to the barbarous reception which its first teachers\nmet with in the Pagan world; and since that time the different modes\nof faith which have grown out of christianity itself, have been each\nestablished by the same kind of intolerant spirit. To reflect upon\nthese things, furnishes matter of wonder and regret, for the benevolent\nAuthor of the christian religion taught neither intolerance nor\npersecution. The doctrines he laid down are plain, pure, and simple.\nThey teach mercy to the contrite, aid to the humble, and eternal\nhappiness to the good. In short, persecution is the scandal of all\nreligion, and like the north wind in the Fable, only tends to make a\nman wrap his notions more closely about him.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 327]\n\nTHE HORSE AND THE ASS.\n\n\nThe Horse, adorned with his great war-saddle, and champing his foaming\nbridle, came thundering along the high-way, and made the mountains echo\nwith his neighing. He had not gone far before he overtook an Ass, who\nwas labouring under a heavy burthen, and moving slowly on in the same\ntrack. In an imperious tone he threatened to trample him in the dirt,\nif he did not get out of the way. The poor Ass, not daring to dispute,\nquietly got aside as fast as he could, and let him go by. Not long\nafter this, the same Horse, in an engagement, happened to be shot in\nthe eye, which made him unfit for show, or any military business, so he\nwas stripped of his ornaments, and sold to a carrier. The Ass meeting\nhim in this forlorn condition, thought that now it was his time to\nretort: Hey-day, friend, says he, is it you! Well, I always believed\nthat pride of your\u2019s would one day have a fall.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nIt is an affectation of appearing considerable, that puts men upon\nbeing proud and insolent; but this very affectation infallibly makes\nthem appear little and despicable in the eyes of discerning people.\nDid the proud man but rightly consider what kind of ingredients\npride is composed of and fed with, and the unstable foundation, and\nthe tottering pinnacle upon which it stands, he would blush at the\nthoughts of it, and cease to be puffed up by the little supernumerary\nadvantages, whether of birth, fortune, or title, which he may enjoy\nabove his neighbours. These might indeed be a blessing to him, and\nto the community in which he lives, if wisely used; but if guided by\npride, and consequently by want of sense, they will prove only a curse;\nand the reverence and respect which he looks for, will not be paid with\nsincerity, nor does he deserve it; and should the tide of misfortune\nset in against him, instead of friendship and commiseration, he will\nmeet with nothing but contempt, and that with much more justice than\never he himself expressed it towards others. The vain proud man ought\nto be put in mind, that the time is not far distant, when his skull\nwill not be distinguished from that of the beggar; and that there is no\nstate, however exalted, so permanent, that it may not be reduced to a\nlevel with the lowest.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 329]\n\nTHE HAWK AND THE FARMER.\n\n\nA Hawk, in the eagerness of his pursuit after a Pigeon, flew with\nsuch violence against the corner of a hedge, that he was stunned and\nfell. A Farmer, who had been looking about his fields, saw the whole\ntransaction, and instantly ran and picked up the Hawk, and was going to\nkill him; but the latter begged the Man would let him go, assuring him\nhe was only following a Pigeon, and neither intending, nor had done,\nany harm to him. To which the Farmer replied, and what harm had the\nPigeon done to you? and wrung his head off immediately.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nIn all our transactions through life, to suppose ourselves in the place\nof those we may be dealing with, will be the most certain check upon\nour own conduct; and we ought always to consult our conscience about\nthe rectitude of our behaviour: for this we may be assured of, that we\nare acting wrong, whenever we are doing any thing to another, which we\nshould think unjust, if it were done to us. Let those, therefore, who\nintend to act justly, but take this view of things, and all will be\nwell. There will be no danger of their oppressing others, or fear of\ntheir falling into error or danger themselves. Nothing but an habitual\ninadvertency as to this particular, can be the occasion of so many\ningenuous noble spirits being so often engaged in courses opposite to\nvirtue and honour.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 331]\n\nTHE FOX AND THE COUNTRYMAN.\n\n\nA Fox being closely pursued by the Hunters, and almost run down,\nbegged of a Countryman to give him protection, and save his life. The\nMan consented, and pointed out a hovel, into which the Fox crept, and\ncovered himself up among some straw. Presently up came the Hunters, and\nenquired of the Man it he had seen the Fox, and which way he had taken?\nNo, said he, I have not seen him here, he has passed another way; but\nall the while he nodded with his head, and pointed with his finger\nto the place where the Fox was hidden. These signals the Hunters, in\nthe eagerness of pursuit, did not notice, but calling off the dogs,\nthey dashed along in another direction. Soon after, the Fox came out\nof his hiding-place, and was sneaking off; when the Man calling after\nhim,--Hollo, says he, is this the way you behave then, to go without\nthanking the benefactor who has saved your life? Reynard, who had\npeeped all the while, and had seen what passed, answered, I know what\nobligation I owe you well enough, and I assure you if your actions had\nagreed with your words, I should have endeavoured, however incapable of\nit, to have returned you suitable thanks.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nDissimulation and double dealing are among the most odious vices,\nand a hollow friend is worse than an open enemy; for in the full\nconfidence of friendship, we are led to depend upon the man who uses\nthat confidence to betray us. To pretend to keep another\u2019s council, and\nappear in his interest, while underhand we are giving intelligence to\nhis enemies, is treacherous, knavish, and base. Truth is a plain and\nopen virtue, and cannot be practised in part; and truth and sincerity\nare the same; wherefore he that equivocates and adheres to his promise\nin one sense, without preserving it inviolably in its full extent and\nmeaning, departs as much from truth and sincerity as the most direct\nliar.