I. * *r^ mm WML .^m V Y " l/ THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESENTED BY PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID A NEW 8Jorfe of animate: PRINCIPALLY DESIGNED 1 ROM THE FABLES OF jESOP, GAY, AND PILEDRUS: DRAWN FROM THE LIFE AND ETCHED BY SAMUEL HOWITT. LONDON: . PUBLISHED AND SOLD BY EDWARD ORME, BOND-STREET. L. Harrison % J. C. Leigh, Printeri, 373, Strand. 1811. A/ 74 ADVERTISEMENT. THE publisher respectfully informs the admirers of Mr. HOWITT'S performances, the lovers of natural history, and the public at large, that this work is intended to form a most unique Collection of Animals ^ which, strange as it may appear, has never before been done by any British artist. Mr. Howitt has preferred representing most of the ani- mals in fables, as allowing more scope for delineating the expression, the character, and the passions : it also affords an opportunity to give a portraiture of many different species of quadrupeds and birds. The artist, studious to attain correctness, hopes he may deserve the approbation of the natural historian, and assist the pencil of the designer who has not had an opportunity to pay the same attention to this branch of the art. A preface, title-page, and index will be given in the last number of the work. Bond-street, corner of Brook-street. M35J101 LIST OF PLATES. Plate Page 1. The Wolf and the Crane .... 5 2. The Jackdaw and the Ram ... 7 3. The Raven and the Swan .... 8 4. The Frog and the Ox 9 5. The Lion and the Wild Boar ... 1 1 6. The Lion, Bear, Fox, and Wolf - - 12 7. The Sow and the Wolf 14 8. The Fox nnd the Wild Boar ... 16 9. The Old Lion insulted 18 10. The Peacock chosen King .... SO 11. The Boar and the Beehives - - - - 22 12. The Frog turned Physician ... 24 13. The Dog, Cock, and Fox - - - - 26 14. The Ape, Ass, and Mole .... 28 15. The Sheep, Wolf, Vulture, and Kite before the Judgment-Seat of the Lion SO 16. The Eagle, Hare, Hawk, and Sparrow 31 17. The Mastiff and the Hound - .33 18. The Cat and the Mice 35 19. The Sheep and Hunted Wolf - - - 37 20. The Lioness and the Fox - - - - 3S 21. The Porcupine and the Snakes - - 40 22. The Fighting Cocks and the Eagle - 42 23. The Stag entangled by his Horns - - 44 24. The Camel and Jupiter 47 25. The Ass and the Lion Hunting - - 49 26. The Hare and the Tortoise - . - - 50 27. The Fighting Bull and the Frogs - - 52 28. The Ape and the Fox 54 Plate Page 29. The Fox and the Tiger 56 30. The Dog with a Bell 58 3K The Hunted Beaver ...... 59 32. Tl..- Dog in the Manger ..'.-- CO 33. The Stag in the Lion's Den ... 62 34. The Stag and the Fawn ..... 64 35. The Wolf and the Porcupine - - - 66 36. The Fatal Marriage 68 37. The Wolf and the Lamb .... 70 38. The Cock and the Jewel .... 72 39. The Dog and the Wolf 74 40. The Bear and the Two Travellers - - 76 41. The Fox and the Lion 78 42. The Lion, the Tiger, and the Traveller SO 43. The Council of Birds 8,'i 44. The Eagleand the Assembly of Animals 85 45. The Hound and the Huntsman - - 88 46. The Old Woman and her Cats - - 90 47. The Hare and many Friends - - - 92 48. The Council of Foxes ...... 95 49. The Setting Dog and the Partridge - 98 50. The Council of Horses 100 51. The Wild Boar, the Sheep, and the Butcher 103 52. The Bull and the vicious Mastiff - - 105 53. The Baboon and the Poultry - - - 107 54. The Owls and the Sparrow > - - -110 55. The Turkey and the Ants - - - -112 56. The Horse and the Wild Boar - -114 iv LIST OF PLATES. Plate 57. A Lion's Head 58. A Tiger's ditto 59. A Horse's ditto 60. A Bull's ditto 61. A Stag's ditto 62. An Elephant's ditto 63. A Goat's ditto 64. A Greyhound's ditto 65. A Foxhound's ditto 66. A Rum's ditto 67. An Ass's ditto 68. A Hare's ditto 69. A Fox's ditto 70. A Wolf's ditto 71. A Bull-Dog's ditto 72. Fox and Hounds 73. Rabbits and Fox 74. Dog and Duck 75. Dogs and Wild Boar 76. Cow and Pigs 77. Grouse-Shooting 78. Terriers Plate 79. Group of Sheep and Cart-Horses 80. Stag Stretching 81. Dead Hare and Birds 82. Two Pigs 83. Hare and Pheasant 84. Three Partridges 85. Horses in a Storm 86. Woodcocks 87. Spaniel and shot Pheasant 88. Cat and Kittens 89. Cat asleep 90. Dogs thieving 91. Hare and Partridge 92. Two Setters 93. Sett ing- Pointer and dead Bird 94. Dead Teal 95. Group of Deer 96. Bull and Cow 97. Hound and Puppies 98. Cow and Sheep 99. Horse in Love 100. Lion resting DIRECTIONS TO THE BINDER. The Plates of the Fables to be placed opposite to the printed Titles, and one of the Heads or Groups of Animals to be placed behind each Fable Plate. U e i HOWITT'S WORK OF FABLES AND ANIMALS The WOLF and CRANE. A WOLF, after devouring his prey, happened to have a bone stick in his throat, which gave him so much pain, that he went howling up and down, and importuning every creature he met, to lend him a kind hand in order to his relief; nay, he promised a reasonable reward to any one that should undertake the operation with success. At last the Crane, tempted with the lucre of the reward, and having first procured him to confirm his promise with an oath, undertook the business, and ventured his long neck into the rapacious felon's throat; in short, he plucked out the bone, and expected the promised gratuity. When the Wolf, turn- ing his eyes disdainfully towards him, said, I did not think you had been so unconscionable; I had your head in my mouth, and could have bit it off whenever I pleased, but suffered you to take it away without any damage, and yet you are not contented ! 6 HOWITTS WORK OF THE APPLICATION. There is a sort of people in the world, to whom a man may be in the wrong for doing services, upon a double score ; first, because they never deserved 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. This fable is not an example of ingratitude, as at first sight it seems to be, and as some of the mythologists have understood it : to make it a parallel in that case, the Crane ought to have been under some difficul- ties in his turn, and the Wolf have refused to assist him when it was in his power. The whole stress of it lies in this, that 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 is no sufferer. FABLES AND ANIMALS. 7 The JACKDAW and RAM. AN Eagle flew down from the top of a high rock, and settled upon the back of a lamb ; and then instantly flying up into the air again, bore his bleating prize aloft in his pounces. A Jackdaw, who sat upon an elm, and beheld this exploit, resolved to imitate it; so flying down upon the back of a Ram, and entangling his claws in the wool, he fell a chattering and attempting to fly ; by which means he drew the observation of the shepherd upon him, who, finding his feet hampered in the fleece of the Ram, easily took him, and gave him to his boys for their sport and di- version. THE APPLICATION. Every quality which is excellent and commendable, is not, however, always a proper object for our imitation. We ought to state our own account honestly and fairly, that we may see what our abilities are, and how our circumstances stand ; otherwise, we may not only become ridi- culous to others, but prejudicial to ourselves, by some aukward and ill- judged emulation, though it happen to be in a qualification truly laud- able and great. It behoves every man to exert a good share of industry towards the advancement of his interest, or, if he pleases, of his repu- tation; but then it is highly necessary that he do this with a true regard to his own capacity, and without any danger of exposing or em- barrassing himself in the operation. 8 HOWITT'S WORK OF The RA VEN and S WAN. A RAVEN had a great mind to be as white as a Swan, and fan- cied to himself that the Swan's beauty proceeded, in a high degree, from his often washing and peculiar diet. The Raven, upon this, quitted his former course of life and food, and betook himself to the lakes and rivers : but the water changed not his complexion, and the experiment cost him his life for want of sustenance. THE APPLICATION. i It is a vain thing to attempt the forcing of nature, for what is bred in the bone will never out of the flesh ; and there is no altering the qualities, the colour, or the condition of life that Providence has allotted us. It is labour in vain to endeavour to mend any of the works of Nature, for she never did any thing amiss; and then it is as great a madness to attempt any alteration upon them, because what Nature does, God does, whose decrees are unchangeable, and all his works are perfection : but next to the force of natural impressions, we may reckon that of customs and habits. t fc c I 2 r $ I ^ H t) to M > FABLES AND ANIMALS. 9 The FROG and 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 largest creature 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, mamma, say they, if you were to burst yourself, you would never be so big. She strove yet again, and burst herself indeed. THE APPLICATION. Whenever a man endeavours to live equal with one of a greater for- tune than himself, he is sure to share a like fate with the Frog in the fable. How many vain people, of moderate easy circumstances, burst and come to nothing, by vying with those whose estates are more ample than their own ! Sir Changeling Plumstock was possessed of a very con- siderable estate, devolved to him by the death of an uncle, who had adopted him his heir. He had a false taste of happiness ; and, with- out the least economy, trusting to the sufficiency of his vast revenue, was resolved to be outdone by nobody in shewy grandeur and expen- C 10 HOWITT'S WORK OF sive living. He gave five thousand pounds for a piece of ground in the country, to erect a house upon, the building and furniture of which cost fifty thousand more ; and his gardens were proportionably mag- nificent. Besides which, he thought himself under a necessity of buying out two or three tenements which stood in his neighbourhood, that he might have elbow-room enough. All this he could very well bear, and still might have been happy, had it not been for an unfor- tunate view which he one day happened to take of my Lord Castle- builder's gardens, which consisted of twenty acres, whereas his own were not above twelve. From that time he grew pensive ; and before the en- suing winter, gave five-and-thirty years purchase for a dozen acres more to enlarge his gardens, built two very spacious green-houses, and a large pavilion at the farther end of a terrace-walk : the bare repairs and superintendences of all which, call for the remaining part of his income. He is mortgaged pretty deep, and pays nobody; but being a privileged person, resides altogether at a private cheap lodging in the city of Westminster. FABLES AND ANIMALS. II The LION and WILD BOAR. THERE happened a desperate quarrel between a Lion and a Boar ; they fought upon it, and the Vultures came hovering over the combat- ants, to make a prey of him that should be left upon the spot : but it so fell out, that there was no death in the case, and the Vultures were not a little troubled at the disappointment. THE APPLICATION. There are several sorts of men in the world that live upon the sins and the misfortunes of other people. This fable may be moralized in almost all the controversies of human life, whether public or private. Plaintiff and defendant find business for the lawyers; questions of religion for the divines; disputes about privileges and liberties cut out work for the soldiers: for the wrangling of some, is the livelihood of others; and wherever there are like to be carcasses, there will never fail to be Vultures. C 2 12 HOWITT'S WORK OF The LION, BEAR, FOX, and WOLF. THE Lion and several other Beasts entered into an alliance offensive and defensive, and were to live very sociably together in the forest. One day having made a sort of an excursion by way of hunting, they took a very fine large fat deer, which was divided into four parts, there happening to be then present his majesty the Lion, and only three others. After the division was made, and the parts were set out, his majesty advancing forward some steps, and pointing to one of the shares, was pleased to declare himself after the following manner: This I seize and take possession of as my right, which devolves to me, as I am de- scended by a true, lineal, hereditary succession from the Royal Family of Lion. That (pointing to the second) I claim by, I think, no unrea- sonable demand, considering that all the engagements you have with the enemy turn chiefly upon my courage and conduct ; and you very well know, that wars are too expensive to be carried on without proper 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 du- tiful and loyal a people will pay all the deference and regard that I can desire. Now, as for the remaining part, the necessity of our present affairs is so very urgent, our stock so low, and our credit so impaired and weakened, that I must insist upon your granting that without any hesitation or demur; and hereof fail not at your peril. FABLES AND ANIMALS. 