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THE 
 
 FABLES OF iESQP, 
 
 AND OTHERS, 
 
 WITH DESIGNS ON WOOD, 
 
 BY 
 
 THOMAS BEWICK. 
 
 The wisest of the Ancients delivered their Conceptions of the Deity, and 
 their Lessons of Morality , in Fables and Parables 
 
 NEWCASTLE: 
 
 PRINTED BY P. WALKER, FOR T. BEWICK AND -SON. 
 SOLD BY THEM, LONGMAN AND CO. LONDON, 
 
 AND ALL BOOKSELLERS. 
 
 1818 
 
• ■ GETr CENTER 
 LIBRARY 
 
To the Youth of the British Isles. 
 
 In collecting together, for your use and benefit, some 
 of the prudential maxims, and moral apothegms, of the 
 ancient sages, the Publishers of this volume have been 
 stimulated by an ardent desire to render this excellent 
 mode of instruction as agreeable as possible; and, at 
 the same time, to impress the precepts contained in the 
 Fables more forcibly on your minds, they have endea- 
 voured to make the embellishments worthy of your no- 
 tice and examination. 
 
 If the seeds of morality and patriotism be early 
 sown, they will spring up, and ripen to maturity, in 
 a confirmed love of truth, integrity and honour ; and 
 without these for his guide, no man can do credit to 
 himself or his country. This consideration is of vital 
 
 a 2 
 
 a 
 
IV 
 
 importance ; for our comfort and happiness through 
 life, mainly depend upon a strict adherence to the rules 
 of morality and religion. The youth who is early tu- 
 tored in an invincible regard for his own character, will 
 soon perceive the duties imposed upon him by society, 
 and will have pleasure in fulfilling them, as much for 
 his own satisfaction as for the sake of his fellow men : 
 but when the latent powers of the mind are neglected, 
 or not directed into the paths of rectitude, by good pre- 
 cepts and worthy examples, vice and folly enter the 
 opening, and lead their victim into evils and errors, 
 which render his life miserable, and sometimes hurry 
 him into an ignominious grave. 
 
 To delineate the characters and passions of men, un- 
 der the semblance of Lions, Tigers, Wolves, and Foxes, 
 is not so extravagant a fiction as it may at first sight 
 seem: for the innocent and inexperienced wiil find, 
 when they engage in the busy scenes of the world, that 
 they will have to deal with men of dispositions not un- 
 like those animals; and that their utmost vigilance will 
 be required to guard against their violence or machi- 
 nations. 
 
 In attempting to form an estimate of the characters 
 of mankind, many gradations and shades will be found 
 between the two extremes of virtue and vice. The 
 philanthropist views with feelings of benevolence the 
 wavering balance, and adds those he finds on the con- 
 
V 
 
 fines, to the number of the virtuous ; while the misan- 
 thrope, with gloomy malignity, endeavours to include 
 within the circle of vice, those who are standing upon 
 the ill-defined line of division, and thus swells the num- 
 ber of the bad. Both observe with pain, that great 
 numbers exist, whose whole lives seem to be spent in 
 disfiguring the beautiful order which might otherwise 
 reign in society, regardless of the misery which their 
 wickedness scatters around them. They see men, who 
 suffer their bad passions and gross appetites to be the 
 sole rule of their conduct ; and whether these shew 
 themselves in an inordinate ambition, a thirst after false 
 glory, or an insatiable avarice, their consequences are 
 pernicious, and diffuse evil, distress, and ruin among 
 mankind, in proportion to the extent to which their 
 baneful influence reaches. The misanthrope, in con- 
 templating the scene of mischief and disorder, is apt to 
 arraign the wisdom and justice of Providence for per- 
 mitting it to exist ; but the philanthropist views it 
 with a more extended range of vision ; and while he 
 laments the evil, he attributes the apparent want of 
 human feelings in the actors, to an early perversion of 
 intellect, or to a stifling of the reasoning power given 
 by the Great Creator to man for his guide, and with- 
 out which he is the worst animal in the creation, a 
 mere two-legged Tiger. Upon the childhood and 
 youth of such men, the great truth taught by the in- 
 
VI 
 
 spired and wisest writers of all ages, that “ no life can 
 be pleasing to God which is not useful to man,” has 
 not been sufficiently impressed, or probably the energy 
 with which they pursue their wicked career might have 
 been led into a different course, and instead of the 
 scourges, they would have been the benefactors of 
 mankind. 
 
 When religion and morality are blended together 
 in the mind, they impart their blessings to all who seek 
 the aid of the one and obey the dictates of the other, 
 and their joint effects are seen and felt in the perpetual 
 cheerfulness they impart. They incite the innocent 
 whistle of the ploughman at his plough, of the cobler in 
 his stall, and the song of the milk-maid at her pail: 
 and it is a sign of their being perverted, when they 
 engender melancholy notions ; for these are the off- 
 spring of bigotry, fanaticism, and ignorance. The 
 service of the Omnipotent is not of this gloomy cast ; 
 he has spread out the table of this beautiful world of 
 wonders, for the use of his creatures, and has placed 
 man at the head of it, that he might enjoy its bounties, 
 as well as prepare himself for the approaching change 
 to another, which inspiration has powerfully impressed 
 on his soul as the unknowable region of his next ad- 
 vance. The materialist, in his dreary reveries, can- 
 not comprehend this, neither will he acknowledge that 
 his being placed here is equally as miraculous as that 
 
Vll 
 
 he should be placed in another world or worlds, pro- 
 gressively to improve, to all eternity : but to harbour 
 doubts on this subject, is like disputing the wisdom, 
 the justice, and the mercy of the Author of our being, 
 who, according to the conceptions we form of his 
 goodness, as exhibited in the design, the grandeur, and 
 the immensity of creation, where every thing is systema- 
 tic, regular, and in order, would never decree that man 
 should be placed here instinctively to know his Maker 
 — to take a short peep at the stupendous, the amazing 
 whole — to view all these, and have powers of mind 
 given him only to know and repugnantly to feel, that 
 after a life mixed with turmoil, grief, and disease, he is 
 to be annihilated ! In our conception of things, and to 
 the limited understanding which has been given us, all 
 this would appear to be labour in vain. 
 
 The volume of the creation speaks alike to all, and 
 cannot be defaced by man ; but the ways of Providence 
 are beyond his comprehension. Omnipotence has not 
 been pleased to gratify his pride and vanity, nor to 
 consult his understanding, in the government of the 
 universe ; but sufficient has been disclosed unto him to 
 point out the moral duties he owes to society, and the 
 religious worship due to his Maker, without groping 
 after what is utterly beyond his reach : for our feeble 
 reason is too weak to comprehend the divine essence ; 
 and our thoughts, on their utmost stretch, roll back 
 
Vlll 
 
 on darkness. We reason, but we err : for how can 
 we comprehend the immensity of endless space, of time 
 and eternity, a beginning or an end ; or what concep- 
 tions can we form of the Power which made the sun 
 and worlds without number ? Truly, this is far too 
 much for a finite being, who does not know why he can 
 move one of his own fingers, or cease to do so when he 
 pleases ! But all may know and fulfil their religious 
 obligations, by reverencing and adoring their Creator, 
 and walking humbly before him, and their moral du- 
 ties, by being in their several stations, good sons, bro- 
 thers, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, neighbours, 
 and members of society. 
 
 Having, with humble diffidence, in this masquerade 
 of life, attempted to point out to youth the exterior of 
 the temple of virtue, and to lead them to its steps, the 
 Editor leaves them there, respectfully recommending 
 them to explore the whole interior, under the guidance 
 of men more eminent for their mental powers and at- 
 tainments in learning, philosophy, and piety. Of these, 
 an illustrious band have placed, at every avenue and 
 turning, their inestimable works, as directions to guide 
 us to usefulness and respectability here, and eternal 
 happiness hereafter. 
 
 Newcastle , September, 1818 . 
 
THE INTRODUCTION. 
 
 From time to time, in all ages, men inspired, or 
 gifted with a superior degree of intellectual power, 
 have appeared upon the stage of life, in order (by en- 
 lightening others) to fulfil the designs of Omnipotence, 
 in uniting the world in a state of civilized society. 
 
 Patriarchs, or heads of families, at first directed or 
 governed those who were immediately dependent upon 
 them: these in time increased, and became clans ; these 
 again, by their quarrels, and their wars, were induced 
 to elect chieftains or kings over a number of united 
 clans, — from which were formed the various nations 
 and kingdoms of the earth. In this early stage of the 
 
 b 
 
world, when men were ignorant and uncivilized, the 
 chase and war seem almost wholly to have occupied 
 their time and attention. Their kings ruled over them 
 with despotic sway, and the will of the prince was the 
 only law : and thus the barbarism of the subject and 
 the tyranny of the ruler went hand in hand together. 
 That over-swollen pride, which seems the natural ac- 
 companiment of despotic power, blinds the understand- 
 ings of its possessors, and renders them wholly regard- 
 less of the important trust reposed in them. The evils 
 arising out of their bad government, are felt, more or 
 less, by the whole people over whom they preside; and 
 pride and arrogance prevent the approach of sincerity 
 and truth. The sycophant and the slave then only 
 find admission, and all other men are kept at a dis- 
 tance. While kings and governors were of this cha- 
 racter, the voice of truth could only reach their ears 
 through allegory and fable, which took their rise in 
 the infancy of learning, and seem to have been the 
 only safe mode of conveying admonition to tyrants. 
 This pleasing method of instilling instruction into the 
 mind, has been found by experience to be the shortest 
 and best way of accomplishing that end, among all 
 ranks and conditions of men. 
 
 The first Fable upon record, is that of Jotham and 
 the Trees, in the Bible; and the next, that of The 
 Poor Man and his Lamb, as related by Nathan to 
 King David, and which carried with it a blaze of truth 
 that flashed conviction on the mind of the royal trans- 
 gressor. Lessons of reproof, religion, and morality, 
 were, we find, continually delivered in this mode, by 
 the sages of old, to the exalted among mankind. 
 
XI 
 
 It is asserted by authors, that Apologues and Fables 
 Lad then’ origin in the Eastern world, and that the 
 most ancient of them were the productions of Veesh- 
 nou Sarma, commonly called Pilpay, whose beautiful 
 collections of Apologues were esteemed as sacred 
 books in India and Persia, whence they were spread 
 abroad among other nations, and were by them cele- 
 brated and holden in much estimation. They were 
 translated from the Persian and Arabian into Greek, 
 by Simeon Seth, a man of great learning, who was an 
 officer of the imperial household at Constantinople 
 about the year 1070. Seth’s Version was imitated in 
 Latin by Piers Alfonse, a converted Jew, as early as 
 the year 1107 ; and this is supposed to have been the 
 first version of Pilpay’s Apologues that made its way, 
 and became familiarized in Europe. The time in 
 which Pilpay lived, seems not to be certainly known 
 to the learned; but some of them suppose that the 
 Fables of LEsop and others were grounded upon his 
 models. The time in which iEsop lived is better as- 
 certained, and of all the Fabulists who have amused 
 and instructed mankind by their writings, his name 
 stands pre-eminent. Authors fix his birth-place at 
 Cotieum, in Phrygia Major. But the history of this 
 remarkable person, who lived about 572 years before 
 Christ, and about 100 years before Herodotus, the 
 Greek historian, has been so involved in mystery, tra- 
 ditionary stories, and absurd conjectures, that any at- 
 tempt to give a detail from such materials, would only 
 serve to bewilder youth, and lead them into a laby- 
 rinth of error; and it would be impertinent to trou- 
 ble the learned reader with that which must be suffi- 
 
 b 2 
 
Xll 
 
 ciently familiar to him.* * * § The whole of the absurd 
 fictions concerning this wise and amiable man, were in- 
 vented by Maximus Planudes, a Greek monk.f Plu- 
 tarch, and other authentic historians, £ have, however, 
 given a very different account of the illustrious Fabulist. 
 It would appear, according to some of these relations, 
 that iEsop, originally a shepherd’s boy, had risen 
 from the condition of a slave, to great eminence, and 
 that he lived in the service of Xanthus and Jud- 
 man, or Idmon, in the island of Samos, and after- 
 wards at Athens. Phsedrus speaks of him as living the 
 greater part of his life at the latter place, where, it 
 appears, a handsome statue, executed by the hand of 
 the famous statuary Lysippus, was erected to his me- 
 mory, and placed before those of the seven sages of 
 Greece.§ He also notices his living at Samos, and 
 interesting himself in a public capacity, in the adminis- 
 tration of the affairs of that place ; where Aristotle also 
 introduces him as a public speaker, and records the 
 fact of his reciting the fable of the Fox and the Hedge- 
 hog, if while pleading on behalf of a minister, upon the 
 occasion of his being impeached for embezzling the 
 
 * The curious enquirer is referred to the Essay on the /Esopean Fable, 
 by Sir Brooke Boothby, bart. from which this sketch is extracted. 
 
 f Planudes lived at Constantinople in the 14th century. His Fables 
 were printed at Milan, A. D. 1480. 
 
 | The first person who took great pains to detect and expose the follies 
 and absurdities of Planudes’s Life of JEsop, and collected what could be 
 known, was Bachet de Mezeriac, a man of great learning, who flourish- 
 ed about the year 1 652. 
 
 § These sages were Solon, Thales, Chilo, Cleobulus, Bias, Pittacus, 
 and Periander, to whom Laertius adds Anacharsis, Maro, Pherecydes, 
 Epimenides, and Pisistratus. 
 
 f “ Ye men of Samos, let me entreat you to do as the Fox did ; for 
 this man, having got money enough, can have no further occasion to rob 
 
Xlli 
 
 public treasure. iEsop is also mentioned as speaking 
 in a public capacity to the Athenians, at the time when 
 Pisistratus seized upon their liberties.* Upon each of 
 these occasions he is represented as having introduced a 
 Fable into his discourse, in a witty and pleasing manner. 
 He was holden in the highest veneration and esteem 
 in his day, by all men eminent for their wisdom and 
 virtue. It appears there was scarcely an author among 
 the ancient Greeks who mixed any thing of morality 
 in his writings, that did not either quote or mention 
 iEsop. Plato describes Socrates as turning some of 
 /Esop’s Fables into verse, during those awful hours 
 which he spent in prison, immediately before his death. 
 Aristophanes not only takes hints from /Esop, but men- 
 tions him much to his honour, as one whose works 
 were, or ought to be, read before any other. Ennius 
 and Horace have embellished their poetry from his 
 stores ; and ancient sages and authors all concur in 
 bearing the most ample testimony to his distinguished 
 merits. Plutarch, in his imaginary banquet of the 
 seven wise men, among several other illustrious persons 
 of ancient times, celebrated for their wit and know- 
 ledge, introduces ^Usop, and describes him as being 
 very courtly and polite in his behaviour. Upon the 
 authority of Plutarch also, we fix the life of iEsop in the 
 time of Croesus, king of Lydia, who invited him to the 
 court of Sardis. By this prince, he was holden in such 
 
 you ; but if you put him to death, some needy person will fill his place, 
 whose wants must be supplied out of your property.” 
 
 The Fable of the Fox and the Hedge-hog was applied by Themisto- 
 cles to dissuade the Athenians from removing their magistrates.— 
 B, Boothby. 
 
 The Fable of the Frogs desiring a King. 
 
XIV 
 
 •esteem, as to be sent as his envoy to Periander, king of 
 Corinth, which was about three hundred and twenty 
 years after the time in which Homer lived, and 550 
 before Christ. He was also deputed by Croesus to 
 consult the oracle of Delphi. While on this embassy, 
 he was ordered to distribute to each of the citizens, 
 four mince* of silver, but some disputes arising be- 
 tween them and iEsop, he reproached them for their 
 indolence, in suffering their lands to lie uncultivated, 
 and in depending on the gratuities of strangers for a 
 precarious subsistence : the quarrel, which it would 
 appear ran high between them, ended in iEsop’s send- 
 ing back the money to Sardis. This so exasperated 
 the Delphians, that they resolved upon his destruction; 
 and that they might have some colour of justice for 
 what they intended, they concealed among his effects, 
 when he was taking his departure from Delphi, a gold 
 cup, consecrated to Apollo; and afterwards pursuing 
 him, easily found what they themselves had hidden. 
 On the pretext that he had committed this sacrilegious 
 theft, they carried him back to the city, and notwith- 
 standing his imprecating upon them the vengeance of 
 heaven, they immediately condemned him to be cast 
 from the rock Hypania, as the punishment of the 
 pretended crime. Ancient historians say, that for this 
 wickedness, the Delphians were for a long time visited 
 with pestilence and famine, until an expiation was 
 made, and then the plague ceased. 
 
 It was not until many ages after the death of /F.sop, 
 that his most prominent successor, Phaedrus, arose. Pie 
 
 * The inina of silver was 1 2 ounces, about £3 sterling. 
 
XV 
 
 translated iEsop’s Fables from the Greek into Latin, 
 and added to them many of his own. Of Phaedrus 
 little is known, except from his works. He is said to 
 have lived in the times of the Emperors Augustus and 
 Tiberius, and to have died in the reign of the latter. 
 The first printed edition of his Fables, with cuts, was 
 published at Gauda, in 1482. Caxton published some 
 of them in 1484, and Bonus Accursius in 1489, to 
 which he prefixed Planudes’s Life of vEsop. But the 
 most perfect edition of Phaedrus’s Works was published 
 in five volumes, by Peter Pithou, at Troyes, in 1596, 
 from manuscripts discovered by him in the cities of 
 Rheims and Dijon. To these have succeeded in later 
 times, a numerous list of fabulists,* besides such of the 
 poets as have occasionally interspersed Fables in their 
 works. These, in their day, have had, and many of 
 them still have, their several admirers ; but Gay and 
 Dodsley best maintain their ground in this country, as 
 is proved by the regular demand for new editions. 
 Croxall’s Fables, which were first published in 1722, 
 with cuts on metal, in the manner of wood, have also 
 had a most extensive sale ; and Sir Brooke Boothby’s 
 
 * Sir Roger L’Estrange, born 1616, died 1704. 
 
 John de la Fontaine, born 1621, died 1695. 
 
 John Dryden, born 1631, died 1701. 
 
 Antoine Houdart de la Motte, born 1672, died 1731. 
 
 John Gay, born 1688, died 1732. 
 
 Samuel Croxall, D. D. Archdeacon of Hereford, died 1752. 
 
 Edward Moore, died 1757. 
 
 Draper. 
 
 Robert Dodsley, born 1703, died 1764. 
 
 William Wilkie, born 1721, died 1772. 
 
 Abbe Brotier, born 1722, died 1789. 
 
XVI 
 
 elegant little volumes, in verse, published in 1809 , are- 
 now making their way into the public notice. The 
 Editor of the present volume, in attempting to continue 
 the same pleasing mode of conveying instruction, long 
 since laid down as a guide to virtue, has quoted and 
 compiled from other fabulists, whatever seemed best 
 suited to his purpose. His sole object is utility, and he 
 is not altogether without hope, that in attempting to 
 embellish and perpetuate a fabric, which has its foun- 
 dations laid in religion and morality, his efforts may 
 not be wholly ineffectual to induce the young to keep 
 steadily in view those great truths, which form the sure 
 land-mark to the haven, where only they can attain 
 peace and happiness. 
 
 f'.Au™ 
 
THE TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 A 
 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The Ape and her Young Ones 
 
 3 
 
 The Sensible Ass 
 
 69 
 
 iEsop and the Impertinent Fellow 
 
 81 
 
 The Angler and the Little Fish 
 
 111 
 
 The Ass and the Lion hunting 
 
 161 
 
 The Ass in the Lion’s Skin 
 
 187 
 
 The Ape chosen King 
 
 195 
 
 The Ant and the Fly 
 
 269 
 
 The Ant and the Grasshopper 
 
 307 
 
 The Ape and the Fox 
 
 319 
 
 iEsop at Play 
 
 333 
 
 The Ass eating Thistles 
 
 369 
 
 c 
 
XV111 
 
 B 
 
 The Boy and his Mother 
 
 . 
 
 PAGE 
 
 5 
 
 The Brother and Sister 
 
 - 
 
 31 
 
 The Shepherd’s Boy and the Wolf 
 
 - 
 
 61 
 
 The Bear and the Bee-Hives 
 
 - 
 
 119 
 
 The Bees, the Drones, and the Wasp 
 
 - 
 
 145 
 
 The Hunted Beaver 
 
 
 159 
 
 The Bull and the Goat 
 
 - 
 
 171 
 
 The Two Bitches 
 
 - 
 
 183 
 
 The Boar and the Ass 
 
 - 
 
 205 
 
 The Blackamoor - 
 
 - 
 
 223 
 
 The Belly and the Members 
 
 - 
 
 275 
 
 The Boys and the Frogs 
 
 - 
 
 375 
 
 The Two Crabs - 
 
 . _ 
 
 1 
 
 The Collier and the Fuller 
 
 - 
 
 13 
 
 The Cock and the Jewel 
 
 - 
 
 47 
 
 The Wanton Calf 
 
 - 
 
 57 
 
 The Crow and the Pitcher 
 
 - 
 
 63 
 
 The Cat and the Fox 
 
 - 
 
 107 
 
 The Cat and the Mice 
 
 - 
 
 149 
 
 Caesar and the Slave 
 
 - 
 
 177 
 
 The Clown and the Gnat 
 
 - 
 
 189 
 
 The Countryman and the Snake 
 
 - 
 
 217 
 
 The Cock and the Fox 
 
 - 
 
 219 
 
 The Fi<ditin<j Cocks 
 
 - 
 
 349 
 
 The Cock and the Fox 
 
 - 
 
 359 
 
 D 
 
 The Dog in the Manger 
 
 _ 
 
 77 
 
 The Ship Dog - 
 
 - 
 
 99 
 
 The Dog invited to Supper 
 
 - 
 
 109 
 
XIX 
 
 The Dog and the Shadow 
 
 _ 
 
 _ 
 
 PAGE 
 
 117 
 
 The Mischievous Dog 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 169 
 
 The Dog and the Sheep 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 207 
 
 The Dog and the Wolf 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 287 
 
 The One-eyed Doe 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 297 
 
 The Deer and the Lion 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 315 
 
 The Dove and the Bee 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 339 
 
 The Dog and the Cat 
 
 P 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 371 
 
 The Eagle, the Cat, and the Sow 
 
 
 - 
 
 39 
 
 The Eagle and the Fox 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 273 
 
 The Eagle and the Crow 
 
 p 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 301 
 
 r 
 
 The Proud Frog and the Ox 
 
 _ 
 
 — 
 
 17 
 
 The Fox and the Vizor Mask 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 51 
 
 The Fox and the Crow 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 67 
 
 The Forester and the Lion 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 83 
 
 The Fox without a Tail 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 95 
 
 The Fox and the Ass 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 105 
 
 The Fox and the Tiger 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 115 
 
 The Frogs and their King 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 135 
 
 The Fir and the Bramble 
 
 - 
 
 
 143 
 
 The Frog and the Fox 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 147 
 
 Fortune and the Boy 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 153 
 
 The Fox and the Grapes 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 167 
 
 The Fisherman 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 173 
 
 The Fox and the Boar 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 175 
 
 The Frogs and the Fighting Bulls 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 179 
 
 The Two Frogs 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 199 
 
 The Fox and the Briar 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 201 
 
 The Fox and the Stork 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 215 
 
 c 2 
 
 
 
 
XX 
 
 PAGF 
 
 The Fox and the Hedge-Hog 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 227 
 
 The Fox and the Goat 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 235 
 
 The Fowler and the Ring-dove 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 2+9 
 
 The Fowler and the Blackbird 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 263 
 
 The Fatal Marriage 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 277 
 
 The Fox and the Lion 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 285 
 
 The Flying Fish and the Dolphin 
 
 
 - 
 
 289 
 
 The Fox in the Well 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 31 1 
 
 The Fox and the Sick Lion 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 323 
 
 The Fox and the Countryman 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 331 
 
 The Fox and the Wolf 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 335 
 
 The Frogs and the Mice 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 . 353 
 
 The Fowler and the Lark 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 355 
 
 The Fowler and the Partridge 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 363 
 
 G 
 
 The Goat, the Kid, and the Wolf 
 
 
 - 
 
 29 
 
 The Goat and the Lion 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 101 
 
 The Gardener and his Dog 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 313 
 
 The Wild and the Tame Geese 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 351 
 
 H 
 
 The Husbandman and his Sons 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 15 
 
 Hercules and the Carter 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 37 
 
 The Drunken Husband 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 121 
 
 The Hen and the Swallow 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 127 
 
 The Hart and the Vine 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 157 
 
 The Old Hound 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 181 
 
 The Hen and the Fox 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 185 
 
 The Hare and the Tortoise 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 221 
 
 The Hares and the Frogs 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 251 
 
 T^he Harper 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 267 
 
 The Horse and the Stag 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 303 
 
sxi 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The Horse and the Lion - 309 
 
 The Horse and the Ass - 327 
 
 The Hawk and the Farmer - - 329 
 
 The Horse and the over-loaded Ass - 343 
 
 The Husbandman and the Stork - - 345 
 
 I 
 
 Industry and Sloth 9 
 
 J 
 
 Jupiter and the Ass - - - 79 
 
 Jupiter and the Camel - - 139 
 
 Jupiter and the Herdsman - - 209 
 
 Juno and the Peacock - 237 
 
 Jupiter and Pallas - - 241 
 
 The Vain Jackdaw - • - 255 
 
 K 
 
 The Bald Knight 87 
 
 The Kite and the Pigeons - - 281 
 
 The Sick Kite •• 283 
 
 The Kid and the Wolf' - 293 
 
 L 
 
 The Leopard and the Fox - - 21 
 
 The Lark and her Young Ones - - 41 
 
 The Lion and the Four Bulls - - 89 
 
 The Lion, the Tiger, and the Wolf - 93 
 
 The Lioness and the Fox - - 123 
 
 The Lamb brought up by a Goat - - 125 
 
 The Old Lion - - - 211 
 
 The Lion in Love - 225 
 
 The Lion and other Beasts - - 239 
 
 The Lion and the Mouse - 257 
 
 The Lion and the Frog -• - 291 
 
xxii 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The Lion, the Wolf, and the Dog - 367 
 
 M 
 
 The Master and his Scholar 7 
 
 The Young Man and the Swallow - 11 
 
 The Mole and her Dam - - 27 
 
 The Young Men and the Cook - - 43 
 
 The Mule - - - - 45 
 
 Mercury and the Woodman - - 49 
 
 The Man and his Goose 55 
 
 The Old Man and his Sons - - 91 
 
 The Miser and his Treasure - - 97 
 
 A Man bitten by a Dog - - - 113 
 
 The Envious Man and the Covetous - 129 
 
 The Mice in Council - - - 193 
 
 The Old Man and Death - - 197 
 
 The Man and the Weasel - - 203 
 
 The Magpie and the Sheep - - 213 
 
 The Man and his Two Wives - - 231 
 
 Mercury and the Carver - 233 
 
 The Mountains in Labour - - 253 
 
 The Mouse and the Weasel - - 271 
 
 The Young Man and the Lion - - 279 
 
 The Country and the City Moifse - - 295 
 
 The Miller, his Son, and their Ass - 305 
 
 The Young Man and his Cat - - 361 
 
 The Blind Man and the Lame - - 365 
 
 N 
 
 The Nurse and the Wolf - 265 
 
 O 
 
 The Oak and the lleed 
 
 151 
 
XX11I 
 
 p 
 
 The Peacock and the Crane 
 
 
 
 PAGE 
 
 23 
 
 The Two Pots 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 2 5 
 
 The Partridge and the Cocks 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 65 
 
 The Porcupine and the Snakes 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 131 
 
 The Polecat and the Cock 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 261 
 
 The Ploughman and Fortune 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 317 
 
 R 
 
 The Raven and the Serpent 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 337 
 
 S 
 
 The Stag looking into the Water 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 19 
 
 The Sheep Biter 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 33 
 
 The Swallow and other Birds 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 71 
 
 The Sow and the Wolf 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 133 
 
 The Stag and the Fawn 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 141 
 
 The Sow and the Bitch 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 163 
 
 The Satyr and the Traveller 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 165 
 
 The Sparrow and the Hare 
 
 - 
 
 _ 
 
 229 
 
 The Stag in the Ox-Stall 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 247 
 
 The Sun and the Wind 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 325 
 
 The Serpent and the Man 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 341 
 
 The Shepherd turned Merchant 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 357 
 
 T 
 
 The Thief and the Dog 
 
 - 
 
 _ 
 
 53 
 
 The Boasting Traveller 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 59 
 
 The Thieves and the Cock 
 
 - 
 
 
 73 
 
 The two Travellers 
 
 - 
 
 
 103 
 
 The Tortoise and the Eagle 
 
 - 
 
 _ 
 
 259 
 
 The Trees and the Woodman 
 
 - 
 
 _ 
 
 299 
 
 The Thief and the Boy 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 321 
 
 The Travellers and the Bear 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 347 
 
XXIV 
 
 The Trumpeter taken Prisoner 
 
 PAGE 
 
 373 
 
 V 
 
 The Viper and the File 
 
 243 
 
 W 
 
 The Old Woman and her Maids 
 
 35 
 
 The Wolves and the Sick Ass 
 
 75 
 
 The Wolf, the Fox, and the Ape 
 
 85 
 
 The Old Woman and the Empty Cask 
 
 137 
 
 The Wolf and the Crane 
 
 155 
 
 The Wolf and the Lamb 
 
 191 
 
 The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing 
 
 245 
 
THE 
 
 FABLES OF yESOP, 
 
 AND OTHERS. 
 
 THE TWO CRABS. 
 
 Two Crabs, the mother and daughter, having been left 
 by the receding tide, were creeping again towards the 
 water, when the former observing the awkward gait of 
 her daughter, got into a great passion, and desired her 
 to move straight forward, in a more becoming and 
 sprightly manner, and not crawl sideling along in a way 
 so contrary to all the rest of the world. Indeed mother, 
 says the young Crab, I walk as properly as I can, and 
 to the best of my knowledge ; but if you would have 
 
 B 
 
2 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 me to go otherwise, I beg you would be so good as to 
 practise it first, and shew me by your own example 
 how you would have me to conduct myself. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Ill examples corrupt even the best natural disposi- 
 tion, and it is in vain to instruct our children, their 
 talents being only imitation, to walk by one rule, if we 
 ourselves go by another. The good precepts which we 
 may lay down to them, will be bestowed in vain, if they 
 see by our own conduct, that we pursue a contrary 
 course to that which we recommend to them. Parents 
 therefore, who are desirous of working an effectual re- 
 formation in their children, should begin by making a 
 visible amendment in themselves ; and this is a duty 
 they owe to society, as well as to their offspring, it be- 
 ing of the utmost importance to both, that probity and 
 honour be early instilled into their youthful minds, as 
 these grow with their growth, and while at the same 
 time they command respect, they lay the foundation of 
 their individual happiness through life. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 3 
 
 THE APE AND HER YOUNG ONES. 
 
 An Ape having two young ones, was dotingly fond 
 of one, but disregarded and slighted the other. One 
 day she chanced to be surprized by the hunters, and 
 had much ado to get off. However, she did not forget 
 her favourite young one, which she took up in her arms, 
 that it might be the more secure : the other, which she 
 neglected, by natural instinct, leapt upon her back, and 
 so away they scampered together ; but it unluckily fell 
 out, in the over-anxiety of her precipitate flight, con- 
 fused and blinded with haste, that she struck her favour- 
 ite’s head against a branch, which threw it on the 
 ground, where the darling bantling was seized by the 
 dogs and killed. The hated one, clinging close to her 
 rough back, escaped all the danger of the pursuit. 
 
 b 2 
 
FABLES. 
 
 4 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 By dear mamma’s o’er-weening fondness spoil’d, 
 Caress’d and pamper’d, dies the fav’rite child : 
 
 The boy she slights, rough, vig’rous, and well-grown. 
 Unaided, bears the brunt, and shifts alone. 
 
 The indulgence which parents shew to their children 
 arises from the most amiable of human weaknesses; but 
 it is not the less injurious in its effects, and therefore 
 it is of great importance to guard against it, and not to 
 suffer a blind fondness to transport us beyond the bounds 
 of a discreet affection, for this often proves the ruin of 
 the child. This fable is also intended to expose the 
 folly of a system of favouritism in families, for experi- 
 ence shews that those children who arc the least pam- 
 pered and indulged usually make the best and cleverest 
 men. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 5 
 
 THE BOY AND HIS MOTHER. 
 
 A little Boy having stolen a book from one of his 
 school-fellows, took it to his Mother, who, instead of 
 correcting him, praised his sharpness, and rewarded him. 
 In process of time, as he grew bigger, he increased also 
 in villainy, till at length he was taken up for committing 
 a great robbery, and was brought to justice and con- 
 demned for it. As the officers were conducting him to 
 the gallows, he was attended by a vast crowtl, and 
 among the rest his Mother came sobbing along, and 
 deploring her son’s unhappy fate ; which the criminal 
 observing, he begged leave to speak to her : this being 
 granted, he put his mouth to her ear, as if he was going 
 to whisper something, and bit it off ! The officer, 
 shocked at this behaviour, asked him if the crimes he 
 had committed were not sufficient to glut his wicked- 
 ness, without being also guilty of such an unnatural 
 
6 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 violence towards his mother ? Let no one wonder, said 
 he, that I have done this to her, for she deserves even 
 worse at my hands. For if she had chastised instead of 
 praising and encouraging me, when I stole my school- 
 fellow’s book, I should not now have been brought to 
 
 „ o 
 
 this ignominious and untimely end. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 The approaches to vice are by slow degrees, and the 
 good or evil bias given to youth is seldom eradicated. 
 The first deviations from sound morality should there- 
 fore be most strictly watched, and wickedness checked 
 or punished in time ; for when vice grows into a habit, 
 it becomes incurable, and both good governments and 
 private families are deeply concerned in its attendant 
 consequences. One need not scruple to affirm that 
 most of the depravity which is so frequent in the world, 
 and so pernicious to society, is owing to the bad educa- 
 tion of youth ; and to the connivance or ill example of 
 their parents. It is therefore of the utmost consequence 
 that parents, guardians, and tutors, should be of cha- 
 racters befitting them for the various and important 
 offices they have to perform. The latter description of 
 persons may and ought to be carefully selected ; but it is 
 to be lamented that the base and mean-spirited hosts of 
 bad parents are out of the reach of controul, and 
 nothing can prevent the evils arising from their tutorage. 
 Perhaps it would be harsh to make laws to check the 
 marriages of such ; but there is no need to encourage 
 the breed of them, for they are already over abundantly 
 numerous. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 7 
 
 THE MASTER AND HIS SCHOLAR. 
 
 As a School-master was walking upon the bank of a 
 river, he heard a cry as of one in distress : advancing a 
 few paces farther, he saw one of his Scholars in the 
 water, hanging by the branch of a willow. The Boy 
 had, it seems, been learning to swim with corks, and 
 now thinking himself sufficiently experienced, had 
 thrown these implements aside, and ventured ipto the 
 water without them ; but the force of the stream having 
 hurried him out of his depth, he had certainly been 
 drowned, had not the branch of the tree providentially 
 hung in his way. The Master took up the corks, 
 which lay upon the ground, and throwing them to his 
 Scholar, made use of this opportunity to read a lecture 
 to him upon the inconsiderate rashness of youth. Let 
 this be an example to you, says he, in the conduct of 
 your future life, never to throw away your corks till 
 
8 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 time lias given you strength anti experience enough to 
 swim without them. 
 
 Rashness is the peculiar vice of youth, and may be 
 stiled the characteristic foible of that season of life. 
 The foundation of this rashness is laid in a fond conceit 
 of their own abilities, which tempts them to undertake 
 affairs too great for their capacities, and to venture out 
 of their depths, or to suffer themselves to be hurried 
 into the most precipitate and dangerous measures, before 
 they find out their own weakness and inability. It 
 therefore behoves inexperienced young men to keep a 
 cautious guard over their passions, to check the irregu- 
 larities of their disposition, and to listen to the whole- 
 some advice and good council of those whose judgments 
 are matured by age and experience : for few Are above 
 tiie need of advice, nor are we ever too old to learn 
 any thing for which we may be the better. But young 
 men, above all, should not disdain to open their eyes to 
 good example, and their ears to admonition : neither 
 should they be ashamed to borrow rules for their beha- 
 viour in the world, until they are enabled from their 
 own knowledge of men and things, to stem its crooked 
 tides and currents with ease and honour to themselves. 
 
 Consult your elders, use their sense alone, • 
 
 Till age and practice have confirm’d your own. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 9 
 
 INDUSTRY AND SLOTH. 
 
 An indolent Young Man being asked why he lay in 
 bed so long ? jocosely answered, “ Every morning of my 
 life I am hearing causes. I have two fine girls, their 
 names are Industry and Sloth, close at my bed-side as 
 soon as I awake, pressing their different suits. One 
 intreats me to get up, the other persuades me to lie 
 still ; and then they alternately give me various reasons 
 why I should rise, and why I should not. This detains 
 me so long, (it being the duty of an impartial judge to 
 hear all that can be said on either side) that before the 
 pleadings are over, it is time to go to dinner.” 
 
 c 
 
10 
 
 TABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 “ He who defers his work from day to day. 
 
 Does on a river’s brink expecting stay, 
 
 ’Till the whole stream which stopt him shall be gone, 
 Which, as it runs, for ever will run on.” 
 
 Indolence is like a stream which flows slowly on, but 
 yet it undermines every virtue ; it rusts the mind, and 
 gives a tincture to every action of one’s life, the term of 
 which does not allow time for long protracted delibera- 
 tions ; and yet how many waste more of their time in 
 idly considering which of two affairs to begin first, than 
 would have ended them both ? To-morrow is still the 
 fatal time when all is to be done ; to-morrow comes, it 
 goes, and still indolence pleases itself with the shadow, 
 while it loses the substance : and thus men pass through 
 life like a bird through the air, and leave no track be- 
 hind them, unmindful that the present time alone is 
 ours, and should be managed with judicious care, since 
 we cannot secure a moment to come, nor rccal one 
 that is past. It is no matter how many good qualities 
 the mind may be possessed of; they all lie dormant if 
 we want the necessary vigour and resolution to draw 
 them forth ; for this slumber of the mind leaves no dif- 
 ference between the greatest genius and the meanest 
 understanding. Neither the mind nor the body can be 
 active and vigorous without proper exertion, and trou- 
 ble springs from idleness, and grievous toil from useless 
 ease ; therefore, “ whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, 
 do it with all thy might, for there is no work, nor de- 
 vice, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave, whither 
 thou goest.” 
 
FABLES. 
 
 11 
 
 THE YOUNG MAN AND THE SWALLOW. 
 
 A prodigal thoughtless young Man, who had wasted 
 his whole patrimony in taverns and gaming-houses, 
 among his lewd idle companions, was taking a melan- 
 choly walk near a brook. It was in the spring, while 
 the hills were yet capped with snow, but it happened to 
 be one of those clear sunny days which some times oc- 
 cur at that time of the year ; and to make appear- 
 ances the more flattering, a Swallow which had been 
 invited forth by the warmth, flew skimming along upon 
 the surface of the water. The Youth observing this, 
 concluded that the summer was now come, and that he 
 should have little or no occasion for clothes, so went 
 and pawned them, and ventured the money for one 
 stake more, among his sharping associates. When this 
 too was gone, like all the rest of his property, he took 
 
 c 2 
 
12 
 
 FABLER. 
 
 another solitary walk in the same place as before, but 
 the weather being severe and frosty, every thing had 
 put on a very different aspect the brook was frozen 
 over, and the poor Swallow lay dead upon the bank. 
 At this, the Youth, smarting under the sense of his own 
 misery, mistakingly reproached the Swallow as the 
 cause of all his misfortunes : he cried out, oh, unhappy 
 bird, thou hast undone both thyself and me, who was sfo 
 credulous as to trust to thy appearance. 
 
 i 
 
 ' • • 
 
 APPLICATION. - 
 
 They who frequent taverns and gaming-houses, and 
 keep bad company, should not wonder if they are re- 
 duced in a very short time to penury and want. The 
 wretched young fellows who once addict themselves to 
 such a scandalous course of life, scarcely think of or at- 
 tend to any thing besides : they seem to have nothing 
 else in their heads but how they may squander what 
 they have got, and where they may get more when that 
 is gone. They do not make the same use of their rea- 
 son as other people, but like the jaundiced eye, view 
 every thing in a false light, and having turned a deaf 
 ear to all advice, and pursued their unaltered course un- 
 til all their property is irrecoverably lost, when at 
 length misery forces upon them a sense of their situa- 
 tion, they still lay the blame upon any cause but the 
 right one — their own extravagance and folly; like 
 the Prodigal in the fable, who would not have consider- 
 ed a solitary occurrence as a general indication of the 
 season, had not his own wicked desires blinded his 
 understanding. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 13 
 
 THE COLLIER AND THE FULLER. 
 
 The Collier and the Fuller being old acquaintances, 
 happened upon a time to meet together, and the latter 
 being but ill provided with a habitation, was invited by 
 the former to come and live in the same house with him. 
 I thank you, my dear friend, replied the Fuller, for 
 your kind offer ; but it cannot be, for if I were to dwell 
 with you, whatever I should take pains to scour and 
 make clean in the morning, the dust of you and your 
 coals would blacken and defile before night. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 It is of no small importance in life to be cautious 
 what company we keep, and with whom we enter into 
 fi iendship ; for though we are ever so well disposed 
 ourselves, and free from vice, yet if those with whom 
 
14 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 we frequently converse, are engaged In a lewd, wicked 
 course, it will be almost impossible for us to escape 
 being drawn in with them. If we are truly wise, and 
 would shun those rocks of pleasure upon which so many 
 have split, we should forbid ourselves all manner of 
 commerce and correspondence with those who are steer- 
 ing a course, which reason tells us is not only not for 
 our advantage, but would end in our destruction. All 
 the virtue we can boast ofj will not be sufficient to in- 
 sure our safety, if we embark in bad company ; for 
 though our philosophy were such as would preserve us 
 from being tainted and infected with their manners, yet 
 their characters would twist and entwine themselves 
 along with ours, in so intricate a fold, that the world 
 would not take the trouble to unravel and separate 
 them. Reputation is of a blending nature, like water ; 
 that which is derived from the clearest spring, if it 
 chance to mix with a foul current, runs on undistin- 
 guished, in one muddy stream, and must ever partake 
 of the colour and condition of its associate. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 15 
 
 THE HUSBANDMAN AND HIS SONS. 
 
 A Husbandman, at the point of death, being desi- 
 rous that his Sons should pursue the same innocent 
 course of agriculture in which he himself had been en- 
 gaged all his life, made use of this expedient. He 
 called them to his bed-side, and said : All the patri- 
 mony I have to bequeath to you, my sons, is my farm 
 and my vine-yard, of which I make you joint heirs ; 
 but I charge you not to let them go out of your own 
 occupation, for if I have any treasure besides, it lies 
 buried somewhere in the ground within a foot of the 
 surface. This made the Sons conclude that he talked of 
 money which he had hidden: so after their father’s 
 death, with unwearied diligence, they carefully dug up 
 every inch, and though they found not the money they 
 expected, the ground, by being well stirred and loosen- 
 ed, pioduced so plentiful a crop of all that was sown in 
 it, as proved a real, and that no inconsiderable treasure. 
 
16 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 The good name and the good counsel of a father, 
 are the best legacies he can leave to his children ; and 
 they ought to revere the one, and keep in mind the 
 other. The wealth which a man acquires by his honest 
 industry affords him greater pleasure in the enjoyment, 
 than when acquired in any other way ; and men who 
 by personal labour have obtained a competency, know 
 its value better than those can who have had it showered 
 upon them without any efforts of their own. Idleness 
 engenders disease, while exercise is the great prop of 
 health, and health is the greatest blessing of life, which 
 consideration alone ought to stimulate men to pursue 
 some useful employment ; and among the almost end- 
 less number of those, to which good laws and well- 
 organized society give birth and encouragement, there 
 are none equal to the culture of the earth, none which 
 yield a more grateful return. The pleasures derived 
 both from agriculture and horticulture, arc so various, so 
 delightful, and so natural to man, that they are not easily 
 to be described, and are never to be excelled : for in 
 whatever way they are pursued, the mind may be con- 
 stantly entertained with the wonderful oeconomy of the 
 vegetable world; and the nerves are invigorated and 
 kept in proper tone by the freshness of the earth, and 
 the fragrancy of the air, which blush the countenance 
 with health, and give a relish to every meal. 
 
FABLES; 
 
 17 
 
 THE PROUD FROG AND THE OX. 
 
 An Ox, grazing in a meadow, chanced to set his foot 
 among a parcel of young Frogs, and trod one of them 
 to death. The rest informed their mother, when she 
 came home, what had happened ; telling her, that the 
 beast which did it, was the hugest creature that they 
 ever saw in their lives. What, was it so big ? says the 
 old Frog, swelling and blowing up her speckled belly 
 to a great degree. Oh ! bigger by a vast deal, say 
 they : and so big ? says she, straining herself yet more. 
 Indeed, say they, if you were to burst yourself, you 
 would never be so big. She strove yet again, and burst 
 herself indeed. 
 
 D 
 
18 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 How many vain people, of moderate easy circum- 
 stances, by entertaining the silly ambition of vying with 
 their superiors in station and fortune, get into the direct 
 road to ruin. In whatever station of life it may have 
 pleased Providence to place us, we ought to determine 
 upon living within our income, and to endeavour by 
 honesty, sobriety, and industry, to maintain our ground. 
 Young men, upon their launching out into the world, 
 would do well deeply to reflect upon this, for their fu- 
 ture peace of mind and happiness greatly depend upon 
 it. They need only look a little about them to see 
 how a contrary conduct has operated upon thousands ; 
 and it is to be feared, will continue to fill our gaols with 
 debtors, and Bedlam with lunatics. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 19 
 
 THE STAG LOOKING INTO THE WATER. 
 