\n\n \u201cAnd be those juggling friends no more believ\u2019d,\n That palter with us in a double sense;\n That keep the word of promise to the ear,\n And break it to our hope.\u201d\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 333]\n\n\u00c6SOP AT PLAY.\n\n\nAn Athenian one day found \u00c6sop entertaining himself with a company of\nlittle Boys at their childish diversions, and began to jeer and laugh\nat him for it. \u00c6sop, who was too much a wag himself to suffer others to\nridicule him, took a bow unstrung, and laid it upon the ground. Then\ncalling the censorious Athenian, Now philosopher, says he, expound\nthe riddle if you can, and tell us what the unstrained bow implies.\nThe Man, after racking his brains a considerable time to no purpose,\nat last gave it up, and declared he knew not what to make of it. Why,\nsays \u00c6sop, smiling, if you keep a bow always bent, it will lose its\nelasticity presently; but if you let it go slack, it will be fitter for\nuse when you want it.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThe mind of man is not formed for unremitted attention, nor his body\nfor uninterrupted labour; and both are in this respect like a bow.\nWe cannot go through any business requiring intense thought, without\nunbending the mind, any more than we can perform a long journey without\nrefreshing ourselves by due rest at the several stages of it. Continual\nlabour, as in the case of the bended bow, destroys the elasticity and\nenergy of both body and mind. It is, therefore, absolutely necessary\nfor the studious man to unbend, and the laborious one to take his rest,\nor both lose their tone and vigour, and become dull and languid. It\nis to remedy these extremes, that pastimes and diversions ought to be\nkept up, provided they are innocent. The heart that never tastes of\npleasure, shuts up, grows stiff, and is at last incapable of enjoyment.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 335]\n\nTHE FOX AND THE WOLF.\n\n\nThe Wolf having laid in a store of provisions, snugly kept in his den,\nand indulged himself in feasting upon them. The Fox observing this\nseclusion of the Wolf, became inquisitive to know the cause, and by\nway of satisfying his curiosity and his suspicions, he went and paid\nthe Wolf a visit. The latter excused himself from seeing the Fox,\nby pretending he was very much indisposed. The Fox having smelt how\nmatters stood, took his leave, and immediately went to a Shepherd to\ninform him of the discovery he had made, and that he had nothing else\nto do but to take a good weapon with him, and with it easily dispatch\nthe Wolf as he lay dosing in his cave. The Shepherd following his\ndirections, presently went and killed the Wolf. The wicked Fox then\nslily took possession of the cave and the provisions to himself; but\nhe did not enjoy them long, for the same Shepherd shortly afterwards\npassing by the place, and seeing the Fox there, dispatched him also.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nA villain, whose only aim is to get what he can, will as soon betray\nthe innocent as the guilty. Let him but know where there is a suspected\nperson, and propose a reward, and he will seldom fail to work the\nsuspicion up to high treason, and will be at no loss to produce\nsufficient proofs of it. Men of this stamp will not be content with\npractising one single villainy; for having never laid down any good\nprinciples for their guide, they will go on triumphantly in their\nwickedness for a time, and though, perhaps, they may be the instruments\nof bringing other villains to punishment, yet they will at last suffer\nin their turn; for, after being detested by all good men, justice will,\nsooner or later, overtake their crimes, and hurl down its vengeance\non their heads, with a measure equal at least to the sufferings their\nperfidy has occasioned to others. The fate of such wretches can never\nexcite the smallest commiseration; for no character is so truly\ndetestable, as that of a spy and informer.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 337]\n\nTHE RAVEN AND THE SERPENT.\n\n\nA Raven in quest of food, seeing a Serpent basking in the sun, soused\ndown, seized it with his horny beak, and attempted to carry it off.\nBut the Serpent, writhing with the pain, twisted its elastic coils so\nfirmly about the Raven, and bit him with such envenomed fierceness,\nthat he fell to the ground mortally wounded. In the agonies of death,\nthe Raven confessed this was a just punishment upon him, for having\nattempted to satisfy his greedy appetite at the expence of another\u2019s\nwelfare.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWhen men suffer their passions to set aside their reason, they soon\nbecome sensual in their appetites, and inordinate in their desires.\nMoral rectitude takes its departure from their minds, and led by\ntheir evil spirit, they soon become fitted for the commission of\nany enormity. They give the rein to their unbridled lusts, and\nregardless of consequences, stop at nothing to gratify their brutal\ndesires. But if we mark the progress of such men through life, it\nwill be found that, besides losing the great and virtuous pleasures\nof self-approbation, and incurring the stings of a guilty conscience,\ntheir wicked career often meets just punishment from retaliations in\nkind, which the objects of their iniquitous proceedings unexpectedly\nretort upon them.\n\n[Illustration: _Waiting for Death_]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 339]\n\nTHE DOVE AND THE BEE.\n\n\nA Bee, whose business had led her to the brink of a purling stream,\nwas snatched away by its circling eddy, and carried down its current.\nA Dove, pitying her distressed situation, cropped a twig from a tree,\nand dropt it before her in the water, by means of which the Bee saved\nherself, and got ashore. Not long after, a Fowler having a design upon\nthe Dove, espied her sitting on a tree, and keeping out of her sight,\nwas waiting the opportunity of shooting her. This the Bee perceiving,\nstung him on the ear, which made him give so sudden a start, that the\nDove instantly took the alarm, and flew away.