13 THE APPLICATION. No alliance is safe which is made with those that are superior to us in power. Though they lay themselves under the most strict and solemn ties at the opening of the congress, yet the first advantageous opportu- nity will tempt them to break the treaty ; and they will never want specious pretences to furnish out their declarations of war. It is not easy to determine, whether it is more stupid and ridiculous for a com- munity to trust itself first in the hands of those that are more powerful than themselves, or to wonder afterwards that their confidence and credulity are abused, and their properties invaded. 14 HOW FIT'S WORK OF The SOW and WOLF. A Sow had just farrowed, and lay in the stye, with her whole litter of Pigs about her. A Wolf, who longed for one of them, but knew not how to come at it, endeavoured to insinuate himself into the Sow's good opinion ; and, accordingly, coming up to her, How does the good woman in the straw do ? says he. Can I be of any service to you, Mrs. Sow, in relation to your little family here ? If you have a mind to go abroad, and air yourself a little or so, you may depend upon it I will take as much care of your Pigs as you could do yourself. Your humble servant, says the Sow, I thoroughly understand your meaning ; and, to let you know I do, I must be so free as to tell you, I had rather have your room than your company; and therefore, if you would act like a Wolf of honour, and oblige me, I beg I may never see your face again. ISP J'S s P 1 N FABLES AND ANIMALS. 15 THE APPLICATION. The being officiously good natured and civil, is something so uncom- mon in the world, that one cannot hear a man make profession of it without being surprised, or at least suspecting the disinterestedness of his intentions ; especially, when one who is a stranger to us, or though known, is ill esteemed by us, will be making offers of services, we have great reason to look to ourselves, and exert a shiness and coldness towards him. We should resolve not to receive even favours from bad kind of people ; for should it happen that some immediate mis- chief was not couched in them, yet it is dangerous to have obligations to such, or give them an opportunity of making a communication with us. 16 HOWITT'S WORK OF The FOX and WILD BOAR. THE Boar stood whetting his tusks against an old tree. The Fox, who happened to come by at the same time, asked him why he made those martial preparations of whetting his teeth, since there was no enemy near, that he could perceive ? That may be, Master Reynard, says the Boar, but we should scour up our arms while we have leisure, you know ; for, in time of danger, we shall have something else to do. THE APPLICATION. He that is not idle when he is at leisure, may play with his business. A discreet man should have a reserve of every thing that is necessary beforehand, that when the time comes for him to make use of them, he may not be in a hurry and confusion. A wise general has not his men to discipline, or his ammunition to provide, when the trumpet sounds to arms ; , but sets apart his times of exercise for one, and his magazines for the other, in the calm season of peace. We hope to live to a good old age : should we not then lay up a store of conveniences against that time, when we shall be most in want of them, and least able to procure them ? We must die nay, never start ; we must. Are _J . . FABLES AND ANIMALS. 17 there not some necessary things for us to transact before we depart ; at least, some trifle or other for us to bequeath, which a sudden stroke may prevent us from doing? Sure there is ; and if so, how inexcusable shall we be, if we defer the execution of it till the alarm comes upon us! / did not think of it, is an expression unworthy a wise man's mouth, and was only intended for the use of fools. D 18 IIOWITT'S WORK OF The OLD LION INSULTED. A LION, worn out with old age, lay fetching his last gasp, and agoniz- ing in the convulsive struggles of death. Upon which occasion, several of the beasts, who had formerly been sufferers by him, came and re- venged themselves upon him. The Boar, with his mighty tusks, drove at him in a stroke that glanced like lightning ; and the Bull gored him with his violent horns : which when the Ass saw they might do with- out any danger, he too came up, and threw his heels in the Lion's face. Upon which, the poor old expiring tyrant uttered these words with his last dying groan : Alas ! how grievous it is to suffer insults even from the brave and the valiant ! but to be spurned by so base a crea- ture as this is, who is the disgrace of nature, is worse than dying ten ; thousand deaths. FABLES AND ANIMALS. 19 THE APPLICATION. He that would be reverenced and respected by the rest of mankind, must lay a foundation for it of some kind or other ; for people cannot be persuaded to pay deference and esteem for nothing : so that though we have lived in good repute in the world, if ever we should happen to outlive our stock, we must not be surprised if we find ourselves slighted and affronted, even by the vilest scum of the people. If therefore we would raise to ourselves a dignity that will continue not only to the end of our lives, but extend itself far down among the ages of poste- rity, we should take care to establish it upon a foundation of virtue and good-nature : this will not only preserve us from the insults of enemies, but, upon occasion, surround us with a trusty guard of faith- ful and sincere friends. 20 HOWITT'S WORK OF The PEACOCK CHOSEN KING. THE birds met together, upon a time, to choose a king; and the Pea- cock standing candidate, displayed his gaudy plumes, and catched the eyes of the silly multitude with the richness of his feathers. The ma- jority declared for him, and clapped their wings with great applause. But, just as they were going to proclaim him, the Magpie stepped forth in the midst of the assembly, and addressed himself thus to the new king : May it please your majesty elect, to permit one of your un- worthy subjects to represent to you his suspicions and apprehensions, in the face of this whole congregation. We have chosen you for our king, we have put our lives and fortunes into your hands, and our whole hope and dependance are upon you : if therefore the Eagle, or the Vulture, or the Kite, should at any time make a descent upon us, as it is highly probable they will, may your majesty be so gracious as to dispel our fears, and clear our doubts about that matter, by letting us know how you intend to defend us against them ? This pithy unanswer- able question drew the whole audience into so just a reflection, that they soon resolved to proceed to a new choice : but, from that time, the Peacock has been looked upon as a vain insignificant pretender, and the Magpie esteemed as eminent a speaker as any among the whole community of birds. rs FABLES AND ANIMALS. 21 THE APPLICATION. Form and outside, in the choice of a ruler, should not be so much regarded, as the qualities and endowments of the mind. In choosing heads of corporations, from the king of the land, down to the master of a company, upon every new election, it should be enquired into, which of the candidates is most capable of advancing the good and welfare of the community ; and upon him the choice should fall : but the eyes of the multitude are so dazzled with pomp and shew, noise and ceremony, that they cartnot see things really as they are ; and from hence it comes to pass, that so many absurdities are committed and main- tained in the world. People should examine and weigh the real de- sert and merit of the person, and not be imposed upon by false colours and pretences of I know not what. HOWITT'S WORK OF The BEAR and the BEEHIVES. A BEAR climbing over the fence into a place where Bees were kept, began to plunder the hives, and rob them of their honey : but the Bees, to revenge the injury, attacked htm in a whole swarm together ; and though they were not able to pierce his rugged hide, yet, with their little stings, they so annoyed his eyes and nostrils, that unable to endure the smarting pain, with impatience he tore the skin over his ears with his own claws, and suffered ample punishment for the injury he did the Bees, in breaking open their waxen cells. 1 -=* FABLES AND ANIMALS. THE APPLICATION. Many and great are the injuries of which some men are guilty to- wards others, for the sake of gratifying some liquorish appetite : for there are those who would not stick 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 by such blind impulses would consider a moment, before they proceed to irrecover- able execution. Injuries and wrongs not only call for revenge and re- paration with the voice of equity itself, but oftentimes carry their pu- nishment along with them, and, by an unforeseen train of events, are retorted at the head of the actor of them ; and not seldom, from a deep remorse, expiated upon himself by his own hand. As for the re* probates whose foreheads are hardened with triple brass, and hackneyed with daily deliberate practice in villany, we cannot so much as hope to reclaim them by arguments of reason and justice ; and must therefore be forced to leave them to the necessary consequences of impiety. 24 HOWITTS WORK OF The FROG TURNED PHYSICIAN. A FROG, leaping out of a lake, and taking the advantage of a rising ground, made proclamation to all the beasts of the forest, that he was an able physician, had studied Hippocrates and Galen, and, for curing all manner of distempers, would turn his back to no person living. This discourse, uttered in a parcel of hard cramp words, which no- body understood, made the beasts admire his learning, and give credit to every thing he said. At last, the Fox, who was present, with in- dignation asked him, How he could have the impudence, with those thin lantern jaws, that meager pale phiz, and blotched spotted body, to set up for one who was able to cure the infirmities of others ? FABLES AND ANIMALS. 