 A Stag drinking, saw himself in the water, and 
 pleased with the sight, stood contemplating his shape. 
 Ah, says he, what a glorious pair of branching horns 
 are here, how gracefully do these antlers project over 
 my forehead, and give an agreeable turn to my whole 
 face ; but I have such legs as really make me ashamed ; 
 they look so very long and unsightly, that I had rather 
 have none at all. In the midst of this soliloquy, he 
 was alarmed with the cry of a pack of hounds. Away 
 he flies in some consternation, and bounding nimbly 
 over the plain, threw dogs and men at a vast distance 
 behind him. After which, taking a very thick copse, he 
 had the ill fortune to be entangled by his horns in the 
 branches, where he was held fast till the hounds came 
 up and seized him. In the pangs of death, he is said 
 to have uttered these words: Unhappy creature that I 
 
20 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 am, I am too late convinced that what I prided myself 
 in, has been the cause of my undoing ; and what I so 
 much disliked, was the only thing that could have saved 
 me. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 We often make a false estimate, in preferring our 
 ornamental talents to our useful ones, and are apt to 
 place our love and admiration on wrong objects. When 
 our vanity is stronger than our reason, show and osten- 
 tation find easy admission into our hearts, and we are 
 much fonder of specious trifles than useful plainness. 
 But the truest mark of wisdom is to estimate things at 
 their just value, and to know whence the most solid 
 advantages may be derived : otherwise, like the Stag 
 in the Fable, we may happen to admire those accom- 
 plishments which are not only of no real use, but often 
 prove prejudicial to us, while we despise those things 
 on which our safety may depend. He that does not 
 know himself, will often form a false judgment upon 
 other matters that most materially concern him ; and 
 thus it fares with many, who suffer themselves to be 
 deluded with the false pomp of high life, and whose 
 vanity prompts them to conceive they possess talents 
 which qualify them to shine in that circle, into which, 
 had they judged rightly, they never would have en- 
 tered, but rather have applied themselves to improve 
 other qualifications, which might have insured their own 
 happiness, and have rendered them useful members of 
 society. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 21 
 
 THE LEOPARD AND THE FOX. 
 
 The Leopard, one day, took it into his head to 
 value himself upon the great variety and beauty of his 
 spots, and truly he saw no reason why even the Lion 
 should take place of him, since he could not shew so 
 beautiful a skin. As for the rest of the wild beasts of 
 the forest, he treated them all without distinction in the 
 most haughty and disdainful manner. But the Fox 
 being among them, went up to him with a great deal of 
 spirit and resolution, and told him that he was mistaken 
 in the value he was pleased to set upon himself, since 
 people of judgment were not used to form their opinion 
 of merit from an outside appearance, but by considering 
 the good qualities and endowments with which the mind 
 was stored within. 
 
52 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Wise men are chiefly captivated with the beauty of 
 the mind, rather than that of the person ; and whenever 
 they are infatuated with a passion for any thing else, it 
 is generally observed that they cease, during that time 
 at least, to be what they were, and indeed are only con- 
 sidered to be playing the fool. It too often happens 
 that women of remarkable beauty are so fully satisfied 
 with their outward excellencies, that they totally neglect 
 the improvement of their minds; not considering that it 
 is only a combination of mental and personal charms 
 that can entitle them to be ranked as Nature’s greatest 
 ornaments. Unmindful of this, however, they are too 
 apt to consider beauty as the only thing requisite in 
 their sex ; and since they are endowed with it in such 
 an eminent degree, they look down with disdain on fe- 
 males less happy in personal charms. Beauty has un- 
 doubtedly great influence over the hearts of mankind, 
 but when it is overrun with affectation and conceit, 
 their admiration will soon be turned into disgust ; while 
 women of more ordinary persons, but blessed with good 
 sense and good humour, will captivate the hearts of 
 worthy men, and more effectually secure their con- 
 stancy. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 23 
 
 THE PEACOCK AND THE CRANE. 
 
 The Peacock and the Crane having by chance met 
 together, the Peacock erected his tail, displayed his 
 gaudy plumes, and looked with contempt upon the 
 Crane, as some mean ordinary person. The Crane re- 
 solving to mortify his insolence, took occasion to say, 
 that Peacocks were very fine birds indeed, if fine fea- 
 thers could make them so ; but that he thought it a 
 much nobler thing to be able to rise above the clouds 
 into endless space, and survey the wonders of the hea- 
 vens, as well as of the earth beneath, with its seas, lakes, 
 and rivers, as far as the eye can reach, than to strut 
 about upon the ground, and be gazed at by children. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Ihere cannot be a greater sign of a weak mind, 
 
FABLES. 
 
 24 
 
 than a person’s valuing himself on a gaudy outside, 
 whether it consist of the beauties of the person, or the 
 still more contemptible vanity of fine cloaths. This 
 kind of misguided pride, while it endeavours to exalt, 
 commonly tends to lower the persons who are infected 
 with it; but never renders them so truly ridiculous as 
 when it inspires them with a contempt of those who 
 have ten times more worth than themselves. To value 
 ourselves upon the glitter and finery of dress is one of 
 the most trifling of all vanities ; and a man of sense 
 would be ashamed to bestow upon it the least attention. 
 They who examine things by the scale of common sense, 
 must find something of weight and substance before they 
 can be persuaded to set a value upon it. The mind 
 that is stored with virtuous and rational sentiments, and 
 the behaviour which is founded upon complacency and 
 humility, stamp a value upon the possessor, which all 
 men of discernment are ever ready to admire and ac- 
 knowledge. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 25 
 
 THE TWO POTS. 
 
 An earthen Pot, and one of brass, standing together 
 upon the brink of a river, were both carried away by 
 the sudden rise of the water. The earthen Pot shewed 
 some uneasiness, fearing lie should be broken ; but his 
 companion of brass bade him be under no apprehension, 
 as he would take care of him. Oh ! replies the other, 
 keep as far off as you can, I entreat you : it is you I 
 am most afraid of; for whether the stream dash you 
 against me, or me against you, I am sure to be the 
 sufferer, and, therefore, I beg of you do not let us come 
 near one another. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 A man of moderate fortune, who is contented with 
 what he has, and finds he can live happily upon it, 
 
 E 
 
26 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 should be particularly guarded against the ill-judged 
 ambition of associating with the rich and powerful, for 
 what in them is oeconomy, would in him be the height 
 of extravagance; and at the very time they honour him 
 with their countenance, they are leading him on to his 
 ruin. People of equal conditions may float down the 
 current of life without hurting each other ; but it is no 
 easy matter to steer one’s course in company with the 
 great, so as to escape without a bulge : neither is it de- 
 sirable to live in the neighbourhood of a very great 
 man; for whether we ignorantly trespass upon him, or 
 he knowingly encroach upon us, we are sure to be the 
 sufferers. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 2 ? 
 
 THE MOLE AND HER DAM. 
 
 The young- Mole snuffed up her nose, and told her 
 Dam she smelt an odd kind of a smell. Bye and bye, 
 O strange ! says she, what a noise there is in my ears, 
 as if ten thousand hammers were going. A little after, 
 she was at it again : look, look, what is that I see yon- 
 der ? it is just like the flame of a fiery furnace. The 
 Dam replied, pray child hold your idle tongue ; and if 
 you would have us allow you any sense at all, do not 
 affect to shew more than nature has given you. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 By affectation, we aim at being thought to possess 
 some accomplishment which we have not, or at shewing 
 what we have, in a conceited ostentatious manner. 
 There is scarcely any species of ridiculous behaviour, 
 
 e 2 
 
28 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 which is not derived from it ; it grows out of folly and 
 insincerity ; it derogates from genius ; it is the bane of 
 beauty, and diminishes its charms ; it is disagreeable to 
 others, and hurtful to the person who uses it; it de- 
 tracts from some real possession, and makes qualities 
 that would otherwise pass well enough, appear nauseous 
 and offensive ; and whoever indulges in it, may be sure 
 to lay themselves open, and call forth the attention of 
 others to notice their vanity. To cure ourselves of 
 affectation, we have only to call in the aids of truth and 
 sincerity, which will cut off the whole train of its follies 
 at one stroke. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 29 
 
 THE GOAT, THE KID, AND THE WOLF. 
 
 The Goat going abroad to feed, shut up her young 
 Kid at home, charging him to bolt the door fast, and 
 open it to nobody till she herself should return. The 
 Wolf who lay lurking hard by, heard the charge given, 
 and soon after came and knocked at the door, counter- 
 feiting the voice of the Goat, and desired to be admitted. 
 The Kid looking out at the window, and finding the 
 cheat, bade him go about his business, for, however he 
 might imitate a Goat’s voice, yet he appeared too much 
 like a Wolf to be trusted. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Deceit, hypocrisy, and villainy, are constantly on 
 the watch to entrap and ensnare the innocent and the 
 unwary. Every beautiful woman is commonly sur- 
 
so 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 rounded by a kind of men who would undermine her 
 virtue ; and inexperienced men of fortune, in the out- 
 set of life, are almost constantly beset with rogues and 
 sharpers ; and these artful villains, under one specious 
 pretext or another, too often effect the ruin of the 
 weak and unsuspicious of both sexes. As a guard 
 against all these, the early admonitions of parents are 
 of inestimable worth : they are built upon the tenderest 
 regard, and the most sincere affection. Those who 
 have already travelled over the difficult paths of life, 
 and buffeted its storms, have observed the snares and 
 the dangers with which the way is strewed, and they are 
 enabled by their experience, to forewarn those who are 
 about to launch out on the troubled ocean of life, to 
 steer their course clear of its hidden rocks, its shoals, 
 and its quick-sands. Did youth but know the im- 
 portance of this early advice, how eagerly would they 
 treasure it in their minds, and as occasion required, 
 with what pleasure would they draw it forth, and obey 
 its dictates. To the neglect of these precepts, may be 
 attributed much of the ill conduct we see in the world, 
 and most of the misfortunes which befal mankind 
 through life. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 31 
 
 THE BROTHER AND SISTER. 
 
 A certain man had two children, a Son and a 
 Daughter ; the Boy very handsome, and the Girl only 
 moderately so. They were both young, and happened 
 to be one day playing near the looking-glass, which 
 stood on their mother’s toilet. The Boy, pleased with 
 the yovelty of the thing, viewed himself for some time, 
 and in a wanton roguish manner, observed to the Girl 
 how handsome he was. She resented it, and could not 
 bear the insolent manner in which he spoke, for she 
 understood it (as how could she do otherwise) to be in- 
 tended as a direct affront to her. Therefore she ran 
 immediately to her Father, and with a deal of aggrava- 
 tion, complained of her Brother, particularly of his 
 having acted so effeminate a pai’t as to look in a glass, 
 and meddle with things which belonged to women onlv. 
 
 I he father embraced them both with much tenderness 
 
FABLES. 
 
 32 
 
 and affection, and told them that he should like to have 
 them look in a glass every day : to the intent that you, 
 says he, addressing himself to the Boy, if you think 
 that face of yours handsome, may not disgrace -and spoil 
 it by an ugly temper, and a foul behaviour ; and that 
 you, speaking to the girl, may make up for the defects 
 of your person, if there be any, by the sweetness of 
 your manners, and the agreeableness of your conversa- 
 tion. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 We should every day view ourselves considerately 
 in a looking-glass, with the intent of converting it to 
 a better purpose than that of merely observing and ad- 
 miring our persons. Let those on whom nature has 
 been liberal of her bounties, in bestowing a fine 
 countenance, with symmetry of person, health, and 
 strength, always remember that these are the gifts of 
 providence, for which we ought ever to be thankful, 
 but never vain : these qualifications ought only to act as 
 a spur to induce us to cultivate the mind, by study, by 
 reading, and reflection, so as to cause it to correspond 
 in its beauties with those of our outward appearance. 
 Let others again who have not any thing in their per- 
 sonal appearance to attract the attention of the world, 
 strive also to improve the faculties of the mind, and to 
 excel in the beauties of a good temper, and an agreea- 
 ble conversation, the charms of which, notwithstanding 
 a rough exterior, cannot fail to endear the possessor to 
 all men of sense, who w ill readily discover intrinsic worth, 
 whether it be made up of a lively imagination, clear per- 
 ceptions, or the transparent sincerity of an honest heart. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 33 
 
 THE SHEEP-BITER. 
 
 A certain Shepherd had a Dog, upon whose fidelity 
 he relied very much, for whenever he had occasion to 
 be absent himself, he committed the care of his flock 
 to the charge of this Dog ; and to encourage him to do 
 his duty cheerfully, he fed him constantly with sweet 
 milk and curds, and sometimes threw him a bone ex- 
 traordinary. Yet, notwithstanding this, no sooner was 
 his back turned, than the treacherous Cur fell upon 
 some one of the flock, and thus devoured the sheep in- 
 stead of guarding and defending them. The Shepherd 
 having at length found out his tricks, was resolved to 
 hang him ; and the Dog, when the rope was about his 
 neck, and he was just going to be tied up, began to 
 expostulate with his master, asking him why he was so 
 unmercifully bent against him, who was his own servant 
 and creature, and had only committed a few crimes ; 
 
34 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 and-why he did not rather take vengeance on the W olf 
 who w r as an open and declared enemy ? Nay, replied 
 tire Shepherd, it is for that very reason that I think 
 you ten times more worthy of death, for from him I 
 expected nothing but hostilities, and therefore could 
 guard against him ; you I depended on as a just and 
 faithful servant, and fed and encouraged you accord- 
 ingly, and therefore your treachery is the more base, 
 and your ungratitude the more unpardonable. 
 
 The common disappointments which we are liable 
 to through life, do not bring with them any thing to 
 be compared to the bitterness we experience from the 
 perfidy of those we esteemed and trusted as friends : an 
 open enemy we can guard against, and we look upon 
 him when he is at rest, as we do at the sword within its 
 scabbard; but the man who betrays his trust, masked 
 under the appearance of friendship, wounds us in the 
 tenderest part, and involves us in a cruelly complicated 
 grief, which frets the mind and heightens the sum of 
 our infelicity. Friendship is the cordial of human life, 
 the balm of society ; and he who violates its laws, by 
 treachery and deceit, converts it into the deadliest 
 poison, and renders that which ought to be the de- 
 fence and support of our steps, our greatest snare ami 
 danger. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 35 
 
 THE OLD WOMAN AND HER MAIDS. 
 
 An Old Woman, who had several Maid Servants, 
 used to call them up to their work at the crowing of the 
 Cock. The damsels, not liking to have their sweet 
 slumbers disturbed so early, combined together, and 
 killed the Cock, thinking they might then enjoy their 
 warm beds a little longer. But in this they found 
 themselves mistaken, for the Old Woman, having lost 
 her unerring guide, from that time roused them out 
 of their beds whenever she awoke, although it might be 
 at midnight. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 We govern our lives by imagination rather than by 
 judgment, mistaking the reason of things, and impu- 
 ting the issue of them to wrong causes. We should 
 
36 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 endeavour to content ourselves in our present station, 
 if it be not very bad indeed, for it seldom happens that 
 every thing can be in all respects agreeable to our 
 wishes. When we give full scope to the impatience of 
 our tempers, and quit our present condition in life, we 
 often find we have not changed for the better ; but we 
 are too fond of carving out our fortunes for ourselves, 
 and wish to remove this or that obstacle which we ima- 
 gine stands between us and our felicity: then, too late, 
 we see how greatly we are mistaken in our notions, 
 when we feel we have changed for the worse. Before 
 we attempt any alteration of moment, we should, if 
 possible, ascertain what state it will produce, and not 
 suffer infirmity of temper to embitter our lives ; but, 
 above all, we should never aim at mending our fortunes 
 by fraud and violence. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 37 
 
 HERCULES AND THE CARTER. 
 
 As a clownish Fellow was driving his cart along a 
 deep miry lane, the wheels stuck so fast in the clay, 
 that his horses could not draw it out. Upon this he 
 fell a bawling and praying to Hercules to come and 
 help him. Hercules, looking down from a cloud, bid 
 him not lie there like an idle dastardly looby as he was, 
 but get up and whip his horses, and clap his shoulder 
 stoutly to the wheel, adding that this was the only way 
 for him to obtain assistance. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 The man who sits down at his ease, and prays to 
 Heaven to have all his wants supplied, and his wishes 
 accomplished, by a miracle wrought in his favour, 
 without using his own exertions and honest endeavours 
 
38 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 to obtain them, deserves to be disappointed. Many 
 men who have a fair share of natural good sense, and 
 who also value themselves upon having their reasoning 
 powers enlightened by revelation, yet fall into this 
 error : led by fanatics and bigots, they follow the fa- 
 shion of running often to prayers and sermons, when 
 they might be much better employed at home. The in- 
 dustrious good man, instead of publicly praying for the 
 comforts of life, pursues his business, which is the pro- 
 per means of procuring them ; and if at the same time 
 he holds converse with his Maker, which all men ought 
 to do, and no man can be happy without doing, he 
 needs no veil of hypocrisy to make the world believe 
 he is better than he really is : he feels it his duty and 
 pleasure so to proceed, while he sojourns here, and 
 knows not how he can do better, than by sober and 
 honest industry to provide for those of his own house- 
 hold, and to endeavour for the means of helping him 
 that needeth. The man who is virtuously and honestly 
 engaged, is actually serving God all the while ; and is 
 more likely to have his silent wishes, accompanied with 
 strenuous endeavours, complied with by the Supreme 
 Being, than he who begs with an unnecessary vehe- 
 menee, and solicits with an empty hand — a hand which 
 would be more religious, were it usefully employed, 
 and more devout, were it stretched out to do good to 
 those that want it. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 39 
 
 THE EAGLE, THE CAT, AND THE SOW. 
 
 An Eagle had built her nest upon the top branches 
 of an old oak ; a Wild Cat inhabited a hole in the mid- 
 dle ; and in the hollow part at the bottom was a Sow 
 with a whole litter of Pigs. A happy neighbourhood, 
 and might long have continued so, had it not been for 
 the wicked insinuations of the designing Cat : for first 
 of all, up she crept to the Eagle, and, Good neigh- 
 bour, says she, we shall all be undone ; that filthy Sow 
 yonder does nothing but lie rooting at the foot of the 
 tree, and, as I suspect, intends to grub it up, that she 
 may the more easily come at our young ones. For my 
 part, I will take care of my own concerns, you may do 
 as you please; but I will watch her motions, though I 
 stay at home this month for it. When she had said 
 this, which could not fail of putting the Eagle into a 
 great fright, down she went, and made a visit to the 
 
40 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 Sow at the bottom : putting on a sorrowful face, I hope, 
 says she, you do not intend to go abroad to-day : why 
 not ? says the Sow : nay, replies the other, you may do 
 as you please, but I overheard the Eagle tell her youn«- 
 ones, that she would treat them with a Pig the first 
 time she saw you go out ; and I am not sure but she 
 may take up with a Kitten in the mean time ; so good 
 morrow to you, you will excuse me, I must go and 
 take care of the little folks at home. Away she went 
 accordingly, and by contriving to steal out softly at 
 nights for her prey, and to stand watching and peeping 
 all day at her hole, as under great concern, she made 
 such an impression upon the Eagle and the Sow, that 
 neither of them dared to venture abroad, for fear of 
 the other; the consequence of which was, that they 
 in a little time were starved, and their young ones fell 
 a prey to the treacherous Cat and her Kittens. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 This shews us the ill consequence of giving ear to a 
 gossiping double-tongued neighbour. Many sociable 
 well-disposed families have been blown up into a per- 
 petual discord, by one of these wicked go-betweens ; so 
 that whoever would avoid the imputation of being a 
 bad neighbour, should guard both against receiving ill 
 impressions by hearsay, and uttering his opinions ot 
 others, to those busy bodies, who, to gratify a malig- 
 nant disposition, or gain some selfish end of their own, 
 can magnify a gnat to the size of a camel, or swell a 
 mole-hill to a mountain. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 41 
 
 THE LARK AND HER YOUNG ONES. 
 
 A Lark who had Young Ones in a field of corn 
 nearly ripe, was under some fear lest the reapers 
 should come and cut it down before her young brood 
 were fledged, and able to remove from the place ; 
 wherefore, when she flew abroad in the morning to 
 seek for food for them, she charged them to listen to 
 what the Farmer said about shearing. On her return, 
 her young family opened all their little throats at once, 
 to inform her that the Farmer had sent to his neigh- 
 bours to reap the corn the next morning. Is that all ? 
 said the old Lark, then there is no danger. When 
 she went abroad again the next morning, she left the 
 same instructions as before. At night, she found her 
 Young Ones more alarmed than at first ; for the Farmer 
 had applied to his friends, earnestly requesting them 
 to begin the harvest the next day. She received tb\ 
 
 G 
 
42 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 intelligence as calmly as before, and took no other 
 precautions the next day, than repeating the same or- 
 ders. In the evening, they told her that the Farmer 
 had been charging his son to get the sickles ready, for 
 it was in vain to wait for other people, and that they 
 would cut the corn to-morrow themselves. Nay, then 
 said the old Lark, we must be off as soon as we can ; for 
 when a man undertakes to do his business himself, it is 
 not so likely that he will be disappointed. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 He who depends on the assistance of others to per- 
 form what he is able to do himself, must not be sur- 
 prised to find that his business is neglected. He may 
 be sure that it will be best done when he puts forth his 
 own hands, and looks after it with his own eyes. How 
 indeed can any man imagine, that other people will be 
 active in his interest, while he himself remains indolent, 
 and unconcerned about his own affairs. Men of such 
 tempers and dispositions, live in a state of suspense, 
 and subject themselves to perpetual disappointments 
 and losses, which their own industry would have pre- 
 vented, and have kept their minds at ease. They do 
 not use their reasoning powers, but sink down into a 
 kind of stupid abject dependence upon others, which 
 degrades even the finest talents with which human 
 nature is dignified. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 43 
 
 THE YOUNG MEN AND THE COOK. 
 
 Two Young Men went into a Cook’s shop, under 
 pretence of buying some meat; and while the Cook’s 
 back was turned, one of them snatched up a piece of 
 beef, and gave it to his companion, who clapt it under 
 his cloak. The Cook turning about, and missing his 
 beef, began to charge them with it : upon which he 
 that first took it swore bitterly he had none of it. He 
 that had it, swore as heartily that he had not taken it. 
 Why, look ye, gentlemen, says the Cook, I see your 
 equivocation ; and though I cannot tell which of you 
 has taken my meat, I am sure between you there is a 
 thief. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 This fable shews how little reliance can be placed 
 on either the word or the oath of those who, like the 
 
44 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 thieves in the cook’s shop, have neither honour nor 
 honesty. An honest man’s word is as good as his 
 oath ; and so is a rogue’s too : for he that will cheat 
 and lie, will not scruple to forswear himself. The 
 former needs no oath to bind him ; and the latter, 
 though he swear in the most solemn manner that can 
 be invented, only deceives you the more certainly, as 
 he who scruples not to steal, will never regard the 
 heinous guilt of calling upon the Supreme Being to 
 witness his atrocity. It is no less wicked to quibble 
 and evade the truth, than it is to deny it altogether, 
 for the falsehood consists in what we wish the hearer 
 to believe, not in the literal import of what we say. 
 Men who habituate themselves to this species of deceit, 
 will soon be ready to go the length of any perjury. 
 Early to impress the mind with the unspeakable worth 
 ot truth, is of the utmost importance. It is sacred, 
 and no man can say in the face of the world, that it 
 ought not to prevail. No discussions can injure its 
 cause — it emanates from heaven — it is an attribute of 
 omnipotence, and is therefore eternal. 
 
•FABLES. 
 
 THE MULE. 
 
 A Mule, which was pampered up and easily worked, 
 became plump, sleek, and in high condition, and in 
 the height of his wantonness, would scamper about 
 from hill to dale in all the wildness of unbridled re- 
 straint. Why should not I, said he to himself, be as 
 good a racer as any horse whatever ? My father, 
 whose pedigree was well known, was one of the best 
 of them ; do not I resemble him in every respect ? 
 While he was indulging his vanity in reveries of 
 this kind, his master having occasion to mount him 
 upon urgent business, put him upon his speed, and, 
 ere long, was obliged to use both whip and spur to 
 force him to push forward. Thus jaded and tired, 
 he muttered to himself, Alas ! I find now, I was mis- 
 taken in my pedigree, for my sire was not a Horse, 
 but an Ass. 
 
46 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 The man who lias been brought up in ease and 
 affluence, and pampered and anticipated in all his 
 wants, little imagines what a figure he would make in 
 the world, were his supplies cut off, and he were put 
 to the trial to rub through its thorny mazes, and pro- 
 vide for himself. The children of the poor industrious 
 honest man, when brought up like their parents, are 
 put to a kind of school, such as the opulent it is feared 
 can seldom form any conception of ; and if the former, 
 by their industry and abilities, rise above poverty, their 
 enjoyments in life commonly surpass those who have 
 been, without effort, upheld in every real as well as 
 imaginary want. The sensible poor man does not 
 trouble his head about his pedigree, but he knows that 
 his descent must of course be as ancient as that of any 
 man on earth ; and that if he is respected in the world, 
 it must arise solely from his own good conduct and 
 merit. The man who has nothing to boast but the 
 merely tracing back his ancestry, is building upon a 
 hollow foundation. If indeed his ancestry have arisen 
 to their high station by patriotic and virtuous means, 
 anti have deservedly maintained a high character for 
 probity, worth, and honour, let him follow their ex- 
 ample : if otherwise, all he can do or say will only 
 prove him to be a mongrel, or an ass. 
 
 “ The pride of family is all a cheat, 
 
 “ ’Tis personal merit only makes us great.” 
 
FABLES. 
 
 47 
 
 THE COCK AND THE JEWEL. 
 
 A gallant young Cock, in company with his mis- 
 tresses, raking upon a dung-hill for something to en- 
 tertain them with, happened to scratch up a Jewel. 
 He knew what it was well enough, for it sparkled with 
 an exceeding bright lustre ; but not knowing what to 
 do with it, he shrugged up his wings, shook his head, 
 and putting on a grimace, expressed himself to this 
 purpose: Indeed, you are a very fine thing; but I 
 know not any business you have here. I make no 
 scruple of declaring, that my taste lies quite another 
 way ; and I had rather have one grain of dear, deli- 
 cious barley, than all the Jewels under the sun. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Moralists have interpreted this Fable in various 
 
FABLES. 
 
 48 
 
 ways, some of them ascribing the want of setting a 
 proper value upon the Jewel, to ignorance, and say : — 
 
 “ To fools, the treasures dug from wisdom’s mine 
 “ Are Jewels thrown to Cocks, and Pearls to Swine.” 
 
 But the most obvious meaning of the Fable is surely 
 to shew, that men who weigh well their own real 
 wants, and shape their pursuits to their abilities, will 
 always prefer those things which are necessary, to such 
 as are merely ornamental or superfluous, and will not 
 easily suffer themselves to be led astray by the gaudy 
 allurements of glitter and show, which have no other 
 value than what vanity, pride, or luxury may have set 
 upon them ; but governing their minds by their own 
 reason, judge of every thing by its intrinsic worth. 
 
FABLES, 
 
 49 
 
 MERCURY AND THE WOODMAN. 
 
 A Man was felling a tree on the steep bank of a 
 river, and by chance let slip his hatchet, which dropt 
 into the water, and sunk to the bottom. Being in dis- 
 tress for want of his tool, he sat down and bemoaned 
 himself on the occasion. Upon this, Mercury ap- 
 peared to him, and being informed of the cause of his 
 complaint, dived to the bottom of the river, and coming 
 up again, shewed the Man a golden hatchet, demand- 
 ing if that were his ? he denied that it was : upon 
 which Mercury dived a second time, and brought up 
 a silver one ; the Man refused it, alleging likewise 
 that it was not his : he dived a third time, and fetched 
 up the individual hatchet the Man had lost; upon 
 sight of which the poor fellow was overjoyed, and took 
 it with all humility and thankfulness. Mercury was 
 so pleased with his honesty, that he gave him the other 
 
 H 
 
50 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 into the bargain, as a reward for his just dealing. 
 Away goes the Man to his companions, and giving 
 them an account of what had happened, one of them 
 went presently to the river’s side, and let his hatchet 
 fall designedly into the stream. Then sitting down 
 upon the bank, he fell to weeping and lamenting as if 
 he had been really and sorely afflicted. Mercury ap- 
 peared as before, and diving, brought him up a golden 
 hatchet, asking if that were the hatchet he had lost? 
 Transported at the precious metal, he answered yes, 
 and went to snatch it greedily ; but the God, detest- 
 ing his abominable impudence, not only refused him 
 that, but would not so much as let him have his own 
 again. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Honesty is the best policy; and one of our best 
 poets has further stamped a value upon the good old 
 maxim, by his assertion that “ an honest man is the 
 noblest work of God.” The paths of truth and in- 
 tegrity are so plain, direct, and easy, that the man 
 who pursues them, stands in no need of subtle con- 
 trivances to deceive the world. He listens to the 
 honest monitor within, and makes good his professions 
 with his practice : neither gold nor silver hatchets 
 can make him deviate from it ; and whatever situation 
 he may be placed in, he is sure to meet the esteem of 
 all men within the circle in which he moves, and has 
 lies ides the constant pleasure of feeling self-approbation 
 within his own breast. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 51 
 
 THE FOX AND THE VIZOR MASK. 
 
 A Fox being in a shop where Vizor Masks were 
 sold, laid his foot upon one of them, and considering 
 it awhile attentively, at last broke out into this excla- 
 mation : Bless me ! says he, what a handsome goodly 
 figure this makes ? what a pity it is that it should want 
 brains ! 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 The accomplished beau in air and mein how blest, 
 His hat well fashioned, and his hair well drest, 
 
 Is yet undrest within : to give him brains 
 Exceeds his hatter’s or his barber’s pains. 
 
 This Fable is levelled at that numerous part of man- 
 kind, who, out of their own ample fortunes take care 
 
 H 2 
 
5Q 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 to accomplisli themselves in every thing but common 
 sense, and seem not even to bestow a thought upon the 
 important consequences of cultivating their understand- 
 ings. The smooth address and plausible behaviour of 
 the varnished fop may indeed pass current with the 
 ignorant and superficial, but however much he may 
 value himself upon his birth or figure, he never fails 
 exciting the contempt or the pity of men of sagacity 
 and penetration, and the ridicule of those who are dis- 
 posed to amuse themselves at the folly and vanity of 
 such as put on the mask of wisdom to cover their want 
 of brains. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 .53 
 
 THE THIEF AND THE DOG. 
 
 A Thief coming to rob a certain house in the night, 
 was thwarted in his attempts by a fierce vigilant Dog, 
 who kept barking at him continually. Upon which 
 the Thief, thinking to stop his mouth, threw him a 
 piece of bread ; but the Dog refused it with indigna- 
 tion, telling him that before he only suspected him to 
 be a bad man, but now upon his offering to bribe him, 
 his suspicious were fully confirmed ; and that as he was 
 entrusted with the guardianship of his master’s house, 
 he would never cease barking while such a rogue was 
 lurking about it. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Nothing can alter the honest purpose of him whose 
 mind is embued with good principles. He w ill despise 
 
54 > 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 an insidious bribe, and the greater the offer which is 
 designed to buy his silence, the louder and more in- 
 dignantly will he open out against the miscreant who 
 would thus practise upon him. He knows that the 
 favours held out to him are not marks of the love and 
 regard of him who would confer them, but are meant 
 as the price at which he is to sell his honour and his 
 virtue. With a mind unpolluted, his noble resolution 
 never fails to produce the happiest consequences, by 
 preserving his friends and himself from the mischievous 
 projects laid against them. So true it is, that virtue 
 is its own reward; while corruption and venality are 
 sure in the end to bring the greatest miseries on those, 
 and their adherents, who are so base, or perhaps in- 
 considerate, as to subject themselves to future evils of 
 the most fatal nature, for the sake of a little present 
 profit. 
 
FABLES, 
 
 55 
 
 THE MAN AND HIS GOOSE. 
 
 A certain Man had a Goose, which laid him a 
 golden egg every day. But not contented with this, 
 which rather increased than abated his avarice, he was 
 resolved to kill the Goose, and cut up her belly, that 
 by so doing he might come at the inexhaustible trea- 
 sure which he fancied she had within her. He did so, 
 and to his great sorrow and disappointment, found 
 nothing. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 No passion can be a greater torment to those who 
 are led by it, or more frequently mistakes its aim, than 
 insatiable covetousness. It makes men blind to their 
 present happiness, and conjures up ideal prospects of 
 increasing felicity, which often tempt its deluded vo- 
 taiies to their ruin. Men who give themselves up to 
 
5(j 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 this propensity, know not how to be contented with 
 the constant and continued sufficiency with which 
 Providence may have blessed them : their minds are 
 haunted with the prospect of becoming rich, and their 
 impatient craving tempers are perpetually prompting 
 them to try to obtain their object all at once. They 
 lose all present enjoyment in remotely contemplating 
 the future; and while they are shewing by their con- 
 duct how insensible they are to the bounty of Provi- 
 dence, they are at the same time laying the foundation 
 of their own unhappiness. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 57 
 
 THE WANTON CALF. 
 
 A Calf, which had been some time fattening in a 
 rich pasture, full of wantonness and arrogance, could 
 not forbear insulting an old Ox every time he saw 
 him at the plough. What a sorry drudge art thou, 
 says he, to bear that heavy yoke, and draw all day a 
 plough at thy tail ! See, what a fat, sleek, and come- 
 ly appearance I make, and what a life .of ease I lead : 
 I go where I please, and frisk about in the sunshine, 
 or lie down under the cool shade, just as my own fancy 
 prompts me. The Ox, not moved by this insolence, 
 made no reply, but pursued his daily round of alter- 
 nate labour and rest, until he saw the Calf taken and 
 delivered to a priest, who immediately led him to the 
 altar, and prepared to sacrifice him. When the fatal 
 knife was just at his throat, the Ox drew near, and 
 whispered him to this purpose : see what your wanton 
 
 i 
 
58 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 and lazy life has brought you to, a premature and 
 painful death. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 We may learn by this Fable the general conse- 
 quence of an idle life, and how well rewarded labo- 
 rious diligent men are in the end, when they quietly 
 enjoy the fruits of their industry. They who by little 
 tricks and chicanery, or by open violence and robbery, 
 are enabled to live in a high expensive way, often de- 
 spise the poor honest man, who is contented with the 
 humble produce of his daily labour. But how often 
 is the poor man comforted, by seeing these wanton 
 villains led in disgrace and misery to the altar of jus- 
 tice, while he has many a cheerful summer’s morning 
 to enjoy abroad, and many a long winter’s evening to 
 indulge in at home, by a quiet hearth, and under an 
 unenvied roof: blessings, which often attend a sober 
 industrious man, though the idle and the profligate 
 are utter strangers to them. Luxury and intemper- 
 ance, besides their inevitable tendency to shorten a 
 man’s days, arc very apt to engage their besotted 
 votaries in a debauched life, not only prejudicial to 
 their health, but which engenders in them a con- 
 tempt for those whose good sense and true taste of 
 happiness inspire them with an aversion to idleness 
 and effeminacy, and put them upon hardening their 
 constitution by innocent exercise and laudable em- 
 ployment. IIow many do gluttony and sloth tumble 
 into an untimely grave ! while (lie temperate and the 
 active drink sober draughts of life, and spin out the 
 thread of their existence to the most desirable length. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 59 
 
 THE BOASTING TRAVELLER. 
 
 One who had been abroad, was giving an account 
 of his travels, and among other places, said he had 
 been at Rhodes, where he had distinguished himself 
 so much in leaping, an exercise which that city was 
 famous for, that not a Rhodian could come near him. 
 When those who were present did not seem to credit 
 this relation so readily as he intended they should, he 
 took some pains to convince them of it by oaths and 
 protestations : upon which, one of the company told 
 him he need not give himself so much trouble about 
 it, since he would put him in a way to demonstrate 
 the fact ; which was, to suppose the place they were 
 in to be Rhodes, and to perform his extraordinary 
 leap over again. The boaster, not liking this pro- 
 posal, sat down quietly, and had no more to say for 
 himself. 
 
 i 2 
 
60 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 We had better be contented to keep our exploits 
 to ourselves, than to appear ridiculous by attempting 
 to force a belief of that which is improbable ; and tra- 
 velled gentlemen should have a care how they import 
 falsehoods and inventions of their own from foreign 
 parts, and attempt to vend them at home for staple 
 truths. It cannot be too strongly impressed upon 
 the mind, that a lie is upon all occasions degrading 
 to the person who utters it, and should be most scru- 
 pulously avoided, not only on account of its baseness, 
 but because it is impossible to foresee in how many 
 troubles it may involve him who passes it off. It will 
 not always receive credit, and is ever liable to detec- 
 tion. When it is calculated for wicked purposes, it 
 will deservedly incur punishment ; and when it is of a 
 harmless or insignificant nature, it will even then often 
 expose its author to contempt and ridicule ; and vanity 
 never mistakes its end more grossly, than when it 
 attempts to aggrandize itself at the expence of truth. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 61 
 
 THE SHEPHERD’S BOY AND THE WOLF. 
 
 A Shepherd’s Boy, while attending his flock, used 
 frequently to divert himself by crying out, “ the 
 Wolf! the Wolf!” The Husbandmen in the ad- 
 joining grounds, thus alarmed, left their work and 
 ran to his assistance, but finding that he was only 
 sporting with their feelings, and bantering them, they 
 resolved at last to take no notice of his alarms. It 
 was not long, however, before the Wolf really came, 
 and the Boy bawled out “ the Wolf! the Wolf!” as 
 he had done before ; but the men having been so often 
 deceived, paid no attention to his cries, and the sheep 
 were devoured without mercy. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 The man who would go through the world with 
 
FABLES. 
 
 62 
 
 reputation and success, must preserve a religious ad- 
 herence to truth : for no talents or industry can give 
 him weight with others, or induce the sensible part 
 of mankind to place any confidence in him, if he be 
 known to deviate without scruple from veracity. Men 
 of this stamp soon become notorious; and besides the 
 ignominy which attaches to their characters, they have 
 to undergo the mortification of not being believed even 
 when they do speak the truth. Whatever misfortune 
 may befal them, and however sincere they may be in 
 making known their distress, yet, like the boy in the 
 Fable, their complaints and most earnest asseverations 
 cannot procure them credit, and are received at best 
 with doubt and suspicion. The same consequences 
 follow falsehood and deception, whether practised by 
 individuals or public governors, and they will both 
 find in the end that they have been guided by cunning, 
 and not by wisdom : for although the ignorant part 
 of mankind may, to serve the temporary purposes of 
 a bad government, be acted upon by false alarms of 
 imaginary dangers, yet even these in time will see 
 through the stale tricks and artifices of those whose 
 designs are to gull and impose upon them. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 &3 
 
 THE CROW AND THE PITCHER. 
 
 A Crow, ready to die with thirst, flew with joy to 
 a Pitcher which he beheld at some distance. When 
 lie came, he found water in it, indeed, but so near the 
 bottom, that with all his stooping and straining, lie 
 was not able to reach it. He then endeavoured to 
 overturn the Pitcher, that at least he might be able 
 to get a little of it ; but his strength was not sufficient 
 for the accomplishment of this purpose. At last seeing 
 some pebbles lie near the place, he cast them one by 
 one into the Pitcher, and thus, by degrees, raised the 
 water up to the very brim, and satisfied his thirst. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 What we cannot accomplish by strength, we may 
 by ingenuity and industry. A man of sagacity and 
 
64 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 penetration, upon meeting with a few difficulties, does 
 not drop his pursuits, but if he cannot succeed in one 
 way, sets his mind to work upon another, and does 
 not hesitate about stepping out of the old beaten track 
 which had been thoughtlessly pursued in a roundabout 
 way by thousands before him. The present state of 
 the world, enlightened by arts and sciences, is a proof 
 that difficulties seemingly unsurmountable, and un- 
 dertakings once imagined to be impossible, have been 
 accomplished ; and this ought to be kept in mind as a 
 spur to continued exertion : for we are not acquainted 
 with the strength of our own minds till we exercise 
 them, nor to what length our abilities will carry us, 
 till we put them to the trial. 
 
 “ What is discovered only serves to shew, 
 
 That nothing’s known to what is yet to know.” 
 
 The man who enriches the present fund of know- 
 ledge with some new and useful improvement, does an 
 honour to himself, and ought invariably to be re- 
 warded by the public : for, like a happy adventurer 
 by sea, he discovers as it were an unknown land, and 
 imports an additional treasure to his own country. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 65 
 
 THE PARTRIDGE AND THE COCKS. 
 
 A Man having caught a Partridge, plucked the 
 feather;? out of one of its wings, and turned it into a 
 little yard where he kept Game Cocks. The Cocks 
 led the poor bird a sad life, continually pecking at 
 and driving it away from the meat. This treatment 
 was taken the more unkindly, because offered to a 
 stranger ; and the Partridge could not help concluding 
 that they were the most uncivil inhospitable people 
 lie had ever met with. But observing how very fre- 
 quently they quarrelled and fought with each other, 
 he comforted himself with reflecting, that it was "no 
 wonder they were so cruel to him, since they shewed 
 the same disposition to each other. 
 
 K 
 
FABLES. 
 
 ()() 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 No peace is to be expected among those who are 
 naturally fierce, quarrelsome, and inhospitable ; and 
 people of a different disposition should avoid, as much 
 as possible, having any thing to do with them. But 
 when we cannot help coming into contact with such 
 characters, there is no remedy but patience ; and this 
 virtue a wise man will call to his aid under every mis- 
 fortune. When our sufferings are inflicted by the 
 wickedness of others, it is some consolation to reflect, 
 that people of this character are continually waging 
 war among themselves, and punishing each other ; and 
 that the consequences of their own wickedness follow 
 them like their shadow, besides rendering them the 
 objects of general aversion. No virtue was more uni- 
 versally practised, or more strongly recommended, by 
 the ancients, than a mild conduct to our companions, 
 and an hospitable entertainment of strangers ; and 
 when this is not the general character of any people, 
 it shews, in greater or less degrees, the wretched state 
 of society in which they live. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 f>7 
 
 THE FOX AND THE CROW. 
 
 A Crow having taken a piece of meat out of a 
 cottage window, flew up into a tree with it ; which a 
 Fox observing, came underneath, and began to com- 
 pliment the Crow upon her beauty. I protest, says 
 he, your feathers are of a more delicate white than 
 I ever saw in my life ! Ah ! what a fine shape and 
 graceful turn of body is there ! and I make no ques- 
 tion but you have a tolerable voice : if it be but as fine 
 as your complexion, I do not know a bird that can 
 stand in competition with you. The Crow, tickled 
 with this very civil language, wriggled about, and 
 hardly knew where she was; and having a mind to 
 convince the Fox in the matter of her voice, attempted 
 to sing, and in the same instant let the meat drop out 
 of her mouth. This being what the Fox wanted, lie 
 
 k 2 
 
68 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 chopped it*up in a moment, and trotted away, laugh- 
 ing at the easy credulity of the Crow. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 “ It is a maxim in the schools. 
 
 That flattery is the food of fools.” 
 
 Tilly that love flattery will have cause to repent 
 of their foible in the long run ; and yet how few there 
 are among the whole race of mankind, who are proof 
 against its attacks. The gross way in which it is ma- 
 naged by some silly practitioners, is enough to alarm 
 the dullest apprehension; but let the ambuscade be 
 disposed with judgment, and it will scarcely fail of 
 seizing the most guarded heart. How many are tickled 
 to the last degree with the pleasure of flattery, even 
 while they are applauded for their honest detestation 
 of it. There is no way to baffle the force of this en- 
 gine, but by every one’s examining impartially for 
 himself, the true estimate of his own qualities. If he 
 deal sincerely in the matter, nobody can tell so well 
 as himself, what degree of esteem ought to attend any 
 of his actions; and therefore he should be entirely 
 easy as to the opinion others have of them. If they 
 attribute more to him than is his due, they are either 
 designing, or mistaken; if they allow him less, they 
 are envious, or possibly still mistaken ; and in either 
 case are to be despised or disregarded : for he that 
 flatters without designing to make advantage of it, is a 
 fool ; and whoever encourages that flattery which he 
 has sense enough to see through, is a vain coxcomb. 
 
FABLES, 
 
 GO 
 
 THE SENSIBLE ASS. 
 
 An old Man who was feeding his Ass in a fine 
 green meadow, being alarmed by the sudden approach 
 of an enemy, began urging the Ass to put himself for- 
 ward, and fly with all the speed he was able. The 
 Ass asked him whether he thought the enemy would 
 clap two pair of panniers upon his back ? The Man 
 said, No, there was no fear of that. Why then, says 
 the Ass, I will not stir an inch, for what is it to me 
 who my master is, since I shall but carry my panniers 
 as usual. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 This Fable shews us how much in the wrong the 
 poorer sort of people most commonly are, when they 
 
FABLES. 
 
 70 
 
 are under any concern about the revolutions of a go- 
 vernment. All the alteration which they can feel, is 
 perhaps in the name of their sovereign, or some such 
 important trifle ; but they cannot well be poorer, or 
 made to work harder, than they did before. And yet 
 how are they sometimes imposed upon and drawn in 
 by the artifices of a few mistaken or designing men, 
 to foment factions, and raise rebellions, in cases where 
 they can get nothing by success ; but if they miscarry, 
 are in danger of suffering an ignominious and untime- 
 ly end. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 71 
 
 THE SWALLOW AND OTHER BIRDS. 
 