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWe ought ever with a ready zeal to extend our arm to relieve a sinking\nfriend from distress and danger, or endeavour to forewarn him against\nthe wicked plots of his enemies. The benevolent man, from the most\ndisinterested motives, will always be disposed to do good offices to\nall, and the grateful man will never forget to return them in kind, if\nit be possible; and there is not one good man in the world who may not\non some occasion stand in need of the help of another. But gratitude\nis not very common among mankind. It is a heavenly spark, from which\nmany virtues spring; and the source of pleasures which never enter the\nbreast of the vile ingrate. The favours and kindnesses bestowed upon\nthe grateful man, he cannot forget; those which are conferred upon the\nungrateful, are lost: he concludes he would not have had them, if he\nhad not deserved them.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 341]\n\nTHE SERPENT AND THE MAN.\n\n\nA Child was playing in a meadow, and by chance trod upon a Serpent.\nThe Serpent, in the fury of his passion, turned up and bit the Child\nwith his venomous teeth, so that he died immediately. The Father of the\nChild, inspired with grief and revenge, took a weapon, and pursuing the\nSerpent, before he could get into his hole, struck at him and lopped\noff a piece of his tail. The next day, hoping by stratagem to finish\nhis revenge, he brought to the Serpent\u2019s hole honey, and meal, and\nsalt, and desired him to come forth, protesting that he only sought a\nreconciliation on both sides; but the Serpent answered him with a hiss\nto this purpose: In vain you attempt a reconciliation; for as long as\nthe memory of the dead Child and the mangled tail subsists, it will be\nimpossible for you and I to have any charity for each other.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWhen persons have carried their differences to an extreme length, it\nis in vain for them to think of renewing a cordial friendship; for in\nthe heat of their quarrel, many injuries must have been reciprocally\noffered and received, which must tear asunder the strongest bands\nof amity. The fury of their dissentions may indeed subside, yet\nneither party can forgive the wrongs which neither can forget. The\nconsciousness of having provoked the resentment of another, will dwell\nso continually upon the mind of the aggressor, that he cannot rest till\nhe has finished his work, and put it as much as possible out of his\nenemy\u2019s power to make any return upon him; and the old proverb will be\nverified which says, \u201cThe man who has injured you, will never forgive\nyou.\u201d Morality bids us forgive our enemies, and the voice of reason\nconfirms the same; but neither reason nor morality bids us enter into\na friendship with, or repose a confidence in, those who have injured\nus, and of whom we have a bad opinion. We may resolve not to return\nill-usage; but ought never to put ourselves into the power of an enemy.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 343]\n\nTHE HORSE AND THE OVER-LOADED ASS.\n\n\nA clownish stupid Fellow, in travelling to market with his goods,\nloaded his Horse very lightly, and put a heavy burden upon his Ass, and\nwas trudging along the road with them on foot. They had not travelled\nhalf-way to their journey\u2019s end, when the Ass felt greatly overpowered\nwith the weight he carried, and begged the Horse would be so good\nas to assist him by taking a part of it upon his back, and lighten\nthe grievous burden, assuring him that through weakness he was quite\nexhausted, and was ready to faint. No! said the Horse, keep your burden\nto yourself, it does not concern me. Upon hearing this cruel reply,\nthe poor Ass dropped down, and soon expired. The Master then ungirded\nthe pack-saddle, and awkwardly tried several ways to relieve his Ass,\nbut all to no purpose; it was too late. When he perceived how matters\nstood, he took the whole burden and laid it upon the Horse, together\nwith the skin of the dead Ass, and when he felt tired with walking, he\nalso mounted himself. The Horse is said to have often muttered as he\nwent along, Well, this is my proper punishment, for refusing to help my\nfellow-servant in the depth of his distress.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nHe who has no compassion in his breast, is unworthy the title of a man;\nand the heart that feels no anguish at the misfortunes of others, nor a\ndesire to relieve those who groan under a load of sorrow, is destitute\nof the very grounds and principles of virtue. The eye that has no tear\nfor the griefs of a friend, is also blind to its own interest; for the\nburden of human affairs must be borne by some or other of us, and the\nduty, as well as the common necessity of helping one another, ought\nnot to be shuffled off by the unworthy expression of \u201cit is none of my\nbusiness:\u201d for the business of society is more or less the business\nof every man who lives in it; and he who permits his weak brother,\nfor want of timely assistance, to sink under a greater weight than he\nis able to sustain, deserves to be punished for his cruelty, by being\nobliged to bear the whole of his own distressing burdens himself.\nThe Fable also hints at the miseries which poor dumb useful animals\nundergo, from the injudicious management or cruel treatment of those\nunder whose government they have the misfortune to fall. These kind\nof \u201chogs in armour\u201d ought to be taught by their own sufferings, the\nbenevolent text, that \u201cA merciful man will be merciful to his beast.\u201d\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 345]\n\nTHE HUSBANDMAN AND THE STORK.\n\n\nA Husbandman having placed nets in his fields to catch the Rooks and\nthe Geese, which came to feed upon the new-sown corn, found among his\nprisoners a single Stork, who happened to be in their company. The\nStork pleaded hard for his life, and among other arguments, alleged\nthat he was neither Goose nor Crow, but a poor harmless Stork, whose\nattachment to mankind, and his services to them in picking up noxious\ncreatures, as well as fulfilling his duties to his aged parents, he\ntrusted, were well known. All this may be true, says the Husbandman,\nfor what I know; but as I have taken you in company with thieves, and\nin the same crime, you must also share the same fate with them.