25 THE APPLICATION. A sickly, infirm look is as disadvantageous in a physician, as that of a rake in a clergyman, or a sheepish one in a soldier. If this moral contain any thing further, it is, that we should not set up for rectifying enormities in others, while we lahour under the same ourselves. Good advice ought always to be followed, without our being prejudiced upon account of the person from whom it comes ; but it is seldom that men can be brought to think us worth minding, when we prescribe cures for maladies with which ourselves are infected. Physician, kcal thyself, is % too scriptural not to be applied upon such an occasion ; and, if we would avoid being the jest of an audience, we must be sound and free from those diseases, of which we would endeavour to cure others. How shocked must people have been to hear a preacher for a whole hour declaim against drunkenness, when his own infirmity has been such, that he could neither bear nor forbear drinking ; and, perhaps, was the only person in the congregation who made the doctrine at that time necessary ! Others, too, have been very zealous in explod- ing crimes, for which none were more suspected than themselves: but let such silly hypocrites remember, that they whose eyes want couch- ing, are the most improper people in the world to set up for oculists. E 26 HOWITPS WORK OF A DOG and a Cock took a journey together. The Dog kennelled in the body of a hollow tree, and the Cock roosted at night upon the boughs. The Cock crowed about midnight (at his usual hour), which brought a Fox, that was abroad upon the hunt, immediately to the tree ; and there he stood licking his lips at the Cock, and enticing him to come down. He protested he never heard so angelic a voice since he \vas born, and what would he not do now, to embrace the creature that had given him so admirable a serenade ! Pray, says the Cock, speak to the porter below to open the door, and I will come down to you. The Fox did as he was directed, and the Dog presently seized and worried him. H FABLES AND ANIMALS. 27 THE APPLICATION. It is good discretion, when a man has to do with an adversary that is either too crafty or too strong for him, to turn him off to his match : it would, however, be a more clever way yet, to encounter the stratagem, and to defeat one imposture with another; as the simplicity of the Cock here was too much for the wiliness of the Fox. Experience makes many a wise man of a fool, and security makes many a fool of a wise man. We have an instance of the former in the Cock over-reaching the Fox ; and of the other, in the supine confidence of the Fox, that made him so intent upon his prey as to neglect his safety. Now the Cock, that upon long trial and observation, knew the Fox to be the common enemy of all poultry, had likewise a dread and suspicion of him by instinct, which made him naturally cautious, upon the princi- ple of self-preservation : whereas the Fox, that trusted to his address and management, without so much as dreaming of a cross bite from so silly an animal, fell himself into the pit that he had dug for another. It is much the same case in the world, when Providence is pleased to confound the false, the mighty, and the blood-thirsty, by judgments of plagues and pestilence, and often by the most despicable of instruments. E 2 28 HOWITT'S WORK OF The ASS, APE, and MOLE. AN Ass and an Ape were stating to each other their grievances. The Ass complained greatly for want of horns, and the Ape was as much troubled for want of a tail. Hold your tongues, says the Mole, and be thankful for what you have; for the poor Moles are blind, and in a worse condition than either of you. I I I > ca \ FABLES AND ANIMALS. 29 THE APPLICATION. It is the intent of this fable to shew, that no people are so miserable, but that, at some time or other, they have reason to account them- selves happy ; and, if they would but duly consider, how it is with many of their neighbours, they would find it their duty to be thankful that it is no worse with themselves. It is some relief to the miserable to shew them that there are others yet more miserable ; and there is not any thing so timorous, but something else is afraid of it. Since then nature provides for the necessities of all creatures, and for the well-being of every one in its kind ; and since it is not in the power of any creature to make itself other than what by Providence it was designed to be ; what a madness is it to wish ourselves otherwise than what we are, and what we must continue to be ! Every atom of the creation has its place assigned, every creature has its proper figure, and there is no disputing with him that made it so. The Ape would have a tail ; and why should not a mountebank complain that he is not a minister of state or justice? But in short, the poor, wretched, blind Mole decides the quarrel by her doctrine. 30 HOWITT'S WORK OF The SHEEP, WOLF, VULTURE, and KITE, BEFORE THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF THE LION. -iii-ili }m 5005s ci no?r/v-';$jfTj| ite *Mt iud A DOG brought an action against a Sheep, for certain measures of wheat that he had lent him. The plaintiff proved the debt by three positive witnesses, the Wolf, the Kite, and the Vulture. Testes probi et legates. The defendant was cast in cost and damages, and forced to sell the wool off his back to satisfy the creditor. THE APPLICATION. No innocence can be safe where power and malice are in confederacy against it. There is no fence against subornation and false evidence. What greater judgment can befal a nation than for Sheep to be made trespassers, and Wolves, Kites, and Vultures to set up for witnesses! This is a large field, if we were inclined to expatiate therein ; but the history of all ages will be the best moral of this fable. There is no living, however, without law; and, in many cases, there is no help for it, if the saving equity be over-ruled by the killing letter of it. It is the verdict that does the business ; but it is the evidence, true or false, that governs the verdict. So that, as it sometimes falls out, the honour of the public may come to be con- cerned in the defence and support of an undetected perjury. The only danger is the giving too much credit to the oaths of Kites and Vultures ; that is to say, of witnesses so profligate as to bring a scandal even upon truth itself, where it is so asserted. . I I i I FABLES AND ANIMALS. 31 The EAGLE, HARE, HAWK, and SPARROW. 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 it, could not forbear being unseasonably witty, but called out and said to the Hare So ho ! what, sit there and be killed ? Prithee, up and away ! I dare say, if you would but try, so swift a creature as you are would easily escape from the Eagle. As he was going on with his cruel raillery, down came a Hawk and snapped him up ; and, not- withstanding his vain cries and lamentations, fell a devouring of him in an instant. The Hare, who was just expiring, yet received com- fort from this accident, even in the agonies of death; and address- ing 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. 32 HOWITT'S WORK OF THE APPLICATION. Nothing is more impertinent than for people to be giving their opi- nion and advice in cases in which, were they to be their own, them- selves would be as much at a loss what to do. But so great an itch have most men to be directors in the affairs of others, either to shew the superiority of their understanding, or their own security and ex- emption from the ills they would have removed, that they forwardly and conceitedly obtrude their counsel, even at the hazard of their own safety and reputation. There have been instances of those who, either officiously, or for the jest's sake, have spent much of their time in reading lectures of economy to the rest of the world ; when, at the same time, their own ill husbandry has been such, that they were forced to quit their dwelling and take lodgings, while their goods were sold to make a composition for the debts which they owed to petty tradesmen. Without giving more examples of this kind, of which every one may furnish himself with enough from his own observation, we cannot but conclude, that none are greater objects of ridicule, than they who thus merrily assume a character, which, at the same time, by some incidents of their life, they convince us of their being so unfit for. B FABLES AND ANIMALS. 33 The MASTIFF and the HOUND. THERE was a man had two dogs, one for the chase, and the other to look to the house. Whatever the Hound took abroad, the Mastiff* had his part of at home. The other grumbled at it, complaining, that though he took all the pains, the Mastiff reaped the fruit of his labours. Well, says the Mastiff, that is not my fault, but my master's, who has not trained me up to work for myself, but to eat what others have provided for me. THE APPLICATION. More people are lost for want of good education and instruction, than for want of honest and honourable inclinations; and these are miscarriages that parents and tutors have, in a great measure, to an- swer for. We are here given to understand, that there are offices of trust as well as offices of labour, and that the one is as necessary to the common good as the other. The Mastiff maintains the Hound, as well as the Hound the Mastiff; and if the one did not keep the house from being robbed, the other would have nothing to eat in it at all. So that this fable, upon the whole, may serve as a lesson to princes and governors, as well as to masters of private families, upon the reciprocal use, benefit, and necessity of industry and protec- tion between rulers and subjects, for the preservation of the state : the one supplies us with what we want, and the other supports us in defence of what we get, and neither could long exist without the other. I I y FABLES AND ANIMALS. The CAT and the MICE. THE Mice called a general council; and having met, after the doors were locked, entered into a free consultation about ways and means how to render their fortunes and estates more secure from the danger of the Cat. Many things were offered, and much was debated, pro and con, upon the matter. At last a young Mouse, in a fine florid speech, concluded upon an expedient, and that the only one, which was to put them for the future entirely out of the power of the enemy ; and this was, that the Cat should wear a bell about her neck, which, upon the least motion, would give the alarm, .and be a signal for them to retire into their holes. This speech was received with great applause, and it was even proposed by some, that the Mouse who made it should have the thanks of the assembly. Upon which, an old grave Mouse, who had sat silent all the while, stood up, and, in another speech, owned that the contrivance was admirable, and the author of it, without doubt, an ingenious Mouse ; but, he said, he thought it would not be so proper to vote him thanks, till be should farther inform them how this bell was to be fastened about the Cat's neck, and what Mouse would under- take to do it. F 2 36 HOWITT'S WORK OF THE APPLICATION. Many things appear feasible in speculation, which are afterwards found to be impracticable : and since the execution of any thing is that which is to complete and finish its very existence, what raw coun- sellors are those who advise, what precipitate politicians those who pro- ceed to the management of, things in their nature incapable of answer- ing their own expectations, or their promises to others ! At the same time, the fable teaches us, not to expose ourselves in any of our little politic coffee-house committees, by determining what should be done upon every occurrence of mal-ad ministration, when we have neither commission nor power to execute it. He that, upon such occasions, adjudges, as a preservative for the state, that this or that should be applied to the neck of those who have been enemies to it, will appear fully as ridiculous as the Mouse in the fable, when the question is asked, Who shall put it there ? In reality, we do but expose ourselves to the hatred of some, and the contempt of others, when we inadvertently utter our impracticable speculations, in respect of the public, either in private companies or authorized assemblies. l * pi ti FABLES AND ANIMALS. 