 A Swallow, observing a Farmer sowing his field 
 with flax, called the Birds together, and informed them 
 what he was about. She told them that flax was the 
 material of which the thread was made that composed 
 the fowler’s nets, so fatal to the feathered race, and 
 strongly advised them to assist her in picking up the 
 seed, and destroying it. The Birds heard her with 
 indifference, and gave themselves no trouble about the 
 matter. In a little time the flax sprung up, and ap- 
 peared above the ground. She then put them in mind 
 once more of their impending danger, and wished 
 them to pluck it up in the bud, before it grew any 
 farther. But they still slighted her warnings, and the 
 flax grew up into stalk. She again urged them to 
 attack it, for it was not yet too late; but they only 
 ridiculed her for a silly pretending prophet. The 
 
FABLES. 
 
 72 
 
 Swallow, finding all her remonstrances availed no- 
 thing, was resolved to leave the society of such careless 
 unthinking creatures, before it was too late: so quit- 
 ting the woods, she repaired to the houses; and, for- 
 saking the conversation of the Birds, has ever since 
 taken up her abode among the dwellings of men. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Wise men read effects in their causes, and profit 
 by them ; but their advice is thrown away when given 
 to the arrogant and self-conceited, who are too proud 
 to listen *to it. It is equally lost upon fools, who stu- 
 pidly or obstinately shut their eyes against impending 
 danger, till it is too late to prevent it. In both cases, 
 those who have no foresight of their own, and those 
 who despise the wholesome admonitions of their friends, 
 deserve to suffer from the misfortunes which their 
 own obstinacy, folly, or negligence, brings upon their 
 heads. A great portion of mankind, from an over- 
 weening conceit of their own abilities, are unwilling 
 to be advised by any one, and through this stubborn 
 disposition, deprive themselves of the aids of friend- 
 ship, and the benefits which the good-will of their 
 more sensible neighbours would have conferred on 
 them with pleasure. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 THE THIEVES AND THE COCK. 
 
 Two Thieves broke into a house with a design to 
 rob it ; but when they had pried into every corner, 
 found nothing worth taking away but a Cock, which 
 they seized upon and carried off. When they were 
 about to kill him, he begged very hard that they 
 would spare his life, putting them in mind how useful 
 he was to mankind, by crowing and calling them up 
 betimes to their work. You villain, replied they, it 
 is for that very reason we will wring your head off; 
 for you alarm and keep the people waking, so that 
 we cannot rob in quiet for you. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 The same thing- which recommends us to the esteem 
 
 o 
 
 of good people, will make those that are bad have no- 
 bing but hatred and ill-will towards us; for every man 
 
74 FABLES. 
 
 who has engaged himself in a vicious or wicked course 
 of life, fiend-like, makes himself, as it were, the na- 
 tural adversary of virtue. It is in vain for innocent 
 men, under oppression, to con plain to those who are 
 the occasion of it : all they can urge will but make 
 against them ; and even their very innocence, though 
 they should say nothing, would render them sufficient- 
 ly suspected. The moral, therefore, that this Fable 
 brings along with it, is to inform 11s that there is no 
 trusting, nor any hopes of living well, with wicked un- 
 just men; for their disposition is such, that they will 
 do mischief to others as soon as they have the oppor- 
 tunity. When vice flourishes, and is in power, were 
 it possible for a good man to live quietly in its neigh- 
 bourhood, and preserve his integrity, it might be some- 
 times perhaps convenient for him to do so, rather than 
 quarrel with and provoke it against him. But as it is 
 certain that rogues are irreconcileable enemies to men 
 of worth, if the latter would be secure, they must take 
 methods to free themselves from the power and society 
 of the former. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 THE WOLVES AND THE SICK ASS. 
 
 An Ass being sick, the report was spread abroad in 
 the country, and some did not scruple to say, that she 
 would die before another night went over her head. 
 Upon this, several Wolves went to the stable where 
 she lay, under pretence of making her a visit ; but 
 rapping at the door, and asking how she did, the 
 young Ass came out, and told them that his mother 
 was much better than they desired. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 If the kind enquiries after the sick were all to be 
 interpreted with as much frankness as those in the 
 Fable, the porters of the great might commonly an- 
 swer with the strictest propriety, that their masters 
 were much better than was wished or desired. The 
 
 L 2 
 
FABLES* 
 
 76 
 
 charitable visits which are made to many sick people, 
 proceed from much the same motive with that which 
 induced the hungry Wolves to make their enquiries 
 after the sick Ass, namely, that they may come in for 
 some share of their remains, and feast themselves upon 
 the reversion of their goods and chattels. The sick 
 man’s heir longs for his estate ; one friend waits in 
 anxious expectation of a legacy, and another wants 
 his place ; it, however, does not unfrequently happen, 
 that the mask of these selfish visitants, and their coun- 
 terfeit sorrow, are seen through, and their impertinent 
 officiousness treated with the contempt it so justly de- 
 serves. 
 
 
FABLES. 
 
 77 
 
 THE DOG IN THE MANGER. 
 
 A Dog was lying upon a stall full of hay. An 
 Ox, being hungry, came near, and offered to eat of 
 the hay ; but the ill-natured Cur getting up and snarl- 
 ing at him, would not suffer him to touch it. Upon 
 which the Ox, in the bitterness of his heart, said, 
 A curse light on thee for a malicious wretch, who will 
 neither eat hay thyself, nor suffer others to do it. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 There are men in the world of So snarling, ma- 
 levolent, and ill-natured a disposition, that they will 
 even punish themselves, rather than put forth a finger 
 to serve any one. It gives them a malignant kind of 
 pleasure to have it in their power to cause trouble and 
 
78 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 vexation to others, whenever they have an opportu- 
 nity of doing- so ; and could they have their will, they 
 would shut out the light and warmth of the sun, and 
 suffer the fruits of the earth to rot upon it, provided 
 they could see those about them unhappy; and in thus 
 taking delight in other people’s miseries, it of course 
 follows that they are their own tormentors. These 
 characters, in common life, are diabolical and detesta- 
 ble; but the evils they inflict, are only like a drop to 
 the ocean, when compared to those which men of the 
 same stamp shed abroad in the # world, when, in an 
 evil hour, they happen to be exalted to govern the 
 affairs of a nation. Then, indeed, their baleful in- 
 fluence is felt in every direction : they may be termed 
 fiends in human shape; for, as far as they are able, 
 they thwart the benevolent intentions of Omnipotence, 
 and the very breath of their nostrils seems to blast 
 the happiness of mankind. 
 
FAISLES. 
 
 79 
 
 JUPITER AND THE ASS. 
 
 An Ass which had been some time in the service of 
 a Gardener, and carried his vegetables to market, be- 
 came tired of his place, and petitioned Jupiter that 
 lie would permit him to enter upon the service of a 
 neighbouring Potter. Jupiter granted his request. 
 He here, however, soon found that the latter loaded 
 him with heavier burthens, and kept him on poorer 
 fare than he had been used to before. He again pray- 
 ed to Jupiter to grant that he might be allowed to 
 better his condition by engaging himself to a Tanner. 
 Jupiter again heard his prayer; but here he soon found 
 he had changed for the worse : for, besides being hard 
 worked, he was also often cruelly treated ; and seeing 
 what was going on in this place, he could not forbear 
 upbraiding himself with his folly and inconstancy. Oh, 
 tofo that I was ! said he to himself, for leaving my 
 
 \ 
 
80 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 former mild master, to become the servant of one, 
 who, after working me to death, will not spare my 
 very hide after I am dead. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 The man that carries about with him the plague 
 of a restless mind, can never be pleased ; he is ever 
 shifting and changing, and is in truth not so weary 
 of his condition as of himself. Seldom or never con- 
 tented with his lot, he is ever hunting after happiness 
 where it is not to be found, without ever looking for 
 it where it is. He indulges in the strange propensity 
 of his nature, which leads him to suppose that his own 
 lot is the most miserable, and therefore concludes that 
 any change he can make must be for the better. He 
 loses sight of the virtues of patience, constancy, and 
 resignation, and seems not to know that every station 
 in life has its real or imaginary inconveniences ; and 
 that it is better to bear with those which we are ac- 
 customed to endure, and of which we know the utmost 
 extent, than by aiming at the seeming advantages of 
 another way of life, to subject ourselves to all its hid- 
 den miseries. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 81 
 
 iESOP AND THE IMPERTINENT FELLOW. 
 
 iEsop having occasion to go out to seek a light to 
 kindle his fire, went from house to house for some 
 time before he could succeed; but having at last got 
 what he wanted, he posted back in haste with his light- 
 ed candle in his hand. An impudent Fellow, leaving 
 his companions, caught hold of iEsop by the sleeve, 
 and would fain have shewn off his wit, and been arch 
 upon him. Hey day ! oh, rare /Esop ! says he, 
 what occasion for a candle, old boy ! what, are you 
 going to light the sun to bed ? Let me alone, says 
 /Esop, for with it I am looking for an honest man. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 It is plain that our old philosopher in the Fable 
 did not take the impertinent fellow for an honest man, 
 
 M 
 
82 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 and lie gave him to understand that it required a good 
 light to find out one who fully came up to that cha- 
 racter ; and he might have added, that the world very 
 much abounded with ignorant and impudent ones, 
 who, with their empty nonsense, which they call wit, 
 often unseasonably interrupt men of thought and busi- 
 ness : for to those whose minds are wholly intent upon 
 matters of importance, nothing is so offensive as the 
 intrusion of a fool. Men of eminent parts and great 
 natural abilities, make their appearance in the world 
 only now and then. These qualifications are the gift 
 of Providence, and seem to be intended to throw fresh 
 lights on the understandings of mankind : but in all the 
 gradations from these downwards, it is in the power 
 of every one to improve their manners, and integrity 
 is within the reach of those of the meanest capacity, if 
 they will endeavour to amend their lives, and take it 
 for their guide. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 83 
 
 THE FORESTER AND THE LION. 
 
 The Forester meeting with the Lion one day, they 
 discoursed together for a while without much differing 
 in opinion. At last, a dispute happening to arise 
 about the point of superiority between a Man and a 
 Lion, the former wanting a better argument, shewed 
 the latter a marble monument, on which was placed 
 the statue of a Man striding over a vanquished Lion. 
 If this, says the Lion, is all you have to say for it, let 
 us be the sculptors, and we will make the Lion striding 
 over the Man. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Such is the partiality of mankind in favour of 
 themselves and their own actions, that it is extremely 
 
 M 2 
 
84 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 difficult, nay almost impossible to come at any cer- 
 tainty, by reading the accounts that are written on 
 one side only. The simple truth is still perverted, as 
 prejudice, vanity, or interest warps the mind, and it 
 is not discovered in all its brilliancy, till the mists 
 which obscure it are swept away by the most rigid in- 
 vestigation. In what an odious light would our party 
 men place each other, if the transactions of the times 
 were handed down to posterity by a warm zealot on 
 either side ; and were such records to survive a few 
 centuries, with what perplexities and difficulties would 
 they embarrass the historian, as by turns he consulted 
 them for the character of his great forefathers. The 
 same difficulties would occur in writing the history of 
 nations, both ancient and modern. Some of those 
 who flourish at this day, and consider themselves as 
 having reached perfection in civilization and polished 
 manners, will perhaps, not unjustly, be branded in 
 after-times with cruelty, injustice, and oppression, in 
 having confounded all simplicity of manners, and dis- 
 turbed the peace of whole nations, by carrying the 
 horrors of war, of murder, and desolation, into re- 
 gions formerly blessed with uninterrupted tranquillity. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 85 
 
 THE WOLF, THE FOX, AND THE APE. 
 
 The Wolf indicted the Fox for felony before the 
 Ape, who upon that occasion was appointed special 
 judge of the cause. The Fox gave in his answer to 
 the Wolf’s accusation, and denied the fact. After 
 hearing both sides, the Ape, penetrating the character 
 of the parties, gave judgment to this purpose: I am 
 of opinion, that you, says he to the Wolf, never lost 
 the goods you sue for ; and as for you, turning to the 
 Fox, I make no question but you at least have stolen 
 what is laid to your charge. And thus the court was 
 dismissed with this public censure upon each party. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Well may both judge and jury, in the outset of 
 trial, be puzzled to decide between and do justice to 
 
86 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 men whose quarrels are made up of baseness and vil- 
 lainy, and carried on with mutual treachery, fraud, 
 and violence, and whose witnesses are perhaps of the 
 same character with themselves. Each party may 
 justly enough accuse the other, though neither of them 
 are worthy of belief, and deserve even no credit for 
 the imputations with which they asperse each other’s 
 characters. But such men need not hope long to de- 
 ceive the world : a penetrating judge and an honest 
 jury will, upon sifting the matter, clearly see what 
 kind of men they have been occupying their attention 
 with, and shew a proper disgust at the wicked impu- 
 dence of both plaintiff and defendant. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 87 
 
 THE BALD KNIGHT. 
 
 A certain Knight growing old, his hair fell [off, 
 and he became bald; to hide which imperfection he 
 wore a periwig. But as he was riding out with some 
 others a hunting, a sudden gust of wind blew off the 
 periwig, and exposed his bald pate. The company 
 could not forbear laughing at the accident ; and he 
 himself laughed as loud as any body, saying, how was 
 it to be expected that I could keep strange hair upon, 
 my head, when my own would not stay there ? 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 There is no disposition, or turn of mind, which 
 on many occasions contributes more to keep us easy, 
 than that which enables us to rally any of our failings, 
 or joke upon our own infirmities : this blunts the edge, 
 
88 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 :ind baffles and turns aside the malignant sneers of 
 little wits, and the ill nature and ridicule of others. 
 If we should at any time happen to incur the laughter 
 of those about us, we cannot stifle it sooner or better 
 than by receiving it all with a cheerful look, and by an 
 ingenuous and pleasant remark, parry the jest which 
 another is ready to throw out at our expence. To 
 appear fretted or nettled, only serves to gratify the 
 wishes of those who take a secret pleasure in seeing 
 such an effect produced ; and, besides, a testy or cap- 
 tious temper is a source of perpetual disquietude, both 
 to ourselves and our acquaintances, and like a little 
 leaven, sours the whole mass of our good qualities. If 
 we had no other imperfections, this of itself would be 
 sufficient to cause our company to be shunned. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 89 
 
 THE LION AND THE FOUR BULLS. 
 
 Four Bulls, who had entered into a very strict 
 friendship, kept always near one another, and fed to- 
 gether. The Lion often saw them, and as often had 
 a mind to make one of them his prey ; but though he 
 could easily have subdued any of them singly, yet he 
 was afraid to attack the whole alliance, knowing they 
 would have been too powerful for him, and there- 
 fore was obliged to keep himself at a distance. At 
 last, perceiving that no attempt was to be made upon 
 them as long as their combination lasted, he artfully 
 contrived, by the whispers and hints of his emissaries, 
 to foment jealousies, and raise divisions among them. 
 •This stratagem succeeded so well, that the Bulls grew 
 cold and reserved to one another, which soon after ri- 
 pened into a downright hatred and aversion, and at 
 last ended in a total separation. The Lion had now 
 
 N 
 
90 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 attained his ends ; and though it had been impossible 
 for him to hurt them while they were united, he found 
 no difficulty, now they were parted, to seize and devour 
 every Bull of them, one after another. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Since friendships and alliances arc of the greatest 
 importance to our well-being and happiness, we can- 
 not be too often cautioned against suffering them to 
 be broken by tale bearers anti whisperers, or by any 
 dark plots and contrivances of our enemies : for when 
 by such wicked means as these, or by our own im- 
 prudence, we lose a friend, we shake the very basis 
 of our interest, and remove the pillar that contributed 
 to support it. Whatever in cases of this kind is ap- 
 plicable to individuals, is equally so to kingdoms and 
 states; and it is as undisputed a maxim as ever was 
 urged upon the attention of mankind, by the best man 
 that ever lived, that a “ kingdom divided against itself 
 cannot stand the people are invincible when united. 
 
 Faction and feuds will overturn the state 
 Which union renders flourishing and great. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 91 
 
 THE OLD MAN AND HIS SONS. 
 
 An old Man had several Sons, who were constantly 
 quarrelling with each other, notwithstanding he used 
 every means in his power to persuade them to cease 
 their contentions, and to live in amity together. At 
 last he had recourse to the following expedient : — 
 He ordered his Sons to be called before him, and a 
 bundle of sticks to be brought, and then commanded 
 them to try if, with all their strength, any of them 
 could break it. They all tried, but without effect : 
 for the sticks being closely and compactly bound to- 
 gether, it was impossible for the force of man to break 
 them. After this, the Father ordered the bundle to 
 be untied, and gave a single stick to each of his Sons, 
 at the same time bidding them try to break it. This 
 they did with ease, and soon snapped every stick asun- 
 der. The Father then addressed them to this effect : 
 
 N 2 
 
m 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 O, my Sons, behold the power of unity ! foi if you, 
 in like manner, would but keep yourselves strictly 
 Conjoined in the bands of friendship, it would not be 
 in the power of any moi'tal to hurt you ; but when 
 you are divided by quarrels and animosities, you tall 
 a prey to the weakest enemies. 
 
 A kingdom divided against itself is brought to deso- 
 lation ; and the same holds good in all societies and cor- 
 porations of men, from the constitution of the nation, 
 dow r n to every little parochial vestry. Every private 
 family should consider itself a little state, in which the 
 several members ought to be united by one common 
 interest. Quarrels with each other are as fatal to their 
 welfare, as factions are dangerous to the peace of the 
 commonwealth. But indeed the necessity of union 
 and friendship extends itself to all kinds of relations 
 in life, and they conduce mightily to the advantage of 
 those who cherish and cultivate them. No enemy will 
 dare to attack a body of men firmly attached to each 
 other, and will fear to offend one of the number, lest 
 he should incur the resentment of the rest; but if 
 they split into parties, and are disunited by quarrels, 
 every petty opponent will venture to attack them, and 
 the whole fraternity will be liable to wrongs and vio- 
 lence. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 93 
 
 THE LION, THE TIGER, AND THE WOLF. 
 
 A Lion and a Tiger, at the same instant seized on 
 a young Fawn, which they immediately killed. This 
 they had no sooner performed, than they fell to fight- 
 ing, in order to decide whose property it should be. 
 The battle was so obstinate, that they were both com- 
 pelled, by weariness and loss of blood, to desist and 
 lie down breathless and quite disabled. A Wolf 
 passing that way, perceiving how the case stood, very 
 impudently stepped up and seized the booty, which 
 they had all this while been contending for, and carried 
 it off. The two combatants, who beheld this without 
 being able to prevent it, could only make this reflec- 
 tion : How foolish, said they, has been our conduct 1 
 Instead of being contented, as we ought, with our re- 
 spective shares, our senseless rage has rendered us 
 
91 - 
 
 fables. 
 
 unable to prevent this rascally Wolf from robbing us 
 of the whole. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 When people go to law about an uncertain title, 
 and have spent the value of their whole estate in the 
 contest, nothing is more common than to find that 
 some unprincipled attorney has secured the object in 
 dispute to himself. The very name of law seems to 
 imply equity and justice, and that is the bait which 
 has drawn in many to their ruin. If we would lay 
 aside passion, prejudice, and folly, and think calmly of 
 the matter, we should find that going to law is not 
 the best way of deciding differences about property ; it 
 being, generally speaking, much safer to trust to the 
 arbitration of two or three honest sensible neighbours, 
 than at a vast expence of money, time, and trouble, 
 to run through the tedious frivolous forms, with which, 
 by the artifices of greedy lawyers, a court of judica- 
 ture is contrived to be attended. Or if a case should 
 happen to be so intricate that a man of common sense 
 cannot distinguish who has the best title, how easy 
 would it be to have the opinion of the best counsel in 
 the land, and agree to abide by his decision. If it 
 should appear dubious, even after that, how much 
 better would it be to divide the thing in dispute, rather 
 than go to law, and hazard the losing, not only of the 
 whole, but costs and damages into the bargain ! 
 
FABLES. 
 
 95 
 
 THE FOX WITHOUT A TAIL. 
 
 A Fox being caught in a trap, escaped after much 
 difficulty with the loss of his tail. He was, however, 
 a good deal ashamed of appearing in public without 
 this ornament, and at last, to avoid being singular and 
 ridiculous in the eyes of his own species, he formed 
 the project of calling together an assembly of Foxes, 
 and of persuading them that the docking of their tails 
 was a fashion that would be very agreeable and be- 
 coming. Accordingly he made a long harangue to 
 them for that purpose, and endeavoured chiefly to 
 shew the awkwardness and inconvenience of a Fox’s 
 tail, adding that they were quite useless, and that they 
 would be a very great deal better without them. He 
 asserted, that what he had only conjectured and ima- 
 gined before, he now found by experience to be true, 
 for he never enjoyed himself so much, and found himself 
 
90 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 so easy as he had done since he cut off his tail. He 
 then looked round with a brisk air, to see what pro- 
 selytes he had gained ; when a sly old Fox in company 
 answered him, with a leer : I believe you may have 
 found a convenience in parting with your tail, and 
 perhaps when we are in the same circumstances, we 
 may do so too. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Many of the fashions which obtain in the world, 
 originate in the whim or caprice of some vain conceited 
 creature, who takes a pride in leading the giddy multi- 
 tude in a career of folly. Others again take their rise 
 from an artful design to cover some vice, or hide some 
 deformity in the person of the inventor. Projectors 
 and planners of a higher stamp are also not uncommon 
 in the world. These men appear to toil only for the 
 public good, and the sacred name of patriotism is their 
 shield. It, however, often happens that when their 
 deep schemes are opened out, they are found to pro- 
 ceed from nothing better than self-interested motives, 
 and a sincere desire to serve themselves. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 97 
 
 THE MISER AND HIS TREASURE. 
 
 A certain Miser, having got together a large sum 
 of money, sought out a sequestered spot, where he 
 dug a hole and hid it. His greatest pleasure was to 
 go and look upon his treasure ; which one of his ser- 
 vants observing, and guessing there was something 
 more than ordinary in the place, came at night, found 
 the hoard, and carried it off. 'Hie next day, the 
 Miser returning as usual to the scene of his delight, 
 and perceiving the money gone, tore his hair for grief, 
 and uttered the most doleful accents of despair. A 
 neighbour, who knew his temper, overhearing him, 
 said, Cheer up, man ! thou hast lost nothing : there 
 is still a hole to peep at : and if thou canst but fancy 
 the money there, it will do just as well. 
 
 o 
 
FABLES. 
 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Of all the appetites to which human nature is sub- 
 ject, none is so lasting, so strong, and so unaccounta- 
 ble, as avarice. Other desires generally cool at the 
 approach of old age ; but this flourishes under grey 
 hairs, and triumphs amidst infirmities. All our other 
 longings have something to be said in excuse for them ; 
 but it is above reason, and therefore truly incompre- 
 hensible, why a man should be passionately fond of 
 money only for the sake of gazing upon it. His trea- 
 sure is as useless to him as a heap of oyster shells ; for 
 though he knows how many substantial pleasures it 
 might procure, yet he dares not touch it, and is as 
 destitute, to all intents and purposes, as the man who 
 is not worth a groat. This is the true state of a co- 
 vetous person, to which one of that fraternity perhaps 
 may reply, that when we have said all, since pleasure 
 is the grand aim of life, if there arise a delight to some, 
 from the bare possession of riches, though they do not 
 use, or even intend to use them, we may be puzzled 
 how to account for it, and think it strange, but ought 
 not absolutely to condemn those who thus closely, but 
 innocently, pursue what they esteem the greatest hap- 
 piness. True ! people would be in the wrong to paint 
 covetousness in such odious colours, were it compatible 
 with innocence. But here arises the mischief: a co- 
 vetous man will stop at nothing to attain his ends ; and 
 when once avarice takes the field, honesty, charity, 
 humanity, and every virtue which opposes it, are sure 
 to be put to the rout. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 .99 
 
 THE SHIP DOG. 
 
 A young saucy Dog, having been found not to like 
 any employment at home, was taken by a sea captain 
 on board his ship, where, being well fed, he soon be- 
 came both stout and fierce, and shewed himself off as 
 such in every foreign port. He no sooner got ashore, 
 than he held up his leg against every post and corner, 
 and scraped the ground with his feet, quite regardless 
 what dog he might bespatter ; and if -any of them hap- 
 pened to look sulkily at him, he thought nothing of 
 seizing upon and rolling them in the kennel. If ho 
 happened to fall into company, he always began to 
 give himself airs, to talk big, and to express his con- 
 tempt for the dogs of the place. He would boast that 
 he was from a better country, and belonged to a better 
 family than any dog among them. In short, said he, 
 “ I come from Cheviot, the highest mountain in the 
 
100 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 world, and the very heart of all England, where my 
 forefathers, thousands of years ago, assembled to hunt 
 the Wild Bull, the Wolf, and the Boar.” He was 
 once going on at this rate, when he was interrupted 
 by a sedate, experienced Bitch, who assured him that 
 there were good dogs and bad dogs in every country, 
 and that the only difference arose from their educa- 
 tion ; that many of the forefathers he boasted of, had 
 long since worried each other, and the remainder of 
 them had become so troublesome, that part had been 
 transported across the sea to another place ; and she 
 knew, from good authority, that both his father and 
 his mother were hanged. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 When foreigners speak slightingly of the country 
 they happen to be in, and praise their own, it shews in 
 them a want of good sense and good breeding. It is 
 indeed natural to have an affection for one’s native 
 land, nor can we help preferring it to every other ; but 
 to express this in another country, to people whose opi- 
 nion it must needs contradict, by the same rule that it 
 is conformable to our own, cannot fail of giving them 
 just offence. It matters not how highly some particular 
 countries may stand in the estimation of the rest of the 
 world: this has little to do with private individuals; 
 .the advantage of having been born in one of those fa- 
 voured countries, is accidental, and no man ought to 
 be esteemed merely on that account. In order to merit 
 the respect of virtuous and wise men in every foreign 
 land, it must appear to them that by our talents, our 
 acquirements, and our patriotism, we do credit to the 
 country which gave us birth. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 101 
 
 THE GOAT AND THE LION. 
 
 The Lion, seeing a Goat upon a steep craggy rock, 
 where he could not come at him, asked him what 
 delight he could take to skip from one precipice to 
 another all day, and venture the breaking of his neck 
 every moment ? I wonder, says he, you will not come 
 down and feed on the plain here, when there is such 
 plenty of grass, and fine sweet herbs. Why, replies 
 the Goat, I cannot but say your opinion is right ; but 
 you look so very hungry and designing, that, to tell 
 you the truth, I do not care to venture my person 
 where you are. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Advice, though good in itself, is to be suspected 
 when it is given by a tricking, self-interested man. 
 
102 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 Perhaps we should take upon ourselves not only a very 
 great, but an unnecessary trouble, if we were to sus- 
 pect every man who offers to advise us ; but this how- 
 ever is necessary, that when we have reason to question 
 any one in point of honour and justice, we not only 
 consider well before we suffer ourselves to be persuaded 
 by him, but even resolve to have nothing to do in any 
 affair where such treacherous slippery sparks are con- 
 cerned, if we can avoid it without much inconvenience. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 103 
 
 THE TWO TRAVELLERS. 
 
 Two Men travelling upon the road, one of them 
 saw an Axe lying upon the ground, where somebody 
 had been hewing timber : so taking it up, says he, I 
 have found an Axe. Do not say I, says the other, but 
 we have found ; for as we are companions, we ought 
 to share the value between us : but the first would not 
 consent. They had not gone far, before the owner of 
 the Axe, hearing what was become of it, pursued them 
 with a warrant ; which, when the fellow that had it, 
 perceived, Alas ! says he to his companion, we are 
 undone. Nay, says the other, do not say we, but I 
 am undone: for, as you would not let me share the 
 prize, neither will I share the danger with you. 
 
104 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 We cannot reasonably expect those to bear a part 
 in our ill-fortune, whom we never permitted to share 
 in our prosperity ; and whoever is so over-selfish and 
 narrow-minded, as to exclude his friend from a portion 
 of the benefits to which an intimate connection entitles 
 him, may, perhaps, engross some petty advantages to 
 himself, but he must lay his account on being left to 
 do as well as he can for himself in times of difficulty 
 and distress. The very life and soul of friendship sub- 
 sist upon mutual benevolence, and in conferring and 
 receiving obligations on either hand, with a free, open, 
 and unreserved behaviour, without the least tincture of 
 jealousy, suspicion, or distrust, guided by a strict ob- 
 servance of the rules of honour and generosity ; and as 
 no man includes within himself every thing necessary 
 for his security, defence, preservation, and support, 
 these rules are the requisites of friendship, to make it 
 firm and lasting, and the foundation on which it must 
 be built. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 105 
 
 THE FOX AND THE ASS. 
 
 An Ass finding a Lion’s skin, disguised himself in 
 it, and ranged about the forest, putting all the beasts 
 in bodily fear. After he had diverted himself thus 
 for some time, he met a Fox, and being desirous to 
 frighten him too, as well as the rest, he leapt at him 
 with some fierceness, and endeavoured to imitate the 
 roaring of a Lion. Your humble servant, says the 
 Fox, if you had held your tongue, I might have taken 
 you for a Lion, as others did, but now you bray, I 
 know who you are. 
 
 APPLICATION, 
 
 A man is known by his words, as a tree is by the 
 fruit ; and if we would be apprized of the nature and 
 qualities of any one, let him but discourse, and he 
 
 P 
 
10G 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 will speak them to 11s better than another can describe 
 them. We may therefore perceive, from this Fable, 
 how proper it is for those to hold their tongues, who 
 would not discover the shallowness of their understand- 
 ings. “ Empty vessels make the greatest sound,” and 
 the deepest rivers are most silent; the greatest noise 
 is ever found where there is the least depth of water. 
 It is a true observation, that those who are the weakest 
 in understanding, and most slow of apprehension, are 
 generally the most precipitate in uttering their crude 
 conceptions. Grave looks, an aspect of dignity, and a 
 solemn deportment, may sometimes deceive even an ac- 
 curate observer ; but wise discourse cannot be success- 
 fully counterfeited or assumed, and the sententious 
 blockhead is as easily recognised as the pert coxcomb. 
 It matters not what disguise one of these may as- 
 sume ; he utters himself, and undeceives us : he brays, 
 and tells the whole company what he is. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 107 
 
 THE CAT AND THE FOX. 
 
 As the Cat and the Fox were once talking politics 
 together, in the middle of a forest, Reynard said, let 
 things turn out ever so bad, he did not care, for he 
 had a thousand tricks for them yet, before they should 
 hurt him ; but pray, says he, Mrs Puss, suppose there 
 should be an invasion, what course do you design to 
 take? Nay, says the Cat, I have but one shift for it, 
 and if that wont do, I am undone. I am sorry for 
 you, replies Reynard, with all my heart, and would 
 gladly furnish you with one or two of mine; but in- 
 deed neighbour, as times go,, it is not good to trust, 
 we must even be every one for himself^ as the saying 
 is, and so your humble servant. These words were 
 scarcely out of his mouth, when they were alarmed 
 with a pack of hounds, that came upon them in full cry. 
 Hie Cat, by the help of her single shift, ran up a tree 
 
108 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 and sat securely among the branches, whence she be- 
 held Reynard, who had not been able to get out of 
 sight, overtaken with his. thousand tricks, and torn into 
 as many pieces by the Dogs, which had surrounded 
 him. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 One good discreet expedient made use of upon an 
 emergency, will do a man more real service, and make 
 others think better of him, than to have passed all his 
 life for a shrewd crafty fellow, full of his stratagems 
 and expedients, and valuing himself upon his having 
 a deeper knowledge of the world than his neighbours. 
 Plain good sense, and a downright honest meaning, 
 are a better guide through life, and more trusty secu- 
 rity against danger, than the low shifts of cunning, 
 and the refinements of artifice. Cunning is of a deep 
 entangling nature, and is a sign of a small genius ; 
 though when it happens to be successful, it often makes 
 an ostentatious pretension to wisdom ; but simplicity 
 of manners is the ally of integrity, and plain common 
 sense is the main requisite of wisdom. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 109 
 
 THE DOG INVITED TO SUPPER. 
 
 A Gentleman having invited several friends to sup- 
 per, his Dog thought this a fit opportunity to invite 
 another Dog, an intimate of his own, to partake with 
 him of the good cheer, in the kitchen. Accordingly the 
 stranger punctually attended, and seeing the mighty 
 preparations going forward, promised himself a most 
 delicious repast. He began to smell about, and, with 
 his eyes intent upon the victuals, to lick his lips, and 
 wag his tail. This drew the attention of the Cook, 
 who stole slyly up, and seizing him by the hind legs, 
 whirled him out of the window into the street. The 
 Dog, stunned and hurt by his hard fall on the pave- 
 ment, began to howl, the noise of which drew several 
 Dogs about him, who knowing of the invitation, be- 
 gan to enquire how he had fared ? O ! charmingly, 
 said he; only I ate and drank till I ’scarce knew which 
 way I came out of the house. 
 
110 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION, 
 
 There is no depending upon a second-hand in- 
 terest; unless we know ourselves to be well with the 
 principal, and are assured of his favour and protection, 
 we stand upon a slippery foundation. They are stran- 
 gers to the world who are so weak as to think they 
 can be well with any one by proxy ; they may by this 
 means be cajoled, bubbled, and imposed upon, but 
 are under great uncertainty as to gaining their point, 
 and may probably be treated with scorn and derision 
 in the end. Yet there are not wanting among the seve- 
 ral species of fops, silly people of this sort, who pride 
 themselves in an imaginary happiness, from being in 
 the good graces of a great man’s friend’s friend. Alas ! 
 the great men themselves are but too apt to deceive 
 and fail in making good their promises, how then can 
 we expect any good from those who do but promise 
 and vow in their names? To place a confidence in 
 such sparks, is indeed so false a reliance, that wc 
 ought to be ashamed to be detected in it; and, like 
 the Dog in the Fable, rather own we had been well 
 treated, than let the world see how justly we had been 
 punished for our ridiculous credulity. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 Ill 
 
 THE ANGLER AND THE LITTLE FISH. 
 
 An Angler caught a small Trout, and as he was 
 taking it off the hook, and going to put it into his 
 basket, it opened its little throat, and begged most 
 piteously that he would throw it into the river again. 
 The man demanded what reason it had to expect this 
 indulgence ? Why, says the Fish, because I am so 
 young and so little, that it is not worth your while 
 taking me now, and certainly I shall be better worth 
 your notice, if you take me a twelvemonth afterwards, 
 when I shall be grown a great deal larger. That may 
 be, replied the Angler, but I am sure of you now * 
 and I am not one of those who quit a certainty in 
 expectation of an uncertainty. 
 
112 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 They who neglect the present opportunity of reap- 
 ing a small advantage, in the hope that they shall ob- 
 tain a greater afterwards, are far from acting upon a 
 reasonable and well advised foundation. We ought 
 never thus to deceive ourselves, and suffer the favour- 
 able moment to slip away ; but secure to ourselves 
 every fair advantage, however small, at the moment 
 that it offers, without placing a vain reliance upon the 
 visionary expectation of something better in time to 
 come. Prudence advises us always to lay hold of time 
 by the forelock, and to remember that “ a bird in the 
 hand is worth two in the bush.” 
 
FABLES. 
 
 113 
 
 A MAN BITTEN BY A DOG. 
 
 A Man, who had been sadly torn by a Dog, was 
 advised by some Old Woman, as a cure, to dip a piece 
 of bread in the wound, and give it to the Cur that bit 
 him. lie did so, and ZEsop happening to pass by just 
 at the time, asked him what he meant by it? The 
 man informed him. Why then, says TEsop, do it as 
 privately as you can, I beseech you ; for if the rest of 
 the Dogs of the town were to see you, we should all 
 be eaten up alive by them. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Vice should always be considered as the proper ob- 
 ject of punishment, and we should on no account 
 connive at offences of an atrocious nature, much less 
 
 o 
 
1 14 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 confer rewards on the criminals : for nothing con- 
 tributes so much to the increase of roguery, as when 
 the undertakings of a knave are attended with success. 
 If it were not for the fear of punishment, a great part 
 of mankind, who now make a shift to keep themselves 
 honest, would be great villains. But if criminals, in- 
 stead of meeting with punishment, were, by having 
 been such, to attain honour and preferment, our na- 
 tural inclination to mischief would be increased, and 
 we should be wicked out of emulation. We should 
 rather strive to make virtue as tempting as possible, 
 and throw out every allurement in our power to draw 
 the minds of the wavering and unsettled to espouse 
 her cause. 
 
FABLES, 
 
 115 
 
 THE FOX AND THE TIGER. 
 
 A skilful Archer coming into the woods, directed his 
 arrows so successfully, that he slew many wild beasts, 
 and wounded several others. This put the whole sa- 
 vage kind into a great consternation, and made them 
 fly into the most retired thickets for refuge. At last, 
 the Tiger resumed courage, and bidding them not be 
 afraid, said that he alone would engage the enemy, 
 telling them they might depend on his valour to a- 
 venge their wrongs. In the midst of these threats, 
 while he was lashing himself with his tail, and tearing 
 up the ground with anger, an arrow pierced his ribs, 
 and hung by its barbed point in his side. He set up 
 a loud and hideous roar, occasioned by the anguish 
 he felt, and endeavoured to draw out the painful dart 
 with his teeth : when the Fox approaching him, en- 
 quired with an air of surprise, who it was that could 
 
 Q 2 
 
116 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 have strength and courage enough to wound so mighty 
 and valorous a beast? All ! says the Tiger, I was 
 mistaken in my reckoning: it was that invincible Man 
 yonder. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 ¥ 
 
 Though strength and courage are very good ingre- 
 dients towards making us secure and formidable in the 
 world, yet unless there be a proper portion of wisdom 
 or policy to direct them, instead of being serviceable, 
 they often prove detrimental to their proprietors. A 
 rash forward man, who depends upon the excellence 
 of his own parts and accomplishments, is likewise apt 
 to expose a weak side, which his enemies might not 
 otherwise have observed; and gives an advantage to 
 others by those very means which he fancied might 
 have secured it to himself. Counsel and conduct al- 
 ways did and always will govern the world ; and the 
 strong, in spite of all their force, can never avoid be- 
 ing tools to the crafty. Some men are as much supe- 
 rior to others in wisdom and policy, as man in general 
 is above the brute. Strength, ill-governed, opposed 
 to them, is like a quarter staff in the hands of a huge, 
 robust, but bungling fellow, who fights against a 
 master of the science. The latter, though without a 
 weapon, would have skill and address enough to dis- 
 arm his adversary, and drub him with his own staff. 
 In a word, savage fierceness and brutal strength, must 
 not pretend to stand in competition with policy and 
 stratagem. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 117 
 
 THE DOG AND THE SHADOW. 
 
 A Dog, crossing a rivulet witli a piece of flesh in his 
 mouth, saw his own shadow represented in the clear 
 mirror of the stream ; and believing it to be another 
 Dog, who was carrying another piece of flesh, he 
 could not forbear catching at it ; but was so far from 
 getting any thing by his greedy design, that he dropt 
 the piece he had in his mouth, which immediately sunk 
 to the bottom, and was irrecoverably lost. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Base is the man who pines amidst his store, 
 
 And fat with plenty, griping covets more. 
 
 Excessive greediness, in the end, mostly misses what 
 it aims at, and he that catches at more than belongs 
 
118 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 to him, justly deserves to lose what he has. Yet no- 
 thing is more common, and, at the same time more 
 pernicious, than this selfish principle. It prevails from 
 the king to the peasant ; and all orders and degrees 
 of men are more or less infected with it. Great mo- 
 narchs have been drawn in by this greedy humour to 
 grasp at the dominions of their neighbours ; not that 
 they wanted any thing more to feed their luxury, but 
 to gratify their insatiable appetite for vain glory ; and 
 many states have been reduced to the last extremity 
 by attempting such unjust encroachments. He that 
 thinks he sees the estate of another in a pack of cards, 
 or a box and dice, and ventures his own in the pur- 
 suit of it, should not repine, if he finds himself a 
 beggar in the end. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 119 
 
 THE BEAR AND THE BEE-HIVES. 
 
 A Bear, climbing over the fence into a place where 
 Bees were kept, began to plunder the hives, and rob 
 them of their honey ; but the Bees, to revenge the in- 
 jury, attacked him in a whole swarm together; and 
 though they were not able to pierce his rugged hide, 
 yet, with their little stings they so annoyed his eyes 
 and nostrils, that, unable to endure the smarting pain, 
 with impatience he tore the skin over his ears, with his 
 own claws, and suffered ample punishment for the in- 
 jury he had done the Bees, in breaking open their 
 waxen cells. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Many and great are the injuries of which men are 
 guilty towards each other, for the sake of gratifying 
 
 
120 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 some base appetite : for there are those who would 
 not scruple to bring desolation upon their country, and 
 run the hazard of their own necks into the bargain, 
 rather than balk a wicked inclination, either of cruelty, 
 ambition, or avarice. But it were to be wished, that 
 all who are hurried on by such blind impulses, would 
 consider a moment before they proceed to irrevocable 
 execution. Injuries and wrongs not only call for re- 
 venge and reparation with the voice of equity itself, but 
 oftentimes carry their punishment along with them ; 
 and, by an unforeseen train of events, are retorted on 
 the head of the actor, who not seldom, from a deep 
 remorse, expiates them upon himself by his own hand. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 121 
 
 THE DRUNKEN HUSBAND. 
 
 A certain Woman had a Drunken Husband, whom 
 she had endeavoured to reclaim by several ways, with- 
 out effect. She, at last, tried this stratagem : when he 
 was brought home one night dead drunk, she ordered 
 him to be carried to a burial-place, and there laid in a 
 vault, as if he had been dead indeed. Thus she left 
 him, and went away till she thought he might be come 
 to himself, and grown sober again. When she re- 
 turned, and knocked at the door of the vault, the man 
 cried out, who’s there ? I am the person, says she, 
 in a dismal tone of voice, that waits upon the dead 
 folks, and I am come to bring you some victuals. Ah, 
 good waiter, says he, let the victuals alone and bring 
 me a little drink, I beseech thee. The Woman hear- 
 ing this, fell to tearing her hair, and beating her 
 breast in a woeful manner : Unhappy wretch that I 
 
 R 
 
FABLES. 
 
 \oo 
 
 am, says slie, this was the only way that I could think 
 of to reform the beastly sot ; but instead of gaining my 
 point, I am only convinced that his drunkenness is an 
 incurable habit, which he intends to carry with him 
 into the other world. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 This Fable is intended to shew 11s the prevalence of 
 custom ; and how by using ourselves to any evil prac- 
 tice, we may let it grow into such a habit as we shall 
 never be able to divest ourselves of. “ O ! that men 
 should put an enemy into their mouths to steal away 
 their brains !” There is no vice which gains an as- 
 cendant over us more insensibly, or more incurably, 
 than drunkenness: it takes root by degrees, and comes 
 at length to be past both remedy and shame. Habitual 
 drunkenness stupifies the senses, destroys the under- 
 standing, fills its votaries with diseases, and makes 
 them incapable of business. It cuts short the thread 
 of life, or brings on an early old age, besides the mis- 
 chief it does in the mean time to a man’s family and 
 affairs, and the scandal it brings upon himself: for a 
 sot is one of the most despicable and disgusting cha- 
 racters in life. After he has destroyed his reasoning 
 faculties, and thus shewn his ingratitude to the giver 
 of them, he flies to palliatives as a remedy for the dis- 
 eases which his intemperance has caused, and goes on 
 in a course of taking whets and cordials, and more 
 drink, till he falls a martyr to the vice, to which 
 through life he has been a slave. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 123 
 
 THE LIONESS AND THE FOX. 
 
 The Lioness and the Fox meeting together, fell 
 into discourse, and the conversation turning upon the 
 breeding and fruitfulness of some living creatures above 
 others, the Fox could not forbear taking the opportu- 
 nity of observing to the Lioness, that for her part, she 
 thought Foxes were as happy in that respect as almost 
 any other creatures ; for they bred constantly once 
 a year, if not oftener, and always had a good litter ol 
 cubs at every birth ; and yet, says she, there are some 
 folks who are never delivered of more than one at 
 a time, and that perhaps not above once or twice in 
 their whole lives, who hold up their noses, and value 
 themselves so much upon it, that they think all other 
 creatures beneath them, and scarce worthy to be spo- 
 ken to. The Lioness, who all the time perceived at 
 whom this reflection pointed, replied, what you have 
 
124 - 
 
 i'AHLES. 
 
 observed is true. You litter often, and produce a 
 great many at a time ; but what are they ? Foxes ! 
 I, indeed, may have but one at a time; but you should 
 remember that that one is a Lion. 
 
 Our productions, of whatsoever kind, are not to be 
 esteemed so much by their quantity as by their quality. 
 It is not being employed much, but well, and to the 
 purpose, which will make us useful to the age we live 
 in, and celebrated by those which are to come. As the 
 multiplication of foxes and other vermin is a misfor- 
 tune to the countries which are infested with them, so 
 one cannot help throwing out a melancholy reflection, 
 when one sees some particular classes of the human 
 kind increase so fast as they do. But the most obvious 
 meaning of this Fable is the hint it gives us in relation 
 to authors. These gentlemen should never attempt to 
 raise themselves a reputation by trumping up a long 
 catalogue of their various productions, since there is 
 more glory in having written one tolerable piece than 
 a thousand indifferent ones ; and whoever has had the 
 good fortune to please in one literary performance, 
 should be very cautious how he stakes his reputation 
 in a second attempt. 
 
 APPLICATION, 
 
FABLES. 
 