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWhen we become so abandoned to stupidity and a disregard of our\nreputation, as to keep bad company, however little we may be criminal\nin reality, we must expect the same censure and punishment as is due\nto the most notorious of our companions. The world will always form an\nidea of the character of every man from his associates: nor is this\nrule founded on wrong principles; for, generally speaking, those who\nare constant companions, are either drawn together by a similitude of\nmanners and principles, or form such a similitude by daily commerce and\nconversation. If, therefore, we are tender of our reputation, we should\nbe particularly delicate in the choice of our company, since some\nportion of their fame or infamy must unavoidably be reflected upon us.\nIt is not enough to be virtuous ourselves, but we must be cautious not\nto associate with those who are devoted to vice: for, though we cannot\nconfer any degree of our own credit upon them, we may suffer much\ndiscredit, and incur much danger, from mixing with such bad companions.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 347]\n\nTHE TRAVELLERS AND THE BEAR.\n\n\nTwo Men being to travel through a forest together, mutually engaged\nto stand by each other in any danger they might encounter on the way.\nThey had not gone far, before a Bear rushed towards them out of a\nthicket; upon which, one of them, being a light nimble fellow, got up\nthe branches of a tree, and kept out of sight. The other falling flat\nupon his face, and holding his breath, lay still, while the Bear came\nup and smelled at him, but not discovering any marks of life, he walked\nquietly away again to the place of his retreat, without doing the Man\nthe least harm. When all was over, the Spark who had climbed the tree,\ncame down to his Companion, and asked him, what the Bear said to him?\nfor, says he, I took notice that he clapt his mouth very close to your\near. Why, said the other, he advised me, for the future never to place\nany confidence in such a faithless poltroon as you.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThere is nothing in this world that can lighten our burdens, in\npassing through it, or contribute more to our happiness, than our\nknowing we have a true friend, who will commiserate with and help us\nin our misfortunes, and on whom we can rely in times of difficulty and\ndistress. There are many, indeed, who, with fair words, pretend to\nthat character, and are ever ready to offer their services when there\nis no occasion for their help. But the real friend, like gold from\nthe furnace, shines forth in his true lustre, and with heart and hand\nis ever ready to succour us, in times of tribulation and peril. It\nis on such only we ought to place a confidence in any undertaking of\nimportance; for the man who is wholly actuated by the selfish unsocial\nprinciple of caring only for himself, is not fit to be associated\nwith others of a more generous character; and he who will desert them\nin adversity ought not to be made a partaker of the prosperity of\nothers. It therefore behoves us diligently to examine into the fidelity\nof those we have to deal with, before we embark with them in any\nenterprise, in which our lives and fortunes may be put to hazard by\ntheir breach of faith.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 349]\n\nTHE FIGHTING COCKS.\n\n\nAfter a fierce battle between two Cocks for the sovereignty of the\ndunghill, one of them having beaten his antagonist, he that was\nvanquished slunk away and crept into a corner, where he for some time\nhid himself; but the conqueror flew up to a high place, and clapped his\nwings, crowing and proclaiming his victory. An Eagle, who was watching\nfor his prey, saw him from afar off, and in the midst of his exultation\ndarted down upon him, trussed him up, and bore him away. The vanquished\nCock perceiving this, quitted the place of his retreat, and shaking\nhis feathers and throwing off all remembrance of his late disgrace,\nreturned to the dunghill, and gallanted the Hens, as if nothing had\nhappened.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThis Fable shews us the impropriety and inconvenience of running\ninto extremes, and teaches us, that under all the various and sudden\nvicissitudes of human life, we ought to bear success with moderation,\nand misfortune with fortitude and equinamity; to repress immoderate\nexultation, and unmanly despair. Much of our happiness depends upon\nkeeping an even balance in our words and actions, and in not suffering\ncircumstances to mount us too high in time of prosperity, nor to sink\nus too low with the weight of adverse fortune. A wise man will not\nplace too high a value on blessings which he knows to be no more than\ntemporary; nor will he repine at evils, whose duration may perhaps be\nbut short, and cannot be eternal. He will submit himself with humility\nand resignation to the decrees of providence, and the will of heaven.\nIn prosperity, the fear of evil will check the insolence of triumph;\nand in adversity, the hope of good will sustain his spirit, and teach\nhim to endure his misfortunes with constancy and fortitude.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 351]\n\nTHE WILD AND THE TAME GEESE.\n\n\nA flock of Wild Geese and a parcel of Tame ones used often to feed\ntogether in a corn field. At last, the Owner of the corn, with his\nservants, coming upon them of a sudden, surprised them in the very\nfact, and the Tame Geese being heavy, and fat full-bodied creatures,\nwere most of them sufferers; but the wild ones being thin and light,\neasily flew away.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWhen the enemy comes to make a seizure, they are sure to suffer most\nwhose circumstances are the richest and fattest. In any case of\npersecution, money hangs like a dead weight about a man; and we never\nfeel gold so heavy as when we are endeavouring to make off with it.