37 The SHEEP and the HUNTED WOLF. A WOLF that lay licking his wounds, and extremely faint and ill from the bite of a Dog, called out to a Sheep that was passing by Hark, friend ! if thou wouldst but help me to a sup of water out of yonder brook, I could manage to provide myself with something to eat. Yes, says the Sheep, I make no doubt of it; but when I bring you drink, my carcase shall serve you for meat to it. THE APPLICATION. The Sheep's case in the fable is an occurrence of every day; when people are divided between charity and discretion, how far to go, and where to stop. In offices of this doubtful quality, we have only this general rule to go by, that when we have to do with known Wolves, we know likewise that they are not to be confided in. But this Wolf might have passed for an object of charity, which would have made it a more dangerous imposture. We are hence to learn, that there is no trusting to the fair words and appearances of a false and a malicious enemy ; for their very kindnesses are no better than snares. Treachery is a kind of hypocrisy, and they are equally odious both to God and man ; corrupting our manners, hardening our hearts, dissolving all the bonds of faith, confidence, and society, and extinguishing the very principle of good-nature itself; and all this too in our own defence. 38 HOWITTS WORK OF THE Lioness and the Fox meeting together, fell into discourse ; and the conversation turning upon the breeding and the fruitfulness of some living creatures above others, the Fox could not forbear taking the op- portunity of observing to the Lioness, that, for her part, she thought Foxes were as happy in that respect as almost any other creature; for that they bred constantly once a year, if not oftener, and always had a good litter of cubs at every birth ; and yet, says she, there are those who are never delivered of more than one at a time, and that perhaps not above once or twice through their whole life, who hold up their noses, and value themselves so much upon it, that they think all other creatures beneath them, and scarce worthy to be spoken to. The Li- oness, who all the while perceived at whom this reflection pointed, was fired with resentment, and, with a good deal of vehemence, replied- What you have observed may be true, and not without reason. You produce a great many at a litter, and often ; but what are they ? Foxes. I, indeed, have but one at a time, but you should remember that this one is a Lion. FABLES AND ANIMALS. 39 THE APPLICATION. Our productions, of whatsover kind, are not to be esteemed so much by the quantity as the quality of them. It is not being employed much, but well, and to the purpose, which makes us useful to the age we live in, and celebrated by those which are to come. As it is a misfortune to the countries which are infested with them, for Foxes and other vermin to multiply, so one cannot help throwing out a melancholy reflection, when one sees some particulars 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 enumerating the catalogue of their produc- tions ; 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 performance of this kind, should be very cautious how he ventures his reputation in a second. 40 HOWITT'S WORK OF The PORCUPINE and the SNAKES. A PORCUPINE wanting to shelter himself, desired a nest of Snakes to give him admittance into their cave. They were prevailed upon, and let him in accordingly ; but were so annoyed with his sharp prickly quills, that they soon repented of their easy compliance, and entreated the Porcupine to withdraw, and leave them their hole to themselves. No, says he, let them quit the place that don't like it ; for my part, I am well enough satisfied as I am. THE APPLICATION. Some people are of such brutish, inhospitable tempers, that there is no living with them, without greatly incommoding ourselves. Therefore, before we enter into any degree of friendship, alliance, or partnership, with any person whatever, we should thoroughly con- sider his nature and qualities, his circumstances, and his humour. There ought to be something in each of these respects to tally and correspond with our own measures, to suit our genius, and adapt itself to the size and proportion of our desires; otherwise, our asso- ciations, of whatever kind, may prove the greatest plagues of our life. Young men are very apt to run into this error; and being warm in all their passions, throw open their arms at once, and admit, into FABLES AND ANIMALS. 41 the greatest intimacy, persons whom they know little of, but by false and uncertain lights. Thus they sometimes receive a viper into their bosom, instead of a friend ; and take a porcupine for a consort, with whom they are obliged to cohabit, though she may prove a thorn in their sides as long as they live. A true friend is one of the greatest blessings in life : therefore, to be mistaken or disappointed of such an enjoyment, when we hope to be in full possession of it, must be as great a mortification. So that we cannot be too nice and scrupulous in our choice of those who are to be our compani- ons for life ; for they must have but a poor shallow notion of friend- ship, who intend to take it, like a lease, for a term of years only. In a word, the doctrine which this fable speaks, is to prepare us against being injured or deceived by a rash combination of any sort. The manners of the man we desire for a friend, of the woman we like for a wife, of the person with whom we would jointly manage and concert measures for the advancement of our temporal interest, should be narrowly and cautiously inspected, before we embark with them in the same vessel ; lest we should alter our mind when it is too late, and think of regaining the shore after we have launched out of our depth. G 42 HOWITT'S WORK OF The FIGHTING COCKS and the EAGLE. Two Cocks were fighting for the sovereignty of the dunghill ; and one of them having got the better of the other, he that was van- quished crept into a hole, and hid himself for some time; but the victor flew up to an eminent place, clapped his wings, and crowed out Victory. An Eagle, who was watching for his prey near the place, saw him, and making a stoop, trussed him in his talons, and carried him off. The Cock that had been beaten, perceiving this, soon quitted his hole, and shaking off all remembrance of his late disgrace, gal- lanted the Hens with all the intrepidity imaginable. FABLES AND ANIMALS. 43 THE APPLICATION. This fable shews the impropriety and inconvenience of running into extremes. Much of our happiness depends upon keeping an even balance in our words and actions; in not suffering the scale of our reason to mount us too high in time of prosperity, nor to sink us too low with the weight of adverse fortune. It is a circumstance which shews people in the most contemptible light, to exult immoderately upon a fresh accession of good, or to be too abjectly cast down at the sudden approach of evil. We are apt to form our notions of the man from the stability of his temper in this respect; and account him a brave or a wise man, according to the proportion of equanimity which he exerts upon any change of his condition. But though our reputation were no ways concerned in the case, and a man were not be reckoned a coxcomb for being elated, or a coward for being dejected, with the vicissitudes of life ; yet the true regard of our own private satisfaction should incline us to play the philosopher, and learn us to keep our spirits calm and even ; because life would be a labyrinth of perplexities without it. One sudden turn would come so thick upon the back of another, that we should be bewildered in the quick succession of joys and terrors, with- out having so much as a quiet moment to ourselves. G 2 44 HOWITT'S WORK OF The STAG ENTANGLED by HIS HORNS. A STAG that had been drinking at a clear spring, saw himself in the water ; and, pleased with the prospect, stood afterwards for some time contemplating and surveying his shape and features from head to foot Ah ! says he, what a glorious pair of branching horns are there! how gracefully do those antlers hang over my forehead, and give an agreeable turn to my whole face ! If some other parts of my body were but proportionable to them, I would turn my back to nobody ; but I have a set of such legs as really make me ashamed to see them. People may talk what they please of their conveniences, and how much we stand in need of them upon several occasions ; but, for my part, I find them so very slender and unsightly, that I had e'en as lieve have none at all. While he was giving himself these airs, he was alarmed with the noise of some huntsmen, and a pack of hounds, that had just been laid on upon the scent, and were making towards him. 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 a thicket, where he was held fast, till the hounds came in and pulled him down. Finding now how it was likely to be with him, in the pangs of death he is said to have ut- FABLES AND ANIMALS. 45 . tered these words : Unhappy creature that I am ! I am too late convinced, that what I prided myself in, has been the cause of my undoing ; and what I so much disliked, were the only things that could have saved me. THE APPLICATION. Perhaps we cannot apply this better, than by supposing the fable to be a parable, which may be thus explained : The Deer, viewing it- self in the water, is a beautiful young lady at her looking-glass. She cannot help being sensible of the charms which lie blooming in every feature of her face. She moistens her lips, languishes with her eyes, adjusts every lock of her hair with the nicest exactness, gives an agreeable attitude to her whole body ; and then, with a soft sigh, says to herself Ah ! how happy might I be in a daily crowd of ad- mirers, if it were not for the censoriousness of the age ! When I view that face, where Nature, to give her her due, has been liberal enough of charms, how easy should I be, if it were not for that slender par- ticular, my honour. The odious idea of that comes across all my happy moments, and brings a mortification with it, that damps my most flattering, tender hopes. Oh ! that there was no such thing in the world ! In the midst of these soliloquies she is interrupted by the voice of her lover, who enters her chamber* singing a rigadoon air ; and, introducing his discourse in a familiar, easy manner, takes 4 6 HOWITT'S WORK OF occasion to launch out in praise of her beauty ; sees she is pleased with it, snatches her hand, kisses it in a transport, and, in short, pursues his point so close, that she is not able to disengage herself from him. But when the consequence of all this approaches, in an agony of grief and shame, she fetches a deep sigh, and says Ah ! how mistaken have I been ! The virtue I slighted might have saved me ; but the beauty I prized so much has been my undoing. FABLES AND ANIMALS. 