 125 
 
 THE LAMB BROUGHT UP BY A GOAT. 
 
 A Wolf, prowling about for his prey, espied a Lamb 
 sucking a Goat. You silly creature ! says he, you quite 
 mistake ; this is not your mother ; she is yonder among 
 a flock of sheep : do allow me to conduct you to her. 
 No, no, replies the Lamb, the mother that bore me 
 may indeed be yonder ; but when she dropped me, she 
 shewed no further care, but left me unprovided for, 
 to shift for myself, regardless of what might become of 
 me ; and had it not been for the kindness of this honest 
 Goat, who took compassion upon my helplessness, I 
 must have suffered all the miseries to which inexpe- 
 rienced youth and innocence are exposed, when left 
 without a guide to the mercy of the world. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 126 
 
 APPLICATION, 
 
 This Fable is levelled at those parents, too often 
 met with in society, who, through negligence or ig- 
 norance of their duty, suffer their offspring to grow 
 up to maturity, without instilling into their minds a 
 single good principle of morality, or a reverence for 
 religion, to guide them through life, and to guard 
 them from falling into the snares of every wolf who 
 may seek their destruction. Others again, more aban- 
 doned indeed, and callous to the tender ties of nature, 
 bring forth an offspring whom they neither cherish nor 
 provide for. Such a description of persons are not fit 
 to become parents, and they must not be surprized, if 
 their want of parental affection produce a correspond- 
 ing want of filial attachment and respect : for the dir- 
 ties between parents and children are reciprocal. It is 
 the goodness of parents which chiefly entitles them to 
 the respect due to that name ; and it is a paramount 
 duty of children to honour, obey, and revere such 
 parents as fulfil the obligations which the laws of God 
 and nature impose upon those who bring children into 
 flie world. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 127 
 
 THE HEN AND THE SWALLOW. 
 
 A Hen, having found a nest of Serpent’s eggs in a 
 dung-hill, immediately, with a fostering care, sat upon 
 them, with a design to hatch them. A Swallow ob- 
 serving this, flew towards her, and with great earnest- 
 ness forewarned her of her danger. What ! said she, 
 are you mad, to bring forth a brood of such pernicious 
 creatures ? Be assured, the instant they are warmed 
 into life, you are the first they will attack and wreak 
 their venomous spite upon : but the Hen persisted in 
 her folly, and the end verified the Swallow’s predic- 
 tion. 
 
 application.. 
 
 It is too often the hard fortune of many a kind 
 good-natured man in the world to breed up a bird to 
 
128 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 pick out his own eyes, in despite of all cautions to the 
 contrary ; but they who want foresight should hearken 
 to the council of the wise, as this might have the effect 
 of preventing their spending much time and good offi- 
 ces on the undeserving, perhaps to the utter ruin of 
 themselves. It is the duty of all men to act fairly, 
 openly, and honestly, in all their transactions in life ; 
 to do justice to all ; but to consider well the character 
 of those on whom they would confer favours : for gra- 
 titude is one of the rarest as well as the greatest of 
 virtues. The Fable is intended to shew that we should 
 never have any dealings with bad men, even to do 
 them kindnesses. Men of evil principles are a gene- 
 ration of vipers, that ought to be crushed ; and every 
 rogue should be looked upon by honest men as a veno- 
 mous serpent. The man who is occasionally, or by ac- 
 cident, one’s enemy, may be mollified by kindness, and 
 reclaimed by good usage : such a behaviour both rea- 
 son and morality expect from us : but we should ever 
 resolve, if not to suppress, at least to have no con- 
 nexion with those whose blood is tinctured with here- 
 ditary, habitual villainy, and their nature leavened with 
 evil, to such a degree as to be incapable of a reforma- 
 tion. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 129 
 
 THE ENVIOUS MAN AND THE COVETOUS. 
 
 An Envious Man happened to be offering up his 
 prayers to Jupiter, at the same time and in the same 
 place with a covetous miserable Fellow. Jupiter sent 
 Apollo to examine the merits of their petitions, and 
 to give them such relief as he should think proper. 
 Apollo therefore opened his commission, and told them, 
 that to make short of the matter, whatever the one 
 asked, the other should have doubled. Upon this, 
 the Covetous Man, who had a thousand things to re- 
 quest, forebore to ask first, hoping to receive a double 
 quantity ; for he concluded that all men’s wishes sym- 
 pathized with his own. By this circumstance, the En- 
 vious Man had the opportunity of giving vent to his 
 malignity, and of preferring his petition first, which 
 was what he aimed at ; so without hesitation he prayed 
 
 s 
 
130 
 
 FABLES 
 
 to have one of his eyes put out, knowing that of con- 
 sequence his companion would be deprived of both. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 This Fable is levelled at two of the most odious 
 passions which degrade the mind of man. In the ex- 
 tremes of their unsocial views, envy places its happi- 
 ness in the misery and the misfortunes of others, and 
 pines and sickens at their joy; and avarice, unblest 
 amidst its stores, is never satisfied unless it can get all 
 to itself, although its insatiable cravings are at once 
 unaccountable, miserable, and absurd. 
 
 
FABLES. 
 
 131 
 
 THE PORCUPINE AND THE SNAKES. 
 
 A Porcupine, wanting a shelter for himself, begged 
 a nest of Snakes to give him admittance into their snug 
 cave. They were prevailed upon, and let him in ac- 
 cordingly ; but were so annoyed with his sharp prickly 
 quills, that they soon repented of their easy compli- 
 ance, and intreated the Porcupine to withdraw, and 
 leave them their hole to themselves. No, saitl he, let 
 them quit the place that dont like it ; for my part, J 
 am well enough satisfied as I am. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 This Fable points out the danger of entering into 
 any degree of friendship, alliance, or partnership with 
 any person whatever, before we have thoroughly con- 
 sidered his nature and qualities, his circumstances, and 
 
132 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 his humour; and also the necessity of examining our 
 own temper and disposition, to discover, if we can, 
 how far these may accord with the genius of those with 
 whom we are about to form a connection ; otherwise 
 our associations, of whatever kind they be, may prove 
 the greatest plague of our life. Young people, who 
 are warm in all their passions, and suffer them, like a 
 veil, to hoodwink their reason, often throw open their 
 arms at once, and admit into the greatest intimacy 
 persons whom they know little of, but by false and un- 
 certain lights, and thus, perhaps, take a Porcupine 
 into their bosom, instead of an inmate who might 
 sooth the cares of life, as an amiable consort, or a 
 valuable friend. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 133 
 
 THE SOW AND THE WOLF. 
 
 A Sow that had just farrowed, and lay in her sty 
 with her whole litter of Pigs, was visited by a Wolf, 
 who secretly longed to make a meal of one of them, but 
 knew not how to come at it. So, under the pretence 
 of a friendly visit, he gave her a call, and endeavour- 
 ed to insinuate himself into her good graces by his 
 apparently kind enquiries after the welfare of herself 
 and her young family. Can I be of any service to 
 you, Mrs Sow? said he: if I can, it shall not on my 
 part be wanting ; and if you have a mind to go abroad 
 for a little fresh air, you may depend upon my taking 
 as much care of your young family as you could do 
 yourself. No, I thank you, Mr Wolf, I thoroughly 
 understand your meaning, and the greatest favour you 
 can do to me and my Pigs, is to keep your distance. 
 
134 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 When an entire stranger, or any one of whom we 
 have no reason to entertain a good opinion, obtrudes 
 upon us an offer of his services, we ought to look to 
 our own safety, and shew a shyness and coldness to- 
 wards him. But there are also many men with whom 
 it is dangerous to have the least connection, and with 
 whom any commerce or correspondence will certain- 
 ly be to our detriment. From these we should, 
 therefore, resolve not to accept even favours, but care- 
 fully avoid being under any obligation to them : for 
 in the end, their apparent kindness will shew itself to 
 be a real injury ; and there is no method of guarding 
 so effectually against such people, as that of entirely 
 avoiding their society, or shutting our doors against 
 them, as we would do against a thief. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 135 
 
 THE FROGS AND THEIR KING. 
 
 In antient times, the nation of Frogs lived an easy 
 free life among their lakes and ponds ; but at length 
 grew dissatisfied with such a continuance of undis- 
 turbed tranquillity, and petitioned Jupiter for a king. 
 Jupiter smiled at their folly, and threw them down a 
 log of wood, and with a thundering voice said, “ there 
 is a king for you.” With this, and the sudden splash 
 it made in the water, they were at first quite panic- 
 struck, and for some time durst not put their heads 
 up ; but by degrees they ventured to take a peep, and 
 at length even to leap upon the log. Not being pleased 
 with so tame and insipid a king, they again petitioned 
 Jupiter for another, who would exert more authority. 
 Jupiter, disgusted at their importunate folly, sent them 
 a Stork for their king, who, without ceremony, eat 
 them up whenever his craving appetite required a sup- 
 
 pty- 
 
136 
 
 FABIiES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 This Fable is said to have been spoken by iEsop 
 to the Athenians, who had flourished under their com- 
 monwealth, and lived under good and wholesome laws 
 of their own enacting, until, in process of time, they 
 suffered their liberty to run into licentiousness ; and 
 factious designing men fomented divisions, and raised 
 animosities among them. When thus rendered weak, 
 Pisistratus took the advantage, and seized upon their 
 citadel and liberties both together. The Athenians 
 finding themselves in a state of slavery, though their 
 tyrant happened to be a merciful one, could not bear 
 the thoughts of it ; but iEsop in reciting the Fable to 
 them, prescribes patience where there was no other re- 
 medy, and adds, at last, “ Wherefore, my dear coun- 
 trymen, be contented with your present condition, bad 
 as it is, for fear a change should make it worse.” 
 
 
FABLES. 
 
 137 
 
 THE OLD WOMAN AND THE EMPTY 
 CASK. 
 
 An Old Woman, seeing a Wine Cask, which had 
 been emptied of its contents, but the very lees of which 
 still perfumed the air with a grateful cordial scent, 
 applied her nose to the bunghole, and snuffing very 
 heartily for some time, at last broke out into this ex- 
 clamation : O delicious smell ! How good ! how charm- 
 ing must you have been once, when your very dregs 
 are so agreeable and refreshing ! 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Phjedrus was an old man when he wrote his Fables, 
 and this he applies to himself; intimating what we 
 ought to judge of his youth, when his old age was ca- 
 pable of such productions. It is at once a pleasing and 
 
 T 
 
138 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 melancholy idea that is given us by the intercourse 
 with elderly persons, whose conversation is relishing 
 and agreeable, and we cannot help concluding that 
 they must have been very engaging in the prime of life, 
 when in their decline they are still capable of yielding 
 us so much pleasure. Nor can we help feeling regret, 
 that this fountain of delight is now almost dried up, 
 and going to forsake us for ever. On the contrary, 
 when people have neglected to cultivate their minds in 
 youth, their whole deportment through life is marked 
 with the effects of this great want, and their old age is 
 burthensome to themselves, and their conversation in- 
 sipid to others ; and like liquor of a thin body, and 
 vile quality, soon becomes sour, vapid, or good for 
 nothing. 
 
 4 
 
FABLES. 
 
 139 
 
 JUPITER AND THE CAMEL. 
 
 The Camel presented a petition to Jupiter, com- 
 plaining of the hardships of his case, in not having, 
 like bulls and other creatures, horns, or any weapon 
 of defence to protect himself from the attacks of his 
 enemies ; and praying that relief might be granted him 
 in such manner as should be thought most expedient, 
 Jupiter could not help smiling at his impertinent ad- 
 dress ; but, however, rejected the petition, and told 
 him, that so far from granting his unreasonable re- 
 quest, he would take care that henceforward his ears 
 should be shortened, as a punishment for his presump- 
 tuous importunity. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 The nature of things is so fixed in every particular, 
 
 T 2 
 
140 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 that they are very weak, superstitious people, who 
 think that it can be altered. But besides the impos- 
 sibility of producing a change by foolish importunities, 
 they who employ much of their time in that way, in- 
 stead of getting, are sure to lose in the end. When 
 any man is so silly and vexatious as to make unreason- 
 able complaints, and to harbour undue repinings in his 
 heart, his peevishness will lessen the real good which 
 he possesses, and the sourness of his temper shorten 
 that allowance of comfort which he already thinks too 
 scanty. Thus, in truth, it is not Providence, but our- 
 selves, who punish our own importunity, in soliciting 
 for impossibilities, with a sharp corroding care, which 
 abridges us of some part of that little pleasure which 
 Heaven has cast into our lot. 
 
 Happy the man without a wish for more, 
 
 Who quietly enjoys his little store, 
 
 And knows to heaven, with gratitude to pay 
 Thanks for what’s given, and what is ta’en away. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 141 
 
 THE STAG AND THE FAWN. 
 
 A Stag, grown old and mischievous, was, according 
 to custom, stamping with his foot, making threatening 
 motions with his head, and bellowing so terribly, that 
 the whole herd quaked for fear of him ; when one of 
 the little Fawns coming up, addressed him to this pur- 
 pose: Pray what is the reason that you, who are so 
 stout and formidable at all other times, if you do but 
 hear the cry of the hounds, are ready to fly out of your 
 skin for fear ? What you observe is true, replied the 
 Stag, though I know not how to account for it : I am 
 indeed vigorous and able enough, I think, to defend 
 myself against all attacks, and often resolve with my- 
 self, that nothing shall ever dismay my courage for the 
 future ; but, alas ! I no sooner hear the voice of the 
 hounds, but all my spirits fail, and I cannot help 
 making off as fast as my legs can carry me. 
 
14.2 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Try what we can, do what we will, 
 
 Yet nature will be nature still. 
 
 The predominance of nature will generally shew 
 itself through all the disguises which artful men endea- 
 vour to throw over it. Cowardice particularly gives 
 us but the more suspicion of its existence, when it 
 would conceal itself under an affected fierceness, as 
 they who would smother an ill smell by a cloud of 
 perfume, are imagined to be but the more offensive. 
 When we have done all, nature will remain what she 
 was, and shew herself whenever she is called upon : 
 therefore, whatever we do in contradiction to her laws, 
 is so forced and affected, that it must needs expose and 
 make us truly ridiculous. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 148 
 
 THE FIR AND THE BRAMBLE. 
 
 A tall Fir, that stood towering up in the forest, was 
 so proud of his dignity and high station, that he looked 
 with disdain upon the little shrubs that grew beneath 
 him. A lowly Bramble had often been made to feel 
 the insults and gloomy frowns of his lofty neighbour, 
 who, on the slightest rufflings of the winds, shook his 
 extended arms over the humble shrub, and upbraided 
 him with his contemptible situation. As for me, said 
 the Fir, I am the first in the forest for beauty and 
 rank : my top shoots up into the clouds, and my 
 branches display a perpetual verdure, whilst you lie 
 grovelling upon the ground, and could not live were 
 I to leave off sprinkling you with the drops from my 
 extremities. At this the Bramble set up his prickles, 
 and replied, that this haughtiness arose from pride and 
 ignorance ; for He that made thee a lofty tree, could, 
 
144 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 with equal ease, have made thee an humble Bramble ; 
 and high as thou art, a puff of His breath, in the mes- 
 sage of a north wind, can rob thee of thy verdure, or 
 lay thee low ; and further, I pray thee tell me, when 
 the woodman comes with his axe to fell timber, whe- 
 ther thou wouldst not rather be a Bramble than a Fir ? 
 
 Pride, which was implanted in the human breast 
 for wise purposes, should carefully be directed aright. 
 It was intended only to exalt the minds of all ranks 
 and conditions of men, to that pitch, which will make 
 them spurn at, and despise the doing of a mean or dis- 
 honourable action; and it is only misapplied, when it 
 puffs up those whom fortune has placed in high sta- 
 tions, or overloaded with riches, and tempts them to 
 look down with derision on those below them. The 
 higher a man is exalted in life, but especially if he have 
 risen by dishonourable means, the more unlikely it is 
 that he will escape a storm, or the mischiefs to which 
 he may be exposed in his public capacity, in any con- 
 vulsion that may befal his country. When public jus- 
 tice overtakes him, and he finds the day of reckoning 
 near at hand, the honest monitor within will put him 
 in mind of his true situation, and he will then be en- 
 abled to make a just comparison between his own lofty 
 station, and that of the poor, but honest, man. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 U5 
 
 THE BEES, THE DRONES, AND THE 
 WASP. 
 
 A number of Drones, who had long lived at their 
 ease in a hive of Bees, without contributing by their 
 labour to make any honey, at length began to dis- 
 pute the right of the Bees, and insisted that both 
 the honey and the combs were their property. The 
 Bees, after much altercation, at last offered to leave 
 the dispute to reference, and this being assented to by 
 the Drones, the Wasp was chosen umpire. Accord- 
 ingly, he began by declaring, that as both parties, he 
 hoped, were his friends, and he wished them well, he 
 would instantly proceed upon the investigation. I 
 must own, says he, that the point is somewhat du- 
 bious, for I have often seen you both in the same 
 hive, and excepting that the Drones are of a more 
 
 u 
 
146 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 portly size and appearance, you are all otherwise near- 
 ly alike in person : but as I have not been able to see 
 who worked, and who did not, I know of no mode 
 in which I shall be enabled to judge so correctly, as 
 by setting each party to work at the making of the 
 honey. Therefore, addressing himself to the Bees, 
 you take one hive ; and you, speaking to the Drones, 
 will be so good as to take another, and both go to 
 work to make honey as fast as you can. The Bees 
 readily accepted the proposal ; but the Drones hung 
 back, and would not agree to it. So, so ! says Judge 
 W asp, I see clearly how the matter stands ; and with- 
 out further ceremony, declared in favour of the Bees. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 The surest method of detecting ignorance and ina- 
 bility, is to put arrogant pretenders to the test, and 
 appreciate their claims by a fair trial ; and when those 
 who assume the merit due to works of ingenuity, refuse 
 to prove their title by a display of their talents, we may 
 well conclude that their pretensions are unfounded, and 
 that they are mere impostors. When men, who are at 
 the head of national affairs, will not be at the pains to 
 find out merit (for men of that character are too modest 
 to obtrude themselves) they will be surrounded by a 
 swarm of idle, impudent, good-for-nothing drones; 
 and these too often succeed in obtaining those benefits 
 
 o 
 
 which should be the reward of men of parts, inte- 
 grity, and industry. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 147 
 
 THE FROG AND THE FOX. 
 
 A Frog leaping out of the lake, and taking the ad- 
 vantage of a rising ground, made a proclamation to all 
 the beasts of the forest, that he was an able physician, 
 and for curing all manner of distempers, would turn 
 his back to no person living. This discourse, with the 
 aid of some hard cramp words, which nobody under- 
 stood, made the beasts admire his learning, and give 
 credit to every thing he said. At last, the Fox, who 
 was present, with indignation asked him, how he 
 could have the impudence, with those thin lanthorn 
 jaws, that meagre pale phiz, and blotched spotted bo- 
 dy, to pretend to cure the infirmities of others ? 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 A sickly and infirm look is as disadvantageous in a 
 u 2 
 
148 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 physician, as a rakish one in a clergyman, or a sheepish 
 one in a soldier. We should not set up for correctors 
 of the faults of others, whilst we labour under the same 
 ourselves. Good advice ought always to be followed, 
 without our being prejudiced upon account of the per- 
 son from whom it comes ; but it is seldom that men can 
 be brought to think us worth minding, when we pre- 
 scribe cures for maladies with which we ourselves are 
 afflicted. Physician heal thyself, is too scriptural, not 
 to be applied upon such an occasion ; and if we would 
 avoid being the jest of an audience, we must be sound 
 and free from those diseases of which we would endea- 
 vour to cure others. How shocked must people have 
 been to hear a preacher for a whole hour declaim 
 against drunkenness, when his own weaknesses have 
 been such, that he could neither bear nor forbear 
 drinking, and perhaps was the only person in the con- 
 gregation who made the doctrine at that time neces- 
 sary ! Others, too, have been very zealous in cen- 
 suring crimes, of which none were suspected more than 
 themselves : but let such silly hypocrites remember, 
 that they whose eyes want couching, are the most im- 
 proper people in the world to set up for oculists. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 149 
 
 THE CAT AND THE MICE. 
 
 A certain house being much infested with Mice, 
 a Cat was at length procured, who very diligently 
 hunted after them, and killed great numbers every 
 night. The Mice, being exceedingly alarmed at this 
 destruction among their family, consulted together up- 
 on what was best to be done for their preservation 
 against so terrible and cruel an enemy. After some 
 debate, they came to the resolution, that no one should, 
 * in future, descend below the uppermost shelf. The 
 Cat, observing their extreme caution, endeavoured to 
 draw them down to their old haunts by stratagem, for 
 which purpose, she suspended herself by her hinder 
 legs upon a peg in the pantry, and hoped by this trick 
 to lull their suspicions, and to entice them to ven- 
 ture within her reach. She had not long been in this 
 posture, before a cunning old Mouse peeped over the 
 
150 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 edge of the shelf, and squeaked out thus : Aha ! Mrs 
 Puss, are you there then ? There may you be ; but I 
 would not trust myself with you, though your skin 
 were stuffed with straw. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 We cannot be too much upon our guard against 
 fraud and imposition of every kind; and prudence in 
 many cases would rather counsel us to forego some ad- 
 vantages, than endeavour to gain them at a risk of 
 which we cannot certainly ascertain the amount. We 
 should more particularly suspect some design in the 
 professions of those who have once injured us ; and 
 though they may promise fairly for the future, it is no 
 breach of charity to doubt their sincerity, and decline 
 their proposals, however plausible they may appear ; 
 for experience shews that many of the misfortunes 
 which we experience through life, are caused by our 
 own too great credulity. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 151 
 
 THE OAK AND THE REED. 
 
 An Oak, which hung over the bank of a river, was 
 blown down by a violent storm of wind, and as it was 
 carried along by the stream, some of its boughs brush- 
 ed against a Reed which grew near the shore. This 
 struck the Oak with a thought of admiration, and he 
 could not forbear asking the Reed how he came to 
 stand so secure and unhurt, in a tempest which had 
 been furious enough to tear up an Oak by the roots ? 
 Why, says the Reed, I secure myself by a conduct the 
 reverse of yours : instead of being stubborn and stiff; 
 and confiding in my strength, I yield and bend to 
 the blast, and let it go over me, knowing how vain 
 
 and fruitless it would be to resist. 
 
 / 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Though a tame submission to injuries which it is in 
 
152 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 our power to redress, be generally esteemed a base and 
 dishonourable thing, yet to resist where there is no 
 probability, or even hope of getting the better, may 
 also be looked upon as the effect of a blind temerity, 
 and perhaps of a weak understanding. The strokes of 
 fortune are oftentimes as irresistible as they are severe, 
 and he who with an impatient spirit fights against her, 
 instead of alleviating, does but double the blows upon 
 himself. A person of a quiet still temper, whether it 
 be given him by nature, or acquired by art, calmly 
 composes himself in the midst of a storm, so as to elude 
 the shock, or receive it with the least detriment, — like a 
 prudent experienced sailor, who, in swimming to the 
 shore from a wrecked vessel, in a swelling sea, does not 
 oppose the fury of the waves, but stoops and gives way, 
 that they may roll over his head without obstruction. 
 The doctrine of absolute submission in all cases, is an 
 absurd dogmatical precept, with nothing but ignorance 
 and superstition to support it ; but, upon particular oc- 
 casions, and where it is impossible for us to overcome, 
 to submit patiently is one of the most reasonable max- 
 ims of life. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 1 53 
 
 FORTUNE AND THE BOY. 
 
 A School Boy, fatigued with play, laid himself down 
 by the brink of a deep well, where he fell fast asleep. 
 Fortune, whose wheel is always in motion, passing by, 
 kindly gave him a tap on the head, and awoke him. 
 My good boy, said she, arise and depart from this 
 dangei’ous situation immediately ; for if you had tum- 
 bled into this well, and been drowned, your friends 
 would not have attributed the accident to your care- 
 lessness, but would have laid the whole blame upon me. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Mankind suffer more evils from their own impru- 
 dence, than from events which it is not in their power 
 to controul ; but they are ever ready to complain of the 
 
 x 
 
154 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 perverseness of chance, and the capriciousness of for- 
 tune, and to impute the blame to her for whatever 
 mischiefs may befal them, when these clearly arise from 
 their own misconduct. Few men pass through life 
 without having had reason at one time or another to 
 thank Fortune for her favours; and great is the number 
 of those who have, through their own folly, indolence, 
 or inattention, neglected to profit by her kindness. 
 Prudent people take every care not to put themselves 
 in the power of accidents ; but those who carelessly give 
 up all their concerns to the guidance of blind chance, 
 must not be surprised if by some of the revolutions of 
 Fortune’s wheel, they feel the punishment due to their 
 negligence and folly. 
 
 J/iC (faj. 
 
 
 i 
 
FABLES. 
 
 155 
 
 THE WOLF AND THE CRANE. 
 
 A Wolf, after devouring his prey, happened to have 
 a bone stick in his throat, which gave him so much 
 pain, that he went howling up and down, and impor- 
 tuning every creature he met to lend him a kind hand 
 in order to his relief; nay, he promised a reasonable 
 reward to any one who should perform the operation 
 with success. At last, the Crane undertook the busi- 
 ness, ventured his long neck into the rapacious felon’s 
 throat, plucked out the bone, and asked for the pro- 
 mised reward. The Wolf, turning his eyes disdain- 
 fully towards him, said, I did not think you had been 
 so unconscionable : I had your head in my mouth, and 
 could have bit it oft' whenever I pleased, but suffered 
 you to take it away without any damage, and yet you 
 are not contented ! 
 
 x 2 
 
15G 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 Who serves a villain, might as wisely free 
 The hardened murderer from the fatal tree. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 There are people in the world to whom it may be 
 wrong to do services, upon a double score : first, be- 
 cause they never deserve to have a good office done 
 them ; and secondly, because when once engaged, it is 
 so hard a matter to get well rid of their acquaintance. 
 We ought to consider what kind of people they are, 
 to whom we are desired to do good offices, before we 
 do them : for he that grants a favour, or even confides 
 in a person of no honour, instead of finding his account 
 in it, comes off well, if he be no sufferer in the end. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 157 
 
 THE HART AND THE VINE. 
 
 A Hart being closely pursued by the Hunters, con- 
 cealed himself under the broad leaves of a shady Vine. 
 When the Hunters were gone by, and had given him 
 over for lost, he thinking himself very secure, began 
 to crop and eat the leaves of his shelter. By this, the 
 branches being put into a rustling motion drew the at- 
 tention of some of the Hunters that way, who seeing 
 the Vine stir, and fancying some wild beast had taken 
 covert there, shot their arrows at a venture, and killed 
 the Deer. Before he expired, he uttered his dying 
 words to this purpose: “ Ah!” says he, “ I suffer 
 justly for my ingratitude; because I could not forbear 
 doing an injury to the Vine, which so kindly concealed 
 me in time of danger.” 
 
158 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 There is no maxim which deserves more frequent 
 repetition, and if the heart be capable of amendment 
 by precept and admonition, no virtue should be more 
 strongly enforced and recommended than gratitude. 
 Where sentiments of this kind are wanting,' our na- 
 tures soon become debased, and our minds depraved. 
 Ingratitude has ever been justly branded as the black- 
 est of crimes, and, as it were, comprehending all other 
 vices within it. Nor can we say that this opinion is 
 too severe : for if a man be capable of injuring his 
 benefactor, what will he scruple doing towards ano- 
 ther? We may fairly conclude that he who is guilty 
 of ingratitude, will not hesitate at any other crime of 
 an inferior nature. Since there are no human laws to 
 punish this infamous prevailing vice, it would only 
 be doing an act of justice, and supplying the want, to 
 point out criminals of this description to the reproba- 
 tion of mankind, that men of worth might avoid all in- 
 tercourse and communication with them. The ingrate 
 should also bear in mind, that he strips himself of the 
 protection which might have been afforded by his 
 friends, and exposes himself to the shafts of his ene- 
 mies, who will not fail to take advantage of the de- 
 fenceless state to which his folly and depravity have re- 
 duced him. 
 
FABLES 
 
 159 
 
 THE HUNTED BEAVER. 
 
 A Beaver, having strayed far from his dwelling, 
 (which it is well known these animals construct with 
 infinite sagacity) was closely pursued by the hunters, 
 and knowing that he was thus persecuted for the sake 
 of the castor, which is contained in two little bags 
 placed underneath and near the tail, he, with great 
 resolution and presence of mind, bit them off with his 
 teeth, and leaving them behind him, thus escaped 
 with his life. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 It is in vain for individuals to contend against an 
 overwhelming power, and an ineffectual resistance to 
 violence only tends to double our sufferings. When 
 life is pursued, and in danger, whoever values it should 
 
160 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 give up every thing but his honour to preserve it ; and 
 there can be no disgrace in yielding voluntarily to our 
 persecutors, when we are certain that resistance is in 
 vain : but this doctrine can seldom be applied to the 
 case of a whole nation, for when tyranny and rapine 
 are making their wicked strides over a country (as has 
 sometimes happened even in Europe) the people would 
 seldom fail to rid themselves of their oppressors, if they 
 resolved to rise as one man, and bravely oppose them. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 1 61 
 
 THE ASS AND THE LION HUNTING. 
 
 The Lion, having thinned the forest of great num- 
 bers of the beasts upon which he preyed, and so scared 
 and intimidated the rest, that he found it very difficult 
 to get hold of any more of them, bethought himself of 
 a new expedient to obtain more readily a fresh supply. 
 He invited the Ass to assist him in his plan, and gave 
 him instructions how to act. Go, said the Lion, and 
 hide thyself in yonder thicket, and then let me hear 
 thee bray in the most frightful manner thou possibly 
 canst. The stratagem took effect accordingly. The Ass 
 brayed most hideously, and the timorous beasts, not 
 knowing what to think of it, began to scour off as fast 
 as they could ; when the Lion, who was posted at a 
 proper avenue, seized and killed them as he pleased. 
 Having got his belly full, he called out to the Ass, and 
 bade him leave off, telling him he had done enough. 
 
 Y 
 
FABLES. 
 
 1 62 
 
 Upon this, the long-eared brute came out of his am- 
 bush, and approaching the Lion, asked him, with an 
 air of conceit, how he liked his performance ? Pro- 
 digiously ! says he, you did it so well, that I protest 
 had I not known your nature and temper, I might 
 have been frightened myself. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 A bragging cowardly fellow may impose upon people 
 that do not know him ; but is the greatest jest imagina- 
 ble to those who do. There are many men who appear 
 very terrible and big in their manner of expressing 
 themselves, and if you could be persuaded to take their 
 own word for it, are perfect Lions ; but if we take the 
 pains to enquire a little into their true nature, are as 
 arrant Asses as ever brayed. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 163 
 
 THE SOW AND THE BITCH. 
 
 A Sow and a Bitch happening to meet, a debate 
 arose between them concerning their fruitfulness. The 
 Bitch insisted upon it, that she brought forth more at 
 a litter, and oftener, than any other four-legged crea- 
 ture. Nay, said the Sow, you do not do so, for others 
 are as prolific as you ; and besides, you are always in 
 such a hurry, that you bring your puppies into the 
 world blind. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 It is no wonder that our productions should come 
 into the world blind or lame, or otherwise defective, 
 when by forced or unnatural methods we accelerate 
 their birth, and impatiently refuse to let them go their 
 lull time. Then it is that the excellent proverb of the 
 
164 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 more haste the worse speed, is felt and fully verified. 
 This Fable has been pointed at those authors whose 
 itch for scribbling has been an annoyance to the world, 
 rather than of any real use to it ; and who have been 
 proud of, and boasted of the numerous but flimsy pro- 
 ductions of their vain and shallow brains. It is proper 
 to put such people in mind, that it is not he who does 
 most, but he who does the best, that will meet the ap- 
 probation of mankind. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 1 65 
 
 THE SATYR AND THE TRAVELLER. 
 
 A Satyr, as he was ranging the forest in an exceed- 
 ing cold snowy season, met with a Traveller half- 
 starved with the extremity of the weather. He took 
 compassion on him, and kindly invited him home to a 
 warm cave he had in the hollow of a rock. As soon as 
 they had entered and sat down, notwithstanding there 
 was a good fire in the place, the chilly Traveller could 
 not forbear blowing his fingers. Upon the Satyr ask- 
 ing him why he did so ? He answered, that he did it to 
 warm his hands. The honest Sylvan having seen little 
 of the world, admired a man who was master of so va- 
 luable a quality as that of blowing heat ; and therefore 
 resolved to entertain him in the best manner he could. 
 He spread the table with dried fruits of several sorts, 
 and produced a remnant of old cordial wine, which he 
 mulled with some warm spices over the fire, and pre- 
 sented to his shivering guest. But this the Traveller 
 
166 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 thought fit to blow upon likewise; and when the Sa- 
 tyr demanded a reason why he did so, he replied, to 
 cool his dish. This second answer provoked the Sa- 
 tyr’s indignation as much as the first had kindled his 
 surprise; so, taking the man by the shoulders, he 
 thrust him out of the place, saying, he would have no- 
 thing to do with a wretch who had so vile a quality as 
 to blow hot and cold with the same breath. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Nothing can be more offensive to a man of a sin- 
 cere honest heart, than he who blows with different 
 breaths from the same mouth : who flatters a man to 
 his face, and reviles him behind his back. Such dou- 
 ble-dealing false friends ought and will always be consi- 
 dered as unworthy of being treated otherwise than as 
 worthless and disagreeable persons : for unless the 
 tenor of a man’s life be always true and consistent with 
 itself, the less one has to do with him the better. It 
 is unfortunately too common with persons of this cast 
 of character, in the exalted stations of life, to serve a 
 present view, or perhaps only the caprice or whim of 
 the moment, to blow nothing but what is warm, bene- 
 volent, and cherishing, to raise up the expectations of 
 a dependent to the highest degree; and when they sus- 
 pect he may prove troublesome, they then, by a sudden 
 cold forbidding air, easily blast all his hopes and ex- 
 pectations : but such a temper, whether it proceed from 
 a designed or natural levity, is detestable, and has been 
 the cause of much trouble and mortification to many a 
 brave deserving man. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 167 
 
 THE FOX AND THE GRAPES. 
 
 A hungry Fox coming into a vineyard where there 
 hung delicious clusters of ripe Grapes, his mouth wa- 
 tered to be at them ; but they were nailed up to a trellis 
 so high, that with all his springing and leaping he 
 could not reach a single bunch. At last, growing 
 tired and disappointed, Let who will take them ! says 
 he, they are but green and sour ; so I’ll e’en let them 
 alone. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 To affect to despise that which they have long in- 
 effectually laboured to obtain, is the only consolation 
 to which weak minds can have recourse, both to pal- 
 liate their inability, and to take off the bitterness of 
 disappointment. There is a strange propensity in 
 
168 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 mankind to this temper, and there is a numerous class of 
 vain coxcombs in the world, who, because they would 
 never be thought to be disappointed in any of their 
 pursuits, pretend a dislike to every thing they cannot 
 obtain. The discarded statesman, considering the cor- 
 ruption of the times, would not have any hand in the 
 administration of affairs for the world ! The needy 
 adventurer, and pretended patriot, would fain persuade 
 all who will listen to them, that they would not go 
 cringing and creeping into a drawing-room, for the best 
 place the king has in his disposal ! Worthless young 
 fellows, who find that their addresses to virtue and 
 beauty are rejected ; and poor rogues who laugh to 
 scorn the rich and great, are all alike in saying, like 
 sly Reynard, the Grapes are sour ! 
 
FABLES. 
 
 169 
 
 THE MISCHIEVOUS DOG. 
 
 A certain Man had a Dog which was so ferocious 
 and surly, that lie was compelled to fasten a heavy clog 
 to his collar, to keep him from running at and indis- 
 criminately seizing upon every animal that came in his 
 way. This the vain Cur took for a badge of honoura- 
 ble distinction, and grew so insolent upon it, that he 
 looked down with an air of scorn upon the neighbour- 
 ing Dogs, and refused to keep them company : but a 
 sly old poacher, who w r as one of the gang, assured him 
 that he had no reason to value himself upon the favour 
 he wore, since it was fixed upon him as a badge of dis- 
 grace, not of honour. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 The only true w ay of estimating the value of tokens 
 z 
 
170 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 of distinction, is to reflect on what account they were 
 conferred. Those which have been acquired for vir- 
 tuous actions, will be regarded as illustrious signs of 
 dignity; but if they have been bestowed upon the 
 worthless and base, as the reward of vice or corrup- 
 tion, all the stars and garters, and collars of an illus- 
 trious order, — all the tinsel glories in which such crea- 
 tures may strut about in fancied superiority, will not 
 mask them from the sight of men of discernment, who 
 will always consider the means by which their honours 
 have been obtained, and truly estimate them as badges 
 of abasement and disgrace. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 171 
 
 THE BULL AND THE GOAT. 
 
 A Bull being pursued bj^ a Lion, fled towards a 
 cave, in which he designed to secure himself; but was 
 opposed at the entrance by a Goat, who had got pos- 
 session before him, and, threatening a kind of defiance 
 with his horns, seemed resolved to dispute the pass. 
 The Bull, who thought he had no time to lose in a 
 contest of this nature, immediately made off; but told 
 the Goat, that it was not for fear of him or bis defi- 
 ances : for, says he, if the Lion were not so near, I 
 would soon teach you the difference between a Bull 
 and a Goat. 
 
 z 2 
 
172 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION, 
 
 O’er-match’d, unaided, and his foes at hand, 
 
 Safely the coward may the brave withstand ; 
 
 But think not, dastard, thus thy glories shine — 
 
 He fears a greater force, but scoffs at thine. 
 
 It is very inhuman to deny succour and comfort to 
 people in tribulation ; but to insult them, and add to 
 their misfortunes, is something superlatively brutish and 
 cruel. There is, however, in the world, a sort of peo- 
 ple of this vile temper, and littleness of mind, who 
 wait for an opportunity of aggravating their neigh- 
 bour’s affliction, and defer the execution of their evil 
 inclinations until they can do it with the severest effect. 
 If a person suffer under an expensive law-suit, lest he 
 should escape from that, one of these gentlemen will 
 take care to arrest him in a second action, hoping, at 
 least, to keep him at bay, while the more powerful 
 adversary attacks him on the other side. One cannot 
 consider this temper, without observing something re- 
 markably cowardly in it : for these shuffling antagonists 
 never begin their encounter till they are very sure the 
 person they aim at is already over-matched. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 173 
 
 THE FISHERMAN. 
 
 A certain Fisherman having laid his nets in the 
 river, and placed them across the whole stream from 
 one side to the other, took a long pole, and fell to 
 heating the water to make the fish strike into his nets. 
 One of his neighbours seeing him do so, wondered 
 what he meant, and going up to him, Friend, says 
 he, what are you doing here ? Do you think it is to be 
 suffered that you shall stand splashing and dashing the 
 water, and making it so muddy, that it is not fit for 
 use ? Who do you think can live at this rate ? He was 
 going on in a great fury, when the other interrupted 
 him, and replied, I do not much trouble myself how 
 you are to live with my doing this; but I assure you I 
 cannot live without it. 
 
174 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 This Fable is levelled at those who love to « fish 
 in troubled waters,” and whose execrable principles 
 are such, that they care not what mischief or what 
 confusion they occasion in the world, provided they 
 can obtain their ends, or even gratify some little selfish 
 appetite. Little villains would set fire to a town, pro- 
 vided they could rake something of value to themselves 
 out of its ashes ; or kindle the flames of discord among 
 friends and neighbours, purely to gratify their own 
 malicious temper ; and among the great ones there are 
 those who, to succeed in their ambitious designs, will 
 make no scruple of involving their country in divi- 
 sions and animosities at home, and sometimes in war 
 and bloodshed abroad : provided they do but maintain 
 themselves in power, they care not what havoc and 
 desolation they bring upon the rest of mankind. Their 
 only reason is, that it must be so, because they cannot 
 live as they wish without it. But brutish unsocial sen- 
 timents like these, are such as a mere state of nature 
 would scarcely suggest ; and it is perverting the very 
 end, and overturning the first principles of society, 
 when, instead of contributing to the welfare of man- 
 kind, in return for the benefits we receive from them, 
 we thrive by their misfortunes, or subsist by their 
 ruin. Those, therefore, who have the happiness of 
 mankind at heart, (for happiness and morality are in- 
 separably connected) should enter their protest against 
 such wicked selfish notions, and oppose them with all 
 their might ; at the same time shunning the society of 
 their possessors as a plague, and consigning their cha- 
 racters to the detestation of posterity. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 175 
 
 THE FOX AND THE BOAR. 
 
 The Fox, in traversing the forest, observed a Boar 
 rubbing his tusks against a tree. Why how now 
 said the Fox, why make those martial preparations of 
 whetting the teeth, since there is no enemy near that 
 I can perceive? That may be, said the Boar; but 
 you ought to know, Master Reynard, that we should 
 scour up our arms while we have leisure : for in time 
 of danger we shall have something else to do ; and it is 
 a good thing always to be prepared against the worst 
 that can happen. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 All business that is necessary to be done should be 
 done betimes : for there is as little trouble in doing it 
 in season as out of season ; and he that is always ready 
 
FABLES. 
 
 1 76 
 
 can never be taken by surprize. Wise* just, and vigi- 
 lant governments know that they cannot be safe in 
 peace, unless they are always prepared for war, and 
 are ready to meet the worst that can happen. When 
 they become corrupt, or supine, and off their guard, 
 they thereby invite and expose their country to the 
 sudden attacks of its enemies. In private life, many 
 evils and calamities befal those who make no provision 
 against unforeseen or untoward accidents, wliich the 
 prudent man prevents by looking forward to proba- 
 ble contingencies, and having a reserve of every thing 
 necessary before-hand, — that he may not be put into 
 hurry and confusion, nor thrown into dilemmas and 
 difficulties, when the time comes that he may have to 
 encounter them. It cannot be too strongly impressed 
 upon the minds of all men, that day by day they are 
 approaching towards old age, and that they should 
 honourably endeavour to provide a store of conveni- 
 ences against that time, when they will be most in 
 want of them, and least able to procure them. To 
 reflect properly upon this, will give them pleasure in- 
 stead of pain ; and they will not die a day sooner for 
 being always ready for that certain event : to do other- 
 wise is acting like weak-minded men, who delay ma- 
 king their wills, and properly settling their worldly 
 affairs, because to them it looks so like the near ap- 
 proach of death. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 177 
 
 CiESAR AND THE SLAVE. 
 
 As Tiberius Caesar was upon a journey to Naples, 
 he stopped at a house which he had upon the mountain 
 Misenus. As he was walking in the gardens attached 
 to the house, one of his domestic slaves appeared in 
 the walks, sprinkling the ground with a watering pot, 
 in order to lay the dust, and this he did so officiously, 
 and ran with so much alertness from one walk to ano- 
 ther, that wherever the Emperor went, he still found 
 this fellow mighty busy with his watering pot. But at 
 last his design being discovered, which was to attract 
 the notice of Caesar by his extraordinary diligence, in 
 the hope that he would make him free, — part of the 
 ceremony of doing which consisted in giving the Slave 
 a gentle stroke on one side of his face, — his imperial 
 Majesty being disposed to be merry, called the Man to 
 
 2 A 
 
FABLES. 
 
 1?8 
 
 him, and when he came up, full of the joyful expecta- 
 tion of his liberty, Hark you friend, says he, I have 
 observed that you have been very busy a great while ; 
 but you were officiously meddling where you had no- 
 thing to do, while you might have employed your time 
 better elsewhere ; and therefore I must tell you, that 
 I cannot afford a box on the ear at' so low a price as 
 you bid for it. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Ph^edrus tells us upon his word, that this is a true 
 story, and that he wrote it for the sake of a set of in- 
 dustrious idle gentlemen at Rome, who were harassed 
 and fatigued with a daily succession of care and trou- 
 ble, because they had nothing to do. Always in a 
 hurry, but without business; busy, but to no purpose; 
 labouring under a voluntary necessity, and taking- 
 abundance of pains to shew they were good for no- 
 thing. But what great town or city is so entirely free 
 of this sect, as to render the moral of this Fable use- 
 less any where? For it points at all those officious good- 
 natured people, who are eternally running up and 
 down to serve their friends, without doing them any 
 good ; who, by a complaisance wrong judged or ill ap- 
 plied, displease whilst they endeavour to oblige, and 
 are never doing less to the purpose than when they are 
 most employed. In a word, this Fable is designed for 
 the reformation of all those who endeavour to gain for 
 themselves benefits and applause, from a misapplied 
 industry. It is not our being busy and officious that 
 will procure us the esteem of men of sense ; but the 
 application of our actions to some noble useful pur- 
 pose, and for the general good of mankind. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 179 
 
 THE FROGS AND THE FIGHTING BULLS. 
 
 A Frog, one day, peeping out of the lake, and look- 
 ing about him, saw two Bulls fighting at some distance 
 off in the meadow, and calling to his associates, Look, 
 says he, what dreadful work is yonder ! Dear sirs, 
 what will become of us? Tush, said one of his com- 
 panions, do not frighten yourself so about nothing; 
 how can their quarrels affect us ? They are of a dif- 
 ferent kind, and are at present only contending which 
 shall be master of the herd. That is true, replies the 
 first, their quality and station in life are different from 
 ours ; but as one of them will certainly prove conqueror, 
 he that is worsted, being beaten out of the meadow, 
 will take refuge here in the marshes, and possibly tread 
 some of us to death ; so you see we are more nearly 
 concerned in this dispute of theirs, than you were at 
 first aware. 
 