\nGreat wealth has many cares annexed to it, with which the poor and\nneedy are not afflicted. A competency to supply the necessities of\nnature, and the wants of old age, is indeed to be desired; but we\nshould rather endeavour to contract our wants, than to multiply them,\nand not too eagerly grasp at the augmentation of our possessions,\nwhich will increase our cares by adding to our danger. Persons of\nsmall fortune have as much reason to be contented as the rich: their\nsituation is full as happy, considered altogether, for if they are\ndeprived of some of the gratifications which the rich enjoy, they are\nalso exempted from many troubles and uneasinesses necessarily cleaving\nto riches.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 353]\n\nTHE FROGS AND THE MICE.\n\n\nThe Frogs and the Mice, who inhabited part of a most extensive fen,\n(of which there remained unoccupied sufficient room to hold many\nwhole nations of both) could not agree with each other so as to live\nin peace: many bitter disputes arose between them about the right to\nparticular pools, and their tuft-covered margins. At length, national\njealousies and animosities arose to such a height, that each claimed\nthe sovereignty of the whole fen, and the most rancorous war was waged\nbetween them, in order to settle, by force of arms, their respective\npretensions. While their hostile armies were drawn up in battle array,\non a plain of several square yards in extent, protected on both flanks\nand rear by dark pools and gloomy forests of sedges, reeds, and\nbulrushes, their two chieftains advanced to meet each other, and to\nit they fell as fierce as tigers. While these two combatants were thus\nengaged, a Kite sailing in the air, beheld them from a great distance,\nand darting down upon them, instantly bore them off in his talons;\nwhile the field of battle presented a delicious repast to some Ravens,\nwho had chanced to spy the movements of these hostile armies.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThe leading feature in the character of men, in all ages of the world,\nhas ever been self-interest; and when this is not kept within due\nbounds, by a just sense of morality and honour, their bad passions\nare let loose, and money, power, or dominion, are the chief objects\nthey keep in view. When men thus depraved, have long soared above\nrestraint, and their numbers and power become predominant in a nation,\nthe accumulation of their wickedness hurries them blindly on to break\nout into offensive wars with other nations, on the most frivolous\npretences, and rapine, plunder, and innumerable murders succeed, by\nwhich humanity is outraged, and the fair face of nature is deluged\nwith blood. \u201cPeace is the natural happy state of man, and war is his\ndisgrace.\u201d The mighty among the Frogs and Mice attend not to this: they\nstrut and exult for a time; but their pride, tyranny, and injustice,\nwill have an end: for opposed to these vices are the attributes of\nOmnipotence, and they are eternal. It often happens (as in the case of\nthe combatants in the Fable) that when national depravity has attained\nits height, the Kites and Ravens of other regions are invited forth,\nand made the instruments of a just retribution.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 355]\n\nTHE FOWLER AND THE LARK.\n\n\nA Fowler set his snares to catch birds in the open field. A Lark was\ncaught; and finding herself entangled, could not forbear lamenting her\nhard fate. Ah! woe is me, says she, what crime have I committed that\nman should be plotting my destruction? I have not taken either his\nsilver or gold, or any thing of value to him; and while other rapacious\nbirds deal about destruction and go unpunished, I must die for only\npicking up a single grain of corn.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThe irregular administration of justice in the world, is indeed a\nmelancholy subject to think of. A poor fellow shall be hanged for\nstealing a sheep, perhaps to keep his family from starving; while\none, who is already great and opulent, will not scruple to add to his\noverflowing wealth by the most bare-faced peculation upon the public,\nand yet shall escape punishment, and even censure, through powerful\ninterest with those who ought to be his judges, but allow themselves\nto be swayed by the splendour of his connections, or corrupted by his\nmoney. When justice is intrusted in such hands, then shall we see the\ndescription given by one of our satirical poets, of a corrupt court of\nlaw, realized. He calls it a place,\n\n Where little villains must submit to fate,\n That great ones may enjoy the world in state.\n\nHowever, let no one, who violates the law, rest his defence on this\nplea; for though crimes, committed by his superiors, ought not to\nescape with impunity, yet his own nevertheless deserve punishment.\nHence we may also draw a hint, not unworthy of our attention, to\nendeavour to preserve our own integrity, unshaken in the midst of\niniquity, and to shew ourselves unstained by the corruption even of the\nworst of times.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 357]\n\nTHE SHEPHERD TURNED MERCHANT.\n\n\nA Shepherd was feeding his flock, on a very fine day, near the\nsea-side. The beauty of the weather, the smoothness of the water, and\nthe ships with spreading sails floating along its surface, formed\naltogether so charming a scene, that he lost all relish for a pastoral\nlife; and lured also by the prospect of gain, he determined to quit\nan employment, which he now despised as yielding neither honour\nnor profit. He quickly sold off his flocks, and commenced merchant\nadventurer; and ere long, he embarked with his whole property on the\nocean. The ship had not long been at sea before a dreadful tempest\narose, which wrecked her and all her cargo; but our merchant and the\ncrew were fortunate enough to escape with their lives. The adventurer\nhaving thus lost his all, returned to his former farm, and was glad to\nhire himself to the man who had bought his stock, to attend the sheep\nwhich were once his own. One day, as he sat meditating upon the change\nthat had happened, and viewing the sea calm and unruffled as before,\nAh! says he, thou deceitful tempting element, experience has made me\nso wise, that if I should again acquire a property, I will never more\ntrust it upon thy faithless bosom.