47 THE Camel presented a petition to Jupiter, complaining of the hard- ship of his case, in not having, like bulls and other creatures, horns, or any weapons of defence, to protect himself from the attacks of his enemies ; and praying that relief might be given him in such manner as might be thought most expedient. Jupiter could not help smiling at the impertinent address of the great silly beast ; but, how- ever, rejected the petition ; and told him, that, so far from granting his unreasonable request, henceforward he would take care his ears should be shortened, as a punishment for his presumptuous impor- tunity. 48 HOWITT'S WORK OF THE APPLICATION. The nature of things is so fixed in every particular, that they are very weak, superstitious people, who dream it is to be altered. But, besides the impossibility of producing a change by addresses of this nature, they who employ much of their time upon such accounts, in- stead of getting, are sure to lose in the end. When any man is so fri- volous and vexatious as to make unreasonable complaints, and to har- bour undue repinings in his heart, his peevishness will lessen the real benefits which he possesses, and the sourness of his temper will shorten that allowance of comfort which he already thinks too scanty. Thus, in truth, it is not Providence, but ourselves, who punish our own importunity, in soliciting for impossibilities, with a sharp corroding care, which abridges us of some part of that little pleasure which Providence has cast into our lot. ^ 05 FABLES AND ANIMALS. 49 The ASS and the LION IfUNTING. THE Lion took a fancy to hunt in company with the Ass ; and to make him the more useful, gave him instructions to hide himself in a thicket, and then to hray in the most frightful manner that he could possibly contrive. By this means, says he, you will rouse all the beasts within the hearing of you, while I stand at the outlets, and take them as they are making off. This was done ; and the stratagem took effect accordingly. The Ass brayed most hideously, and the timorous beasts, not knowing what to make of it, began to scour off as fast as they could; when the Lion,, who was posted at a proper avenue, seized and devoured them as he pleased. Having got his belly full, he called out to the Ass to desist, telling him he had done enough. Upon this the lop-eared brute came out of his ambush, and approaching the Lion, asked him, with an air of conceit, how he liked his performance. Prodigiously, says he ; you did so well, that I protest, had I not known your nature and temper, I might have been frightened myself. THE APPLICATION. A bragging, cowardly fellow may impose upon people that do not know him, but is the greatest jest imaginable to those that 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 who, if one takes the pains to enquire a little into their true nature, are as arrant asses as ever brayed. H 50 HOWITTS WORK OF The HARE and the TORTOISE. A" HARE insulted a Tortoise upon account of his slowness, and vainly boasted of her own great speed in running. Let us make a match, replied the Tortoise ; I will run with you five miles for five pounds, and the Fox yonder shall be umpire of the race. The Hare agreed ; and away they both started together. But the Hare, by reason of her exceeding swiftness, outran the Tortoise to such a degree, that she made a jest of the matter; and finding herself a little tired, squatted in a tuft of fern that grew by the way, and took a nap ; thinking, that if the Tortoise went by, she could at any time fetch him up with all the ease imaginable. In the meanwhile the Tortoise came jogging on, with a slow, but continued motion ; and the Hare, out of a too great security and confidence of victory, oversleeping herself, he arrived at the end of the race first. THE APPLICATION. Industry and application to business make amends for the want of a quick and ready wit. Hence it is that the victory is not always to the strong, nor the race to the swift. Men of fine parts are apt to despise the drudgery of business: but, by affecting to shew the supe- riority of their genius, upon many occasions, they run into too great r a 3 (=; K IS I > FABLES AND ANIMALS. 51 an extreme the other way, and the administration of their affairs is ruined through idleness and neglect. What advantage has a man from the fertility of his invention, and the vivacity of his imagina- tion, unless his resolutions are executed with a suitable and uninter- rupted rapidity ? In short, your men of wit and fire, as they are called, are oftentimes sots, slovens, and lazy fellows ; they are gene- rally proud and conceited to the last degree, and, upon the whole, not the fittest persons for either conversation or business. Such is their vanity, that they think the sprightliness of their humour inconsistent with a plain, sober way of thinking and speaking, and able to atone for all the little neglects of their business and person. But the world will not be thus imposed upon : the man who would gain the esteem of others and make his own fortune, must be one that carries his point effectually, and finishes his course without swerving and loitering. Men of dull parts and a slow apprehension, assisted by a continued dili- gence, are more likely to attain this, than your brisk retailers of wit with their affected spleen and indolence ; and if business be but well done, no matter whether it be done by the sallies of a refined wit, or the considering head of a plain, plodding man. H 52 HOWITT'S WORK OF The FIGHTING BULLS and the FROGS. A FROG, one day peeping out of the lake, and looking about him, saw two Bulls fighting at some distance off in the meadow, and call- ing to one of his acquaintance Look, says he, what dreadful work there is yonder ! Dear sir, what will become of us? Why, prithee, says the other, don't frighten yourself so about nothing! How can their quarrels affect us ? They are of a different kind and way of living, 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, to all appearance, different enough from ours ; but, as one of them will certainly get the better, he that is worsted, being beat out of the meadow, will take refuge here in the marshes, and may possibly tread out the bowels of some of us : so, you see, we are more nearly concerned in this dispute of theirs, than at first you were aware of. THE APPLICATION. This poor timorous Frog had just reasons for its fears and suspicions ; it being hardly possible for great people to fall out, without involving- many below them in the same fate. Nay, whatever becomes of the former, the latter are sure to suffer ; those may be only playing the fool, while these really smart for it. r f M I Q FABLES AND ANIMALS. 53 It is of no small importance to the honest, quiet part of mankind, who desire nothing so much as to see peace and virtue flourish, to enter seriously and impartially into the consideration of this point : for, as significant as the quarrels of the great may sometimes be, yet they are nothing without others espouse and support them, one way or other. What is it that occasions parties, but the ambitious or avaricious spirit of men in eminent stations, who want to engross all power in their own hands ? Upon this they foment divisions, form factions, and ex- cite animosities between well-meaning, but undiscerning people, who little think, that the great aim of their leaders is no more than the advancement of their own private self-interest. The good of the public is always pretended upon such occasions, and may sometimes happen to be tacked to their own; but then it is purely accidental, and was never originally intended. One knows not what remedy to prescribe against so epidemical and frequent a malady, but only, that every man who has sense enough to discern the pitiful private views that attend most of the differences between the great ones, instead of aiding or abetting either party, would, with an honest courage, heartily and openly oppose both. 54 HOWITT'S WORK OF The APE and the FOX. THE Ape meeting the Fox one day, humbly requested him to give him a piece of his fine long brush tail, to cover his nakedness behind, which was exposed to all the inclemency of the weather : For, says he, Reynard, you have already more than you have occasion for, and a great part of it even drags along in the dirt. The Fox answered, that, as to his having too much, that was more than he knew ; but, be it as it would, he would rather sweep the ground with his tail as long he lived, than deprive himself of the least bit, to cover the filthy posteriors of an Ape. THE APPLICATION. One cannot help considering the world, in the particular of the goods of Fortune, as a kind of lottery ; in which some few are entitled to prizes of different degrees; others, and those by much the greatest part, come off with little or nothing. Some, like the Fox, have even larger cir- cumstances than they know what to do with, insomuch that they are rather a charge and encumberance, than of any true use and pleasure to them. Others, like the poor Ape's case, are all blank ; not having been so lucky as to draw from the wheel of Fortune wherewith to cover their nakedness, and live with tolerable decency. That these things are left by Providence, in a great measure, to the blind, uncertain shuffle FABLES AND ANIMALS. 55 of chance, is reasonable to conclude, from the unequal distribution of them : for there is seldom any regard had to true merit upon these occa- sions ; folly and knavery ride in coaches, while good sense and honesty walk in the dirt. The all-wise Disposer of events does certainly permit these things for just and good purposes, which our shallow understand- ing is not able to fathom ; but, humanly thinking, if the riches and power of the world were to be always in the hands of the virtuous part of mankind, they would be more likely to do good with them in their generation, than the vile, sottish wretches who generally enjoy them. A truly good man would direct all the superfluous part of his wealth, at least, to the necessities of his fellow-creatures, though there were no reli- gion which enjoined it ; but selfish and avaricious people, who are always great knaves, how much soever they may have, will never think they have enough ; much less be induced, by any considerations for virtue and religion, to part with the least farthing for public charity and beneficence. 56 HOWITT'S WORK OF The FOX and the TIGER. A SKILFUL archer, coming into the woods r directed his arrows so suc- cessfully, that he slew many wild beasts, and pursued several others. This put the whole savage kind into a fearful consternation, and made them fly to 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, that they might depend upon his valour and strength to revenge their wrongs. In the midst of these threats, while he was lashing himself with his tail, and tearing up the ground for anger, an arrow pierced his ribs, and hung by its barbed point in his side. He set up a hideous and loud roar, occasioned by the anguish which he felt, and endeavoured to draw out the painful dart with his teeth : when the Fox, approaching him, enquired, with an air of surprise, who it was that could have strength and courage enough to wound so mighty and valorous a beast ? Ah ! says the Tiger, I was mistaken in my reckoning: it was that invincible man yonder. ? t3 I S -t p3 1 i '* 8 m O CJ FABLES AND ANIMALS. 57 THE APPLICATION. Though strength and courage are very good ingredients towards making us secure and formidable in the world; yet, unless there be a proper portion of wisdom or policy to direct them, instead of being serviceable, they often prove detrimental to their possessors. 