 2 a 2 
 
180 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 A wise man, however low his condition in life, looks 
 forward through the proper and natural course and 
 connection of causes and effects ; and in so doing, he 
 fortifies his mind against the worst that can befal him. 
 It is of no small importance to the honest and quiet 
 part of mankind, who desire nothing so much as to see 
 peace and virtue flourish, to consider well the conse- 
 quences that may arise to them out of the quarrels and 
 feuds of the great, and to endeavour, by every means 
 in their power, to avoid being in any way drawn in by 
 their influence to become a party concerned in their 
 broils and disputes : for no matter in which way the 
 strife between the high contending parties may termi- 
 nate, those who may have had the misfortune to be 
 concerned with them, ought to think themselves well off 
 if they do not smart for it severely in the end. How 
 often has it happened, that men in eminent stations, 
 who want to engross all power into their own hands, 
 begin, under the mask of patriotism, to foment divi- 
 sions and form factions, and excite animosities between 
 well-meaning, but undiscerning people, without whose 
 aid in one way or another they could not succeed ; but 
 who, at the same time, little think that the great aim 
 of their leaders is nothing more than the advancement 
 of their own private interest, or ambitious ends. The 
 good of the public is always pretended upon such occa- 
 sions, and may sometimes happen to be tacked to their 
 own; but then it is purely accidental, and never was 
 originally intended. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 181 
 
 THE OLD HOUND. 
 
 An Old Hound, who had excelled in his time, and 
 given his Master great satisfaction in many a chace, at 
 last, through age, became feeble and unserviceable. 
 However, being in the field one day, when the Stag 
 was almost run down, he happened to be the first that 
 came in with him, and seized him by the haunch ; but 
 his decayed and broken teeth not being able to keep 
 their hold, the Deer escaped ; upon which, his Master 
 fell into a great passion, and began to whip him se- 
 verely. The honest old creature is said to have barked 
 out this apology : Ah ! do not thus strike your poor 
 old servant : it is not my heart and inclination, but my 
 strength and speed, that fail me. If what I now am 
 displease you, pray do not forget what I have been ! 
 
182 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 O let not those, whom honest servants bless, 
 
 With cruel hands their age infirm oppress; 
 
 Forget their service past, their former truth, 
 
 And all the cares and labours of their youth. 
 
 This Fable is intended to reprove the ingratitude 
 too common among mankind, which leaves the faithful 
 servant to want and wretchedness, after he has spent 
 the prime of his life in our service for a bare subsist- 
 ence. Where slavery is allowed, the laws compel the 
 master to provide for the worn-out slave; and where 
 there is no law to enforce the debt of gratitude, none 
 but those who are insensible to all the finer feelings of 
 humanity will neglect it. Those who forget past ser- 
 vices, and treat their faithful servants or friends un- 
 kindly or injuriously, when they are no longer of use 
 to them, however high their pride, are unworthy of 
 the name of gentleman. They are, indeed, commonly 
 of an upstart breed, with whom the failure of human 
 nature itself is imputed as a crime ; and servants and 
 dependents, instead of being considered their fellow- 
 men, are treated like brutes for not being more than 
 men. The imprudence of this conduct is equal to its 
 wickedness, inasmuch as it directly tends to extinguish 
 the honest desire to please and to act faithfully, in the 
 younger servants, when they see that worn-out merit 
 thus goes unrewarded. Humanity and gratitude are 
 the greatest ornaments of the human mind, and when 
 they are extinguished, every generous and noble sen- 
 timent perishes along with them. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 183 
 
 THE TWO BITCHES. 
 
 A Bitch, who was just ready to whelp, intreated 
 another to lend her her kennel only till her month was 
 up, and assured her that then she should have it again. 
 The other very x*eadily consented, and with a great 
 deal of civility, resigned it to her immediately. How- 
 ever, when the time was elapsed, she came and made 
 her a visit, and very modestly intimated, that now she 
 was up and well, she hoped she should see her abroad 
 again ; for that, really, it woidd be inconvenient for 
 her to be without her kennel any longer, and there- 
 fore, she told her, she must be so free as to desire her 
 to provide herself with other lodgings as soon as she 
 could. The lying-in Bitch replied, that truly she was 
 ashamed of having kept her so long out of her own 
 house ; but it was not upon her own account (for in- 
 deed she was well enough to go any where) so much 
 
184 
 
 FABLES, 
 
 ns that of her puppies, who were yet so weak, that she 
 was afraid they would not be able to follow her ; and, 
 if she would be so good as to let her stay a fortnight 
 longer, she would take it as the greatest obligation in 
 the world. The other Bitch was so good-natured and 
 compassionate as to comply with this request also ; but 
 at the expiration of the term, came and told her posi- 
 tively that she must turn out, for she could not pos- 
 sibly let her be there a day longer. Must turn out, 
 says the other ; we will see to that : for I promise you, 
 unless you can beat me and my whole litter of whelps, 
 you are never likely to have any thing more to do here. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Wise and good-natured men do not shut their ears, 
 nor harden their hearts, against the calls of humanity, 
 and the cries of distress ; but how often are their gene- 
 rous natures imposed upon by the artifices of the base 
 and worthless ! These fail not to lay their plans with 
 deep cunning, to work themselves into the good graces 
 of the benevolent, and having accomplished their ends, 
 the return they often make is abusive language, or the 
 most open acts of violence. One ot the evil and lament- 
 able consequences arising out of this, is, that worth in 
 distress suffers by it : for distrust and suspicion take 
 hold of the minds of good men, and the hand of charity 
 is thus benumbed. This Fable may also serve to cau- 
 tion us never to let any thing we value go out of our 
 possession without good security. The man who means 
 to act prudently, ought never to put himself in the 
 power of others, or to run any risk of involving his 
 own family in ruin. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 185 
 
 THE IIEN AND THE FOX. 
 
 A Fox having crept into an out-house, looked up and 
 down, seeking what he might devour, and at last spied 
 a Hen perched up so high, that he could by no means 
 come at her. My dear friend, says he, how do you do? 
 I heard that you were ill, and kept within ; at which I 
 was so concerned, that I could not rest till I came to 
 see you. Pray how is it with you now ? Let me feel 
 your pulse a little : indeed you do not look well at all. 
 He was running on after this fulsome manner, when 
 the Plen answered him from the roost, Truly, friend 
 Reynard, you are judging rightly, for I never was in 
 more pain in my life : I must beg your pardon for 
 being so free as to tell you that I see no company ; 
 and you must excuse me too for not coming down to 
 you, for, to say the truth, my condition is such, that 
 I fear I should catch my death by it. 
 
186 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 It is generally the design of hypocritical persons to 
 delude and impose upon others, with an eye to de- 
 rive some benefit to themselves, when they pretend to 
 feel a flattering anxiety for their welfare ; or sometimes 
 they may perhaps, with impertinent folly, mean no 
 more than merely to mock and befool men who are 
 weak enough to become their dupes. In both cases 
 they are enemies to truth and sincerity, which adorn 
 and tend so greatly to promote the happiness of so- 
 ciety, and they ought to be exposed as such. For al- 
 though men of penetration see through the pretence, 
 and escape its dangers, yet the weak, the vain, and the 
 unsuspicious are put off their guard, and have not dis- 
 cernment enough to shun the trap so pleasingly baited. 
 The Fable also furnishes a hint against hypocritical, 
 legacy hunters, whose regard is generally of the same 
 nature as that of the Fox for the Hen. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 187 
 
 THE ASS IN THE LION’S SKIN. 
 
 An Ass, while feeding upon the coarse herbage by 
 the edge of a wood, found a Lion’s skin, and putting 
 it on, went in this disguise into the adjoining forests 
 and pastures, and threw all the flocks and herds into 
 the greatest consternation and dismay. At length, his 
 master, who was in search of him, made his appear- 
 ance, and the silly beast, entertaining the idea of 
 frightening him also, capered forward with a terrific 
 gait towards him ; but the good man seeing his long 
 ears stick out, presently knew him, and with a stout 
 cudgel made him sensible, that notwithstanding his be- 
 ing dressed in a Lion’s skin, he was really no more 
 than an Ass. 
 
 2 B 2 
 
188 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 As all affectation is wrong, and tends to expose 
 and make a man ridiculous, so the more distant he is 
 from the thing which he affects to appear, the stronger 
 will be the ridicule which he excites, and the greater 
 the inconvenience into which he thereby runs himself. 
 How strangely absurd it is for a timorous person to 
 procure a military post, in order to keep himself out of 
 danger ! and to fancy a red coat the surest protection 
 for cowardice ! Yet there have been those who have 
 purchased a commission to avoid being insulted ; and 
 have been so silly as to think courage was interwoven 
 with a sash, or tied up in a cockade. But it would 
 not be amiss for such gentlemen to consider that it is 
 not in the power of scarlet cloth to alter nature, and 
 that as it is expected a soldier should shew himself a 
 man of courage and intrepidity upon all proper occa- 
 sions, they may by this means meet the disgrace they 
 intended to avoid, and appear greater Asses than they 
 needed to have done. However, it is not in point of 
 fortitude only that people are liable to expose them- 
 selves, by assuming a character to which they are not 
 equal ; but he who puts on a shew of learning, of reli- 
 gion, of a superior capacity in any respect, or in short, 
 of any virtue or knowledge, to which he has no proper 
 claim, is, and will always be found to be, an Ass in a 
 Lion’s skin. 
 
FABLES, 
 
 189 
 
 THE CLOWN AND THE GNAT. 
 
 As a clownish Fellow was sitting musing upon a 
 bank, a Gnat alighted upon his leg and bit it. He 
 slapped his hand upon the place, with the intention of 
 of crushing the assailant ; but the little nimble insect 
 escaped between his fingers, and repeated its attacks. 
 Every time he struck at it, he gave himself a smart 
 blow upon the leg, but missed his aim. At this he be- 
 came enraged, and in the height of his peevish and 
 impatient humour, he earnestly prayed to Hercules, 
 beseeching him with his mighty power to stretch forth 
 his arm against a pernicious insect, by which he was 
 so miserably tormented. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 He who suffers his mind to be ruffled by every little 
 
190 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 inconvenience, subjects himself to perpetual uneasiness 
 and disquiet. There is no accident, however trivial, 
 but is capable of disconcerting him, and he becomes 
 absurdly miserable on the most foolish occasion. His 
 good humour is soured in an instant, and he is render- 
 ed uncomfortable to himself, and odious or ridiculous 
 to all about him. He prays with earnestness to the 
 Supreme Being to aid him in all his paltry selfish 
 schemes, or to gratify vanities, for which, as a ration- 
 al being, he ought to blush and be ashamed. The 
 imaginary distresses, which his unfortunate disposition 
 heightens into severe calamities, are matter of diver- 
 sion to those who are disposed to sneer at him ; and 
 when his pettish humour makes him rave like a mad- 
 man, and curse his fate, at the dropping of a hat, or 
 the blunder of a servant, even his friends must view 
 his behaviour with a mixed emotion of pity and con- 
 tempt. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 191 
 
 THE WOLF AND THE LAMB. 
 
 One hot sultry day, a Wolf and a Lamb happened 
 to come just at the same time, to quench their thirst 
 in the stream of a brook that fell tumbling down the 
 side of a rocky mountain. The Wolf stood upon the 
 higher ground, and the Lamb at some distance below 
 him. However, the Wolf, having a mind to pick a 
 quarrel with the Lamb, asked him what he meant by 
 disturbing the water, and making it so muddy that he 
 could not drink ? and, at the same time, demanded sa- 
 tisfaction. The Lamb, frightened at this threatening 
 charge, told him, in a tone as mild as possible, that 
 with humble submission, he could not conceive how 
 that could be, since the water which he drank ran 
 down from the Wolf to him, and therefore could not 
 be disturbed so far up the stream. Be that as it 
 may, replies the Wolf, you are a rascal, and I have 
 
192 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 been told that you used ill language concerning me be- 
 hind my back, about half a year ago. Upon my word, 
 says the Lamb, the time you mention w r as before I was 
 born. The Wolf, finding it to no purpose to argue 
 any longer against truth, fell into a' great passion, 
 snarling and foaming at the mouth as if he had been 
 mad ; and drawing nearer to the Lamb, Sirrah, says 
 he, if it were not you, it w r as your father, and that is 
 the same. So he seized the poor innocent helpless 
 thing, tore it to pieces, and made a meal of it. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Where’er oppression rules, fell Wolves devour ; 
 
 And the worst crimes ai’e want of strength and pow’r. 
 
 They who do not feel the sentiments of humanity, 
 will seldom listen to the voice of reason ; and when 
 cruelty and injustice are armed with power, and de- 
 termined on oppression, the strongest pleas of inno- 
 cence arc preferred in vain, and nothing is more easy 
 than finding pretences to criminate the unsuspecting 
 victims of tyranny. How many of the degenerate, cor- 
 rupt, and arbitrary governments with which the civi- 
 lized world has been disfigured, have exercised their 
 vengeance upon the honest and virtuous, who have 
 dared in bad times to speak the truth ; and how many 
 men in private life are to be met with, whose wolfish 
 dispositions, and envious and rapacious tempers cannot 
 bear to see honest industry rear its head ! 
 
FABLES. 
 
 193 
 
 THE MICE IN COUNCIL. 
 
 The Mice called a general council, and after the 
 doors were locked, entered into a free consultation 
 about ways and means how to render themselves more 
 secure from the danger of the Cat. Many schemes were 
 proposed, and much debate took place upon the mat- 
 ter. At last, a young Mouse, in a fine florid speech, 
 broached an expedient, which he contended was the 
 only one to put them entirely out of the power of the 
 enemy, and this was, that the Cat should wear a bell 
 about her neck, which, upon the least motion, would 
 give the alarm, and be a signal for them to retire into 
 their holes. This speech was received with great ap- 
 plause, and it was even proposed by some, that the 
 Mouse who had made it should have the thanks of the 
 assembly. Upon which, an old Mouse, who had sat 
 silent hitherto, gravely observed, that the contrivance 
 
FABLES. 
 
 194 . 
 
 was admirable, and the author of it, without doubt r 
 very ingenious; blit lie thought it would not be so pro- 
 per to vote him thanks, till he should further inform 
 them how the bell was to be fastened about the Cat’s 
 neck, and who would undertake the task. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 It is easy for visionary projectors to devise schemes, 
 and to descant on their utility, which, after all, are 
 found to be so impracticable, or so difficult, that no 
 man of solid judgment can be prevailed upon to at- 
 tempt putting them into execution. In all matters 
 where the good of the community is at stake, new pro- 
 jects should be carefully examined in all their bearings, 
 that the ruinous consequences which might follow them 
 may be avoided. All business of this import ought to 
 be left to the decision of such men only as are distin- 
 guished for their good sense, probity, honour, and pan 
 triotism. When these have examined them in all their 
 different bearings, we may place confidence in their 
 labours, and adopt their plans; but the Fable teaches 
 us not to listen to those rash and ignorant politicians, 
 who are always foisting their schemes upon the public 
 upon every occurrence of mal-administration, without 
 looking beneath the surface, or considering whether 
 they be practicable or otherwise. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 195 
 
 THE APE CHOSEN KING. 
 
 On the death of the old Lion, without his leaving 
 an heir, the beasts assembled to choose another king 
 of the forest in his stead. The crown was tried on 
 many a head, but did not sit easy upon any one. At 
 length the Ape putting it upon his own, declared that 
 it fitted him quite well, and after shewing them many 
 antic tricks, he with a great deal of grimace, and an 
 affected air of wisdom, offered himself to fill the high 
 office. The silly creatures being pleased with him at 
 the moment, instantly, by a great majority, proclaim- 
 ed him king. The Fox, quite vexed to see his fellow- 
 subjects act so foolishly, resolved to convince them of 
 their sorry choice, and knowing of a trap ready baited, 
 at no great distance, he addressed himself to King 
 Ape, and told him that he had discovered a treasure, 
 2 c 2 
 
19 C) 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 which being found on the waste, belonged to his Ma- 
 jesty. The Ape presently went to take possession of 
 the prize; but no sooner had he laid his paws upon the 
 bait, than he was caught fast in the trap. In this si- 
 tuation, between shame and anger, he chattered out 
 many bitter reproaches against the Fox, calling him 
 rebel and traitor, and threatening revenge : to all which 
 Reynard gravely replied, that this was nothing but a 
 beginning of what he would meet with in the high sta- 
 tion his vanity had prompted him to aspire to, as it 
 was only one of the many traps that would be laid for 
 him, and in which he w r ould be caught ; but he hoped, 
 this one might be a treasure to him, if it operated as a 
 caution, and served to put him in mind of the false 
 estimate he had put upon his abilities, in supposing, 
 that with his inexperienced empty pate, he could ma- 
 nage the weighty affairs of state. He then, w ith a 
 laugh, left him to be relieved from his peril by one or 
 other of his foolish loving subjects. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 When Apes are in power, Foxes will never be 
 wanting to play upon them. Men shew their folly, 
 rashness, and want of consideration, when they elect 
 rulers without the qualifications of integrity and abili- 
 ties to recommend them to the office ; and the higher 
 it is, the more important it is to the interests of the 
 community that it should be properly filled. The 
 Fable also shews the weakness of those who, through 
 self-conceit, aspire to any high station without the re- 
 quisites to befit them for it, and the want of which ex- 
 poses authority to scorn. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 197 
 
 THE OLD MAN AND DEATH. 
 
 A poor feeble old Man, who had crawled from his 
 cottage into a neighbouring wood to gather a few 
 sticks, had made up his bundle, and laying it over his 
 shoulders, was trudging homewards; but what with 
 age, and the length of the way, he grew so faint and 
 weak, that he sunk under it, and as he sat upon the 
 ground, called upon Death to come once for all and 
 ease him of his troubles. Death no sooner heard him, 
 than he came and demanded what he wanted? The 
 poor old Creature, who little thought Death was so 
 near, frightened almost out of his senses with his 
 tenible aspect, answered him trembling, That having 
 by chance let his bundle of sticks fall, and being too 
 m to & et it up himself, he had made bold to call 
 upon him to help him ; and he hoped his worship w r as 
 
198 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 not offended with him for the liberty he had taken in 
 craving his assistance. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 This Fable gives us a lively representation of the 
 general behaviour of mankind towards that grim king 
 of terrors, Death. Such liberties do they take with 
 him behind his back, that upon every little accident 
 which happens in their way, Death is immediately 
 called upon, and they even wish it might be lawful for 
 them to finish with their own hands a life so odious, 
 so perpetually tormenting, and vexatious. When, let 
 but Death make his appearance, and the very sense of 
 his near approach almost does the business : then it is 
 that they change their minds, and would be glad to 
 come off so well as to have their old burthen laid upon 
 their shoulders again. But wise and good men know 
 that care and numberless disappointments must be their 
 portion in their passage through life, and know also 
 that it is their duty to endure them with patience ; for 
 he is the best and happiest man who neither wishes nor 
 fears the approach of Death. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 199 
 
 THE TWO FROGS. 
 
 One hot sultry summer, the lakes and ponds being 
 almost every where dried up, a couple of Frogs agreed 
 to travel together in search of water. At last they 
 came to a deep well, and sitting upon the brink of it, 
 began to consult whether they should leap in or not. 
 One of them was for it, urging that there was plenty 
 of clear spring water, and no danger of being disturb- 
 ed. Well, says the other, all this may be true, and 
 yet I cannot come into your opinion for my life ; for if 
 the water should happen to dry there too, how should 
 we get out again ? 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 In human affairs, many stations we meet, 
 Where ’tis easy to enter, but hard to retreat. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 200 
 
 We ought never to change our situation in life, nor 
 undertake any action of importance, without first duly 
 and deliberately weighing the consequences that may 
 follow, in all their different bearings. It is commonly 
 owing to the neglect of such wholesome precautions, 
 that numbers of young people are led into unfortunate 
 matches, suddenly made up; and others are from the 
 same causes led into a round of profuse living, or into 
 gaming and other extravagant conduct, which is sure to 
 terminate in ruin. To look before we leap, is a maxim 
 worthy of being remembered by all ranks and condi- 
 tions of men, from the lowest to the highest : even 
 kings may reap benefit by it; for when they inconsi- 
 derately execute those schemes which their wicked 
 counsellors advise, they have often abundant reason to 
 repent. By this blind stupidity, wars are commenced, 
 from which a state cannot be extricated either with 
 honour or safety ; and unwise projects are encouraged 
 by the rash accession of those who never considered 
 the consequences, or how they were to get out, till 
 they had plunged themselves irrecoverably into them. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 201 
 
 
 
 If 
 
 Ipppp^' II 
 
 
 
 THE FOX AND THE BRIAR. 
 
 A Fox scrambling hastily over a hedge, in his flight 
 from the hounds, got his foot severely torn by a Briar. 
 Smarting with the pain, he burst into revilings and 
 complaints at this treatment, which he declared he 
 little expected to meet with for only passing over a 
 hedge ; and he could not help thinking it was very bad 
 usage to be thus grappled by the long arms, and cut 
 and wounded by the sharp crooked spines of a Briar. 
 True, says the Briar, but recollect that you intended 
 to have made me serve your turn, and would, without 
 ceremony, have trampled me down to the ground : but 
 none of your freedoms with me, Master Reynard ; you 
 may make a convenience of others perhaps, but the 
 family of the Briars arc not of that cast. Whoever 
 presumes to use any impudent familiarities with them, 
 is sure to smart for it. 
 
 2 D 
 
202 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Presuming and arrogant people do not hesitate to 
 make a convenience, or a kind of stepping stone, of any 
 one who will suffer them to do so ; and if they can only 
 get their turn served, no matter how, they use no cere- 
 mony, nor shew any delicacy in accomplishing their 
 ends. But the selfish and impudent gentry, who are 
 so apt to take liberties of this kind, now and then mis- 
 take their men, and arc justly retorted upon ; and 
 however upon these occasions they may be surprized 
 and angry, others, who are indifferent spectators, in- 
 stead of viewing them as objects of pity, feel a secret 
 satisfaction in seeing them suffer, as proper examples 
 of justice. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 20.3 
 
 THE MAN AND THE WEASEL. 
 
 A Man having caught a Weasel in his pantry, was 
 just going to kill it, when the little captive begged 
 that he would not do so cruel a deed, but spare his 
 life; and he assured the Man that he was his friend, 
 and only entered his pantry with a view of destroying 
 the mice with which it was infested. That may be, 
 said the Man, but you do not do this with the inten- 
 tion of serving me, nor with any other view but that 
 of serving yourself; and besides, you are so ferocious 
 and cruel a little creature, that you kill every animal 
 you have within your power, without the least com- 
 punction, and seem to delight in killing lor killing’s 
 sake ; therefore, your pretensions to serve me, and 
 jour plea for mercy, are good for nothing. 
 
 2 n 2 
 
204 - 
 
 fables. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Many people in the world are ever ready to set up 
 the pretensions of their acting with zeal, purely to 
 serve the public, and pretend that it is through the 
 warmth of their friendship that they do the same to 
 individuals; but the main spring of all the actions of 
 the agents of treachery, and of bad men, is set a-going 
 with the view only of serving themselves. It is thus 
 that the unprincipled and mercenary thief-taker would 
 like well to be accounted a public spirited man ; and 
 he cannot help boasting of his services as such. The 
 hangman’s pretensions are of the same kind : but how- 
 ever useful and necessary some of such a description of 
 men may be, to keep down the wicked part of man- 
 kind, who are a nuisance to civilized society, yet the 
 instruments themselves are very like in character to the 
 Weasel in the Fable. The same may be said of those 
 factious writers, who pester the public with their cla- 
 morous charges, under the mask of patriotism, but 
 whose real motive is either to gain money by the sale 
 of their highly seasoned scandals, or to run down their 
 corrupt opponents in order to obtain their places. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 20 5 
 
 THE BOAR AND THE ASS. 
 
 An Ass happening to meet with a Boar, and being 
 in a frolicsome humour, and having a mind to shew 
 some of his silly wit, began in a sneering familiar style 
 to accost the Boar with, So ho, brother, your humble 
 servant, how is all at home with you ? The Boar, net- 
 tled at his familiarity, muttered out, Brother indeed ! 
 then bristled up towards him, told him he was sur- 
 prized at his impudence, and was just going to shew 
 his resentment by giving him a rip in the flank : but 
 wisely stifling his passion, he contented himself with 
 only saying, Go, thou sorry beast ! I could be easily 
 and amply revenged upon thee ; but I dont care to foul 
 my tusks with the blood of so base a creature ! 
 
206 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 It is no uncommon thing to meet with impudent 
 fools, so very eager of being thought wits, that they 
 will run great hazards in attempting to shew them- 
 selves such, and will often persist in their awkward 
 raillery to the last degree of offence. But these kind 
 of folks, instead of raising themselves into esteem, are 
 held in contempt by men of sense; and though the 
 generous and the brave may scorn to suffer them- 
 selves to be. ruffled by the insolent behaviour of every 
 ass that offends them, yet such sparks must not from 
 thence conclude, that they will not meet with retorts 
 in kind from men far superior to themselves in mental 
 endowments ; or that their unseasoned wit will always 
 escape a more proper, but a different chastisement. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 207 
 
 THE DOG AND THE SHEEP. 
 
 The Dog sued the Sheep for a debt, of which the 
 Kite and the Wolf were to be the judges. They, 
 without debating long upon the matter, or making any 
 scruple for want of evidence, gave sentence for the 
 plaintiff, who immediately tore the poor Sheep in 
 pieces, and divided the spoil with the unjust judges. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Of the many evils which throw back the well-being 
 of society, none raise in the honest mind more pain- 
 ful and indignant feelings, than beholding the judg- 
 ment seat of mercy and justice filled by an unjust, cor- 
 rupt, and wicked judge, who has become, step by step, 
 hardened in his impious enormities, and is the fully- 
 prepared tool and supporter of tyranny and arbitrary 
 
208 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 power. Fraud and oppression follow in his train : the 
 righteous laws of a just government are frittered away, 
 or superseded : truth and innocence are obnoxious ; 
 honesty is sneered at, and it becomes criminal to es- 
 pouse the cause of virtue. In this state of things, wick- 
 edness predominates, and its rapacious abettors give 
 full scope to the exercise of all kind of oppression and 
 injustice, to gratify their own vicious lusts. Then it 
 is that mankind are made to feel the evils of power be- 
 ing in the hands of the worst of their species, who, 
 without hesitatioa, rob them of their property, and 
 divide the spoils. If there be not a sufficiency of the 
 most spirited and vii’tuous patriotism to rescue the 
 country from their fangs, then is despotism and degra- 
 dation near at hand. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 '209 
 
 JUPITER AND THE HERDSMAN. 
 
 A Herdsman missing a young heifer, went up and 
 down the forest to seek it ; and having walked over a 
 great deal of ground to no purpose, he fell a praying to 
 Jupiter for relief, promising to sacrifice a kid to him, 
 if he would help him to a discovery of the thief. After 
 this he went on a little farther, and came near a grove 
 of oaks, where he espied the carcase of his heifer, and 
 a Lion growling over it, and feeding upon it. This 
 sight almost scared him out of his wits; so down he 
 fell upon his knees once more, and addressing himself 
 to Jupiter, O Jupiter, says he, I promised thee a kid 
 to shew me the thief; but now I promise thee a bull, 
 if thou wilt be so merciful as to deliver me out of his 
 clutches. 
 
21 Q 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 We ought never to supplicate the Divine power, 
 hut through motives of religion and virtue. Prayers 
 dictated by blind self-interest, or to gratify some mis- 
 guided passion, cannot, it is presumed, be acceptable 
 to the Deity ; and of all the involuntary sins which 
 men commit, scarcely any are more frequent than their 
 praying absurdly and improperly, as well as unseason- 
 ably, when their time might have been employed to a 
 better purpose. Would men, as they ought to do, 
 obey the commands of Omnipotence, by fulfilling their 
 moral duties, and endeavour with all their might to 
 live as justly as they can, a just Providence would give 
 them what they ought to have : but stupidity and ig- 
 norance, until better informed, and divested of super- 
 stition and bigotry, will continue to form their notions 
 of the Supreme Being from their own poor shallow 
 conceptions ; and nothing contributes more to keep up 
 this injudicious practice among simple, but perhaps 
 well-meaning people, than the numerous collections of 
 those crude rhapsodies, the offspring of itinerant bigot- 
 ry, with which the country overflows; while most of 
 those prayers are neglected which have been composed 
 with due reflection and matured deliberation, by the 
 most learned and pious of men. This Fable also 
 teaches us, that frequently the gratification of our vain 
 prayers would only lead us into dangers and evils, of 
 the existence of which we had no previous suspicion. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 211 
 
 THE OLD LION. 
 
 A Lion, that in the prime of his life had been very 
 rapacious and cruel, was reduced by age and infirmi- 
 ties to extreme feebleness. Several of the beasts of 
 the forest, who had been great sufferers by him, now 
 came and revenged themselves upon him. The Boar 
 ripped him with his tusks, the Bull gored him with 
 his horns, and others in various ways had each a stroke 
 at him. When the Ass saw that they might do all 
 this without any danger, he also came and threw his 
 heels in the Lion’s face. Upon which, the poor ex- 
 piring tyrant is said to have groaned out these words : 
 Alas ! how grievous is it to suffer insults, even from 
 the brave and valiant ; ,jut to be spurned at by so base 
 a creature as this, is worse than dying ten thousand 
 deaths ! 
 
 2 e 2 
 
212 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 When men in power lose sight of justice and mercy, 
 and cruelly and unjustly tyrannise over the people un- 
 der their sway, they never will gain sincere reverence 
 or respect from the rest of mankind. The injuries they 
 inflict in the hey-day of their wicked career, will be 
 remembered with detestation through life ; and when 
 age and impotence lay hold of them, they must not 
 expect to meet with friends they never deserved ; but 
 may be certain of being treated with neglect and con- 
 tempt, and the baser their enemies are, the more in- 
 solent and intolerable will be the affront. It will then 
 be discovered, with bitter remorse, that the days have 
 passed away, in which virtue and dignity ought to 
 have laid the foundation of a reputation which would 
 have been the solace of old age, and also extended a 
 good name to posterity with feelings of veneration; in- 
 stead of which the remembrance of past crimes will 
 haunt the guilty mind, and the unjust man will at 
 last be thrown into the grave with the common dust, 
 amidst the whispers of “ Let him go,” and he will be 
 no more remembered than the animals on which he 
 feasted, or the herbage which was cut down when he 
 was a child. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 213 
 
 THE MAGPIE AND THE SHEEP. 
 
 A Magpie sat chattering upon the back of a Sheep, 
 and pulling off the wool to line her nest. Peace, you 
 noisy thing, says the Sheep : if I were a dog, you 
 durst not serve me so. That is true enough, replies 
 the Magpie, I know very well whom I have to deal 
 with : I never meddle with the surly and revengeful ; 
 but I love to plague such poor helpless creatures as 
 you are, who cannot do me any harm. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 It is the characteristic of a mean, low, base spirit, 
 to be insolent or tyrannical to those who are obliged 
 to submit to it, and slavishly submissive to those who 
 have the spirit and the power to resist. Men of this 
 stamp take especial care not to meddle with people of 
 
214 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 their own malicious principles, for fear of meeting with 
 a suitable return ; but they delight in doing mischief 
 for mischief’s sake, and seem pleased when they can 
 insult the innocent with impunity. This kind of be- 
 haviour is inconsistent with all the rules of honour and 
 generosity, and is opposite to every thing that is great, 
 good, amiable, and praise-worthy. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 215 
 
 THE FOX AND THE STORK. 
 
 The Fox invited the Stork to dinner, and, being 
 disposed to divert himself at the expence of his guest, 
 provided nothing tor the entertainment but soup, which 
 he served up in a wide shallow dish. This the Fox 
 could lap up with a great deal of ease ; but the Stork, 
 who coidd but just dip in the point of his bill, was not 
 a bit the better for his entertainment. However, a 
 few days after, he returned the compliment, and in- 
 vited the Fox ; but suffered nothing to be brought to 
 table excepting some minced meat in a glass jar, the 
 neck of which was so deep, and so narrow, that, 
 though the Stork with, his long bill made a shift to 
 fill his belly, all that the Fox, who was very hungry, 
 could do, was to lick the brims as the Stork slabbered 
 them with his eating. Reynard was heartily vexed at 
 
216 
 
 FAI5LES. 
 
 first ; but when lie came to take his leave, owned in- 
 genuously, that he had been used as he deserved ; and 
 that he had no reason to take any treatment ill, of 
 which himself had set the example. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 It is very imprudent, as well as uncivil, to affront 
 any one, and we should always reflect, before we rally 
 another, whether we can bear to have the jest retorted. 
 Whoever takes the liberty to exercise his witty talent 
 in that way, must not be surprised if he meet reprisals 
 in the end. Indeed, if all those who are thus paid in 
 their own coin, would take it with the same frankness 
 that the Fox did, the matter would not be much ; but 
 we are too apt, when the jest comes to be turned home 
 upon ourselves, to think that insufferable in another 
 which we looked upon as pretty and facetious when 
 the humour was our own. The rule of doing as we 
 would be done by, so proper to be our model in every 
 transaction of life, may more particularly be of use in 
 this respect. People seldom or never receive any ad- 
 vantage by these little ludicrous impositions ; and yet, 
 if they were to ask themselves the question, would find, 
 that they would receive the same treatment from ano- 
 ther with a very bad grace. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 217 
 
 THE COUNTRYMAN AND THE SNAKE. 
 
 A Villager found a Snake under a hedge, almost 
 dead with cold. Having compassion on the poor crea- 
 ture, he brought it home, and laid it upon the hearth 
 near the fire, where it had not lain long before it re- 
 vived with the heat, and began to erect itself, and fly 
 at the wife and children of its preserver, filling the 
 whole cottage with its frightful hissings. The Coun- 
 tryman hearing an outcry, came in, and perceiving 
 how the matter stood, took up a mattock, and soon 
 dispatched the ingrate, upbraiding him at the same 
 time in these words : Is this, vile wretch, the reward 
 you make to him that saved your life? Die, as you 
 deserve ; but a single death is too good for you. 
 
218 
 
 FABLES, 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 There are some minds so depraved, and entire- 
 ly abandoned to wickedness, so dead to all virtuous 
 feelings, that the tenderness and humanity of others, 
 though exerted in their own favour, not only fail to 
 make a proper impression of gratitude upon them, but 
 are not able to restrain them from repaying benevo- 
 lence with injuries. Moralists, in all ages, have in- 
 cessantly declaimed against the enormity of this crime, 
 concluding that they who are capable of injuring their 
 benefactors, are not fit to live in a community; being 
 such as the natural ties of parent, friend, or country 
 are too weak to restrain within the bounds of society. 
 Indeed, the sin of ingratitude is so detestable, that none 
 but the basest tempers can be guilty of it. Men of low 
 grovelling minds, who have been rescued from indi- 
 gence by the hand of benevolence, or of charity, for- 
 get their benefactors, as well as their original wretch- 
 edness ; and as soon as prosperity flows upon them, it 
 too often serves only to rekindle their native rancour 
 and venom, and they hiss and brandish their tongues 
 against those who are so inadvertent or unfortunate as 
 to have served them. But prudent people need not to 
 be admonished on this subject ; for they know how 
 much it behoves them to beware of taking a snake into 
 their bosom. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 219 
 
 THE COCK AND THE FOX. 
 
 A Cock, perched upon a lofty tree, crowed so loud, 
 that his voice echoed through the wood, and drew to 
 the place a Fox, who was prowling in quest of prey. 
 But Reynard finding the Cock was inaccessible, had 
 recourse to stratagem to decoy him down. Approach- 
 ing the tree, Cousin, says he, I am heartily glad to 
 see you ; but I cannot forbear expressing my uneasiness 
 at the inconvenience of the place, which will not let me 
 pay my respects to you in a better manner, though 
 I suppose you will come down presently, and that 
 difficulty will be removed. Indeed, cousin, says the 
 Cock, to tell you the truth, I do not think it safe to 
 venture upon the ground ; for, though I am convinced 
 how much you are my friend, yet I may have the mis- 
 fortune to fall into the clutches of some other beast, 
 
 2 f 2 
 
FABLES. 
 
 <220 
 
 and what will become of me then ? O dear, says Rey- 
 nard, is it possible you do not know of the peace that 
 has been so lately proclaimed between all kinds of birds 
 and beasts; and that we are for the future to forbear 
 hostilities, and to live in harmony, under the severest 
 penalties. All this while the Cock seemed to give little 
 attention to what was said, but stretched out his neck 
 as if he saw something at a distance. Cousin, says the 
 Fox, what is that you look at so earnestly ? Why, 
 says the Cock, I think I see a pack of hounds yonder, 
 a good way oft’. O then, says the Fox, your humble 
 servant, I must be gone. Nay, pray cousin do not go, 
 says the Cock, I am just coming down ; sure you are 
 not afraid of the dogs in these peaceable times. No, 
 no, says he; but ten to one whether they have yet 
 heard of the proclamation ! 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 The moral of this Fable principally instructs us not 
 to be too credulous in believing the insinuations of 
 
 o 
 
 those who are already distinguished by their want of 
 faith and honesty, for perfidious people ought ever to 
 be suspected in the reports that favour their own in- 
 terest. When, therefore, any such would draw us 
 into a compliance with their destructive measures, by 
 a pretended civility, or plausible relation, we should 
 consider such proposals as a bait, artfully placed to 
 conceal some fatal hook, which is intended to draw us 
 into danger ; and if by any simple counterplot w r e can 
 unmask the design and defeat the schemes of the wick- 
 cd, it will not only be innocent, but praise-worthy. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 221 
 
 THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE. 
 
 A Hare vainly boasting of her great speed in run- 
 ning, and casting a look of disdain upon a Tortoise, 
 that was slowly moving along, What a poor crawling 
 thing are you ! said she: I can go over a territory of 
 country with the velocity of the wind, while you are 
 an hour in accomplishing a journey of half a furlong. 
 In a race I could leave you twenty miles behind me, in 
 the time you were about reaching the end of one. I 
 don’t know that, said the Tortoise, and will give you 
 a trial. Upon this, a match was made to run a cer- 
 tain distance, and the Fox, who had heard the dis- 
 pute, was chosen umpire of the race. They then 
 started together, and away went the Hare with great 
 swiftness, and soon left the Tortoise out of sight, and 
 thinking herself certain of winning the race, she made 
 a jest of the matter, squatted down in a tuft of fern, 
 
222 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 and took a nap, concluding she could easily make up 
 the lost ground, should the Tortoise at any time pass 
 by. Indulging in this security, she over-slept herself, 
 until the Tortose, in a continued steady pace, arrived 
 first at tire fixed distance, and won the race. 
 
 We must not flatter ourselves with coming: to the 
 end of our journey in time, if we sleep by the way; 
 and unnecessary delays, in all pressing affairs, are just 
 so much time lost. Action is an important part of the 
 business of life; and “ up and be doing” is a motto we 
 ought to keep in mind, as it has guided many a plain 
 plodding man, with steady aim, to carry his point ef- 
 fectually in making his own fortune, and at the same 
 time gaining the esteem of the world. Industry and 
 application to business make amends for the want of a 
 quick and ready wit ; but men of great natural abili- 
 ties, and vivacity of imagination, often presume too 
 much upon the superiority of their genius, and if to 
 this presumption they add pride and conceit, they de- 
 spise the drudgery of business, and suffer their affairs 
 to go to disorder or ruin, through idleness and neg- 
 lect. 
 
 APPLICATION, 
 
FABLES. 
 
 w 
 
 THE BLACKAMOOR. 
 
 A Man having bought a Blackamoor, was so simple 
 as to think that the colour of his skin was only dirt 
 which he had contracted for want of due care under his 
 former master. This fault he fancied might easily be 
 removed by washing, so he ordered the poor Black to 
 be put into a tub, and was at a considerable charge in 
 providing ashes, soap, and scrubbing brushes for the 
 operation. To work they went, rubbing and scouring 
 his skin all over, but to no manner of purpose : for 
 when they had repeated their washings several times, 
 and were grown quite weary, all they got by it was, 
 that the Blackamoor caught cold and died. 
 
224 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 “ What’s bred in the bone will never come out of 
 the flesh.” 
 
 Nature cannot by any art or labour be changed ; 
 she may indeed be wrought upon and moulded by 
 good council and discipline ; but it is in vain to at- 
 tempt a total transformation of our genius, person, or 
 complexion : therefore our application, assiduity, and 
 pains, when wrong directed, are of no avail. We 
 should, indeed, strive to discover which way the bent 
 of our genius lies, that we may apply ourselves to a 
 judicious cultivation and improvement of it; but we 
 ought to be sure never to thwart or oppose nature’s 
 fixed laws. When men aspire to eminence in any of 
 the various arts or sciences, without being gifted with 
 the innate powers or abilities for such attainments, it 
 is only like attempting to wash the Blackamoor white. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 <225 
 
 THE LION IN LOVE. 
 
 The Lion by chance saw a fair maid, the forester’s 
 daughter, as she was tripping over a lawn, and fell in 
 love with her. Nay, so violent was his passion, that 
 he could not live unless he made her his own ; there- 
 fore, without more delay, he broke his mind to the fa- 
 ther, and demanded tlm damsel for his wife. The 
 man, odd as the proposal seemed at first, soon recol- 
 lected that, by complying, he might get the Lion into 
 his power ; but, by refusing him, should only exas- 
 perate and provoke his rage. Accordingly, he seemed 
 to consent ; but told him it must be upon these condi- 
 tions : that, considering the girl was young and tender, 
 he must let his teeth be plucked out, and his claws be 
 cut off, lest he should hurt her, or at least frighten her 
 with the apprehension of them. The Lion was too 
 much in love to hesitate ; but was no sooner deprived 
 
226 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 of his tcetli and claws, than the treacherous forester 
 attacked him witli a huge club, and knocked out his 
 brains. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Of all the ill consequences that may attend the 
 blind passion of love, few prove so fatal as that of its 
 drawing people into a sudden and ill-concerted mar- 
 riage. In the midst of a lit of madness, they commit 
 a rash act, of which, as soon as they come to them- 
 selves, they find reason to repent as long as they live. 
 Many an unthinking young man has been treated as 
 much like a savage in this respect as the Lion in the 
 Fable. He has, perhaps, had nothing valuable be- 
 longing to him but his estate, and the documents 
 which formed his title to it ; and if lie is so far capti- 
 vated, as to be persuaded to part with these, his teeth 
 and his claws are gone, and he lies entirely at the mer- 
 cy of madam and her relations, who will most likely 
 not fail to keep him in complete subjection, after they 
 have stripped him of all his power. Nothing but a 
 true friendship, and a mutual interest, can keep up a 
 reciprocal love between the conjugal pair, and when 
 these are wanting, contempt and aversion soon step 
 in to supply their place. Matrimony then becomes a 
 state of downright enmity and hostility ; and what a 
 miserable case he must be in, who has put himself and 
 his whole power into the hands of his enemy. Let 
 those reflect upon this (while they are in their sober 
 senses) who abhor the thoughts of being betrayed into 
 their ruin, by following the impulse of a blind un- 
 heeding passion. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 227 
 
 THE FOX AND THE HEDGEHOG. 
 
 A Fox, in swimming across a river, was forced 
 down by the rapidity of the stream to a place where 
 the bank was so steep and slippery, that he could not 
 ascend it. While he w’as strusffflingf in this situation, 
 a swarm of flies settled on his head and eyes, and tor- 
 mented him grievously. A Hedgehog, who saw and 
 pitied his condition, offered to call in the assistance of 
 the Swallow to drive them away- No, no, friend, re- 
 plies the Fox, I thank you for your kind offer ; but it 
 is better to let this swarm alone, for they are already 
 pretty well filled, and should they be driven away, a 
 fresh and more hungry set would succeed them, and 
 suck me until I should not have a drop of blood left in 
 my veins. 
 
 2 g 2 
 
228 
 
 FABLE?. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 This Fable is recorded by Aristotle, who tells us 
 that ASsop spoke it to the Samians on occasion of a 
 popular sedition, to dissuade them from deposing their 
 great minister of state, lest they might, in getting rid 
 of one who was already glutted with their spoils, make 
 room for a more hungry and rapacious one in his stead. 
 By this it would appear, that some ministers of state 
 in ancient times, instead of being guided by integrity 
 and patriotism, were intent only upon filling their own 
 coffers, and aggrandizing and enriching their own re- 
 lations, from the plunder of the people whose affairs 
 they were entrusted with ; and that they considered 
 them as their prey, rather than their charge. A suc- 
 cession of such ministers, who can be countenanced by 
 weak monarchs only, is more calamitous to a nation 
 than plague, pestilence, and famine; for the effects of 
 their mal-administration do not end with their wick- 
 ed lives, but lay the foundation of ruin to nations that 
 would, under a patriotic government, have been vir- 
 tuous, great, and flourishing. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 229 
 
 THE SPARROW AND THE HARE. 
 
 A Hare being seized by an Eagle, squeaked out in 
 a most woful manner. A Sparrow, that sat upon a 
 tree just by, and saw the affair, could not forbear 
 being unseasonably witty, but called out to the Hare : 
 So, ho ! what, sit there and be killed ! prithee up and 
 away ; I dare say if you would but try, so sw ift a crea- 
 ture as you are would easily escape from an Eagle. 
 As he was going on with his cruel raillery, down came 
 a Hawk and snapped him up, and notwithstanding his 
 cries and lamentations, fell to devouring him in an in- 
 stant. The Hare, who was just expiring, addressing 
 her last words to the Sparrow, said, You who just now 
 insulted my misfortune, with so much security as you 
 thought, may please to shew us how well you can bear 
 the like, now it has befallen you. 
 