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThis Fable is intended to put men of fickle unsettled minds upon their\nguard against that propensity which often inclines them so strongly\nto shifting and changing, and leads them to imagine they would be\nhappier in any profession than the one to which they have been brought\nup. By this disposition they are led away from an honest competency,\nto adventure their all upon untried schemes, in the hope of bettering\ntheir condition. But men of this wavering temper, who are comfortably\nsettled in the world, would do well to reflect, before they change\ntheir situation, and rashly venture, perhaps, the acquisitions of their\nwhole life, on projects, the failure of which may subject them to great\ncalamities, which will be the more intolerable to bear, as they will\nnot have adverse fortune to blame, but merely their own folly. Of this\ntruth, experience will convince them when it is too late.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 359]\n\nTHE COCK AND THE FOX.\n\n\nA Fox, in one of his early visits to the farm-yard, happened to be\ncaught in a springe, which had been set for that very purpose; and\nwhile he was struggling to escape, he was observed by the Cock, who,\nwith his Hens, was feeding near the place. The Cock, dreading so\ndangerous a foe, approached him with the utmost caution. Reynard no\nsooner cast his eye upon him, than with all the smooth and designing\nartifice imaginable, thus addressed him. My dear friend, says he,\nyou see what an unfortunate accident has befallen me here, and all\nupon your account, for not having heard you crow for a long time\npast, I was resolved on my way homeward to pay you a friendly visit;\nI therefore beg you will bring me something to cut this tormenting\nwire, or at least be so good as to conceal my misfortune till I have\nknawed it asunder. Yes, said the Cock, I can guess what kind of a\nvisit you intended to pay me, and will fetch you the proper assistance\nimmediately. He then hastened and told the Farmer, who instantly went\nto the place, and knocked the Fox on the head.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nWhen the innocent fall into misfortune, it is the part of a generous\nand brave spirit to contribute as far as possible to their relief; and\nthere is no quality of mind more amiable than that of tenderly feeling\nfor the distressed: but we ought not to let our compassion flow out\nupon improper objects, lest we may, by saving a villain, be doing an\nact of injustice to the community. When wicked men are entrapped in\ntheir own pernicious schemes, and laid hold of by the arm of justice,\nit is a misplaced lenity to endeavour to screen or protect them from\nit, as by letting them loose to continue their depredations, we become\nthe advocates for their crimes, and in some degree partakers in their\nenormities.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 361]\n\nTHE YOUNG MAN AND HIS CAT.\n\n\nA certain Young Man used to play with a beautiful Cat, of which he grew\nso fond, that at last he fell in love with it to such a degree, that\nhe could rest neither night nor day for the excess of his passion. In\nthis condition he prayed to Venus, the goddess of beauty, to pity and\nrelieve his pain. The good-natured goddess was propitious, and heard\nhis prayers; and the Cat, which he held in his arms, was instantly\ntransformed into a beautiful Young Woman. The Youth was transported\nwith joy, and married her that very day. At night, while they were in\nbed, the bride unfortunately heard a mouse behind the hangings, and\nsprang from the arms of her lover to pursue it: the Youth was ashamed,\nand Venus offended, to see her sacred rites thus profaned by such\nunbecoming behaviour; and perceiving that her new convert, though a\nwoman in outward appearance, was a Cat in her heart, she caused her\nto return to her old form again, that her manners and person might be\nsuitable to each other.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThis Fable, however extravagant and unnatural in its composition, is\nintended to depicture and check the blind instinctive ardour of the\npassion of love, the transports of which cover all imperfections, so\nthat its devotees consider neither quality nor merit. It is like an\nidol of our own creating, which we fashion into whatever figure or\nshape we please, and then run mad for it. The Fable also shews that\n\n \u201cNo charm can raise from dirt a grov\u2019ling mind;\u201d\n\nAnd that people of a low turn of spirit and mean education, cannot\nchange their principles by changing their situation: for in the midst\nof splendour and magnificence, they still retain the same narrow\nsentiments, and seldom fail to betray, by some dirty action, their\noriginal baseness, which no embroidery can conceal; and though fortune\nhas been pleased to lift them out of the mire, we still see the silly\nawkward blockheads displaying their lack of mind and education through\nall their ensigns of dignity. If any thing more need be added, it can\nonly be with a view of more plainly putting inexperienced youth on\ntheir guard against making inconsiderate connections, lest they take a\nCat into their bosom, instead of an amiable consort and companion for\nlife.\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 363]\n\nTHE FOWLER AND THE PARTRIDGE.\n\n\nA Fowler having taken a Partridge in his nets, the bird begged hard\nfor a reprieve, and promised the man, if he would let him go, to decoy\nthe other Partridges into his snares. No, replies the Fowler, if I had\nbefore been undetermined what to do with you, now you have condemned\nyourself by your own words: for he who is such a scoundrel as to offer\nto betray his friends, to save himself, deserves if possible worse than\ndeath.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nTo betray our friends is one of the blackest of crimes; and however\nmuch traitors may suppose they recommend themselves by their successful\nacts of treachery, they will find that those who employ them as useful\ninstruments in any dirty business of faction or party, are shocked at\nthe baseness of their minds; and however convenient it may be to \u201clike\nthe treason, the traitor will be despised.