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 ene- my might not otherwise have observed, and gives an advantage to others by those very means which he fancied would have secured it to himself. Counsel and conduct always did, and always will, govern the world; and the strong, in spite of all their force, can never avoid being tools to the crafty. Some men are as much superior to others in wisdom and policy, as man, in general, is above a brute. Strength, ill con- certed, opposed to them, is like a quarter-staff in the hands of a huge, robust, but bungling fellow, who fights against a master of the science. The latter, though without a weapon, would have skill and address enough to disarm his adversary, and drub him with his own staff. In a word, savage fierceness and brutal strength must not pretend to stand in competition with finesse and stratagem. 58 HOWITT'S WORK OF The DOG with a BELL. THERE was a very good House-Dog, but so dangerous a Cur to strangers, that his master put a Bell about his neck, to give people notice when he was coming. The Dog took this Bell for a particular mark of his mas- ter's favour, till one of his companions shewed him his error. You are greatly mistaken, says he, to take this for an ornament, or a token of esteem, which is, in truth, no other than a mark of infamy set upon you for your ill manners. THE APPLICATION. It is a bad world, when the rules and measures of good and evil are either inverted or mistaken, and when a brand of infamy passes for a badge of honour. But the common people do not judge of vice or virtue by the morality or immorality of the action, so much as by the stamp that is set upon it by men of consequence and figure. What is more familiar than an ostentation of wickedness where impiety has the reputation of virtue ! As in the excesses of wine and women, and the vanity of bearing up against all the laws of God and man. When lewdness comes once to be in fashion, it has the credit in the world that other fashions have, as we often see an affectation even of de- formity itself, where some exemplary defect has brought that deformity to be a mode. e FABLES AND ANIMALS. 59 The HUNTED BEAVER. IT is said, that a Beaver (a creature which lives chiefly in the water) has a certain part about him which is good in physic, and that upon this account he is often hunted down and killed. Once upon a time, as one of these creatures was hard pursued by the Dogs, and knew not how to escape, recollecting within himself the reason of his being thus persecuted, with a great resolution and presence of mind, he, bit off the part which his hunters wanted, and throwing it towards them, by this means escaped with his life. THE APPLICATION. However it is among beasts, there are few human creatures but what are hunted for something else besides either their lives or the pleasure of hunting them. The Inquisition would hardly be so keen against the Jews, if they had not something belonging to them which their persecutors esteem more valuable than their souls ; which, when- ever that wise, but obstinate people, can prevail with themselves to part with, there is an end of the chase for that time. Indeed, when life is pursued and in danger, whoever values it, should give up every thing but his honour to preserve it. And when a discarded minister is prosecuted, for having injured the commonwealth, let him but throw down some of the fruits of his iniquity to the hunters, and one may engage for his coming off, in other respects, with a whole skin. 12 60 HOWITT'S WORK OF The DOG in the MANGER. A DOG was lying upon a Manger full of hay : an Ox, being hungry, came near, and offered to eat of the hay ; but the envious, ill-natured Cur, getting up and snarling at him, would not suffer him to touch it. Upon which, the Ox, in the bitterness of his heart, said A curse light on thee, for a malicious wretch, who wilt neither eat hay thyself, nor suffer others to do it ! THE APPLICATION. Envy is the most unnatural and unaccountable of all the passions. There is scarcely any other emotion of the mind, however unreasonable, but may have something said in excuse for it; and there are many of these weaknesses of the soul, which, notwithstanding the impropriety and irregularity of them, swell the heart, while they last, with pleasure and gladness. But the envious man has no such apology as this to make : the stronger the passion is, the greater torment he endures, and subjects himself to a continual real pain, by only wishing ill to others. Revenge is sweet, though cruel and inhuman ; and though it some- times thirst even for blood, yet may be glutted and satiated. Avarice is something highly monstrous and absurd ; yet, as it is a desire after riches, every little acquisition gives it pleasure ; and to behold and feel e i a FABLES AND ANIMALS. 61 the hoarded treasure, to a covetous man is a constant, uncloying enjoy- ment. But envy, which is an anxiety arising in our minds upon our observing accomplishments in others which we want ourselves, can never receive any true comfort, unless in a deluge, a conflagration, a plague, or some general calamity that should befal mankind ; for, as long as there is a creature living that enjoys its being happily within the envious man's sphere, it will afford nourishment to his distempered mind; but such nourishment as will make him pine, and fret, and emaciate himself to nothing. 62 HOWITT'S WORK OF The STAG in the LION'S DEN. A DEER being hard pursued by the Hounds, found a Cave, into wbich he rushed for security. But he was no sooner got in, than he saw him- self in the power of a Lion, who lay couched at the farther end of the Cave, and sprung upon him in an instant. Being at the point of death, he complained thus : Unhappy creature that I am, I entered this Cave to escape the pursuit of men and dogs, and am fallen into the jaws of the most cruel and rapacious of all wild beasts ! THE APPLICATION. Some are so unfortunate as to be ever running into troubles and difficulties ; their ill luck seems to carry them into a series of mis- fortunes, and, in the mean time, like stumbling horses, the oftener they are spurred, the more they flounce along in the dirt, and the more trips they make. But, as much of this may be attributed to fear and hurry, which, wherever they take place, indispose and hinder us from acquitting ourselves as we should do ; it is therefore highly necessary for such as would be thought to behave themselves like men, never to let fear have any share in their words or actions. This passion blinds us from discerning our true interest : it no sooner points out an evil to us, but it throws us into the utmost confusion in our manner and method b *-* FABLES AND ANIMALS. 63 ^ of flying from it. We start from the present mischief before we have pitched upon a place of refuge ; and, in the hurry, fall into a thousand worse accidents, which we have not time to observe and avoid. But all this is far below the character of a great and a good man. He dreads nothing more than shame ; nor is ashamed of any thing so much as fear. Not all the terrors of this, or any other world, can blind the eyes of his reason, or disarm his understanding. Honesty dictates to his conscience, and his conscience is the rule of his actions. And in this happy situation of his mind, though the world were to be crushed, and tumble in pieces about his ears, he would be found without surprise amidst the ruins of it. It is peculiar to knaves or fools to be flurried, through a sense of their own guilt or shame ; and be always labouring under jealousies, doubts, distrusts, and disappointments. 64 HOWITT'S WORK OF The STAG and the FAWN. A STAG, grown old and mischievous, was, according to custom, stamping with his foot, making offers with his head, and bellowing so terribly, that the whole herd quaked for fear of him; when one of the little Fawns coming up, addressed him to this purpose : Pray, what is the reason that you, who are so stout and formidable at all other times, if you do but hear the cry of the Hounds, are ready to fly out of your skin for fear? What you observe is true, replied the Stag, though I know not how to account for it : I am, indeed, vigorous, and able enough, I think, to make my party good any where, and often resolve within myself, that nothing shall ever dismay my courage for the future : but, alas ! I no sooner hear the voice of a Hound, than all my spirits fail me, and I cannot help making off as fast as ever my legs can carry me. THE APPLICATION. This is the case of many a cowardly bully in the world. He is dis- posed to be imperious and tyrannical, and to insult his companions, and takes all opportunities of acting according to his inclinations ; but yet is cautious where he makes his haunts, and takes care to have to do only with a herd of rascally people, as vile and mean as himself. A I $ t 3 i ^ [ r \ I > I I -V FABLES AND ANIMALS. 65 man of courage quashes him with a word ; and he who has threatened death in every sentence, for a twelvemonth together, to those whom he knew it would affright, at the very frown of an intrepid man has leaped out of a window. It is no unpleasant sight to be present when any of these gentlemen happen to be disarmed of their terror before the faces of their humble admirers: there is a strange, boisterous strug- gle between fear, shame, and revenge, which blinds them with confu- sion ; and, though they would fain exert a little courage, and shew themselves men, yet, they know not how, there is something within which will not suffer them to do it. The predominance of nature will shew itself upon occasion in its true colours, through all the disguises which artful men endeavour to throw over it. Cowardice, particularly, gives us but the more suspicion, 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 aH, 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 ridiculous. We talk nonsense when we would argue against it ; like Teague, who being asked why he fled from his colours, said, his heart was as good as any man's in the regiment, but protested his cowardly legs would run away with him whatever he could do. K 66 HOWITT'S WORK OF The WOLF and the PORCUPINE. THE Porcupine and the Hedgehog are somewhat alike, only the for- mer has longer and sharper prickles than the other ; and these prickles he can shoot and dart at an enemy. There was a Wolf who had a mind to deal with him, if he could but get him disarmed first; and so he told the Porcupine, in a friendly way, that it was not becoming for people in a time of peace to go armed, as if they were in a state of war ; and so advised him to lay his bristles aside : For, says he, you may take them up again at pleasure. Do you talk of a state of war ? says the Porcupine : why that is my present case, and the very reason of my standing to my arms so long as a Wolf is in company. THE APPLICATION. All business that is necessary to be done, should be done betimes and there is as little trouble of doing it in season, too, as out of season ; neither is it effectually done at all but in the proper time of doing it : so that it is discreet and prudent to provide against danger beforehand ; for he that is always ready, can never be taken by artifice or cunning. It is wise, in all the affairs of human life, to take care of securing our- selves, that we may not be either betrayed or surprised ; but as it is wis- dom to keep ourselves upon our guard, so it is good manners, also, and ej f FABLES AND ANIMALS. 