230 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 To insult people in distress, is the characteristic of 
 a cruel, indiscreet, and giddy temper ; and he must 
 surely have a very bad heart, and no very good head, 
 who can look on the day of grief, and the hour of dis- 
 tress, as a time for impertinent raillery. If any other 
 arguments were necessary, or might be supposed ca- 
 pable of enforcing moral precepts on those who cannot 
 be actuated by humanity, it might be added, that the 
 vicissitudes of human affairs render such behaviour im- 
 prudent, as well as barbarous ; since we cannot tell 
 how soon we may be ourselves reduced to lament the 
 woes which are now the objects of our derision : for 
 nobody knows whose turn may be the next. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 231 
 
 THE MAN AND IIIS TWO WIVES. 
 
 A Man, in times when polygamy was allowed, had 
 two wives, one of whom, like himself, had seen her 
 best days, and was verging upon the decline of life, 
 but possessed many engaging qualities. The other 
 was young and beautiful, and shared the affection of 
 her husband, whom she made as happy as he was ca- 
 pable of being, but was not completely so herself. 
 The white hairs mixed with the black upon the good 
 man’s head, gave her some uneasiness, by proclaiming 
 the great disparity of their years; wherefore, under 
 colour of dressing his head, she plucked out the silver 
 hairs, that he might still have as few visible signs of an 
 advanced age as possible. The older dame, for rea- 
 sons directly opposite, esteemed these grey locks as 
 the honours of his head, and thought, while they gave 
 him a venerable look, they made her appear something 
 
FABLES. 
 
 <232 
 
 younger, so that every time she combed his head, she 
 took equal pains to extirpate the black hairs. Each 
 continued her project, unknown to the other, until the 
 poor man, who thought their desire to oblige him put 
 them upon this extraordinary officiousness in dressing 
 his head, found himself without any hair at all ! 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 As Christianity has banished polygamy, no immedi- 
 ate moral can be derived by husbands from this Fable, 
 unless we conclude, that it is as impossible to serve two 
 mistresses as two masters ; for whatever we do to please 
 the one, will probably offend the other. To conciliate 
 the affections of persons whose tempers arc opposite, 
 is extremely difficult, if not impracticable. To wives 
 it may teach, that those whose love is tempered with a 
 tolerable share of good sense, will be sure to have no 
 separate views of their own, nor do any thing imme- 
 diately relating to their husbands, without consulting 
 them first. All that we shall add to what has been 
 said, is to observe, that many women may ignorantly, 
 out of a pure effect of complaisance, do a thousand dis- 
 agreeable things to their husbands. But in a married 
 
 O 
 
 state, one party should not be guessing at or presu- 
 ming, but inform themselves certainly, what will please 
 the otiier; and if a wife use her husband like a friend 
 only, the least she can do is first to communicate to 
 him all the important enterprizes she undertakes, and 
 especially those which she intends should be for his 
 honour and advantage. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 233 
 
 MERCURY AND THE CARVER. 
 
 Mercury being very desirous to know what credit 
 he had obtained in the world, and how he was esteem- 
 ed among mankind, disguised himself, and went to the 
 shop of a famous Statuary, where images were to be 
 sold. He saw Jupiter, Juno, and himself, and most 
 of the other gods and goddesses : so, pretending that 
 he wanted to buy, he asked the prices of several, and at 
 length pointing to Jupiter, What, says he, is the lowest 
 price you will take for that ? A crown, says the other; 
 and what for that? pointing to Juno: I must have 
 something more for that. Mercury then, casting his 
 eye upon the figure of himself, with all his symbols 
 about it, Here am I, said he to himself, in quality of 
 Jupiter’s messenger, and the patron of artisans, with 
 all my trades about me; and then smiling with a sell- 
 sufficient air, and pointing to the image, and pray 
 
 2 H 
 
554 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 friend, what is the price of this elegant figure? Oh r 
 replied the Statuary, if 3-011 will buy Jupiter and Juno, 
 I will throw 3-011 that into the bargain. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 If we knew ourselves, of what could 3113- of us be 
 vain ? Vanhy is the fruit of ignorance, and the froth 
 of perverted pride. Humility is the constant attendant 
 on men of great talents and good qualities : these en- 
 able them to see how far they are short of perfection ; 
 but the vain and arrogant conceive they have attained 
 its height. All vain men, who affect popularity, fancy 
 other people have the same opinion of them that they 
 have of themselves ; but nothing makes them look so 
 cheap and little in the eyes of discerning people as their 
 enquiring (like Mercury in the Fable) after their own 
 worth, and wanting to know what value others set up- 
 on them: and those who are so full of themselves, as 
 to hunt for praise, and lay traps for commendation, 
 will generally be disappointed, and be marked out as 
 the emptiest of fellows; for it argues a littleness of 
 mind to be too anxious and solicitous concerning our 
 
 O 
 
 fame. He that behaves himself as he should do, need 
 not fear procuring a good share of respect, and a fair 
 reputation ; but then these should not be the end or the 
 motive of our pursuits : our principal aim should be 
 the welfare of our country, our friends, and ourselves, 
 and should be directed by the rules of honour and 
 virtue. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 235 
 
 THE FOX AND THE GOAT. 
 
 A Fox having tumbled, by chance, into a well, had 
 been ineffectually endeavouring a long while to get out 
 again, when, at last, a Goat came to the place, and 
 wanting to drink, asked Reynard whether the water 
 was good ? Good ! said he, aye, so sweet, that I am 
 afraid I have surfeited myself, I have drank so abun- 
 dantly. The Goat, upon this, without more consi- 
 deration, leapt in ; when the Fox mounted upon his 
 back, and taking the advantage of his horns, bounded 
 up in an instant, and left the poor simple Goat at the 
 bottom of the well to shift for himself. Upon the 
 Goat’s reproaching him for his perfidy, Ah, Master 
 Goat, said he, you have far more hairs in your beard 
 than brains in your head. 
 
 2 h 2 
 
236 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Credulity may be said to be the child of ignorance, 
 and the mother of distress. A wise man will not suffer 
 himself to be imposed upon by slender artifices and 
 idle tales ; but the credulous man is easily deluded, and 
 subjects himself to numberless misfortunes. He is ever 
 the dupe of designing knaves, and of needy adventu- 
 rers, who are always intent upon serving themselves at 
 the expence of others. They fasten upon opulent men 
 of weak minds, as the objects of delusion, and for this 
 purpose, tempt them with proposals of apparently ad- 
 vantageous schemes, which they have ready made out, 
 to entice their victims to embark along with them. By 
 credulity, they hope to establish their own fortune, 
 and provided this be done, they care not, even if the 
 ruin of their unsuspecting associates follow. It will 
 likewise ever be found that when an honest man and 
 a knave happen to become partners in the same com- 
 mon interest, the latter, whenever necessity pinches, 
 will be sure to shift for himself, and leave the for- 
 mer in the lurch. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 237 
 
 JUNO AND THE PEACOCK. 
 
 The Peacock complained to Juno, how hardly he 
 was used in not having so good a voice as the Nightin- 
 gale. That little bird, says he, charms every ear with 
 his melody, while my hoarse screamings disgust every 
 one who hears them. The Goddess, concerned at the 
 uneasiness of her favourite bird, answered him very 
 kindly to this purpose : If the Nightingale be blest with 
 a fine voice, you have the advantage in point of beauty 
 and majesty of person. Ah ! said the Peacock, but 
 what avails my silent unmeaning beauty, when I am so 
 far excelled in voice? The Goddess dismissed him 
 with this advice : Consider that the properties of every 
 creature were appointed by the decree of fate : to you 
 beauty ; strength to the Eagle ; to the Nightingale a 
 voice of melody ; the faculty of speech to the Parrot ; 
 
238 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 and to the Dove innocence. Each of these is content- 
 ed with his own peculiar quality ; and unless you have 
 a mind to be miserable, you must learn to be so too. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 The most useful lesson that we can possibly learn, 
 towards the attainment of happiness in this world, is 
 to enjoy those blessings that we have in our power, 
 without vainly pining after those which we have not. 
 Instead of being ambitious of having more endowments 
 than nature has allotted to us, we should spare no 
 pains to cultivate those we have; and which a sour- 
 ness or peevishness of temper, instead of improving, 
 will certainly lessen and impair. Whoever neglects 
 the happiness within his reach, in order to brood over 
 the consideration of how much happier he might have 
 been, had his situation been like that of others, inge- 
 niously contrives to torment himself, and opens a per- 
 petual source of discontent, which prevents his ever 
 being at ease. He does not reflect, or he would soon 
 discover, that all the desirable properties in the world 
 never centered in one man, and that those who have 
 had the greatest share of them, if of an unhappy dispo- 
 sition, still wished for something more, and wanted to 
 possess some inherent gifts which shone forth in other 
 men : but such persons ought to be put in mind, that 
 it does not become mortals to repine at the will of 
 Heaven, which distributes happiness with an equal 
 hand upon the highest and the lowest of mankind, if 
 they were wise enough, and grateful enough, to per- 
 ceive it. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 239 
 
 THE LION AND OTHER BEASTS. 
 
 The Lion having entered into an alliance with other 
 Beasts of prey, it was agreed, for their mutual advan- 
 tage, that they should hunt in company, and divide 
 the spoil. They accordingly met on a certain day, 
 and commenced the chase, and ere long they ran down 
 and killed a fine fat Deer, which was instantly divided 
 into four parts, there happening to be then only the 
 Lion and three others present. After the division was 
 made, the Lion advancing forward with an air of ma- 
 jesty, and pointing to one of the shares, was pleased to 
 declare himself after the following manner : This I 
 
 take possession of as my right, which devolves to me, 
 as I am descended by a true, lineal, hereditary succes- 
 sion from the royal family of Lion : that, pointing to 
 the second, I claim by, I think, no unreasonable title, 
 considering that the success of all the engagements 
 
FABLES. 
 
 240 
 
 you have with the enemy depends chiefly upon my 
 courage and conduct; and you very well know that 
 wars are too expensive to be carried on without lar^e 
 
 O 
 
 supplies. Then, nodding his head towards the third, 
 that I shall take by virtue of my prerogative, to which 
 I make no question but so dutiful and loyal a people 
 will pay all the deference and regard that I can desire. 
 Now, as for the remaining part, the necessity of our 
 present affairs is so very urgent, our stock so low, and 
 our credit so impaired and weakened, that I must in- 
 sist upon your granting that without hesitation or de- 
 mur; and hereof fail not at your peril. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 No alliance is safe which is made with the wicked, if 
 they be superior to us in power. The most solemn 
 treaties will be disregarded as soon as they can be bro- 
 ken with advantage. Powerful potentates, when they 
 are regardless of moral obligation, and consider might 
 only to be right, will never want specious pretences to 
 furbish out their declarations of war, nor hesitate about 
 inveigling less powerful states to join them, and after 
 subduing the enemy, and seizing upon the spoils, will 
 fall upon their allies on the slightest pretences, or for 
 no better reason but because they are powerful enough 
 to do so. No man ought to be entrusted with unlimit- 
 ed power ; and when a community has been stupid 
 enough to put the management of their affairs into such 
 hands, they have ever found their confidence abused, 
 and their property invaded. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 241 
 
 JUPITER AND PALLAS. 
 
 Once upon a time, the Heathen Gods agreed to 
 adopt each a particular tree into their patronage. Ju- 
 piter chose the Oak ; Venus was pleased to name the 
 Myrtle; Apollo pitched upon the Laurel; Cybele took 
 the Pine ; and Hercules the Poplar. Pallas being pre- 
 sent, expressed her surprise at their fancy, in making 
 choice of trees that bore nothing. Oh, says Jupiter, 
 the reason of that is plain enough, for we would not be 
 thought to dispense our favours with any mercenary 
 view. You may do as you please, says she, but let 
 the Olive be my tree; and I declare my reason for 
 choosing it is, because it bears plenty of noble useful 
 fruit. Upon which the Thunderer, putting on a seri- 
 ous composed gravity, spoke thus to the Goddess : In- 
 deed daughter, it is not without cause that you are so 
 
FABLES. 
 
 24*2 
 
 celebrated for your wisdom ; for unless some benefit 
 attend our actions, to perform them for the sake of 
 glory is but a silly business. 
 
 In all our actions, we should intend something use- 
 ful and beneficial ; for the standing value of all things 
 is in proportion to their use. To undertake affairs 
 with no other view but that of empty glory, whatever 
 some curious dreamers may fancy, is employing our 
 time after a very foolish manner. The Almighty crea- 
 ted the world out of his infinite goodness, for the good 
 of his creatures, and not out of a passion for glory, 
 which is a vain, silly, mean principle ; and when we 
 talk of glorifying the Author of our being, if we think 
 reasonably, we must mean shewing our gratitude to 
 him, by imitating this goodness of his, as far as we are 
 able, and endeavouring to make some good or other 
 the aim of all our undertakings. For if empty glory 
 be unworthy the pursuit of a wise man, how vastly im- 
 proper must it be to make an offering of it to an all- 
 wise Deity. 
 
 APPLICATION, 
 
FABLES. 
 
 243 
 
 THE VIPER AND THE FILE. 
 
 A Viper having entered a smith’s shop, looked up 
 and down for something to eat ; when, casting his eye 
 upon a file, he greedily seized upon it, and fell to 
 gnawing it with his teeth. After he had spent some 
 time in his attempts to devour it, the File told him 
 very gruffly, that he had better be quiet and let him 
 alone; for he would get very little by nibbling at one 
 who, upon occasion, could bite iron and steel. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 This Fable is levelled at those spiteful people who 
 take so malignant a pleasure in the design of hurting 
 others, as not to feel and understand that they hurt 
 only themselves; and at those who are blinded by en- 
 vy, which prompts them rather than not bite at all, to 
 
 2 i 2 
 
244 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 fall foul where they cannot expect their nibbling will 
 meet with any thing but disappointment, as every one 
 must who is biting at that which is too hard for his 
 teeth. Thus it is that spite and malignity, which are 
 twin brothers, and the offspring of envy, are, as well 
 as their parent, their own tormentors. They intend 
 that the wounds they inflict should be deadly, and the 
 greatest wits and brightest characters in all ages have 
 been the objects of their attacks; but the brilliancy 
 of truth and justice at length shines forth, and shew's 
 the deformity of such characters in the clearest light. 
 Other people, of the same character and disposition, 
 though of minor consideration indeed, ought not to 
 be passed over unnoticed. These may be called nib- 
 blers, who let their tongues slip very freely, in cen- 
 suring the actions of persons who, in the esteem of 
 the world, are of such an unquestionable reputation, 
 that nobody will believe what is insinuated against 
 them, and of such influence through their own vera- 
 city, that the least word from them would ruin the 
 credit of such adversaries to all intents and purposes. 
 The efforts of little villains of this stamp, like dirty li- 
 quor squirted against the wind, recoil back and be- 
 spatter their own faces; or like the shades of a picture, 
 serve to set off the brilliant tints of the opposite virtues, 
 which support and adorn society. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 245 
 
 THE WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING. 
 
 A Wolf disguising himself in the skin of a sheep, 
 and getting in among the flock, easily caught and de- 
 voured many of them. At last the Shepherd disco- 
 vered him, and cunningly watched the opportunity 
 of slipping a noose about his neck, and immediately 
 hung him up on the branch of a tree. Some other 
 Shepherds observing what he was about, drew near 
 and expressed their surprize at it. Brother Shepherd ! 
 says one of them, what ! are you hanging your sheep ? 
 No, replies the other, but I am hanging a Wolf in 
 Sheep’s clothing, and shall never fail to do the same, 
 whenever I can catch one of them in that garb. The 
 Shepherds then expressed themselves pleased at his 
 dexterity, and applauded the justice of the execution. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 24 6 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 We ought not to judge of men by their looks, or 
 their dress and appearances, but by the character of 
 their lives and conversation, and by their works; for 
 when we do not examine these, we must not be sur- 
 prized if we find that we have mistaken evil for good, 
 and instead of an innocent sheep, taken a wolf in dis- 
 guise under our protection. The finished hypocrite, 
 by assuming the character of virtue, makes the vice 
 more odious and abominable, and when the mask is 
 torn off, and fraud and imposture are detected, every 
 honest man rejoices in the punishment of the offender. 
 Men who have not had good, religious, and moral 
 principles early instilled into their minds, find no bar- 
 rier to check their propensity to evil, and get hardened 
 as they advance in years ; and even the most liberal 
 education, if it want the foundation of truth and ho- 
 nesty, is often a curse instead of a blessing, and the 
 objects of it fail to do honour either to themselves or 
 to their country. Thus it is we see tyranny stalking 
 along under the mask of care and protection. In- 
 justice sets up the letter of the law against its spirit. 
 Oppression strips the widow and the orphan, and at 
 the same time preaches up mercy and compassion. 
 Treachery covers itself under a cloak of kindness ; and 
 above all, it is peculiarly painful to find numbers of 
 men, even of the learned professions, who ought to 
 set an example of probity and honour, misapply their 
 abilities to twist and pervert the sacred meaning of 
 both law and gospel to the basest and worst of pur- 
 poses. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 247 
 
 THE STAG IN THE OX-STALL. 
 
 A Stag, pursued by the hunters, took refuge in a 
 stable, and begged of the Oxen, to suffer him to con- 
 ceal himself under the straw in one of the stalls. They 
 told him that he would be in great danger there, for 
 both the master and the servants would soon come to 
 fodder them, and then he might be sure of meeting 
 his doom. Ah ! says the Stag, if you will be so good 
 as not betray me, I hope I shall be safe enough. Pre- 
 sently, in came a servant, who gave a careless look 
 around, and then went out without any discovery. All 
 the other servants of the farm came and went like the 
 first. Upon this, the Stag began to exult, imagining 
 himself quite secure; but a shrewd old Ox told him 
 that he was reckoning upon his safety too soon, for 
 there was another person to come, by whom he would 
 not so readily be looked over. Accordingly, by and 
 by came the master, who carefully peeped into every 
 corner, and at last, in turning over the litter, disco- 
 
FABLES. 
 
 248 
 
 vered the Stag’s horns sticking out of the straw : upon 
 which, he called all his servants back, and soon made 
 prize of the poor creature. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 This Fable is levelled against those worthless hire- 
 lings, who slide over their time in negligent disorder, 
 and this not so much for want of capacity as honesty; 
 their own private interest almost solely occupying their 
 attention, while that of their master, whose wages they 
 receive, and whose bread they eat, is postponed, or 
 entirely neglected. Such servants deserve not to be 
 inmates in any good man’s house; but where they are, 
 it is absolutely necessary for the governors of families to 
 look into their affairs with their own eyes; for though 
 they may happen not to be in personal danger from the 
 treachery of their domestics, they are perpetually lia- 
 ble to injuries from their negligence, which leaves the 
 master open to the artifices of those who would defraud 
 him. Few families are reduced to poverty merely by 
 their own extravagance : the inattention of servants 
 swells every article of expence in domestic economy ; 
 and the retinue of great men, instead of exerting their 
 industry to increase their master’s wealth, commonly 
 exercise no other office than that of caterpillars, to 
 consume and devour it. The fate of the Stag also 
 warns us not to engage in any hazardous speculation, 
 the success of which is to depend upon the ignorance 
 or carelessness of those with w hom we have to deal ; for 
 though we may over-reach one or two, yet some mas- 
 ter-eye is sure at last to pierce our covering of straw, 
 and make us pay dearly for deviating from the straight 
 road of candour and prudence. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 m 
 
 THE FOWLER AND TIIE RING-DOVE. 
 
 A Fowler took his gun, and went into the woods a- 
 shooting. He spied a Ring-dove among the branches 
 of an Oak, and clapping the piece to his shoulder, took 
 his aim, and made himself sure of killing it. But just 
 as he was going to pull the trigger, an Adder, which 
 he had trod upon under the grass, bit him so painfully 
 in the leg, that he was obliged to quit his design, and 
 throw his gun down in an agony. The venom imme- 
 diately infected his blood, and his whole body began 
 to mortify ; which, when he perceived, he could not 
 help owning it to be just. Fate, says he, has brought 
 destruction upon me, while I was contriving the death 
 of another. 
 
 2 K 
 
FABLES. 
 
 2 - 50 ' 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 The mischief that bad men meditate to others, com- 
 monly, like a judgment, falls upon their own heads; 
 and the punishment of wickedness is so just in itself, 
 that the sufferer, who has made others feel it, cannot, 
 if he think rightly, but confess that he deserves the 
 like inflicted on himself. The hardened unfeeling 
 heart of a cruel and unjust man, can, however, con- 
 tinue to do a thousand bitter things to others, until he 
 tastes calamity himself, and then only it is that he feels 
 the insupportable uneasiness it occasions. Why should 
 we think others born to hard treatment more than 
 ourselves, or imagine it can be reasonable to do to 
 another what we should think very hard to suffer in 
 our own persons? 
 
FABLES. 
 
 <251 
 
 THE HARES AND THE FROGS. 
 
 The Hares in a certain park having met to consult 
 upon some plan to preserve themselves from their nu- 
 merous enemies, all agreed that life was full of care 
 and misery, and that they saw no prospect of things 
 changing for the better. Full of these desponding 
 thoughts, and just as it had been proposed that they 
 should put an end to their existence, a storm arose, 
 which tore the branches from the trees, and whirled the 
 leaves about their ears. Panic-struck, they ran like 
 mad creatures, until they were stopped by a lake, into 
 which they hastily resolved to throw themselves head- 
 long, rather than lead a life so full of dangers and 
 crosses: but upon their approaching its margin, a num- 
 ber of Frogs, which were sitting there, frightened at 
 their sudden approach, in the greatest confusion leapt 
 into the water, and dived to the bottom; which an old 
 2 k 2 
 
Q5Q 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 Hare, more sedate than the rest, observing, called out, 
 Have a care what ye do ! Here are other creatures I 
 perceive, which have their fears as well as we. Dont 
 then let us fancy ourselves the most miserable of any 
 upon earth ; but rather, by their example, learn to 
 bear patiently those inconveniences which nature has 
 thrown upon us. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 This Fable is designed to shew us how unreasona- 
 ble many people are, who live in continual fears and 
 disquiet about the miserableness of their condition. 
 There is hardly any state of life great enough to satis- 
 fy the wishes of an ambitious man ; and scarcely any 
 so mean, but may supply the necessities of him that is 
 moderate. There are few beings so very wretched, 
 that they cannot pick out others in a more deplorable 
 situation, and with whom they would not change cases. 
 The rich man envies the poor man’s health, without 
 considering his wants; and the poor man envies the 
 other’s treasure, without considering his diseases. The 
 miseries of others should serve to add vigour to our 
 minds, and teach us to bear up against the load of 
 lighter misfortunes. But what shall we say to those 
 who have a way of creating themselves panics from 
 the rustling of the wind, the scratching of a rat or a 
 mouse behind the hangings, the fluttering of a moth, 
 or the motion of their own shadow by moon-light ! 
 Their whole life is as full of alarms as that of a Hare, 
 and they never think themselves so easy as when, like 
 the timorous folks in the Fable, they meet with a set 
 of creatures as fearful as themselves. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 253 
 
 THE MOUNTAINS IN LABOUR. 
 
 The Mountains were said to be in labour, and utter- 
 ed the most dreadful groans. People came together, 
 far and near, to see what birth would be produced ; 
 and after they had waited a considerable time in ex- 
 pectation, out crept a Mouse. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Projectors of all kinds, who endeavour by artful 
 rumours, large promises, and vast preparations, to 
 raise the expectations of mankind, and then by their 
 mean performances disappoint them, have, time out of 
 mind, been lashed with the recital of this Fable. It 
 should teach us to suspect those who promise very 
 largely, and to examine cautiously what grounds they 
 proceed upon, and whether their pretensions are not 
 
954 - 
 
 fables. 
 
 intended to render us their tools, or the dupes of their 
 artifices. It likewise teaches us not to rely implicitly 
 upon those constant declarations for liberty and the 
 public good, which artful politicians use as stepping 
 stones to power; but who having raised the people’s ex- 
 pectations to the highest pitch, and obtained their de- 
 sire by the public enthusiasm, then turn their whole art 
 and cunning to embezzling the public treasure for their 
 own private wicked ends, or to ruin and enslave their 
 country ; or at best but imitate the bad conduct of 
 those whom they turned out by their clamour, while 
 the sanguine hopes of all those that wished well to vir- 
 tue, and flattered themselves with a reformation of 
 every thing that opposed the well-being of the commu- 
 nity, vanish away in smoke, and arc lost in a gloomy 
 uncomfortable prospect. The Fable likewise intimates, 
 that the uncertain issue of all human undertakings 
 should induce us not to make pompous boasts of our- 
 selves, but to guard against promising any thing ex- 
 ceedingly great, for fear of coming off' with a produc- 
 tion ridiculously little. If we set out modestly, and 
 perform more than we engaged to do, we shall find 
 our fame grow upon us, and every unexpected addition 
 we make to our plan will raise us more and more in 
 the good opinion of the world ; but if, on the contrary, 
 we make ample professions of the greatness of our de- 
 signs, and the excellence of our own abilities, it will 
 too often happen, that instead of swelling our reputa- 
 tion, we shall only blow the trumpet to our shame. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 
 },) 
 
 THE VAIN JACK-DAW. 
 
 A certain Jack-daw was so proud and ambitious, 
 that, not contented to live within his own sphere, he 
 picked up the feathers which fell from the Peacocks, 
 stuck them in among his own, and very confidently 
 introduced himself into an assembly of those beautiful 
 birds. They soon found him out, stripped him of his 
 borrowed plumes, and falling upon him with their 
 sharp bills, punished him as his presumption deserved. 
 Upon this, full of grief and affliction, he returned to 
 his old companions, and would have lived with them 
 again ; but they, knowing his late life and conversa- 
 tion, industriously avoided him, and refused to admit 
 him into their company ; and one of them, at the same 
 time, gave him this serious reproof : If, friend, you 
 could have been contented with our station, and had 
 not disdained the rank in which nature had placed 
 
FABLES. 
 
 256 
 
 you, you had not been used so scurvily by those upon 
 whom you intruded yourself, nor suffered the notorious 
 slight which now we think ourselves obliged to put 
 upon you. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 To aim at making a figure by the means of either 
 borrowed wit, or borrowed money, generally subjects 
 us at last to a ten-fold ridicule. A wise man, there- 
 fore, will take his post quietly, in his own station, 
 without pretending to fill that of another, and never 
 affect to look bigger than he really is, by means of a 
 false or borrowed light. It shews great weakness and 
 vanity in any man to be pleased at making an appear- 
 ance above what he really is ; but if to enable him to 
 do so with something of a better grace, he has clandes- 
 tinely feathered his nest out of his neighbour’s goods, 
 it is a pity if he should not be found out, stripped of 
 his plunder, and treated like a felonious rogue into 
 the bargain. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 25 ? 
 
 THE LION AND THE MOUSE. 
 
 A Lion having laid down to take liis repose under 
 the spreading boughs of a shady tree, a company of 
 Mice scampered over his back and waked him. Upon 
 which, starting up, he clapped his paw upon one of 
 them, and was just going to put it to death, when the 
 little suppliant implored his mercy, begging him not 
 to stain his noble character with the blood of so small 
 and insignificant a creature. The Lion, touched with 
 compassion, instantly released his little trembling cap- 
 tive. Not long after, traversing the forest in search 
 of his prey, he chanced to run into the toils of the 
 hunters, and not being able to disengage himself, he 
 set up a loud roar. The Mouse hearing the voice, 
 and knowing it to be the Lion’s, immediately repaired 
 to the place, and bade him fear nothing, for that he 
 was his friend. Instantly he fell to work, and with 
 
258 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 his little sharp teeth gnawed asunder the knots and 
 fastenings of the toils, and set the royal brute at li- 
 berty. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 They who generously shower benefits on their fel- 
 low-creatures, seldom fail of inspiring the great bulk 
 of them with a benevolent regard for their benefactors, 
 and often receive returns of kindness which they never 
 expected. Mercy is of all other virtues the most likely 
 to kindle gratitude in those to whom it is extended, 
 and it is difficult to find an instance of a conqueror 
 who ever had occasion to repent of his humanity and 
 clemency. The Fable gives us to understand, that 
 there is no person in the world so little, but even the 
 greatest may, at some time or other, stand in need of 
 his assistance ; and consequently, it is good to shew fa- 
 vour, Avhen there is room for it, towards those who 
 fall into our power. As the lowest people in life may, 
 upon occasion, be able either to serve or hurt us, it is 
 as much our interest as our duty to behave with good- 
 nature and lenity towards all with whom we have any 
 intercourse. A great soul is never so much delighted 
 as when an opportunity offers of making a return for 
 favours received ; and a sensible man, however exalted 
 his station, will never consider himself secure from the 
 necessity of accepting a service from the poorest. 
 
i'\ bi.es 
 
 2:9 
 
 THE TORTOISE AND THE EAGLE. 
 
 A Tortoise, weary of his condition, by which he 
 was confined to creep upon the ground, and ambitious 
 to look about him with a larger prospect, proclaimed 
 that if any bird would take him up into the air, and 
 shew him the world, he would reward him with the 
 discovery of an invaluable treasure, which he knew was 
 hidden in a certain place of the earth. The Eagle ac- 
 cepted the offer, and having performed his underta- 
 king, gently set the Tortoise again on the ground, and 
 demanded the reward. The Tortoise was obliged to 
 confess that he could not fulfil his promise, which he 
 had made only with the view of having his fancy grati- 
 fied. The Eagle, stung with resentment at being thus 
 duped, grasped him again in his talons, and then soar- 
 ing to a great height, let him fall, by which he was 
 dashed to pieces. 
 
260 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Men of honour arc careful not to tarnish their repu- 
 tations by falsifying their word, and always consider 
 well how far it may be in their power to fulfil their 
 promises before they make them. They always strive 
 to walk on the straight line of rectitude ; and should 
 they, in an unguarded moment, happen to stagger 
 from it, they instantly retrace their steps, and feel un- 
 happy until they have regained their station. There 
 is a simplicity in truth and virtue, which requires no 
 artifices, and never leads us into difficulties, but points 
 out the plain and safe way. Deceit and cunning, on 
 the contrary, involve those who practise them in a 
 maze, and they are bewildered in their own falsehoods, 
 from which no dexterity can extricate them. The 
 brain-racking schemes which villains practise to delude 
 others, are commonly detected, and end in the un- 
 pitied punishment of themselves ; for they seldom dis- 
 cover the folly of being wicked, until it has betrayed 
 them into their ruin. But such persons would do well 
 to refresh their memories with the old adage which 
 says, that “ all knaves are fools, but all fools are not 
 knaves.” 
 
FABLES. 
 
 26’1 
 
 THE POLECAT AND THE COCK. 
 
 A Polecat, that had long committed depredations 
 on the farm-yard, having a mind to make a meal of 
 the blood of the Cock, seized him one morning by sur- 
 prize, and asked him what he could say for himself 
 wdiy slaughter should not pass upon him ? The Cock 
 replied, that he was serviceable to mankind by crowing 
 in the morning, and calling them up to their daily la- 
 bour. That is true, says the Polecat, and is the very 
 objection that I have against you, for you make such 
 a shrill impertinent noise, that people cannot sleep for 
 you. Besides, you are an incestuous rascal, and make 
 no scruple of lying with your mother and sisters. 
 Well, says the Cock, this I do not deny; but I do it 
 to procure eggs and chickens for my master. Ah ! 
 villain, says the Polecat, hold your wicked tongue, 
 
262 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 siicl) impieties as these declare that you are no longer 
 fit to live. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 When a wicked man in power has a mind to glut 
 his appetite in any respect, innocence or even merit is 
 no protection against him. The cries of justice and 
 the voice of reason, are of no effect upon a conscience 
 hardened in iniquity, and a mind versed in a long 
 practice of wrong and robbery. Remonstrances, how- 
 ever reasonably urged, or movingly couched, have no 
 more influence upon the hearts of such, than the gen- 
 tle evening breeze has upon the oak, when it whispers 
 among its branches ; or the rising surges upon the 
 deaf rock, when they dash and break upon its sides. 
 Power should never be trusted in the hands of an im- 
 pious selfish man, and one that has more regard to the 
 gratification of his own insatiable desires, than to pub- 
 lic peace and justice; but as a wicked son may succeed 
 to the station of a virtuous and patriotic father, care 
 should be taken to guard against a surprise, by a vigi- 
 lant watchfulness of the encroaching nature of power, 
 even when in benevolent hands, that those checks may 
 not be undermined which counteract its abuse in bad 
 ones. Had the poor Cock exerted his usual vigilance, 
 it would have served him much more effectually than 
 either his innocence or his eloquence. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 263 
 
 THE FOWLER AND THE BLACKBIRD. 
 
 A Fowler was busy placing his nets, and putting his 
 tackle in order, by the side of a coppice, when a Black- 
 bird, who was perched on an adjacent tree, eyed him 
 with great attention ; but being at a loss to know the 
 use of all this apparatus and preparation, had the cu- 
 riosity to ask him what he was doing. I am, says the 
 Fowler, building a fine city for you birds to live in, 
 and providing it with meat and all manner of conveni- 
 ences for you. Having said this, he departed and hid 
 himself, and the Blackbird, believing his words, came 
 into the nets and vras taken ; but when the man ran 
 up to seize his captive, the Bird thus addressed him : 
 If this be your faith, and these the cities you build, it 
 will be a great pity if you should ever again persuade 
 any poor simple bird to try to inhabit them. 
 
264 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION, 
 
 The fowler’s professions of friendship for the birds, 
 while he aimed at their destruction, may be paralleled 
 by too many instances in real life; and however morti- 
 fying it may be to reflect upon, yet so it is, that the 
 designing knave far too often succeeds in his deep-laid 
 schemes to ensnare, over-reach, and ruin the honest 
 and the unsuspecting man. Planners and projectors of 
 this character, both of high and low degree, are suffer- 
 ed to roam at large, and it behoves the inexperienced to 
 guard against their plots with a watchful eye ; for while 
 they smoothly disclaim taking any mean advantage over 
 those they are addressing, with their plausible preten- 
 sions, their sole study and aim is to fill their own pock- 
 ets, and then to hug themselves with the thoughts of 
 their success, and to laugh at those whom they have 
 duped. As long as people can be found credulous 
 enough to suffer themselves to be imposed upon, so 
 long will there arise gentry of this description, who 
 will live in affluence by taking advantage of their weak- 
 ness. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 265 
 
 THE NURSE AND THE WOLF. 
 
 A Nurse, who was endeavouring to quiet a froward 
 child, among other things threatened to throw it out 
 of doors to the Wolf, if it did not leave off crying. A 
 Wolf, who chanced to be prowling near the door just 
 at the time, heard the expression, and believing the 
 woman to be in earnest, waited a long while about the 
 house, in expectation of having her words made good. 
 But at last the child, wearied with its own perverse- 
 ness, fell asleep, and the Wolf was forced to return 
 back into the woods, empty and supperless. The Fox 
 meeting him, and surprized to see him going home so 
 thin and disconsolate, asked him what the matter was, 
 and how he came to speed no better that night ? Ah ! 
 do not ask me, says he, I was so silly as to believe 
 what the Nurse said, and have been disappointed. 
 
 2 M 
 
FABLES. 
 
 206 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Many of the old moralists have interpreted this Fa- 
 ble as a caution never to trust a woman : a barbarous 
 inference, which neither the obvious sense of the apo- 
 logue, nor the disposition of the softer sex will warrant. 
 For though some women may be fickle and unstable, 
 yet the generality exceed their calumniators in truth 
 and constancy, and have more frequently to complain of 
 being the victims, than to be arraigned as the authors of 
 broken vows. To us this Fable appears to mean little 
 more than merely to shew how easily inclined we are, 
 in all our various expectations through life, to delude 
 ourselves into a belief of any thing which we desire to 
 be true. The lover interprets every smile of his mis- 
 tress in his own favour, and is then perhaps neglected. 
 The beauty believes all mankind are dying for her, 
 and is then deserted by her train of admirers. The 
 followers of the great reckon a smile or a nod very aus- 
 picious Omens, and deceive themselves with groundless 
 hopes of employment or promotion, in expectation of 
 which, they, like the Wolf at the Nurse’s door, dangle 
 away the time that might be usefully employed else- 
 where, and at last are obliged to retire disappointed 
 and hungry, crying out perhaps against the perfidy of 
 those in power, instead of blaming their own sanguine 
 credulity. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 207 
 
 THE HARPER. 
 
 A Man who used to play upon the harp, and sing 
 to it, in little ale-houses, and made a shift in those 
 narrow confined walls to please the dull sots who heard 
 him, from hence entertained an ambition of shewing his 
 parts in the public theatre, where he fancied he could 
 not fail of raising a great reputation and fortune in a 
 very short time. He was accordingly admitted upon 
 trial; but the spaciousness of the place, and the throng 
 of the people, so deadened and weakened both his voice 
 and instrument, that scarcely either of them could be 
 heard, and where they could, his performance sounded 
 so poor, so low, and wretched, in the ears ol his refined 
 audience, that he was universally hissed off the stage. 
 
 2 m 2 
 
268 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 When we are commended for our performances by 
 people of much flattery or little judgment, we should 
 be sure not to value ourselves upon it ; for want of this 
 caution, many a vain unthinking man has at once ex- 
 posed himself to the censure of the world. A buf- 
 foon, though he would not be fit to open his mouth in 
 a senate, or upon a subject where sound sense and a 
 grave and serious behaviour are expected, may be very 
 agreeable to a company disposed to be mirthful over 
 a glass of wine. It is not the diverting a little, insig- 
 nificant, injudicious audience or society, which can 
 gain us a proper esteem, or insure our success, in a 
 place which calls for a performance of the first rate. 
 We should have either allowed abilities to please the 
 most refined tastes, or judgment enough to know that 
 we want them, and to have a care how we submit our- 
 selves to the trial. And, if we have a mind to pursue 
 a just and true ambition, it is not sufficient that we 
 study barely to please; but it is of the greatest mo- 
 ment whom we please, and in what respect, otherwise 
 we may not only lose our labour, but make ourselves 
 ridiculous into the bargain. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 2 69 
 
 THE ANT AND THE FLY. 
 
 In a dispute between the Ant and the Fly concern- 
 ing precedency, the latter thus boasted : I have, said 
 he, the uppermost seats at church, and even frequent 
 the altars ; I am taster to the gods, and a partaker of 
 all their sacrifices ; I am admitted into the palaces of 
 kings, and enjoy myself at every entertainment pro- 
 vided for the princes of the earth, and all this without 
 having occasion to labour. What have you to boast 
 of, poor sorry drudge, crawling upon the earth, living 
 in caverns and holes, and with constant exertion ga- 
 thering up a grain of corn to support a wretched ex- 
 istence ? Indeed ! said the Ant, I pretend to none of 
 these fine things. Visiting the great, and partaking 
 of their festivals and sacrifices, might be entitled to 
 some consideration, were you invited ; but you are only 
 an impudent intruder in such places. My time, in- 
 deed, is spent differently: I lead a life of industry, 
 
FABLES. 
 
 270 
 
 which is crowned with health and vigour, and I am 
 constantly held up as an example of prudence and 
 foresight. I provide for present comforts and future 
 wants, and court not the favors, nor dread the frowns, 
 of any one ; while your laziness and vanity make you a 
 beggarly intruder wherever you hope to get a present 
 supply. You may, perhaps, sip honey one day, but on 
 the next you batten on carrion ; and having propaga- 
 ted a numerous progeny, equally as noxious and use- 
 less as yourself, I then behold you from my comfort- 
 able, warm, well-stored mansion, in the winter of your 
 days,: starving to death with hunger and cold. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 The worthless part of mankind, who pass through 
 the world without being of any service in it, and with- 
 out acquiring the least reputation, seldom fail of add- 
 ing empty pride to all their other failings, and behave 
 with arrogance towards those who contribute to the 
 comforts and happiness of society. They treat indus- 
 trious persons as wretched drudges, appointed to la- 
 bour for a poor subsistence, while they think them- 
 selves entitled to enjoy all the good things of this life, 
 though they of all others least deserve them. But the 
 worthy and industrious will generally find that the 
 pride and extravagance of these idle flies, bring them 
 at last to shame, if not to want, while their own honest 
 labours secure a good name, a happy mind, and a 
 sufficiency for their wants, if not a state of affluence. 
 In short, no one is a better gentleman than he whose 
 own honest industry supplies him with all necessaries, 
 and who pretends to no more acquaintance with ho- 
 nour than never to say or do a mean or an unjust thing. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 271 
 
 THE MOUSE AND THE WEASEL. 
 
 A thin hungry Mouse, after much pushing and 
 twisting, crept through a small hole, into a corn bas- 
 ket, where he gorged himself so plentifully, that on 
 his attempting to retire by the same passage, he found 
 himself so swelled out, that, with all his endeavours, 
 he could not squeeze through again. A Weasel, who 
 stood at some distance, and had been diverting him- 
 self with the vain efforts of the little glutton, called to 
 him sneeringly, Hark ye, Mr Mouse ! remember that 
 you were lean anil half-starved when you got in at that 
 small hole ; and take my word for it, you must be as 
 lean and half-starved before you can make your way 
 out again. 
 
272 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 That portion of mankind, whose inordinate desires 
 push them on to stick at nothing in acquiring wealth, 
 are seldom the most happy ; for covetousness, which 
 never produced one noble sentiment, often urges its 
 votaries to break through the rules of justice, and then 
 deprives them of the expected fruits of their iniquity. 
 Besides great riches and care are almost inseparable ; 
 and there is often a quiet and content attending upon 
 people of moderate circumstances, to which the wealthy 
 man is an utter stranger. It has happened, even to 
 monarchs, that their inroads on the possessions of 
 others have tended to the detriment of the aggressor, 
 who has been obliged to resign the rich spoils obtained 
 by unjustifiable hostilities, and to refund the ill-gotten 
 wealth, with a very bad grace: a punishment which 
 Providence has wisely annexed to acts of violence and 
 fraud, as the best security of the possessions of the 
 just and virtuous, against the attempts of the wicked. 
 Some men, from creeping in the lowest stations of life, 
 have in process of time reached the greatest places, and 
 grown so bulky by pursuing their insatiate appetite for 
 money, that when they would have retired, they found 
 themselves too opulent and full to get off. There has 
 been no expedient for them to creep out, till they were 
 squeezed and reduced in some measure to their primi- 
 tive littleness. They that fill themselves with that 
 which is the property of others, should always be so 
 served before they are suffered to escape. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 273 
 
 THE EAGLE AND THE FOX. 
 
 An Eagle that had young ones, looking for some- 
 thing to feed them with, happened to spy a Fox’s Cub 
 that lay basking itself abroad in the sun : she made a 
 stoop, and trussed it immediately ; but before she had 
 carried it quite off, the old Fox coming home, im- 
 plored her, with tears, to spare her Cub, and pity the 
 distress of a poor fond mother, who would think no 
 affliction so great as that of losing her child. The 
 Eagle, whose nest was high in an old hollow tree, 
 thought herself secure from all projects of revenge, and 
 so bore away the Cub to her young ones, without 
 shewing any regard to the supplications of the Fox. 
 But that subtle creature, highly incensed at this out- 
 rageous barbarity, ran to an altar, where some coun- 
 try people had been sacrificing a kid in the open fields, 
 
 2 N 
 
274 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 and catching up a fire-brand in her mouth, made to- 
 wards the tree where the Eagle’s nest was, with a reso- 
 lution of revenge. She had scarcely reached its root, 
 when the Eagle, terrified with the approaching ruin of 
 herself and family, begged of the Fox to desist, and, 
 with much submission, returned her the Cub safe and 
 sound. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 When men in high situations happen to be wicked, 
 how little scruple do they make of oppressing their 
 poor neighbours ! They are perched upon a lofty sta- 
 tion, and, having outgrown all feelings of humanity, 
 are insensible to the pangs of remorse. The widow’s 
 tears, the orphan’s cries, and the curses of the miser- 
 able, fall by the way, and never reach their hearts. 
 But let such, in the midst of their flagrant injustice, 
 remember how easy it is, notwithstanding their supe- 
 rior distance, for the meanest vassal to take his re- 
 venge. The bitterness of affliction (even where cun- 
 ning is wanting) may animate the poorest spirit with 
 desperate resolutions ; and when once the fury of re- 
 venge is thoroughly awakened, we know not what she 
 may effect before she is lulled to rest again. The most 
 powerful tyrants cannot prevent a resolved assassina- 
 tion : there are a thousand different ways for any pri- 
 vate man to do the business, who is heartily disposed 
 to it, and willing to satisfy his appetite for revenge, at 
 the expence of his life. An old woman may clap a 
 fire-brand to the palace of a prince, and a poor weak 
 fool may destroy the children of the mighty. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 275 
 
 THE BELLY AND THE MEMBERS. 
 
 In former days, it happened that the Members of 
 the human body, taking some offence at the conduct 
 of the Belly, resolved no longer to grant it the usual 
 supplies. The Tongue first, in a seditious speech, ag- 
 gravated their grievances; and alter highly extolling 
 the activity and diligence of the Hands and Feet, set 
 forth how hard and unreasonable it was, that the fruits 
 of their labour should be squandered away upon the 
 insatiable cravings of a fat and indolent paunch. In 
 short, it was resolved for the future to strike off his 
 allowance, and let him shift for himself as well as he 
 could. The Hands protested they would not lift a Fin- 
 ger to keep him from starving ; and the 1 eeth refused 
 to chew a single morsel more for his use. In this dis- 
 tress, the Belly remonstrated with them in vain ; for 
 during the clamour of passion the voice of reason is 
 
FABLES. 
 