\u201d History furnishes us with\nmany instances of kings and great men who have punished the actors of\ntreachery with death, though the part they acted had been so conducive\nto their interests as to give them a victory, or perhaps the quiet\npossession of a throne: nor can princes pursue a more just maxim than\nthis, for a traitor is a villain, and sticks at nothing to promote his\nown selfish ends. He that will betray one master for a bribe, will\nbetray another on the same account. It is therefore impolitic in any\nstate to suffer such wretches to live under its protection. Since then\nthis maxim is so good, and likely at all times to be acted upon, what\nstupid rogues must they be who undertake such precarious dirty work!\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 365]\n\nTHE BLIND MAN AND THE LAME.\n\n\nA blind Man and a lame Man happening to come at the same time to a\npiece of very bad road, the former begged of the latter that he would\nbe so kind as to guide him through the difficulty. How can I do that,\nsaid the lame Man, since I am scarcely able to drag myself along? But\nas you appear to be very strong, if you will carry me, we will seek our\nfortunes together. It will then be my interest to warn you against any\nthing that may obstruct your way; your feet shall be my feet, and my\neyes your\u2019s. With all my heart, replied the blind Man; let us mutually\nserve each other. So, taking his lame companion on his back, they by\nmeans of this union travelled on with safety and pleasure.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThere is no such thing as absolute independence, in a state of society,\nand the defects and weaknesses of individuals form the cement by which\nit is bound together. All men have their imperfections and wants, and\nmust help each other as a matter of expediency as well as virtue; for\nProvidence has so ordered things in this life, that like the blind\nman and the lame in the Fable, we may be serviceable to each other in\nalmost every instance. What one man wants another supplies. Without\nthese failings there would be neither friendship nor company; so that\nit is our interest to be both charitable and sociable, when our very\nwants and necessities are converted by Providence into blessings. The\nwhole race of mankind ought indeed to be but so many members of the\nsame body; and in contributing to the ease and convenience of each\nother, we are not only serviceable to the whole, but kind to ourselves.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 367]\n\nTHE LION, THE WOLF, AND THE DOG.\n\n\nA Lion having seized upon a Doe, while he was standing over his prize,\na Wolf stepped up to him, and impudently claimed to go halves. No! said\nthe Lion, you are too apt to take what is not your due. I therefore\nshall never have any thing to do with you, and I peremptorily insist\non your immediate departure out of my sight. A poor honest Dog, who\nhappened to be passing, and heard what was going on, modestly withdrew,\nintending to go about another way. Upon which the Lion kindly invited\nhim to come forward and partake with him of the feast, to which his\nmodesty had given him so good a title.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThere is something in modesty which ought ever strongly to prepossess\nus in favour of those persons in whose nature it is interwoven; and\nmen of discerning and generous minds have a pleasure in discovering\nit, and in bringing into notice the worthy man, who is diffident of\nhis merit, and cannot prevail upon himself to challenge the praise or\ntribute he deserves. It is, however, to be lamented, that such patrons\nare not very numerous, and that the assuming arrogance and teasing\nimportunities of the greedy forward man should so commonly succeed in\nattaining his ends, while modesty in silence starves unnoticed, and\nis for ever poor. Were men in exalted stations of life to pay more\nattention to the importance of this, and endeavour to discover modest\nworth, to draw merit from the shade, and virtue from obscurity, and\ndistribute their patronage and their favours to such only, their own\naffairs, as well as those of the public, would be better managed, and\nthe difference between the conduct of upstart pride and sensible plain\nhonesty would soon shew itself in its true unvarnished colours.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 369]\n\nTHE ASS EATING THISTLES.\n\n\nAn Ass was loaded with provisions of several sorts, which he was\ncarrying home for a grand entertainment. By the way, he met with a fine\nlarge Thistle, and being very hungry, immediately eat it up, which,\nwhile he was doing, he entered into this reflection: How many greedy\nepicures would think themselves happy amidst such a variety of delicate\nviands as I now carry! But to me, this bitter prickly Thistle is more\nsavory and relishing than the most exquisite and sumptuous banquet.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nTemperance and exercise may be regarded as the constituents of natural\nluxury. It is not in the power of the whole art of cookery, to give\nsuch an exquisite relish and seasoning to a dish, as these two will\nconfer on the plainest fare. Indolent epicures have no true taste:\nthey subsist entirely by whets and provocatives of appetite; but he\nwhose stomach is braced and strengthened by exercise, has a whet\nwithin himself, which adds a poignancy to every morsel that he eats.\nProvidence seems to have carved out its blessings with an equal hand,\nand what it has denied to the poor in one way, it has amply supplied\nthem with in another: if it have withheld riches, it has given them\na greater store of health; and if it have refused them the means of\nluxury, it has at least formed them with the capacity of living as\nhappily without it. And it may further be observed, that if we except\nhereditary diseases, almost every other ailment may be laid to the\naccount of indolence, intemperance, or anxiety of mind.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 371]\n\nTHE DOG AND THE CAT.\n\n\nNever were two creatures happier together than a Dog and a Cat, reared\nin the same house from the time of their birth. They were so kind, so\ngamesome, and diverting, that it was half the entertainment of the\nfamily to see the gambols and love tricks that passed between them.\nStill it was observed, that at mealtimes, when scraps fell from the\ntable, or a tit-bit was thrown to them, they would be snarling and\nspitting at one another like the bitterest foes.