67 respect, neither to do, nor to say, any thing that may import a jealousy or a distrust. All the duties of government and society, nay, all offi- cers civil and religious, where prudence, conscience, or common faith are concerned, have their proper seasons. It is too late to hinder mis- chief when the opportunity is once passed, and therefore the timing of things is a principal consideration in the dispatch of all affairs. There can be no safe or sure peace where people are not always in readiness for war ; for the common wellbeing of mankind does not so much depend upon the faith of men and of governments, as upon the tem- porary and contingent occasions of breaking the peace with advantage. It is not public justice alone that can uphold a government, without the aid of policy and counsel. Men do naturally indulge those opi- nions and practices that favour their pretensions ; and it is too much to superadd powerful temptations to do wrong, to the force of vicious inclinations to do it. The Boar's whetting his teeth was only an act of necessary precaution, for fear of the worst ; and the Porcupine did wisely too, in keeping himself upon his guard when the enemy was in view. K 68 HOWITT'S WORK OF A LION, touched with the generous conduct of a Mouse, and resolving not to be outdone in gratitude by any wild beast whatsoever, desired his little deliverer to name his own terms, for that he might depend upon his complying with any proposal he should make. The Mouse, fired with ambition at this gracious offer, did not so much consider what was proper for him to ask, as what was in the power of his prince to grant; and so, presumptuously demanded his princely daughter, the young Lioness, in marriage. The Lion consented : but, when he would have given the royal virgin into his possession, she, like a giddy thing as she was, not minding how she walked, by chance set her paw upon her spouse, who was coming to meet her, and crushed her little dear to pieces. FABLES AND ANIMALS. 69 THE APPLICATION. This fable seems intended to shew us, how miserable some people make themselves by a wrong choice, when they have all the good things in the world spread before them to choose out of. In short, if that one particular of judgment be wanting, it is not in the power of the greatest monarch upon earth, nor of the repeated smiles of Fortune, to make us happy. It is the want of possession of a good judgment, which oftentimes makes the prince a poor wretch, and the indigent philosopher completely easy. Now, the first and chief degree of judg- ment is to know oneself; to be able to make a tolerable estimate of one's own capacity, so as not to speak or undertake any thing which may either injure or make us ridiculous : and yet, as wonderful as it is, there have been men of allowed good sense in particular, and possessed of all desirable qualifications in general, to make life delightful and agreeable, who have unhappily contrived to match themselves with women of a genius and temper necessarily tending to blast their peace. This^proceeds from some unaccountable blindness; but, when wealthy plebeians, of mean extraction and unrefined education, as an equiva- lent for their money, demand brides out of the nurseries of our peerage, their being despised, or at least overlooked, is so unavoidable, unless in extraordinary cases, that nothing but a false taste of glory could make them enter upon a scheme so inconsistent'and unpromising. 70 HOWlf T'S WORK OF 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 clear, silver brook that ran tumbling down the side of a rocky mountain. The Wolf stood upon the higher ground, and the Lamb at some distance from him down the current. However, the Wolf having a mind to pick a quarrel with him, asked him what he meant by disturbing the water, and making it so muddy that he could not drink ; and at the same time demanded satisfaction. The Lamb, frightened at this threatening charge, told him, in a tone as mild as possible, that, with humble submission, he could not conceive how that could be; since the water which he drank ran down from the Wolf to him, and therefore could not be disturbed so far up the stream. Be that as it will, replies the Wolf, you are a rascal, and I have been told that you treated me with ill language be- hind my back, about half a year ago. Upon my word, says the Lamb, the time you mention was before I was born. The Wolf, finding it to no purpose to argue any longer against truth, fell into a great passion, snarling and foaming at the mouth as if he had been mad; and drawing nearer to the Lamb Sirrah ! says he, if it was not you, it was your father, and that's all one. So he seized the poor, innocent, helpless thing, tore it to pieces, and made a meal of it. FABLES AND ANIMALS. 71 THE APPLICATION. The thing which is pointed at in this fable is so obvious, that it will be impertinent to multiply words about it. When a cruel, ill-natured man has a mind to abuse one inferior to himself either in power or cou- rage, though he has not given the least occasion for it, how does he re- semble the Wolf, whose envious, rapacious temper could not bear to see innocence live quietly in its neighbourhood! In short, wherever ill people are in power, innocence and integrity are sure to be persecuted; the more vicious the community is, the better countenance they have for their own villanous measures. To practise honesty in bad times, is being liable to suspicion enough ; but if any one should dare to pre- scribe it, it is ten to one but he would be impeached of high crimes and misdemeanors: for, to stand up for justice in a degenerate and corrupt state, is tacitly to upbraid the government, and seldom fails of bringing down vengeance upon the head of him that offers to stir in its defence. Where cruelty and malice are in combination with power, nothing is so easy as for them to find a pretence to tyrannize over innocence, and exercise all manner of injustice. 72 HOWITTS WORK OF The COCK and the JEWEL. A BRISK young Cock, in company with two or three Pullets, his mis- tresses, raking upon a dunghill for something to entertain them with, happened to scratch up a Jewel : he knew what it was well enough, for it sparkled with an exceeding bright lustre ; but, not knowing what to do with it, endeavoured to cover his ignorance under a gay contempt. So, shrugging up his wings, shaking his head, and putting on a grimace, he 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 would rather have one grain of dear, delicious barley, than all the Jewels under the sun. THE APPLICATION. There are several people in the world that pass with some for well-accomplished gentlemen and very pretty fellows, though they are as great strangers to the true uses of virtue and knowledge, as the Cock upon the dunghill is to the real value of the Jewel. He palliates his ignorance, by pretending that his taste lies another way : but, what- ever gallant airs people may give themselves upon these occasions, without dispute, the solid advantages of virtue, and the durable a FABLES AND ANIMALS. 73 pleasures of learning, are as much to be preferred before other objects of the senses, as the finest brilliant diamond is above a barley-corn. The greatest blockheads would appear to understand what at the same time they affect to despise ; and nobody yet was ever so vicious as to have the impudence to declare in public, that virtue was not a fine thing. But still, among the idle, sauntering young fellows of the age, who have leisure, as well to cultivate and improve the faculties of the mind, as to dress and embellish the body, how many are there who spend their days in raking after new scenes of debauchery, in comparison of those few who know how to relish more reasonable entertainments ! Honest, undesigning good sense is so unfashionable, that he must be a bold man who at this time of day attempts to bring it into esteem. How disappointed is the youth, who, in the midst of his amorous pursuits, endeavouring to plunder an outside of bloom and beauty, finds a treasure of impenetrable virtue concealed within! And why may it not be said, how delighted are the fair sex, when, from among a crowd of empty, frolic, conceited admirers, they find out, and distin- guish witl^their good opinion, a man of sense, with a plain, unaffected person, which, at first sight, they did not like! 74 HOWITT'S WORK OF The DOG and the WOLF. A LEAN, hungry, half-starved Wolf happened, one moonshiny night, to meet with a jolly, plump, well-fed Mastiff; and, after the first com- pliments were passed, says the Wolf You look extremely well; I protest I think I never saw a more graceful, comely person. But how comes it about, I beseech you, that you should live so much better than I ? I may say, without vanity, that I venture fifty times more than you do, and yet I am almost ready to perish with hunger. The dog answered very bluntly Why, you may live as well, if you will do the same for it that I do. Indeed ! What is that ? says he. Why, says the Dog, only to guard the house at night, and keep it from thieves. With all my heart, replies the Wolf, for at present I have but a sorry time of it ; and I think to change my hard lodging in the woods, where I endure rain, frost, and snow, for a warm roof over my head, and a bellyful of good victuals, will be no bad bargain. True, says the Dog, therefore you have nothing more to do but to follow me. Now, as they were jogging on together, the Wolf spied a crease in the Dog's neck, and having a strange curiosity, could not forbear asking him what it meant. Pugh ! nothing, says the Dog. Nay, but pray, says the Wolf Why, says the Dog, if you must know, I am tied up in the daytime, because I am a little fierce, for fear I should bite people, and am only let loose at nights. But this is done with design to make me sleep in the daytime, I'd f. ^ * ^S ^ w ] 3- 5; [ ^ I i '* ' FABLES AND ANIMALS. 75 more than any thing else, and that I may watch the better in the night- time ; for, as soon as ever the twilight appears, out I am turned, and may go where I please. Then, my master brings me plates of bones from the table with his own hands, and whatever scraps are left by any of the family, all fall to my share ; for you must know I am a favourite with every body. So you see how you are to live. Come, come along ! what is the matter with you? No, replied the Wolf, I beg your pardon ; keep your happiness all to yourself. Liberty is the word with me; and I would not be a king upon the terms you mention. THE APPLICATION. The lowest condition of life, with freedom attending it, is better than the most exalted station under a restraint. jEsop and Phaedrus, who had both felt the bitter effects of slavery, though the latter of them had the good fortune to have the mildest prince that ever was for his master, cannot forbear taking all opportunities to express their great abhorrence of servitude, and their passport for liberty upon any terms whatsoever. Indeed, a state of slavery, with whatever seeming grandeur and happi- ness it may be attended, is yet so precarious a thing, that he must want sense, honour, courage, and all manner of virtue, who can endure to prefer it in his choice. A man who has so little honour as to bear to be a slave, when it is in his power to prevent or redress it, would make no scruple to cut the throats of his fellow-creatures, or to do any wicked- ness that the wanton, unbridled will of his tyrannical master could suggest. L 2 76 HOWITT'S WORK OF The BEAR and the TWO TRA FELLERS. Two Men being to travel through a forest together, mutually promised to stand by each other, in any danger they should meet upon the way. They had not gone far, before a Bear came rushing towards them out of a thicket; upon which, one of them, being alight, nimble fellow, got up into a tree ; the other, falling flat upon his face, and holding his breath, lay still, while the Bear came up and smelled at him ; but that creature, supposing him to be a dead carcase, went back again into the wood, without doing him the least harm. When all was over, the spark who had climbed the tree, came down to his companion, and, with a pleasant smile, asked him what the Bear said to him : For, says he, I took notice that he clapt his mouth very close to your ear. Why, re- plies the other, he charged me to take care for the future, not to put any confidence in such a cowardly rascal as you are. s w > . tt W FABLES AND ANIMALS. 