 276 
 
 always disregarded. This unnatural resolution was 
 kept as long as any thing of that kind can be kept, 
 which was, until each of the rebel members pined 
 away to the skin and bone, and could hold out no 
 longer. Then they found there was no doing without 
 the Belly, and, that idle and insatiable as it seemed, 
 it contributed as much to the welfare of all the other 
 parts, as they in their several stations did towards its 
 maintenance. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 This Fable was spoken by Mencnius Agrippa, a 
 Roman consul and general, when he was deputed by 
 the senate to appease a dangerous tumult and insurrec- 
 tion of the people. The many wars the Romans were 
 engaged in, and the frequent supplies they were ob- 
 liged to raise, had so soured and inflamed the minds of 
 the populace, that they were resolved to endure it no 
 longer, and obstinately refused to pay the taxes. It is 
 easy to discern how the great man applied this Fable : 
 for, if the branches and members of a community re- 
 fuse the government that aid which its necessities re- 
 quire, the whole must perish together. The rulers of 
 a state, useless or frivolous as they may sometimes seem, 
 are yet as necessary to be kept up and maintained in 
 a proper and decent grandeur, as the family of each 
 private person is, in a condition suitable to itself. 
 Every man’s enjoyment of that little which he gains 
 by his daily labour, depends upon the government’s 
 being maintained in a condition to defend and secure 
 him in the unmolested control and possession of it. 
 
THE FATAL MARRIAGE. 
 
 A Mouse being ambitious of marrying into a noble 
 family, paid his addresses to a young Lioness, and at 
 length succeeded in entering into a treaty of marriage 
 with her. When the day appointed for the nuptials 
 arrived, the bridegroom set out in a transport of joy 
 to meet his beloved bride ; and coming up to her, 
 passionately threw himself at her feet; but she, like a 
 giddy thing as she was, not minding how she walked, 
 accidentally set her foot upon her little spouse, and 
 crushed him to death. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 It is very unsafe for persons of low estate to form 
 connections with those of a very superior situation. 
 When wealthy persons of mean extraction and unre- 
 
FABLES. 
 
 278 
 
 fined education, as an equivalent for their money, de- 
 mand brides out of the nursery of the peerage, if they 
 should not be ruined by the giddy extravagance of 
 their high-born wives, their being despised, or at least 
 treated with neglect, is almost certain. But indeed, 
 much unhappiness follows the want of a sound judg- 
 ment in the choice of a partner for life, whether it be 
 in high or low, rich or poor. No human contract is 
 of so important, as well as delicate a nature, as mar- 
 riage. It is one of the grand epochs in the histo- 
 ry of a man. It is an engagement which should be 
 voluntary, judicious, and disinterested, and can ne- 
 ver be attended with honour, or blessed with happi- 
 ness, if it has not its origin in mutual affection. If it 
 be either unsuitable or compulsory, it produces not 
 only individual misery, but consequences universally 
 pernicious. Sordid interest and vile dependence may 
 indeed sometimes act so powerfully, as to set nature 
 and true convenience aside, so as to make the yoke 
 which is jointly borne by the improper union of the high 
 and low, or by age and youth, put on an appearance 
 of regard for each other ; but natural affection must 
 needs be wanting on one side or the other. Nature 
 has, however, with a strong hand, pointed out the path 
 to be pursued, and a few prudential rules only are ne- 
 cessary to keep us within it. If a man is of an unsound 
 constitution, or if he cannot provide for a family, let 
 him forbear matrimony : it is the duty of every man 
 who marries, to take a healthy woman for his wife, for 
 the sake of his children, and an amiable one, for his 
 own comfort. The same precaution ought to be taken 
 by the fair sex, unless they can make up their minds to 
 become nurses to tainted worn-out husbands, and their 
 puny nerveless offspring. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 279 
 
 THE YOUNG MAN AND THE LION. 
 
 An opulent Old Man, who believed in omens and 
 dreams, had an only Son, of whom he was dotingly 
 fond. One night he dreamt that he saw the Young 
 Man, while he was eagerly engaged in the chase, seiz- 
 ed upon and torn in pieces by a Lion. This operated 
 upon his fears to such a degree, that he instantly de- 
 termined upon breaking off his Son’s strong propen- 
 sity to hunting, that he might be kept out of harm’s 
 way. For this purpose, he spared neither pains nor 
 expence to make home agreeable to him. He had 
 the rooms decorated with the finest paintings of forest 
 scenery, and the hunting of wild beasts, with the reali- 
 ty of which the youth had been so much delighted ; 
 but the Young Man, debarred from his favourite plea- 
 sures, considered the palace a prison, and his father 
 as the keeper. One day, when looking at the pictures, 
 he cast his eye upon that of a Lion, and, enraged that 
 
280 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 lie was confined for a dream about such a beast, he 
 struck at the painting with his fist, with all his might. 
 There happened to be a nail in the wall behind the 
 canvas, which lacerated the hand terribly. The wound 
 festered, and threw the Young Man into a fever, of 
 which he died ; so that the Father’s dream was ful- 
 filled by the very step he took to prevent it. 
 
 Those people who govern their lives by forebodings 
 and dreams, and signs of ill-luck, are kept in a state 
 of constant anxiety and uneasiness. Such a disposition 
 is grounded on superstition, which is the offspring of a 
 narrow mind, and adds greatly to the evils with which 
 life is sufficiently loaded. Heaven has kindly conceal- 
 ed from us the knowledge of futurity, and it is there- 
 fore foolish for us to attempt to pry into it, or to dis- 
 turb our minds with absurd conceptions of events which 
 are only realised by our ridiculous precautions against 
 them. How inconsistent is the conduct of people who 
 imagine things to be predestined, and yet busy them- 
 selves in endeavours to prevent their coming to pass; 
 as if the vain efforts of human power or prudence were 
 able to counteract the will, or reverse the decrees of 
 the Omnipotent. 
 
 APPLICATION, 
 
FABLES. 
 
 281 
 
 THE KITE AND THE PIGEONS. 
 
 A Kite who had kept sailing in the air for many 
 days near a dove-house, and made a stoop at several 
 Pigeons to no purpose, for they were too nimble for 
 him, at last had recourse to stratagem, and made a 
 declaration to them, in which he set forth his own just 
 and good intentions, and that he had nothing more at 
 heart than the defence and protection ot the Pigeons 
 in their ancient rights and liberties, and how* concern- 
 ed he was at their unjust and unreasonable suspicions 
 of himself, as if he intended by force of arms to break 
 in upon their constitution, and erect a tyrannical go- 
 vernment over them. To prevent all which, and tho- 
 roughly to quiet their minds, he thought proper to 
 propose such terms of alliance, as might for ever ce- 
 ment a good understanding between them ; one ot 
 which was, that they should accept of him for then 
 
282 FABLES. 
 
 king, and invest him with all kingly privilege and pre- 
 rogative over them ; in return for which he promised 
 them protection from all their enemies. The poor 
 simple Pigeons consented : the Kite took the corona- 
 tion oath, after a very solemn manner, on his part, 
 and the Doves the oaths of allegiance and fidelity on 
 theirs. But much time had not passed over their 
 heads before the good Kite pretended that it was part 
 of his prerogative to devour a Pigeon whenever he 
 pleased; and this he was not contented to do himself 
 only, but instructed the rest of the royal family in the 
 same kingly arts. The Pigeons, reduced to this mise- 
 rable condition, said one to the other, Ah ! we de- 
 serve no better ! Why did we let him come in ? 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 What can this Fable be applied to, but the exceed- 
 ing blindness and stupidity of that part of mankind, 
 who wantonly and foolishly trust their native rights 
 of liberty without good security ? Who often chuse 
 for guardians of their lives and fortunes, persons aban- 
 doned to the most unsociable of vices ; and seldom have 
 any better excuse for such an error in politics, than 
 that they were deceived in their expectation, or never 
 thoroughly knew the manners of their king, till he had 
 got them entirely in his power. We ought not to in- 
 cur the possibility of being deceived in so important a 
 matter as this ; an unlimited power should not be trust- 
 ed in the hands of any one who is not endowed with 
 a perfection more than human. 
 
FABI.ES. 
 
 28 3 
 
 THE SICK KITE. 
 
 A Kite who had been sick a long time, beginning to 
 be doubtful of recovery, begged of his Mother to go 
 to all the churches and religious houses in the country, 
 to try what prayers and offerings would effect in his 
 behalf. The old Kite replied, Indeed, my dear son, 
 I would willingly undertake any thing to save your 
 life; but I have great reason to despair of doing you 
 any service in the way you propose: for, with what 
 face can I ask any thing of the Gods, in favour of one 
 whose whole life has been a continued scene of ra- 
 pine and injustice, and who has not scrupled, upon 
 occasion, to rob even their altars ? 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 The rehearsal of this Fable almost unavoidably 
 2 o 2 
 
284 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 draws our attention to that very serious and important 
 point, the consideration of a death-bed repentance, the 
 sincerity of which we may justly suspect in one whose 
 whole life has been spent in acts of wickedness and im- 
 piety. To expose the absurdity of relying upon such 
 a weak foundation, we need only ask the same ques- 
 tion with the Kite in the Fable : how can he, who has 
 offended the Gods all his life-time by acts of dishonour 
 and injustice, expect that they wall be pleased with him 
 at last, for no other reason but because he fears he 
 shall not be able to offend them any longer? Since 
 the summons to “ pass that bourn whence no tra- 
 veller returns,” must one day come, we ought always" 
 to be prepared to meet it. But when the whole life 
 has been wasted, without communion with, or totally 
 estranged from that Almighty Being, by whose fiat it 
 was called into existence, then indeed the polluted soul 
 must be distracted with the agonizing thoughts of ap- 
 pearing before Him, who created it for a very different 
 purpose. Nothing but the consciousness of having led 
 a virtuous life, can in the awful moment, disarm death 
 of his terrors, and fortify the mind with cheering hopes- 
 and resignation. But this is a subject of the utmosK 
 importance, and the due enforcing of it is one of the 
 most solemn duties of the pulpit- 
 
FABLES. 
 
 c 285 
 
 THE FOX AND THE LION. 
 
 The first time the Fox saw the Lion, he fell down 
 at his feet, and was ready to die with fear. The se- 
 cond time lie took courage, and could even bear to 
 look upon him. The third time he had the impu- 
 dence to come up to him, to salute him, and to enter 
 into familiar conversation with him. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 From this Fable we may observe the two extremes 
 in which we may fail as to a proper behaviour towards 
 our superiors. The one is a bashfulness, proceeding 
 either from a vicious guilty mind, or a timorous rusti- 
 city ; the other an over-bearing impudence, which as- 
 sumes more than becomes it, and so renders the person 
 insufferable to the conversation of well-bred reasonable 
 
'286 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 people. But there is a difference between the bashful-' 
 ness which arises from a want of education, and the 
 shame-facedness that accompanies conscious guilt : the 
 first by time and a nearer acquaintance, may be ripen- 
 ed into a proper liberal behavour ; the other no sooner 
 finds an easy practicable access, but it throws off all 
 manner of reverence, grows every day more and more 
 familiar, and branches out at last into the utmost in- 
 decency and irregularity. Indeed there are many oc- 
 casions which may happen to cast an awe, or even a 
 terror, upon our minds at first view, without any just or 
 reasonable grounds; but upon a little recollection, or 
 a nearer insight, we recover ourselves, and can appear 
 indifferent and unconcerned, where before we were 
 ready to sink under a load of diffidence and fear. We 
 should upon such occasions use our endeavours to re- 
 gain a due degree of steadiness and resolution ; but at 
 the same time we must have a care that our efforts in 
 that respect do not force the balance too much, and 
 make it rise to an unbecoming freedom, and an offen- 
 sive familiarity. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 287 
 
 THE DOG AND THE WOLF. 
 
 A Wolf in quest of prey, happened to fall in with a 
 well-fed Mastiff. Ah, Tray, said he, one does not need 
 to ask how you do, you look so plump and hearty. I 
 wish I were as well provided for ; but my gaunt looks 
 shew that I fare very differently, although I dare say I 
 venture my life ten times more than you do, in search- 
 ing for a precarious subsistence, amidst woods and 
 wilds, exposed to rain, and frost, and snow. If you 
 will follow me, replies the Dog, and do as I do, I 
 have no doubt you will change for the better, and soon 
 be in as good plight as I am. The Wolf eagerly re- 
 quested to be informed what would be required of him. 
 Very little, replied the Mastiff; only drive away beg- 
 gars, guard the master’s house, caress him, and be 
 submissive to his family, and you will be well fed 
 and warmly lodged. To these conditions the \\ olf 
 had no objections ; but as they were jogging along, he 
 
•288 
 
 TABLES. 
 
 observed the hair worn off around the Dog’s neck, and 
 enquired the cause. O nothing, answered he, or a 
 mere trifle ; perhaps the collar, to which my chain is 
 fastened, has left a mark. Chain ! replied the Wolf, 
 with some surprize ; so then you are not permitted to go 
 where and when you please? Not always, said Tray; 
 but what does that signify? It signifies so much, re- 
 joined the Wolf, that I am resolved to partake of no 
 sumptuous fare with a chain about my neck ; for half a 
 meal, with liberty, is preferable to a full one without it. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 True greatness of soul will never give up liberty for 
 any consideration whatever ; for what are riches, gran- 
 deur, titles, or any other worldly good, if they are 
 holden by so precarious a tenure as the arbitrary will 
 of a tyrant ! A mere competency, with liberty, is 
 preferable to servitude amidst the greatest affluence; 
 and even the lowest condition in life, with freedom, is 
 better than the most exalted station without it. But 
 liberty in a state of society docs not consist in doing 
 whatsoever we please; but only permits those actions 
 by which we do no injustice to our neighbour, or to 
 the community. The well-being of society requires the 
 efforts of all, from the highest to the lowest, to preserve 
 and support it; and since it appears to be the will of 
 Omnipotence, that mankind should live in this state of 
 social union (which does not admit of the unbridled 
 freedom of the savage state) a certain portion of indi- 
 vidual liberty must be given up for the good of the 
 whole; but the sacrifice should be bounded by the 
 common good : all beyond approaches towards slavery, 
 and degrades the people who submit to it. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 "289 
 
 THE FLYING FISH AND THE DOLPHIN. 
 
 The Flying Fish, to avoid its enemies, leaves the 
 water, takes wing, and mounts up into the air. The 
 Dolphin is one of the most constant of these enemies ; 
 and its velocity through the liquid element, it is said, 
 surpasses that of every living creature, insomuch that 
 as it darts along, the brilliancy and changeablencss of 
 its colours, which cannot be described, appear like the 
 flash of a meteor. A Flying Fish being pursued by 
 a Dolphin, in his eagerness to escape, took too long 
 a flight, and his wings becoming dry, he fell upon a 
 rock, where his death was inevitable. The Dolphin, 
 in the keenness of his pursuit, ran himself on shore at 
 the foot of the rock, and was left by the wave, gasping 
 in the same condition as the other. Well, says the 
 Flying Fish, I must die it is certain ; but it is some 
 
 2 v 
 
290 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 consolation to behold mv merciless enemy involved inr 
 the same fate. 
 
 When brought low by a cruel and insolent oppress- 
 or, there is no torture we feel more poignantly, than 
 to see him triumphantly exulting in our downfal ; and 
 the opposite extreme must take place in our minds, on 
 seeing our enemy over-shoot his mark, and in his turn 
 brought down to the same level of distress with our- 
 selves. The temper that is not touched with feelings 
 of this kind, must be of a highly philosophical cast in- 
 deed. The great and powerful, for the sake of their 
 own peace of mind, should not unfeelingly persecute 
 their inferiors ; for nothing is more sweet to some tem- 
 pers, and scarcely any thing more easy to compass* 
 than revenge. 
 
 APPLICATION, 
 
FABLES. 
 
 291 
 
 THE LION AND THE FROG. 
 
 The Lion hearing an odd kind of hollow voice, and 
 seeing nobody, started up : he listened again, and hear- 
 ing the noise repeated, he trembled and quaked for 
 fear. At last, seeing a Frog crawl out of the lake, and 
 finding that the noise he had heard was nothing but 
 the croaking of that little creature, he went up to it 
 with great anger ; but checking himself, turned away 
 from it, ashamed of his own timidity. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 The early prejudices of a wrong education can only 
 be eradicated from the strongest minds. The weak re- 
 tain them through life. This Fable is a pretty image 
 of the vain fears and empty terrors, with which our 
 weak misguided nature is so apt to be alarmed and dis- 
 turbed. If we hear but ever so little noise which we 
 
FABLES. 
 
 292 
 
 arc not able to account for, immediately, nay, often 
 before we give ourselves time to consider about it, we 
 are struck with fear, and labour under a most unmanly 
 and unreasonable trepidation ; more especially if the 
 alarm happens when we are alone, and in the dark. 
 These fears are ingrafted into our minds very early, 
 and therefore it is the more difficult, even when we are 
 grown up, and ashamed of them, to root them out of 
 our nature. They are chiefly the offspring of the nur- 
 sery, and originate in the many terrific tales, and lying 
 stories, of those who have the management there ; and 
 though every pains be afterwards taken to free the 
 mind from the impression of such groundless fears, 
 the weaker part of mankind are still apt to be terri- 
 fied at the empty phantoms of ghosts, spectres, ap- 
 paritions, and hobgoblins. But whatever effect such 
 phantasies may have upon the guilty mind, innocence 
 has nothing to dread from supernatural causes. Fear 
 is however a natural passion, and its use is to put us 
 upon our guard against danger, by alarming the spi- 
 rits ; but it, like all our other passions, should be kept 
 in a state of subjection : for though they are all good 
 and useful servants, yet if once they get the better of 
 our reason, they prove the most domineering tyrants 
 imaginable ; nor do any of them treat us in so abject 
 and slavish a manner as fear : it unnerves and enfeebles 
 our limbs, while it fetters our understandings ; and at 
 the same time that it represents a danger near at hand, 
 disarms and makes us incapable of defending ourselves 
 from it. But we ought to call forth a sense of honour 
 and shame, to correct such weaknesses ; and for this 
 purpose it will be useful to remember the Fable of the 
 Lion and the Frog. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 293 
 
 THE KID AND THE WOLF. 
 
 A Kid being mounted upon the roof of a high shed, 
 and seeing a Wolf below, took the opportunity of af- 
 fronting him with the foulest reproaches : upon which 
 the Wolf looking up, replied, Do not value yourself, 
 vain creature, upon thinking you mortify me, for I 
 look upon this ill-language not as coming from you, 
 but from the place which protects you. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Place a coward out of the reach of danger, and 
 then no man can put on an appearance of greater 
 courage. In his castle he makes a great deal more 
 bluster and threatening than a man of spirit and ho- 
 nour would do, if placed in the same situation. A si- 
 milar kind of overbearing behaviour too often shews 
 
294 - 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 itself in the upstart worthless placeman, who taking 
 advantage of his situation, which protects him, and 
 knowing that he is out of the reach of our resentment, 
 exhibits all the “ insolence of office but such should 
 be put in mind, that a saucy deportment is no sign 
 of either courage, good sense, or good manners, and 
 that a gentleman and a man of spirit will use no ill or 
 unbecoming language to any person, however low in 
 station. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 29 5 
 
 THE COUNTRY AND THE CITY MOUSE. 
 
 A plain Country Mouse was one day unexpectedly 
 visited at his hole, by a fine Mouse of the town, who 
 had formerly been his play-fellow. The honest rus- 
 tic, pleased with the honour, resolved to entertain his 
 friend as sumptuously as possible. He set before him a 
 reserve of delicate grey pease and bacon, a dish of fine 
 oatmeal, some parings of new cheese, and to crown all 
 with a dessert, a remnant of a charming mellow apple. 
 When the repast was nearly finished, the spark of the 
 town, taking breath, said, Old Crony, give me leave 
 to be a little free with you ; how can you bear to live 
 in this melancholy hole here, with nothing but woods, 
 and meadows, and mountains, and rivulets about you ? 
 Do you not prefer the conversation of the world to the 
 chirping of birds, and the splendour of the court, to 
 the rude aspect of a wild like this ? With many flow- 
 ery arguments, he at last prevailed upon his country 
 
FABLES. 
 
 296 
 
 friend to accompany him to town, and about midnight 
 they safely entered a certain great house, where there 
 had been an entertainment the day before. Here it 
 was the courtier’s turn to entertain, and placing his 
 guest on a rich Persian carpet, they both began to 
 regale most deliciously, when on a sudden the noise 
 of somebody opening the door, made them scuttle in 
 confusion about the dining-room. The rustic in par- 
 ticular was ready to die with fear at the many hair- 
 breadth escapes which followed. At last, recovering 
 himself, Well, says he, if this be your town-life, much 
 good may it do you. Give me iny poor quiet hole 
 again, with my homely, but comfortable grey pease. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 A moderate fortune, with a quiet retirement in the 
 country, is preferable to the greatest affluence, attended 
 with the care and the perplexity of business. Plow 
 often are we deceived by the specious shows of splen- 
 dour and magnificence ; and what a poor exchange does 
 he make, who gives up ease and content in an humble 
 situation, to engage in difficulties, and encounter perils 
 in affluence and luxury ! The ploughman in the field, 
 who labours for his daily pittance, earns his bread with 
 less uneasiness and fatigue, than the man who haunts 
 levees to obtain wealth and preferment. Riches, pro- 
 perly used, are indeed very conducive to ease and hap- 
 piness ; but if we leave any comfortable situation to 
 procure them, or abuse the possession of them by riot 
 and intemperance, we resign the end for the means, 
 mistake the shadow for the substance, and convert the 
 instruments of good fortune into the engines of anxiety 
 and solicitude. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 297 
 
 THE ONE-EYED DOE. 
 
 A Doe that had lost an eye, used to graze near the 
 sea ; and that she might be the more secure from harm, 
 she kept her blind side towards the water, from whence 
 she had no apprehension of danger, and w ith the other 
 surveyed the country as she fed. Ity this vigilance and 
 precaution, she thought herself in the utmost security ; 
 but a sly fellow, with two poaching companions, who 
 had watched her several days to no purpose, at last took 
 a boat, and came gently down upon her, and shot her. 
 The Doc, in the agonies of death, breathed out this 
 doleful complaint : O hard fate, that I should receive 
 my death’s wound from the side whence I expected no 
 ill, and be safe in that quarter where I looked for the 
 most danger. 
 
 2 o 
 
208 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 We are liable to many misfortunes that no care or 
 foresight can prevent ; but we ought to provide in the 
 best way we can against them, and leave the rest to 
 Providence. The wisest of men have their foibles or 
 blind sides, and have their enemies too, who watch to 
 take advantage of their weaknesses. It behoves us 
 therefore to look to ourselves on the blind side, as the 
 part that lies most exposed to an attack. Vigilance 
 and caution are commonly our best preservatives from 
 evil, and security is often a fatal enemy, when we che- 
 rish it so as to lull all our apprehensions to rest. We 
 should not however encourage in ourselves the slavish 
 principle of fear, nor make ourselves miserable on ac- 
 count of latent evils, which it is not in our power to 
 prevent. The ways and workings of Providence are 
 inscrutable; and it is not in the power of human pru- 
 dence to obviate all the accidents of life. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 299 
 
 THE TREES AND THE WOODMAN. 
 
 A Countryman being in want of a handle for his hat- 
 chet, entered a wood and looked am<*ig the branches 
 for one that would suit his purpose. The Trees, with 
 a curiosity natural to some other creatures, asked him 
 what lie was seeking? He replied that he only want- 
 ed a piece of wood to make a handle to his axe, and 
 begged they would be so good as to permit him to 
 serve himself. Since that is all, said the Trees, help 
 yourself, and welcome. He immediately availed him- 
 self of the permission, and had no sooner fitted up his 
 instrument, than he began pell-mell to cut and hack 
 about him, felling the noblest trees in all the forest, 
 without distinction. The Oak is said to have spoke 
 thus to the Beech, in a low whisper : Brother, we must 
 take all this for our easy credulity, and imprudent ge- 
 nerosity. 
 
 2 2 2 
 
300 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 One would imagine that the natural principle of self- 
 preservation implanted in us, would make it unneces- 
 sary to caution any one not to furnish an enemy with 
 arms against himself. Yet daily experience shews us 
 that such instances of imprudence are not uncommon. 
 In this life we are liable to be surrounded with calami- 
 ties and distresses : we should therefore be cautious of 
 adding to our misfortunes, by our own want of caution, 
 and of putting power into the hands of those enemies, 
 which our merit or our affluence may tempt to rise up 
 against us. Any person in a community, by what 
 name or title soever distinguished, who affects a power 
 which may possibly hurt a people, is their enemy, and 
 therefore they ought not to trust him : for though he 
 were ever so fully determined not to abuse such a 
 power, yet he is so far a bad man, as he disturbs a 
 nation’s quiet, and makes them jealous and uneasy, by 
 desiring to have it, or even retaining it, when it may 
 prove mischievous. If we consult history, we shall 
 find that the thing called prerogative, has been claimed 
 and contended for chiefly by those who never intended 
 to make a good use of it ; and as readily resigned by 
 wise and just princes, who had the true interest of their 
 people at heart. How like senseless stocks do they 
 act, who, by complimenting some capricious mortal, 
 from time to time, with scraps of prerogative, at last 
 put it out of their power to maintain their just and na- 
 tural liberty ! 
 
FABLES. 
 
 301 
 
 THE EAGLE AND THE CROW. 
 
 An Eagle flew down from the top of a high rock, 
 and making a stoop at a Lamb, seized it with her 
 strong talons, and bore aloft her bleating prize to her 
 young. A Crow observing what passed, was ambi- 
 tious of performing the same exploit, and darted down 
 upon a Ram ; but instead of being able to carry it 
 up into the air, she found she had got her claws en- 
 tangled in its fleece, and could neither move herself 
 nor her fancied prize. Thus fixed, she was soon taken 
 by the Shepherd, and given away to some boys, who 
 eagerly enquired what bird it was ? An hour ago, said 
 he, she fancied herself an Eagle ; however I suppose 
 she is by this time convinced that she is but a Crow\ 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 It is impossible for any man to take a true measure 
 
302 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 of the abilities of another, without an exact know- 
 ledge and true judgment of his own; a false estimate of 
 which always exposes him to ridicule, and sometimes 
 to danger. Every man ought therefore to examine the 
 strength of his own mind with attention and impar- 
 tiality, and not fondly to flatter himself that he can by 
 an awkward and ill-judged emulation soar to the height 
 which has been attained by men endowed by nature 
 with great abilities and original talents, matured by 
 industry. We can no more adopt the genius of ano- 
 ther man, than we can assume his shape and person. 
 The bright original in every department of the arts 
 and sciences will be valued and esteemed, whilst his 
 puny imitators will be treated with neglect, or be de- 
 spised. Almost every man has something original in 
 himself, which, if duly cultivated, might perhaps pro- 
 cure him respect and applause, and it is creditable for 
 him to endeavour justly to obtain them. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 303 
 
 THE HORSE AND THE STAG. 
 
 In ancient times, when the Horse and the Deer 
 ranged the forest with uncontrolled freedom, it hap- 
 pened that contentions arose between them about gra- 
 zing in particular meadows. These disputes ended in 
 a conflict between them, in which the Deer proved 
 victorious, and with his sharp horns drove the Horse 
 from the pasture. Full of disappointment and cha- 
 grin, the Horse applied to the Man, and craved his 
 assistance, in order to re-establish him in the possession 
 of his rights. The request was granted, on condition 
 that he would suffer himself to be bridled, saddled, 
 and mounted by his new ally, with whose assistance he 
 entirely defeated his enemy; but the poor Horse was 
 mightily disappointed when, upon returning thanks to 
 the Man, and desiring to be dismissed, he received this 
 answer : No, I never knew before how useful a drudge 
 
FABLES. 
 
 
 you were ; now I have found what you are good for, 
 you may be assured I will keep you to it. 
 
 Victories may be purchased at too dear a rate, if 
 we solicit the assistance of allies capable of becoming 
 our most formidable enemies, and it will be vain to 
 flatter ourselves, that the yoke of slavery, if we once 
 willingly suffer it to be laid upon our shoulders, can be 
 easily shaken off, when the ends for which we bore it 
 are accomplished. The Fable is intended to caution 
 us against consenting to any thing that might prejudice 
 public liberty, as well as to keep us upon our guard in 
 the preservation of that which is of a private nature. 
 This is the use and interpretation given of it by Ho- 
 race, one of the best and most polite philosophers that 
 ever wrote. After reciting the Fable, he applies it 
 thus : This, says he, is the case of him, who, dread- 
 ing poverty, parts with that invaluable jewel, liberty . 
 like a wretch as he is, he will always be subject to a 
 tyrant of some sort or another, and be a slave for ever, 
 because his avaricious spirit knew not how to be con- 
 tented with that moderate competency, which he might 
 have possessed independent of all the world. 
 
 APPLICATION, 
 
FABLES. 
 
 305 
 
 THE MILLER, HIS SON, AND THEIR ASS. 
 
 A Miller and his Son were taking their Ass to market 
 to sell him, and that he might get thither in good con- 
 dition, they drove him gently before them. They had 
 not proceeded far before they met a company of tra- 
 vellers : Sure, say they, you are mighty careful of your 
 Ass ; one of you might as well get up and ride, as suf- 
 fer him to walk on at his ease, while you trudge after 
 on foot. In compliance with this advice, the Old Man 
 set his Son upon the beast. And now, they had scarcely 
 advanced a quarter of a mile further, before they met 
 another company. You idle young rogue, said one, 
 why dont you get down, and let your poor father ride? 
 Upon this, the Old Man made his Son dismount, and 
 got up himself. While they were marching in this 
 manner, a third company began to insult the fathei . 
 You hard-hearted wretch, say they, how can you suffer 
 
 2 R 
 
FABLES. 
 
 -306 
 
 that poor lad to wade through the dirt, while you, like' 
 an alderman, ride at your ease? The good-natured 
 Miller stood corrected, and immediately took his Son 
 up behind him. And now the next man they met ex- 
 claimed, with more vehemence and indignation than all 
 the rest, Was there ever such a couple of lazy loobies ! 
 to overload in so unconscionable a manner, a poor 
 dumb creature, who is far less able to carry you, than 
 you are to carry him ! The complying Old Man 
 would have been half inclined to make the trial, had 
 not experience by this time sufficiently convinced him, 
 that there cannot be a more fruitless attempt, than to 
 endeavour to please all mankind. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 It is better to pursue the dictates of one’s own rea- 
 son, than attempt to please every body ; for to do this 
 is next to impossible. Therefore we ought to decide 
 according to the best of our judgment, and correct 
 our mistakes from our own experience. Wise men are 
 instructed by reason ; men of less understanding by ex- 
 perience; the most ignorant by necessity; and beasts 
 by instinct. When a man so neglects himself, as not 
 to make a just use of his reason and his mental powers, 
 in combating with prejudice and folly, as well as the 
 caprice of others, he will ever be led on in a maze of 
 error, wavering and embarrassed about pursuing this 
 or that path, until between them he is lost in a laby- 
 rinth, from which he will never be able to extricate 
 himself as long as he lives. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 307 
 
 THE ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER. 
 
 A commonwealth of Ants, having, after a busy sum- 
 mer, provided every thing for their wants in the winter, 
 were about shutting themselves up for that dreary sea- 
 son, when a Grasshopper in great distress, and in dread 
 of perishing with cold and hunger, approached their 
 avenues, and with great humility begged they would 
 relieve his wants, and permit him to take shelter in any 
 corner of their comfortable mansion. One of the Ants 
 asked him how lie had disposed of his time in summer, 
 that he had not taken pains and laid in a stock, as they 
 had done ? Alas ! my friends, says he, I passed away 
 the time merrily and pleasantly, in drinking, singing, 
 and dancing, and never once thought ot winter. It 
 that be the case, replied the Ant, all I have to say is 
 this : that they who drink, sing, and dance in the sum- 
 mer, run a great risk of starving in the winter. 
 
 2 r 2 
 
308 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 As summer is the season in which the industrious 
 laborious husbandman lays up his supplies for the win- 
 ter, so youth and manhood are the times of life which 
 we should employ in laying in such a stock as may 
 suffice for helpless old age ; yet there ax - e many whom 
 we call rational creatures, who squander away in a 
 profuse prodigality, whatever they get in their younger 
 days, as if the infirmity of age would require no sup- 
 plies to support it, or at least would find them admi- 
 nistered to it in some miraculous way. From this Fa- 
 ble we learn this admirable lesson, never to lose the 
 present opportunity of fairly and honestly providing 
 against the future evils and accidents of life ; and while 
 health and the vigour of our faculties remain firm and 
 entire, to lay them out to the best advantage ; so that 
 when age and infirmities despoil us of our strength and 
 abilities, we may not have to bewail that we have neg- 
 lected to provide for the wants of our latter days : for it 
 should always be remembered, that “ a youth of revels 
 breeds an age of care,” and that temperance in youth 
 lays the foundation of health and comfort for old age. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 309 
 
 THE HORSE AND THE LION. 
 
 An old Lion, finding that many of the beasts had 
 become too nimble for him, and that he could not 
 come at his prey so readily as before, craftily gave out 
 that he had long studied physic and surgery in foreign 
 countries, and that he could cure every kind of disor- 
 der to which the beasts were liable. These professions 
 having been spread abroad, he hoped to get many of 
 the animals to come within his clutches. The Horse 
 seeing through the whole of the scheme, was resolved 
 to be even with him ; and so humouring the thing as if 
 he suspected nothing, he feigned himself to be in great 
 pain from a wound in his foot, and limping up to the 
 Lion, he begged he would examine the part and admi- 
 nister relief. The Lion, though intent only upon making 
 a good meal of horse-flesh, begged the Horse to hold up 
 his foot that he might see it : this was no sooner done, 
 
310 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 than the Horse gave him so violent a blow on the nose, 
 as quite stunned him, and scampered off, neighing at 
 the success of a trick, which had defeated the purpose 
 of one who intended to have tricked him out of his life. 
 
 We ought never to put trust in the fair words and 
 pretensions of those who have both an interest and in- 
 clination to ruin us ; and where we find foul play thus 
 intended against us, it is not in the nature of things to 
 expect that we should not, if we can, turn the tables 
 upon the plotters. Treachery has something so wick- 
 ed and worthy of punishment in its nature, that it de- 
 serves to meet with a return of its own kind. An open 
 revenge is too liberal for it, and nothing matches it 
 but itself. Though a man of sense and honour will 
 always view tricking and fraud of all kinds as mean 
 and beneath him, and will despise setting such an ex- 
 ample, yet it cannot be inconsistent with virtue to coun- 
 teract the schemes of those who are taking all manner 
 of undue advantages, and hatching wicked plots to un- 
 dermine us. 
 
 APPLICATION, 
 
FABLES. 
 
 31 1 
 
 THE FOX IN THE WELL. 
 
 A Fox having fallen into a well, made a shift, by 
 sticking his claws into the sides, to keep his head above 
 water. Soon after, a Wolf came and peeped over the 
 brink, to whom the Fox applied, and very earnestly 
 implored his assistance to help him out, or he should 
 be lost. Ah ! poor Reynard, says he, I pity your 
 misfortune ; poor creature, I am sorry for you with all 
 my heart : how did you happen to slip into this well ? 
 pray how long have you been in this melancholy si- 
 tuation ? Nay, I prithee friend, replies the F ox, if 
 you wish me well, do not stand pitying me, but lend 
 me some succour as soon as you can ; for pity is but 
 cold comfort when one is up to the chin in water, and 
 within a hair’s breadth of starving or drowning. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 3F2 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 If we would really manifest our sorrow for the 
 sufferings of another, let our pity be shewn by our 
 friendly endeavours to relieve him ; for indeed pity of 
 itself is but poor comfort at any time, unless it pro- 
 duces something more substantial. If we cannot do 
 this, let us not offend the sensibility, and add to the 
 anguish of a delicate mind, by empty professions and 
 unmeaning compassion. For, to stand bemoaning the 
 misfortunes of our friends, without offering some ex- 
 pedient to alleviate them, is only echoing their grief, 
 and putting them in mind that they are miserable. 
 He is truly my friend, who with a ready presence of 
 mind supports me ; not he who merely condoles with 
 me upon my ill success, and expresses his sorrow for 
 my mishap. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 313 
 
 THE GARDENER AND HIS DOG. 
 
 A Gardener’s Dog happened by some mischance to 
 fall into the well : his Master ran immediately to his 
 assistance ; but when helping him out, the surly brute 
 bit his hand. The Gardener took this ungrateful 
 treatment so ill, that he shook him off, and left him 
 to shift for himself. Thou wicked wretch ! said he, 
 to injure the hand that was stretched forth to save thy 
 life ! The hand of thy Master, who has hitherto fed 
 and taken care of thee ! Die there as thou deservest , 
 for so base and unnatural a creature is not fit to lb e. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 When a man has suffered his mind to become so 
 debased as to be capable to doing injuries to him who 
 has showered benefits on his head, he can scarce. y be 
 
 2 s 
 
314 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 treated with too much severity. He deserves at least 
 to be scouted as an outcast to society. All the favours 
 that are bestowed upon men of this worthless disposi- 
 tion, are thrown away ; for the envy and malevolence 
 of the ingrate, work him up into a hatred of his bene- 
 factor. Generous men should therefore use a just cir- 
 cumspection in the choice of the objects of their bene- 
 volence, before they give way to the feelings of the 
 heart, or waste its bountiful overflowings upon those 
 who, instead of making a grateful return, will bite 
 them like a drowning but spiteful dog. The Fable is 
 also intended as an admonition to servants, who owe 
 an especial duty to their masters; whose kindness 
 should be met by their faithful exertions to serve them ; 
 and whose interest they ever ought to make their own. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 315 
 
 
 THE DEEIl AND THE LION. 
 
 A Deer, terrified by the cry ot the Hunters, instead 
 of trusting to his fleetness, made towards a cave which 
 he chanced to espy, and in which he hoped to conceal 
 himself until they were passed by ; but he had scarcely 
 reached the entrance before he was seized by a Lion 
 who lay crouching there, ready to spring upon his 
 prey, and who instantly killed and tore him to pieces. 
 In the last agonies of death, he thus gave vent to his 
 feelings : Ah, me ! said he, unhappy creature that I 
 am. I hoped in this cave to escape the pursuit ot 
 men ; but have fallen into the jaws ot the most ci uel 
 and rapacious of wild beasts. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 This Fable points out the dangers to which we ex- 
 2 s 2 
 
316 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 pose ourselves, when, for want of presence of mind, 
 we suffer ourselves to be guided by our unreasoning 
 fears, which no sooner shew us an evil, than they 
 throw us into the utmost confusion in our manner of 
 escaping, and prevent us from discerning the safe path 
 by which we ought to avoid it. Thus, in a rash en- 
 deavour to shun a less danger, we oftentimes blindly 
 run headlong into a greater. The fate of the Deer 
 should warn us to consider well what may be the ulti- 
 mate consequences, before we take any important step ; 
 for many paths which appear smooth and pleasant at a 
 distance, are found to be rough and dangerous, when 
 we come to tread them ; and many a plausible scheme, 
 which promises us ease and safety, is no better than a 
 tempting bower, with a Lion crouching among its fo- 
 liage, ready to spring upon and devour us. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 317 
 
 THE PLOUGHMAN AND FORTUNE. 
 
 As a Ploughman was turning up the soil, his plough 
 uncovered a treasure which had been hidden there. 
 Transported with joy, he seized upon it, and fervently 
 began to thank the ground for being so liberal to him. 
 Fortune passing by, observed what he was about, and 
 could not forbear shewing her resentment at it. You 
 stupid creature, said she, to lie thus thanking the 
 ground, and take no notice of me ! If you had lost 
 such a treasure, instead of finding one, I should have 
 been the first you would have laid the blame upon. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 How often do we ascribe our success or misfortunes 
 to wrong causes ! Vanity sometimes leads us to con- 
 sider our prosperity as the natural result of our own 
 
318 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 sagacity, and inattention sometimes induces us to make 
 acknowledgments to wrong persons. But if we would 
 have our praises valued, we should be cautious to direct 
 them properly. Our thanks are an indirect affront to 
 those who receive them without deserving them ; and 
 at the same time an act of open ingratitude to those 
 who merit them without receiving them. In prospe- 
 rity, as well as in adversity, let us not forget the power 
 and goodness of Heaven ; and if we implore the aid of 
 the Almighty in our distress, we should not neglect to 
 send up our acknowledgments of his goodness with the 
 voice of gratitude. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 319 
 
 THE APE AND TIIE FOX. 
 
 An Ape meeting with a Fox, humbly requested he 
 would be so good as to give him some of the superflu- 
 ous hair from his bushy tail, to make into a covering 
 for his bare posteriors, which were exposed to all the 
 inclemency of the weather ; and he endeavoured to fur- 
 ther his suit by observing to Reynard, that he had far 
 more than he had any occasion for, and a great part 
 even dragged along in the dirt. The Fox answered, 
 that as to his having too much, it was more than he 
 knew ; but be it as it would, he had rather sweep the 
 ground with his tail as long as he lived, than part with 
 the least bit of it for a covering to the filthy posteriors 
 of an Ape. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Riches, in the hands of a wise and generous man, 
 
320 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 are a blessing to the community in which he lives: 
 they are like the light and the rain, and diffuse a good 
 all around them. But wealth, when it falls to the lot 
 of those who want benevolence and humanity, serves 
 only as an instrument of mischief, or at best produces 
 no advantage to the rest of mankind. The good man 
 considers himself as a kind of steward to those from 
 whom fortune has withheld her smiles, and thus shews 
 his gratitude to Heaven for the abundance which has 
 been showered down upon him. He directs the super- 
 fluous part of his wealth at least, to the necessities of 
 such of his fellow-creatures as are worthy of it, and 
 this he would do from feeling, though there were no 
 religion which enjoined it. But selfish avaricious per- 
 sons, who are generally knaves, how much soever they 
 may have, will never think they have enough, much 
 less be induced, by any consideration of virtue or re- 
 ligion, to part with any portion for the purposes of 
 charity and beneficence. If the riches and power of 
 the world were to be always in the hands of the virtu- 
 ous part of mankind, it would seem, according to our 
 human conceptions, that they would produce more good 
 than in those of the vile and grovelling mortals, who 
 often possess them. Without any merit, these move 
 apparently in a sphere of case and splendour, while 
 good sense and honesty have to struggle in adversi- 
 ty, or walk in the dirt. But the all-wise Disposer ot 
 Events does certainly permit tins order of things for 
 just, good, and wise purposes, though our shallow un- 
 derstandings are not able to fathom them. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 321 
 
 THE THIEF AND THE BOY. 
 
 An arch mischievous Boy, sitting by the side of a 
 well, observed a noted Thief coming towards him. 
 The little dissembler, wiping his eyes, affected to be in 
 great distress. The Thief asking him what was the 
 matter? ah ! says the Boy, I shall be severely flog- 
 ged, for in attempting to get some water, I have drop- 
 ped the silver tankard into the well. Upon this the 
 Thief, eager for a prize, stripped off his cloaths, and 
 went down to the bottom to search for it ; where ha- 
 ving groped about to no purpose, he came up again, 
 but found neither the Boy nor the cloaths, the little 
 wag having; run off with and hidden them, and left the 
 Thief to look for the tankard at his leisure. 
 
• FABLES. 
 
 3 C M 
 
 i 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Nothing gives more entertainment to lionest men, 
 than to see rogues and sharpers tricked and punished 
 in the pursuit of their schemes of villainy, by making 
 their own contrivances instrumental in bringing down 
 their wickedness upon their own heads. In these in- 
 stances, Justice seems as it were to be acting in per- 
 son, and saves the trouble of publicly enforcing punish- 
 ment by the penal laws ; but indeed vice carries with 
 it its own punishment, and the misery attendant upon 
 it in this world, seems always pretty exactly balanced 
 to its various degrees of enormity. The abandoned 
 man drags on a contemptible or infamous life, with a 
 constantly deadened or disturbed conscience, and a- 
 midst associates like himself, where he can never hope 
 to meet with either friendship or fidelity. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 323 
 
 THE FOX AND THE SICK LION. 
 
 It was reported that the Lion was sick, and the 
 beasts were given to understand that they could not 
 make their court better than by going to visit him. 
 Upon this they generally went ; but it was particular- 
 ly taken notice of, that the Fox was not one of the 
 number. The Lion therefore dispatched one of his 
 Jackalls to enquire why he had so little charity and 
 respect as never to come near him, at a time when he 
 lay so dangerously ill, and every body else had been 
 to see him? Why, replies the Fox, pray present my 
 duty to his majesty, and tell him that I have the same 
 respect for him as ever, and have been coming several 
 times, but was fearful of being troublesome, as I hav e 
 observed, from the prints ot their footsteps, that great 
 numbers have gone into the royal den; but 1 have not 
 seen a single trace of their coming out again. 
 
 2 t 2 
 
3m 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 He that embarks implicitly in any scheme, may be 
 mistaken, notwithstanding the number who keep him 
 company ; but he that keeps out till he sees reason to 
 enter, acts upon true maxims of policy ; and it is the 
 quintessence of prudence not to be too easy of belief : 
 for a rash and hasty credulity has been the ruin of 
 many. Men who habituate themselves to think, w’ill 
 profit by the experience of others, as well as their own : 
 but commonly the multitude do not reason, but stu- 
 pidly follow each other step by step; not moving out 
 of the sphere in which chance has placed them : and 
 the notions or prejudices they may have imbibed in 
 youth, remain with them to the last. There is no 
 opinion, however impious or absurd, that has not its 
 advocates in some quarter of the world. Whoever, 
 therefore, takes up his creed upon trust, and grounds 
 his principles on no better reason than his being a na- 
 tive or inhabitant of the regions wherein they prevail, 
 becomes a disciple of Mahomet in Turkey, and of 
 Confucius in China; a Jew, or a Pagan, as the acci- 
 dent of birth decides. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 325 
 
 THE SUN AND THE WIND. 
 