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThis Fable is too true a picture of the practices and friendships\nof the world. We first enter into agreeable conversations, contract\nlikings, and form close intimacies and connections, which one would\nthink nothing could ever break up; but clashing interests at length\ncome in the way, and dissolve the charm. An unreasonable desire to\nengross more than we can enjoy, is the bone of contention, which in\ngreater or less degrees sets mankind together by the ears. A jealous\nthought, a mistaken word or look, is then sufficient to cancel all\nformer bonds: the league is broken, and the farce concludes like the\nDog and the Cat in the Fable, with biting and scratching out one\nanother\u2019s eyes. The same kind of over-grasping selfishness which\noperates so powerfully upon and blinds individuals, may with equal\ntruth be charged against all public associations or societies of men,\nfrom the greatest to the least, when they are under the influence of\nthat mistaken patriotism, which, instead of applying its powers to\nthe improvement of what they already possess, seeks aggrandizement by\nengrossing the colonies or privileges of their less powerful neighbours.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 373]\n\nTHE TRUMPETER TAKEN PRISONER.\n\n\nA Trumpeter, being taken prisoner in battle, begged hard for quarter,\ndeclaring his innocence, and protesting, that he neither had killed\nnor could kill any man, bearing no arms but his trumpet, which he was\nobliged to sound at the word of command. For that reason, replied his\nenemies, we are determined not to spare you; for though you yourself\nnever fight, yet, with that wicked instrument of yours, you blow up\nanimosity among other people, and so become the cause of much bloodshed.\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThe fomenter of mischief is at least as culpable as he who puts it\nin execution. A man may be guilty of murder, who never has handled a\nsword or pulled a trigger, or lifted up his arm with any mischievous\nweapon. There is a little incendiary called the tongue, which is more\nvenomous than a poisoned arrow, and more killing than a two-edged\nsword. The moral of the Fable therefore is this, that if in any civil\ninsurrection, the persons taken in arms against the government deserve\nto die, much more do they whose devilish tongues or pens gave birth\nto the sedition, and excited the tumult. The Fable is also equally\napplicable to those evil counsellors, who excite corrupt or wicked\ngovernments to sap and undermine, and then to overturn the just laws\nand liberties of a whole people; or involve them in cruel offensive\nwars, in which they cause thousands upon thousands of swords to\nbe drawn, and whole armies of men to be cut in pieces, while they\nthemselves coolly sit out of danger, and calculate the gains they\nderive from the wide-spreading desolation. War is the most horrid\ncustom that ever resulted from human wickedness, and is caused only by\nthe ignorance of the people, or the wickedness of governments.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration] [Page 375]\n\nTHE BOYS AND THE FROGS.\n\n\nA company of idle Boys used to assemble on the margin of a lake,\ninhabited by a great number of Frogs, and divert themselves by throwing\nvollies of stones into the water, to the great annoyance and danger\nof the poor terrified Frogs, who were thus pelted to death as soon as\nany of them put up their heads. At length, one of the boldest of the\nFrogs ventured, in behalf of the whole community, to croak out their\ncomplaints. Ah, my Boys, said he, why will you learn so soon the cruel\npractices of your race? Consider, I beseech you, that though this may\nbe sport to you, it is death to us!\n\n\nAPPLICATION.\n\nThis Fable shews the propensity of unguided youth to do evil, and\npoints out the need of inculcating benignity of conduct upon their\nminds, and giving them a direction towards a manly and generous\nhumanity, which in manhood will shew itself in actions and habits that\ncannot fail to do honour to themselves, and qualify them for any office\nin the service of their country. The contrary of all this will be\nfound to predominate in society, when youth are suffered to go on with\nimpunity, in indulging their wicked inclinations for cruelty, by which\ntheir minds are hardened and debased. This hard-heartedness in boys\nwill grow into brutality and tyranny in man; and that cruelty which\nwas at first inflicted upon poor dumb animals, will soon shew itself\nupon their fellows. The great man of this cast will tyrannize over\nthose below him: these again will shew the same hateful disposition to\ntheir dependants, and so downwards to the lowest, who, guided only by\nignorance, will give vent to their natural baseness, by goading and\ndistressing the poor animals which are wretchedly toiling in their\nservice.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nFINIS.\n\nNEWCASTLE: PRINTED BY EDWARD WALKER.\n\n\n\n\nTranscriber\u2019s Notes\n\n\nPunctuation, hyphenation, and spelling were made consistent when a\npredominant preference was found in the original book; otherwise they\nwere not changed.\n\nThis book often uses commas where periods might be expected,\nparticularly when the next text might be expected to be in quotation\nmarks, but is not.\n\nSimple typographical errors were corrected; unbalanced quotation\nmarks were remedied when the change was obvious, and otherwise left\nunbalanced.\n\nThe first page is handwritten, with a woodcut illustration in the\nmiddle and a fingerprint between the words \u201chis mark.\u201d\n\nEvery Fable begins with a framed illustration and a Title; many Fables\nend with an unframed illustration.\n\nPage viii: The illustration captioned \"Thomas Beswick\" is his signature.\n\nPage 36: In the caption of the illustration, \u201cBrains\u201d was crossed-out\n(by the artist).\n\nPage 76: In the caption of the illustration, the first \u201cthe\u201d was\ncrossed out (by the artist).\n\nPage 350: \u201cequinamity\u201d was printed that way.","title":"The Fables of \u00c6sop, and Others: With Designs on Wood","tradition":"myth-cosmogony","translated_text":null,"word_count":69184}