 A dispute arose between the North Wind and the 
 Sun, about the superiority of their power, and they 
 agreed to determine matters by trying which of them 
 could first compel a Traveller to throw off his cloak. 
 The North Wind began, and blew a very cold blast, 
 accompanied by a sharp driving shower ; but this, and 
 whatever else he could do, instead of making the Man 
 quit his cloak, induced him to gird it about him more 
 closely. Next came the Sun, who, breaking out from 
 a cloud, drove away the cold vapours, and darted his 
 warm sultry beams upon the weather-beaten 1 raveller. 
 The Man growing faint with the heat, first threw off 
 his heavy cloak, and then flew for protection to the 
 shade of a neighbouring grove. 
 
326 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 There is something in the temper of man so averse 
 to severe and boisterous treatment, that he who en- 
 deavours to carry his point in that way, instead of pre- 
 vailing, generally leaves the mind of him whom he has 
 thus attempted to subdue, in a more confirmed and 
 obstinate state. Bitter words and hard usage freeze 
 the heart into an obduracy, which mild, persuasive, 
 and gentle language only can dissolve. Persecution 
 has always fixed those opinions which it was intended 
 to dispel ; and the quick growth of Christianity in early 
 times, is attributed in a great measure to the barbarous 
 reception which its first teachers met with in the Pa- 
 gan world ; and since that time the different modes of 
 faith which have grown out of Christianity itself, have 
 been each established by the same kind of intolerant 
 spirit. To reflect upon these things, furnishes matter 
 of wonder and regret, for the benevolent Author of the 
 Christian religion taught neither intolerance nor perse- 
 cution. The doctrines he laid down are plain, pure, 
 and simple. They teach mercy to the contrite, aid to 
 the humble, and eternal happiness to the good. In 
 short, persecution is the scandal of all religion, and 
 like the north wind in the Fable, only tends to make 
 a man wrap his notions more closely about him. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 32 ? 
 
 THE HORSE AND THE ASS. 
 
 The Horse, adorned with his great war-saddle, and 
 champing his foaming bridle, came thundering along 
 the high-way, and made the mountains echo with his 
 neighing. He had not gone far before he overtook 
 an Ass, who was labouring under a heavy burthen, 
 and moving slowly on in the same track. In an im- 
 perious tone he threatened to trample him in the dirt, 
 if he did not get out of the way. The poor Ass, not 
 daring to dispute, quietly got aside as fast as he could, 
 and let him go by. Not long after this, the same 
 Horse, in an engagement, happened to be shot in the 
 eye, which made him unfit for show, or any military 
 business, so he was stripped of his ornaments, and sold 
 to a carrier. The Ass meeting him in this forlorn 
 condition, thought that now it was his time to retort : 
 
32 8 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 Hey-day, friend, says lie, is it you ! Well, I always 
 believed that pride of your’s would one day have a fall. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 It is an affectation of appearing considerable, that 
 puts men upon being proud and insolent; but this very 
 affectation infallibly makes them appear little and des- 
 picable in the eyes of discerning people. Did the 
 proud man but rightly consider what kind of ingre- 
 dients pride is composed of and fed with, and the 
 unstable foundation, and the tottering pinnacle upon 
 which it stands, he would blush at the thoughts of it, 
 and cease to be puffed up by the little supernumerary 
 advantages, whether of birth, fortune, or title, which 
 he may enjoy above his neighbours. These might in- 
 deed be a blessing to him, and to the community in 
 which he lives, if wisely used ; but if guided by pride, 
 and consequently by want of sense, they will prove 
 only a curse ; and the reverence and respect which he 
 looks for, will not be paid with sincerity, nor does he 
 deserve it ; and should the tide of misfortune set in 
 against him, instead of friendship and commiseration, 
 he will meet with nothing but contempt, and that with 
 much more justice than ever lie himself expressed it to- 
 wards others. The vain proud man ought to be put in 
 mind, that the time is not far distant, when his skull 
 will not be distinguished from that of the beggar; and 
 that there is no state, however exalted, so permanent, 
 that it may not be reduced to a level with the lowest. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 329 
 
 THE HAWK AND THE FARMER. 
 
 A Hawk, in the eagerness of his pursuit after a 
 Pigeon, flew with such violence against the corner of a 
 hedge, that he was stunned and fell. A Farmer, who 
 had been looking about his fields, saw the whole trans- 
 action, and instantly ran and picked up the Hawk, and 
 was going to kill him ; but the latter begged the Man 
 would let him go, assuring him he was only following 
 a Pigeon, and neither intending, nor had done, any 
 harm to him. To which the Farmer replied, and 
 what harm had the Pigeon done to you ? and wrung 
 his head off immediately. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 In all our transactions through life, to suppose 
 ourselves in the place of those we may be dealing 
 
 2 u 
 
330 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 with, will be the most certain check upon our own 
 conduct; and we ought always to consult our con- 
 science about the rectitude of our behaviour : for this 
 w r e may be assured of, that we are acting wrong, when- 
 ever we are doing any thing to another, which we 
 should think unjust, if it were done to us. Let those, 
 therefore, who intend to act justly, but take this view 
 of things, and all will be well. There will be no dan- 
 ger of their oppressing others, or fear of their falling 
 into error or danger themselves. Nothing but an ha- 
 bitual inadvertency as to this particular, can be the 
 occasion of so many ingenuous noble spirits being so 
 often engaged in courses opposite to virtue and honour. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 ?3i 
 
 THE FOX AND THE COUNTRYMAN. 
 
 A Fox being closely pursued by the Hunters, and 
 almost run down, begged of a Countryman to give 
 him protection, and save his life. 1 he Man consent- 
 ed, and pointed out a hovel, into which the I' ox crept, 
 and covered himself up among some straw. Presently 
 up came the Hunters, and enquired of the Man it he 
 had seen the Fox, and which way he had taken ? No, 
 said he, I have not seen him here, lie has passed ano- 
 ther way ; but all the while he nodded with his head, 
 and pointed with his finger to the place where the I ox 
 was hidden. These signals the Hunters, in the eagei- 
 ness of pursuit, did not notice, but calling off the dogs, 
 they dashed along in another direction. Soon after, 
 the Fox came out of his hiding-place, and was sneak- 
 ing off, when the Man calling after him, Hollo, says 
 he, is this the way you behave then, to go without 
 
332 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 thanking the benefactor who has saved your life ? Rey- 
 nard, who had peeped all the while, and had seen what 
 passed, answered, I know what obligation I owe you 
 well enough, and I assure you if your actions had 
 agreed with your words, I should have endeavoured, 
 however incapable of it, to have returned you suitable 
 thanks. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Dissimulation and double dealing are among the 
 most odious vices, and a hollow friend is worse than 
 an open enemy ; for in the full confidence of friend- 
 ship, we are led to depend upon the man who uses 
 that confidence to betray us. To pretend to keep 
 another’s council, and appear in his interest, while 
 underhand we are giving intelligence to his enemies, 
 is treacherous, knavish, and base. Truth is a plain 
 and open virtue, and cannot be practised in part ; and 
 truth and sincerity are the same ; wherefore he that 
 equivocates and adheres to his promise in one sense, 
 without preserving it inviolably in its full extent and 
 meaning, departs as much from truth and sincerity as 
 the most direct liar. 
 
 iC And be those juggling friends no more believ’d, 
 
 “ That palter with us in a double sense ; 
 
 That keep the word of promise to the ear, 
 
 (i And break it to our hope.” 
 
FABLES. 
 
 333 
 
 iESOP AT PLAY. 
 
 An Athenian one day found fEsop entertaining 
 liimself with a company of little Boys at their child- 
 ish diversions, and began to jeer and laugh at him 
 for it. iEsop, who was too much a wag himself to 
 suffer others to ridicule him, took a bow unstrung, 
 and laid it upon the ground. Then calling the cen- 
 sorious Athenian, Now philosopher, says he, expound 
 the riddle if you can, and tell us what the unstrained 
 bow implies. The Man, after racking his brains a 
 considerable time to no purpose, at last gave it up, 
 and declared he knew not what to make of it. M hy, 
 says iEsop, smiling, if you keep a bow always bent, 
 it will lose its elasticity presently ; but if you let it go 
 slack, it will be fitter for use when you want it. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 334 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 The mind of man is not formed for unremitted at- 
 tention, nor his body for uninterrupted labour; and 
 both are in this respect like a bow. We cannot go 
 through any business requiring intense thought, with- 
 out unbending the mind, any more than we can per- 
 form a long journey without refreshing ourselves by 
 due rest at the several stages of it. Continual labour, 
 as in the case of the bended bow, destroys the elasti- 
 city and energy of both body and mind. It is, there- 
 fore, absolutely necessary for the studious man to un- 
 bend, and the laborious one to take his rest, or both 
 lose their tone and vigour, and become dull and lan- 
 guid. It is to remedy these extremes, that pastimes 
 and diversions ought to be kept up, provided they are 
 innocent. The heart that never tastes of pleasure, 
 shuts up, grows stiff, and is at last incapable of enjoy- 
 ment. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 335 
 
 THE FOX AND THE WOLF. 
 
 The Wolf having laid in a store of provisions, snug- 
 ly kept in his den, and indulged himself in feasting 
 upon them. The Fox observing this seclusion of the 
 Wolf, became inquisitive to know the cause, and by 
 way of satisfying his curiosity and his suspicions, he 
 went and paid the Wolf a visit. The latter excused 
 himself from seeing the Fox, by pretending he was 
 very much indisposed. The Fox having smelt how 
 matters stood, took his leave, and immediately went 
 to a Shepherd to inform him of the discovery he had 
 made, and that he had nothing else to do but to take 
 a good weapon with him, and with it easily dispatch 
 the Wolf as he lay dosing in his cave. I he Shepherd 
 following his directions, presently went and killed the 
 Wolf. The wicked Fox then slily took possession 
 of the cave and the provisions to himself ; but he did 
 
336 
 
 FA13LES. 
 
 not enjoy them long, for the same Shepherd shortly 
 afterwards passing by the place, and seeing the Fox 
 there, dispatched him also. 
 
 A villain, whose only aim is to get what he can, 
 will as soon betray the innocent as the guilty. Let 
 him but know where there is a suspected person, and 
 propose a reward, and he will seldom fail to work the 
 suspicion up to high treason, and will be at no loss to 
 produce sufficient proofs of it. Men of this stamp will 
 not be content with practising one single villainy ; for 
 having never laid down any good principles for their 
 guide, they will go on triumphantly in their wickedness 
 for a time, and though, perhaps, they may be the in- 
 struments of bringing other villains to punishment, yet 
 they will at last suffer in their turn ; fox - , after being 
 detested by all good men, justice will, sooner or later, 
 ovei’take their crimes, and hurl down its vengeance on 
 their heads, with a measure equal at least to the suffer- 
 ings their perfidy has occasioned to others. The fate 
 of such wretches can never excite the smallest commi- 
 seration ; for no character is so truly detestable, as that 
 of a spy and informer. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 
FABLES. 
 
 337 
 
 THE RAVEN AND THE SERPENT. 
 
 A Raven in quest of food, seeing a Serpent basking 
 in the sun, soused down, seized it with his horny beak, 
 and attempted to carry it off. But the Serpent, writh- 
 ing with the pain, twisted its elastic coils so firmly 
 about the Raven, and bit him with such envenomed 
 fierceness, that he fell to the ground mortally wound- 
 ed. In the agonies of death, the Raven confessed this 
 was a just punishment upon him, for having attempted 
 to satisfy his greedy appetite at the expence of ano- 
 ther’s welfare. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 W hen men suffer their passions to set aside their 
 reason, they soon become sensual in their appetites, 
 and inordinate in their desires. Moral rectitude takes 
 
 2 x 
 
338 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 its departure from their minds, and led by their evil 
 spirit, they soon become fitted for the commission of 
 any enormity. They give the rein to their unbridled 
 lusts, and regardless of consequences, stop at nothing 
 to gratify their brutal desires. But if we mark the 
 progress of such men through life, it will be found 
 that, besides losing the great and virtuous pleasures of 
 self-approbation, and incurring the stings of a guilty 
 conscience, their wicked career often meets just pu- 
 nishment from retaliations in kind, which the objects 
 of their iniquitous proceedings unexpectedly retort up- 
 on them. 
 
 Majfcrvq j&rr 
 
FABLES. 
 
 339 
 
 THE DOVE AND THE BEE, 
 
 A Bee, whose business had led her to the brink of 
 a purling stream, was snatched away by its circling 
 eddy, and carried down its current. A Dove, pitying 
 her distressed situation, cropped a twig from a tree, 
 and dropt it before her in the water, by means of 
 which the Bee saved herselfj and got ashore. Not 
 long after, a Fowler having a design upon the Dove, 
 espied her sitting on a tree, and keeping out of her 
 sight, was waiting the opportunity of shooting her. 
 This the Bee perceiving, stung him on the ear, which 
 made him give so sudden a start, that the Dove in- 
 stantly took the alarm, and flew away. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 We ought ever with a ready zeal to extend our arm 
 2x2 
 
340 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 to relieve a sinking friend from distress and danger, or 
 endeavour to forewarn him against the wicked plots of 
 his enemies. The benevolent man, from the most dis- 
 interested motives, will always be disposed to do good 
 offices to all, and the grateful man will never forget to 
 return them in kind, if it be possible ; and there is not 
 one good man in the world who may not on some oc- 
 casion stand in need of the help of another. But gra- 
 titude is not very common among mankind. It is a 
 heavenly spark, from which many virtues spring ; and 
 the source of pleasures which never enter the breast of 
 the vile ingrate. The favours and kindnesses bestowed 
 upon the grateful man, he cannot forget ; those which 
 are conferred upon the ungrateful, are lost: he con- 
 cludes he would not have had them, if he had not de- 
 served them. 
 
FABLES* 
 
 341 
 
 THE SERPENT AND THE MAN. 
 
 A Child was playing in a meadow, and by chance 
 trod upon a Serpent. The Serpent, in the fury of his 
 passion, turned up and bit the Child with his venom- 
 ous teeth, so that he died immediately. The Father 
 of the Child, inspired with grief and revenge, took a 
 weapon, and pursuing the Serpent, before he could 
 get into his hole, struck at him and lopped off a piece 
 of his tail. The next day, hoping by stratagem to 
 finish his revenge, he brought to the Serpent’s hole 
 honey, and meal, and salt, and desired him to come 
 forth, protesting that he only sought a reconciliation 
 on both sides; but the Serpent answered him with a 
 hiss to this purpose: In vain you attempt a reconcilia- 
 tion ; for as long as the memory of the dead Child and 
 the mangled tail subsists, it will be impossible for you 
 and I to have any charity for each other. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 842 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 When persons have carried their differences to an 
 extreme length, it is in vain for them to think of re- 
 newing a cordial friendship ; for in the heat of their 
 quarrel, many injuries must have been reciprocally 
 offered and received, which must tear asunder the 
 strongest bands of amity. The fury of their dissen- 
 tions may indeed subside, yet neither party can forgive 
 the wrongs which neither can forget. The conscious- 
 ness of having provoked the resentment of another, 
 will dwell so continually upon the mind of the aggress- 
 or, that he cannot rest till he has finished his work, 
 and put it as much as possible out of his enemy’s power 
 to make any return upon him; and the old proverb 
 will be verified which says, “ The man who has in- 
 jured you, will never forgive you.” Morality bids us 
 forgive our enemies, and the voice of reason confirms 
 the same ; but neither reason nor morality bids us en- 
 ter into a friendship with, or repose a confidence in, 
 those who have injured us, and of whom we have a 
 bad opinion. We may resolve not to return ill-usage ; 
 but ought never to put ourselves into the power of an 
 enemy. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 343 
 
 THE HORSE AND THE OVER-LOADED ASS. 
 
 A clownish stupid Fellow, in travelling to market 
 with his goods, loaded his Horse very lightly, and put 
 a heavy burden upon his Ass, and was trudging along 
 the road with them on foot. They had not travelled 
 half-way to their journey’s end, when the Ass felt great- 
 ly overpowered with the weight he carried, and begged 
 the Horse would be so good as to assist him by taking 
 a part of it upon his back, and lighten the grievous 
 burden, assuring him that through weakness he was 
 quite exhausted, and was ready to faint. No ! said 
 the Horse, keep your burden to yourself, it does not 
 concern me. Upon hearing this cruel reply, the poor 
 Ass dropped down, and soon expired. The Master 
 then ungirded the pack-saddle, and awkwardly tried 
 several ways to relieve his Ass, but all to no purpose ; 
 it was too late. When he perceived how matters stood, 
 
344 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 lie took the whole burden and laid it upon the Horse, 
 together with the skin of the dead Ass, anti when he 
 felt tired with walking, he also mounted himself. The 
 Horse is said to have often muttered as he went along, 
 Well, this is my proper punishment, for refusing to 
 help my fellow-servant in the depth of his distress. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 He who has no compassion in his breast, is un- 
 worthy the title of a man ; and the heart that feels no 
 anguish at the misfortunes of others, nor a desire to 
 relieve those who groan under a load of sorrow', is 
 destitute of the very grounds and principles of virtue. 
 The eye that has no tear for the griefs of a friend, is 
 also blind to its own interest ; for the burden of hu- 
 man affairs must be borne by some or other of us, and 
 the duty, as well as the common necessity of helping 
 one another, ought not to be shuffled off by the un- 
 worthy expression of “ it is none of my business for 
 the business of society is more or less the business of 
 every man who lives in it; and he who permits his 
 weak brother, for want of timely assistance, to sink 
 under a greater weight than he is able to sustain, de- 
 serves to be punished for his cruelty, by being obliged 
 to bear the whole of his own distressing burdens him- 
 self. The Fable also hints at the miseries which 
 poor dumb useful animals undergo, from the injudi- 
 cious management or cruel treatment of those under 
 whose government they have the misfortune to fall. 
 These kind of “ hogs in armour” ought to be taught 
 
 o o O 
 
 by their own sufferings, the benevolent text, that “ A 
 merciful man will be merciful to his beast.” 
 
FABLES. 
 
 34>5 
 
 THE HUSBANDMAN AND THE STORK. 
 
 A Husbandman having placed nets in his fields to 
 catch the Rooks and the Geese, which came to feed 
 upon the new-sown corn, found among his prisoners 
 a single Stork, who happened to be in their company. 
 The Stork pleaded hard for his life, and among other 
 arguments, alleged that he was neither Goose nor 
 Crow, but a poor harmless Stork, whose attachment 
 to mankind, and his services to them in picking up 
 noxious creatures, as well as fulfilling his duties to his 
 aged parents, he trusted, were well known. All this 
 may be true, says the Husbandman, for what I know; 
 but as I have taken you in company with thieves, and 
 in the same crime, you must also share the same fate 
 with them. 
 
346 
 
 FABLES, 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 When we become so abandoned to stupidity and a 
 disregard of our reputation, as to keep bad company, 
 however little we may be criminal in reality, we must 
 expect the same censure and punishment as is due to 
 the most notorious- of our companions. The world 
 will always form an idea of the character of every man 
 from his associates: nor is this rule founded on wrong 
 principles; for, generally speaking, those who are con- 
 stant companions, are either drawn together by a si- 
 militude of manners and principles, or form such a 
 similitude by daily commerce and conversation. If, 
 therefore, we are tender of our reputation, we should 
 be particularly delicate in the choice of our company, 
 since some portion of their fame or infamy must un- 
 avoidably be reflected upon us. It is not enough to be 
 virtuous ourselves, but we must be cautious not to 
 associate with those who are devoted to vice : for, 
 though we cannot confer any degree of our own credit 
 upon them, we may suffer much discredit, and incur 
 much danger, from mixing with such bad companions* 
 
FABLES. 
 
 347 
 
 THE TRAVELLERS AND THE BEAR. 
 
 Two Men being to travel through a forest to- 
 gether, mutually engaged to stand by each other in 
 any danger they might encounter on the way. '1 hey 
 had not gone far, before a Bear rushed towards them 
 out of a thicket ; upon which, one of them, being a 
 light nimble fellow, got up the branches of a tree, and 
 kept out of sight. The other falling flat upon his face, 
 and holding his breath, lay still, while the Bear came 
 up and smelled at him, but not discovering any marks 
 of life, he walked quietly away again to the place of 
 his retreat, without doing the Man the least harm. 
 When all was over, the Spark who had climbed the 
 tree, came down to his Companion, and asked him, 
 what the Bear said to him ? for, says he, I took no- 
 tice that he clapt his mouth very close to your ear. 
 
 2 y 2 
 
31.8 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 Why, said the other, he advised me, for the future 
 never to place any confidence in such a faithless pol- 
 troon as you. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 There is nothing in this world that 'can lighten 
 our burdens, in passing through it, or contribute more 
 to our happiness, than our knowing we have a true 
 friend, who will commiserate with and help us in our 
 misfortunes, and on whom we can rely in times of 
 difficulty and distress. There are many, indeed, who, 
 with fair words, pretend to that character, and are 
 ever ready to offer their services when there is no oc- 
 casion for their help. But the real friend, like gold 
 from the furnace, shines forth in his true lustre, and 
 with heart and hand is ever ready to succour us, in 
 times of tribulation and peril. It is on such only we 
 ought to place a confidence in any undertaking of im- 
 portance ; for the man who is wholly actuated by the 
 selfish unsocial principle of caring only for himself, is 
 not fit to be associated with others of a more generous 
 character; and he who will desert them in adversity 
 ought not to be made a partaker of the prosperity of 
 others. It therefore behoves us diligently to examine 
 into the fidelity of those we have to deal with, before 
 we embark with them in any enterprise, in which our 
 lives and fortunes may be put to hazard by their breach 
 of faith. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 349 
 
 THE FIGHTING COCKS. 
 
 After a fierce battle between two Cocks for the 
 sovereignty of the dunghill, one of them having beaten 
 his antagonist, he that was vanquished slunk away and 
 crept into a corner, where lie for some time hid him- 
 self; but the conqueror flew up to a high place, and 
 clapped his wings, crowing and proclaiming his victory. 
 An Eagle, who was watching for his prey, saw him 
 from afar oft', and in the midst of his exultation darted 
 down upon him, trussed him up, and bore him away. 
 The vanquished Cock perceiving this, quitted the place 
 of his retreat, and shaking his feathers and throwing 
 off all remembrance of his late disgrace, returned to 
 the dunghill, and gallanted the Hens, as if nothing had 
 happened. 
 
350 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION, 
 
 This Fable shews us the impropriety and inconve- 
 nience of running into extremes, and teaches us, that 
 under all the various and sudden vicissitudes of human 
 life, we ought to bear success with moderation, and mis- 
 fortune with fortitude and equinamity; to repress immo- 
 derate exultation, and unmanly despair. Much of our 
 happiness depends upon keeping ap even balance in 
 our words and actions, and in not suffering circum- 
 stances to mount us too high in time of prosperity, nor 
 to sink us too low with the weight of adverse fortune. A 
 wise man will not place too high a value on blessings 
 which he knows to be no more than temporary ; nor 
 will he repine at evils, whose duration may perhaps be 
 but short, and cannot be eternal. He will submit him- 
 self with humility and resignation to the decrees of 
 providence, and the will of heaven. In prosperity, the 
 fear of evil will check the insolence of triumph ; and in 
 adversity, the hope of good will sustain his spirit, and 
 teach him to endure his misfortunes with constancy 
 and fortitude. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 351 
 
 THE WILD AND THE TAME GEESE. 
 
 A flock of Wild Geese and a parcel of Tame ones 
 used often to feed together in a corn field. At last, 
 the Owner of the corn, with his servants, coming up- 
 on them of a sudden, surprised them in the very fact, 
 and the Tame Geese being heavy, and fat full-bodied 
 creatures, were most of them sufferers ; but the wild 
 ones being thin and light, easily flew away. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 When the enemy comes to make a seizure, they 
 are sure to suffer most whose circumstances are the 
 richest and fattest. In any case of persecution, mo- 
 ney hangs like a dead weight about a man ; and we 
 never feel gold so heavy as when we are endeavouring 
 
352 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 to make off with it. Great wealth has many cares 
 annexed to it, with which the poor and needy are not 
 afflicted. A competency to supply the necessities of 
 nature, and the wants of old age, is indeed to be de- 
 sired ; but we should rather endeavour to contract our 
 wants, than to multiply them, and not too eagerly 
 grasp at the augmentation of our possessions, which 
 will increase our cares by adding to our danger. Pci- 
 sons of small fortune have as much reason to be con- 
 tented as the rich : their situation is full as happy, con- 
 sidered altogether, for if they are deprived of some of 
 the gratifications which the rich enjoy, they are also 
 exempted from many troubles and uneasinesses neces- 
 sarily cleaving to riches. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 353 
 
 THE FROGS AND THE MICE. 
 
 The Frogs and the Mice, who inhabited part of a 
 most extensive fen, (of which there remained unoccu- 
 pied sufficient room to hold many whole nations of 
 both) could not agree with each other so as to live in 
 peace : many bitter disputes arose between them about 
 the right to particular pools, and their tuft-covered 
 margins. At length, national jealousies and animosi- 
 ties arose to such a height, that each claimed the 
 sovereignty of the whole fen, and the most rancorous 
 war was waged between them, in order to settle, by 
 force of arms, their respective pretensions. While their 
 hostile armies were drawn up in battle array, on a 
 plain of several square yards in extent, protected on 
 both flanks and rear by dark pools and gloomy forests 
 of sedges, reeds, and bulrushes, their two chieftains 
 
 2 z 
 
354 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 advanced to meet each other, and to it they fell as 
 fierce as tigers. While these two combatants were thus 
 engaged, a Kite sailing in the air, beheld them from a 
 great distance, and darting down upon them, instantly 
 bore them off in his talons ; while the field of battle 
 presented a delicious repast to some Ravens, who had 
 chanced to spy the movements of these hostile armies. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 The leading feature in the character of men, in all 
 ages of the world, has ever been self-interest ; and 
 when this is not kept within due bounds, by a just sense 
 of morality and honour, their bad passions are let 
 loose, and money, power, or dominion, arc the chief 
 objects they keep in view. When men thus depraved, 
 have long soared above restraint, and their numbers 
 and power become predominant in a nation, the ac- 
 cumulation of their wickedness hurries them blindly 
 on to break out into offensive wars with other nations, 
 on the most frivolous pretences, and rapine, plun- 
 der, and innumerable murders succeed, by which hu- 
 manity is outraged, and the fair face of nature is 
 deluged with blood. “ Peace is the natural happy 
 state of man, and war is his disgrace.” The mightv 
 among the Frogs and Mice attend not to this : they 
 strut and exult for a time; but their pride, tyranny, and 
 injustice, will have an end : for opposed to these vices 
 are the attributes of Omnipotence, and they are eternal. 
 It often happens (as in the case of the combatants in 
 the Fable) that when national depravity has attained 
 its height, the Kites and Ravens of other regions are 
 invited forth, and made the instruments of a just 
 retribution. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 355 
 
 THE FOWLER AND THE LARK. 
 
 A Fowler set his snares to catch birds in the open 
 field. A Lark was caught ; and finding herself en- 
 tangled, could not forbear lamenting her hard fate. 
 Ah ! woe is me, says she, what crime have I committed 
 that man should be plotting my destruction ? I have 
 not taken either his silver or gold, or any thing of 
 value to him ; and while other rapacious birds deal 
 about destruction and go unpunished, I must die for 
 only picking up a single grain of corn. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 The irregular administration of justice in the world, 
 is indeed a melancholy subject to think of. A poor 
 fellow shall be hanged for stealing a sheep, perhaps to 
 2 z 2 
 
356 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 keep his family from starving ; while one, who is already 
 great and opulent, will not scruple to add to his over- 
 flowing wealth by the most bare-faced peculation upon 
 the public, and yet shall escape punishment, and even 
 censure, through powerful interest with those who 
 ought to be his judges, but allow themselves to be 
 swayed by the splendour of his connections, or cor- 
 rupted by his money. When justice is intrusted in 
 such hands, then shall we see the description given by 
 one of our satirical poets, of a corrupt court of law, 
 realized. He calls it a place, 
 
 Where little villains must submit to fate, 
 
 That great ones may enjoy the world in state. 
 
 However, let no one, who violates the law, rest his 
 defence on this plea ; for though crimes, committed by 
 his superiors, ought not to escape with impunity, yet 
 his own nevertheless deserve punishment. Hence w r e 
 may also draw a hint, not unworthy of our attention, 
 to endeavour to preserve our own integrity, unshaken in 
 the midst of iniquity, and to shew ourselves unstained 
 by the corruption even of the worst of times. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 35 ? 
 
 THE SHEPHERD TURNED MERCHANT. 
 
 A Shepherd was feeding his flock, on a very fine 
 day, near the sea-side. The beauty of the weather, 
 the smoothness of the water, and the ships with spread- 
 ing sails floating along its surface, formed altogether so 
 charming a scene, that he lost all relish for a pastoral 
 life; and lured also by the prospect of gain, he deter- 
 mined to quit an employment, which he now despised 
 as yielding neither honour nor profit. He quickly sold 
 off his flocks, and commenced merchant adventurer; 
 and ere long, he embarked with his whole property on 
 the ocean. The ship had not long been at sea before 
 a dreadful tempest arose, which wrecked her and all 
 her cargo ; but our merchant and the crew were fortu- 
 nate enough to escape with their lives. The adventurer 
 having thus lost his all, returned to his former farm, and 
 was glad to hire himself to the man who had bought 
 
FABLES. 
 
 358 
 
 his stock, to attend the sheep which were once his own. 
 One day, as he sat meditating upon the change that 
 had happened, and viewing the sea calm and unruffled 
 as before, Ah ! says he, thou deceitful tempting ele- 
 ment, experience has made me so wise, that if I should 
 again acquire a property, I will never more trust it 
 upon thy faithless bosom. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 This Fable is intended to put men of fickle unsettled 
 minds upon their guard against that propensity which 
 often inclines them so strongly to shifting and changing, 
 and leads them to imagine they would be happier in 
 any profession than the one to which they have been 
 brought up. By this disposition they are led away 
 from an honest competency, to adventure their all upon 
 untried schemes, in the hope of bettering their condi- 
 tion. But men of this wavering temper, who are com- 
 fortably settled in the world, would do well to reflect, 
 before they change their situation, and rashly venture, 
 perhaps, the acquisitions of their whole life, on projects, 
 the failure of which may subject them to great calami- 
 ties, which will be the more intolerable to bear, as they 
 will not have adverse fortune to blame, but merely 
 their own folly. Of this truth, experience will convince 
 them when it is too late. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 359 
 
 THE COCK AND THE FOX. 
 
 A Fox, in one of his early visits to the farm-yard, 
 happened to be caught in a springe, which had been 
 set for that very purpose ; and while he was struggling 
 to escape, he was observed by the Cock, who, with his 
 Hens, was feeding near the place. The Cock, dread- 
 ing so dangerous a foe, approached him with the ut- 
 most caution. Reynard no sooner cast his eye upon 
 him, than with all the smooth and designing artifice 
 imaginable, thus addressed him. My dear friend, says 
 he, you see what an unfortunate accident has befallen 
 me here, and all upon your account, for not having 
 heard you crow for a long time past, I was resolved on 
 my way homeward to pay you a friendly visit ; I there- 
 fore beg you will bring me something to cut this tor- 
 menting wire, or at least be so good as to conceal my 
 misfortune till I have knawed it asunder. Yes, said the 
 
FABLES. 
 
 36 0 
 
 Cock, I can guess what kind of a visit you intended to 
 pay me, and w ill fetch you the proper assistance imme- 
 diately. He then hastened and told the Farmer, who 
 instantly w 7 ent to the place, and knocked the Fox on 
 the head. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 When the innocent fall into misfortune, it is the 
 part of a generous and brave spirit to contribute as far 
 as possible to their relief; and there is no quality of 
 mind more amiable than that of tenderly feeling for the 
 distressed : but we ought not to let our compassion 
 flow out upon improper objects, lest we may, by saving 
 a villain, be doing an act of injustice to the community. 
 When wicked men are entrapped in their own perni- 
 cious schemes, and laid hold of by the arm of justice, 
 it is a misplaced lenity to endeavour to screen or pro- 
 tect them from it, as by letting them loose to continue 
 their depredations, we become the advocates for their 
 crimes, and in some degree partakers in their enormi- 
 ties. ‘ 
 
FABLES. 
 
 361 
 
 THE YOUNG MAN AND HIS CAT. 
 
 A certain Young Man used to play with a beautiful 
 Cat, of which he grew so fond, that at last he fell in 
 love with it to such a degree, that he could rest neither 
 night nor day for the excess of his passion. In this 
 condition he prayed to V enus, the goddess of beauty, to 
 pity and relieve his pain. The good-natured goddess 
 was propitious, and heard his prayers ; and the Cat, 
 which he held in his arms, was instantly transformed 
 into a beautiful Young Woman. The Youth was 
 transported with joy, and married her that very day. 
 At night, while they were in bed, the bride unfortu- 
 nately heard a mouse behind the hangings, and sprang 
 from the arms of her lover to pursue it : the \ outh 
 was ashamed, and Venus offended, to see her sacred 
 rites thus profaned by such unbecoming behaviour; 
 and perceiving that her new convert, though a woman 
 
 3 A 
 
362 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 in outward appearance, was a Cat in her heart, she 
 caused her to return to her old form again, that her 
 manners and person might be suitable to each other. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 This Fable, however extravagant and unnatural in 
 its composition, is intended to depicture and check 
 the blind instinctive ardour of the passion of love, the 
 transports of which cover all imperfections, so that its 
 devotees consider neither quality nor merit. It is 
 like an idol of our own creating, which we fashion in- 
 to whatever figure or shape we please, and then run 
 mad for it. The Fable also shews that 
 
 “ No charm can raise from dirt a grov’ling mind 
 
 And that people of a low turn of spirit and mean edu- 
 cation, cannot change their principles by changing their 
 situation : for in the midst of splendour and magnifi- 
 cence, they still retain the same narrow sentiments, 
 and seldom fail to betray, by some dirty action, their 
 original baseness, which no embroidery can conceal ; 
 and though fortune has been pleased to lift them out 
 of the mire, we still see the silly awkward blockheads 
 displaying their lack of mind and education through 
 all their ensigns of dignity. If any thing more need 
 be added, it can only be with a view of more plainly 
 putting inexperienced youth on their guard against 
 making inconsiderate connections, lest they take a 
 Cat into their bosom, instead of an amiable consort 
 and companion for life. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 363 
 
 THE FOWLER AND THE PARTRIDGE. 
 
 A Fowler having taken a Partridge in his nets, the 
 bird begged hard for a reprieve, and promised the 
 man, if he would let him go, to decoy the other Par- 
 tridges into his snares. No, replies the Fowler, if I had 
 before been undetermined what to do with you, now 
 you have condemned yourself by your own words : for 
 he who is such a scoundrel as to offer to betray his 
 friends, to save himself, deserves if possible worse than 
 death. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 To betray our friends is one of the blackest of 
 crimes ; and however much traitors may suppose they 
 recommend themselves by their successful acts ot trea- 
 chery, they will find that those who employ them as 
 
 3 a 2 
 
364 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 useful instruments in any dirty business of faction or 
 party, are shocked at the baseness of their minds ; and 
 however convenient it may be to “ like the treason, 
 the traitor will be despised.” History furnishes us with 
 many instances of kings and great men who have pu- 
 nished the actors of treachery with death, though the 
 part they acted had been so conducive to their interests 
 as to give them a victory, or perhaps the quiet posses- 
 sion of a throne : nor can princes pursue a more just 
 maxim than this, for a traitor is a villain, and sticks 
 at nothing to promote his own selfish ends. He that 
 will betray one master for a bribe, will betray another 
 on the same account. It is therefore impolitic in any 
 state to suffer such wretches to live under its protec- 
 tion. Since then this maxim is so good, and likely at 
 all times to be acted upon, what stupid rogues must 
 they be who undertake such precarious dirty work ! 
 
FABLES. 
 
 365 
 
 THE BLIND MAN AND THE LAME. 
 
 A blind Man and a lame Man happening to come 
 at the same time to a piece of very bad road, the for- 
 mer begged of the latter that he would be so kind as 
 to guide him through the difficulty. How can I do 
 that, said the lame Man, since I am scarcely able to 
 drag myself along ? But as you appear to be very 
 strong, if you will carry me, we will seek our fortunes 
 together. It will then be my interest to warn you 
 against any thing that may obstruct your way ; your 
 feet shall be my feet, and my eyes your’s. With all 
 my heart, replied the blind Man ; let us mutually serve 
 each other. So, taking his lame companion on his 
 back, they by means of this union travelled on with 
 safety and pleasure. 
 
366 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 APPLICATION, 
 
 There is no such thing as absolute independence, 
 in a state of society, and the defects and weaknesses of 
 individuals form the cement by which it is bound to- 
 gether. All men have their imperfections and wants, 
 and must help each other as a matter of expediency as 
 well as virtue; for Providence has so ordered things in 
 this life, that like the blind man and the lame in the 
 Fable, we may be serviceable to each other in almost 
 every instance. What one man wants another sup- 
 plies. Without these failings there would be neither 
 friendship nor company ; so that it is our interest to 
 be both charitable and sociable, when our very wants 
 and necessities are converted by Providence into bless- 
 ings. The whole race of mankind ought indeed to be 
 but so many members of the same body ; and in con- 
 tributing to the ease and convenience of each other, 
 we are not only serviceable to the whole, but kind to 
 ourselves. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 367 
 
 THE LION, THE WOLF, AND THE DOG. 
 
 A Lion having seized upon a Doe, while he was 
 standing over his prize, a Wolf stepped up to him, and 
 impudently claimed to go halves. No ! said the Lion, 
 you are too apt to take what is not your due. I there- 
 fore shall never have any thing to do with you, and I 
 peremptorily insist on your immediate departure out 
 of my sight. A poor honest Dog, who happened to 
 be passing, and heard what was going on, modestly 
 withdrew, intending to go about another way. Upon 
 which the Lion kindly invited him to come forward 
 and partake with him of the feast, to which his modesty 
 had given him so good a title. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 There is something in modesty whith ought ever 
 
86 8 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 strongly to prepossess us in favour of those persons 
 in whose nature it is interwoven ; and men of discern- 
 ing and generous minds have a pleasure in discovering 
 it, and in bringing into notice the worthy man, who is 
 diffident of his merit, and cannot prevail upon himself 
 to challenge the praise or tribute he deserves. It is, 
 however, to be lamented, that such patrons are not 
 very numerous, and that the assuming arrogance and 
 teasing importunities of the greedy forward man should 
 so commonly succeed in attaining his ends, while 
 modesty in silence starves unnoticed, and is for ever 
 poor. Were men in exalted stations of life to pay 
 more attention to the importance of this, and endea- 
 vour to discover modest worth, to draw merit from the 
 shade, and virtue from obscurity, and distribute their 
 patronage and their favours to such only, their own 
 affairs, as well as those of the public, would be better 
 managed, and the difference between the conduct of 
 upstart pride and sensible plain honesty would soon 
 shew itself in its true unvarnished colours. 
 
 
FABLES. 
 
 369 
 
 THE ASS EATING THISTLES. 
 
 An Ass was loaded witli provisions of several sorts, 
 which he was carrying home for a grand entertain- 
 ment. By the way, he met with a fine large Thistle, 
 and being very hungry, immediately eat it up, which, 
 while he was doing, he entered into this reflection : 
 How many greedy epicures would think themselves 
 happy amidst such a variety of delicate viands as I now 
 carry ! But to me, this bitter prickly Thistle is more 
 savory and relishing than the most exquisite and sump- 
 tuous banquet. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 Temperance and exercise may be regarded as the 
 constituents of natural luxury. It is not in the power 
 
 3 B 
 
370 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 of the whole art of cookery, to give such an exquisite 
 relish and seasoning to a dish, as these two will confer 
 on the plainest fare. Indolent epicures have no true 
 taste : they subsist entirely by w’hets and provocatives 
 of appetite ; but he whose stomach is braced and 
 strengthened by exercise, has a whet within himself, 
 which adds a poignancy to every morsel that he eats. 
 Providence seems to have carved out its blessings with 
 an equal hand, and what it has denied to the poor in 
 one way, it has amply supplied them with in another : 
 if it have withheld riches, it has given them a greater 
 store of health ; and if it have refused them the means 
 of luxury, it has at least formed them with the capa- 
 city of living as happily without it. And it may fur- 
 ther be observed, that if we except hereditary diseases, 
 almost every other ailment may be laid to the account 
 of indolence, intemperance, or anxiety of mind. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 371 
 
 THE DOG AND THE CAT. 
 
 Never were two creatures happier together than a 
 Dog and a Cat, reared in the same house from the 
 time of their birth. They were so kind, so gamesome, 
 and diverting, that it was half the entertainment of the 
 family to see the gambols and love tricks that passed 
 between them. Still it was observed, that at meal- 
 times, when scraps fell from the table, or a tit-bit was 
 thrown to them, they would be snarling and spitting 
 at one another like the bitterest foes. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 This Fable is too true a picture of the practices 
 and friendships of the world. We first enter into 
 agreeable conversations, contract likings, and form 
 3 B 2 
 
FABLES. 
 
 372 
 
 close intimacies and connections, which one would 
 think nothing could ever break up ; but clashing in- 
 terests at length come in the way, and dissolve the 
 charm. An unreasonable desire to engross more than 
 we can enjoy, is the bone of contention, which in 
 greater or less degrees sets mankind together by the 
 ears. A jealous thought, a mistaken word or look, 
 is then sufficient to cancel all former bonds : the league 
 is broken, and the farce concludes like the Dog and 
 the Cat in the Fable, with biting and scratching out 
 one another’s eyes. The same kind of over-grasp- 
 ing selfishness which operates so powerfully upon and 
 blinds individuals, may with equal truth be charged 
 against all public associations or societies of men, from 
 the greatest to the least, when they are under the in- 
 fluence of that mistaken patriotism, w'hich, instead of 
 applying its powers to the improvement of what they 
 already possess, seeks aggrandizement by engrossing 
 the colonies or privileges of their less powerful neigh- 
 bours. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 373 
 
 THE TRUMPETER TAKEN PRISONER. 
 
 A Trumpeter, being taken prisoner in battle, beg- 
 ged hard for quarter, declaring his innocence, and 
 protesting, that he neither had killed nor could kill any 
 man, bearing no arms but his trumpet, which he was 
 obliged to sound at the word of command. For that 
 reason, replied his enemies, we are determined not to 
 spare you; for though you yourself never fight, yet, 
 with that wicked instrument of yours, you blow up 
 animosity among other people, and so become the 
 cause of much bloodshed. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 The fomenter of mischief is at least as culpable as 
 he who puts it in execution. A man may be guilty of 
 murder, who never has handled a sword or pulled a 
 
FABLES. 
 
 374 
 
 trigger, or lifted up his arm with any mischievous wea- 
 pon. There is a little incendiary called the tongue, 
 which is more venomous than a poisoned arrow, and 
 more killing than a two-edged sword. The moral of 
 the Fable therefore is this, that if in any civil insur- 
 rection, the persons taken in arms against the govern- 
 ment deserve to die, much more do they whose devil- 
 ish tongues or pens gave birth to the sedition, and 
 excited the tumult. The Fable is also equally appli- 
 cable to those evil counsellors, who excite corrupt or 
 wicked governments to sap and undermine, and then 
 to overturn the just laws and liberties of a whole peo- 
 ple ; or involve them in cruel offensive wars, in which 
 they cause thousands upon thousands of swords to be 
 drawn, and whole armies of men to be cut in pieces, 
 while they themselves coolly sit out of danger, and 
 calculate the gains they derive from the wide-spreading 
 desolation. War is the most horrid custom that ever 
 resulted from human wickedness, and is caused only 
 by the ignorance of the people, or the wickedness of 
 governments. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 37 5 
 
 THE BOYS AND THE FROGS. 
 
 A company of idle Boys used to assemble on the 
 margin of a lake, inhabited by a great number of 
 Frogs, and divert themselves by throwing vollies of 
 stones into the water, to the great annoyance and dan- 
 ger of the poor terrified Frogs, who were thus pelted 
 to death as soon as any of them put up their heads. 
 At length, one of the boldest of the Frogs ventured, 
 in behalf of the whole community, to croak out their 
 complaints. Ah, my Boys, said he, why will you 
 learn so soon the cruel practices of your race ? Con- 
 sider, I beseech you, that though this may be sport 
 to you, it is death to us ! 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 This Fable shews the propensity of unguided youth 
 to do evil, and points out the need of inculcating be- 
 
FABLES. 
 
 370 
 
 nignity of conduct upon their minds, and giving them 
 a direction towards a manly and generous humanity, 
 which in manhood will shew itself in actions and ha- 
 bits that cannot fail to do honour to themselves, and 
 qualify them for any office in the service of their coun- 
 try. The contrary of all this will be found to predo- 
 minate in society, when youth are suffered to go on 
 with impunity, in indulging their wicked inclinations 
 for cruelty, by which their minds are hardened and 
 debased. This hard-heartedness in boys will grow in- 
 to brutality and tyranny in man ; and that cruelty 
 which was at first inflicted upon poor dumb animals, 
 will soon shew itself upon their fellows. The great 
 man of this cast will tyrannize over those below him : 
 these again will shew the same hateful disposition to 
 their dependants, and so downwards to the lowest, 
 who, guitled only by ignorance, will give vent to their 
 natural baseness, by goading and distressing the poor 
 animals which are wretchedly toiling in their service. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 
 -NEWCASTLE ; NIINTED BY EDWARD WALKER. 
 



 
 

 
 
 
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