77 THE APPLICATION. Though nothing is more common than to hear people profess services of friendship where there is no occasion for them ; yet scarce any thing is so hard to be found as a true friend, who will assist us in time of dan- ger and difficulty. All the declarations of kindness which are made to an experienced man, though accompanied by a squeeze of the hand, and a solemn asseveration, should leave no greater impression upon his mind, than the whistling of the hollow breeze which brushes one's ear with an unmeaning salute, and is presently gone. He that succours our necessity by a well-timed assistance, though it were not ushered in by previous compliments, will ever after be looked upon as our friend and protector; and in so much a greater degree, as the favour was un- asked and un promised ; as it was not extorted by importunities on the one side, nor led in by a numerous attendance of promises on the other. Words are nothing, till they are fulfilled by actions ; and therefore we should not suffer ourselves to be deluded by a vain hope and reliance upon them. 78 HOWITT'S WORK OF The FOX and the LION. THE first time the Fox saw the Lion, he fell down at his feet, and was ready to die with fear. The second time he took courage, and could even bear to look upon him. The third time he had the impudence to come up to him, to salute him, and to enter into familiar conversation with him. . THE 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 bash- fulness proceeding either from a vicious, guilty mind, or a timorous rusti- city. The other, an overbearing impudence, which assumes more than becomes it, and so renders the person insufferable to the conversation of well-bred, reasonable people. But there is this difference between the bashfulness that arises from a want of education, and the shamefaced ness that accompanies conscious guilt: the first, by a continuance of time, and a nearer acquaintance, may be ripened into a proper liberal beha- viour ; 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 into the utmost indecency and irregularity. Indeed, there are many occasions which may happen to cast an awe, FABLES AND ANIMALS. 79 or even a terror, upon our minds at first view, without any just and rea- sonable grounds : but, upon a little recollection, or a nearer insigbt, we recover ourselves, and can appear indifferent and unconcerned, where, before, we were ready to sink under a load of diffidence and fear. We should, upon such occasions, use our endeavours to regain a due degree of steadiness and resolution; but, at the same time, we must have a care that our efforts in that respect do not force the balance too much, and make it rise to an unbecoming freedom, and an offensive familiarity. 80 HOWITT'S WORK OF The LION, the TIGER, and the TRA FELLER. A TIGER roaming for his prey, Sprung on a Traveller in the way; The prostrate game a Lion spies, And on the greedy tyrant flies : With mingled roar resounds the wood, Their teeth, their claws distil with blood ; 'Till vanquish'd by the Lion's strength, The spotted foe extends his length. The man besought the shaggy lord, And on his knees for life implor'd. His life the generous hero gave : Together walking to his cave, The Lion thus bespoke his guest : What hardy beast shall dare contest My matchless strength ? You saw the fight, And must attest my pow'r and right. Forc'd to forego their native home, My starving slaves at distance roam. Within these woods I reign alone, The boundless forest is my own. M .1 ^ FABLES AND ANIMALS. 81 Bears, Wolves, and all the savage brood, Have dyed the regal den with blood : These carcases on either hand, Those bones that whiten all the land, My former deeds and triumphs tell, Beneath these jaws what numbers fell. True, says the Man, the strength I saw Might well the brutal nation awe : But shall a monarch, brave like you, Place glory in so false a view? Robbers invade their neighbour's right: Be lov'd ; let justice bound your might. Mean are ambitious heroes boasts Of wasted lands and slaughter'd hosts. Pirates their pow'r by murders gain ; Wise kings by love and mercy reign. To me your clemency hath shewn The virtue worthy of a throne. Heav'n gives you pow'r above the rest, Like Heav'n, to succour the distress'd. The case is plain, the monarch said : False glory hath my youth misled ; M 82 HOWITT'S WORK OF For beasts of prey, a servile train, Have been the flatterers of my reign. You reason well ; yet tell me, friend, Did ever you in courts attend ? For all my fawning rogues agree, That human heroes rule like me. 1 V g . FABLES AND ANIMALS. 83 The COUNCIL of BIRDS. IN days of yore (my cautious rhymes Always except the present times), A greedy Vulture, skill'd in game, Inur'd to guilt, unaw'd by shame, Approach'd the throne in evil hour, And step by step intrudes to pow'r ; When at the royal Eagle's ear, He longs to ease the monarch's care. The monarch grants. With pride elate, Behold him minister of state ! Around him throng the feathered rout; Frjends must be serv'd, and some must out. Each thinks his own the best pretension ; This asks a place, and that a pension. The Nightingale was set aside, A forward Daw his room supplied. This bird, says he, for business fit, Hath both sagacity and wit : With all his turns, and shifts, and tricks, He's docile, and at nothing sticks : M2 84 HOWITT'S WORK OF Then with his neighbours one so free At all times will connive at me. The Hawk had due distinction shewn, For parts and talents like his own. Thousands of hireling Cocks attend him, As blust'ring bullies to defend him. At once the Ravens were discarded, And Magpies with their posts rewarded. Those fowls of omen I detest, That pry into another's nest : State lies must lose all good intent; For they foresee and croak th' event. My friends ne'er think, but talk by rote, Speak what they're taught, and so to vote. When rogues like these, a Sparrow cries, To honours and employments rise, I court no favour, ask no place ; For such preferment is disgrace. Within my thatch'd retreat I find, What these ne'er feel, true peace of mind. eK & I FABLES AND ANIMALS. 85 The EAGLE and the ASSEMBLY of ANIMALS. As Jupiter's all-seeing eye Survey'd the worlds beneath the sky, From this small speck of earth were sent Murmurs and sounds of discontent ; For ev'ry thing alive complain'd, That he the hardest life sustain'd. Jove calls his Eagle. At the word Before him stands the royal bird. The bird, obedient, from Heavn's height, Downward directs his rapid flight; Then cited ev'ry living thing, To hear the mandates of his king. Ungrateful creatures, whence arise These murmurs which offend the skies ? Why this disorder ? say the cause ; For just are Jove's eternal laws. Let each his discontent reveal ; To yon sour Dog I first appeal. Hard is my lot, the Hound replies : On what fleet nerves the Greyhound flies ; 86 ftOWITT'S WORK OF While I, with weary step and slow, O'er plains, and vales, and mountains go : The morning sees my chase begun, Nor ends it till the setting sun. When, says the Greyhound, I pursue, My game is lost, or caught in view ; Beyond my sight the prey's secure : The Hound is slow, but always sure ; And had I his sagacious scent, Jove ne'er had heard my discontent. The Lion crav'd the Fox's art ; The Fox, the Lion's force and heart. The Cock implor'd the Pigeon's flight, Whose wings were rapid, strong, and light; The Pigeon strength of wing despis'd, And the Cock's matchless valour priz'd. The Fishes wish'd to graze the plain ; The Beasts to skim beneath the main. Thus, envious of another's state, Each blam'd the partial hand of fate. The bird of heav'n then cried aloud, Jove bids disperse the murm'ring crowd : The god rejects your idle prayers. Would ye, rebellious mutineers, FABLES AND ANIMALS. 87 Entirely change your name and nature, And be the very envied creature? What, silent all, and none consent ! Be happy then, and learn content ; Nor imitate the restless mind And proud ambition of mankind. 88 HOWITT'S WORK OF IMPERTINENCE at first is borne With heedless slight, or smiles of scorn ; Teaz'd into wrath, what patience bears The noisy fool who perseveres ? The morning wakes, the Huntsman sounds, At once rush forth the joyful Hounds. They seek the wood with eager pace, Thro' bush, thro' brier, explore the chase. Now scatter'd wide, they try the plain, And snuff the dewy turf in vain. What care, what industry, what pains ! What universal silence reigns ! Ringwood, a Dog of little fame, Young, pert, and ignorant of game, At once displays his babbling throat : The pack, regardless of the note, Pursue the scent ; with louder strain, He still persists to vex the train. The Huntsman to the clamour flies ; The smacking lash he smartly plies. * I I * * ; I' 02 & s I > * ^ f ^ ^ FABLES AND ANIMALS. 89 His ribs all welk'd, with howling tone, The Puppy thus express'd his moan : I know the music of my tongue Long since the pack with envy stung. What will not spite ? These bitter smarts I owe to my superior parts. When Puppies prate, the Huntsman cried, They shew both ignorance and pride : Fools may our scorn, not envy raise, For envy is a kind of praise. Had not thy forward noisy tongue Proclaim'd thee always in the wrong, Thou might* st have mingled with the rest, And ne'er thy foolish noise confessed. But fools, to talking ever prone, Are sure to make their follies known. N 90 HOWITT'S WORK OF ' l/.'L/II 11 ; 9fl WHO friendship with a knave hath made, Is judg'd a partner in the trade. The matron, who conducts abroad A willing nymph, is thought a bawd ; And if a modest girl is seen With one who cures a lover's spleen, We guess her not extremely nice, And only wish to know her price. 'Tis thus, that on the choice of friends Our good or evil name depends. A wrinkled Hag, of wicked fame, Beside a little smoaky flame Sate hov'ring, pinch'd with age and frost ; Her shrivell'd hands, with veins emboss'd, Upon her knees her weight sustains, While palsy shook her crazy brains : She mumbles forth her backward pray'rs, An untam'd scold of fourscore years. About her swarm'd a num'rous brood Of Cats, who, lank with hunger, mew'd. o t: FABLES AND ANIMALS. 91 Teaz'd with their cries, her choler grew. And thus she sputter'd : Hence, ye crew ! Fool that I was, to entertain 'AJIKYY ^\V Such imps, such fiends, a hellish train ! Had ye been never hous'd and nurs'd, % I for a witch had ne'er been curs'd. To you I owe, that crowds of boys Worry me with eternal noise : Straws laid across, my pace retard ; The horseshoe's nail'd, each threshold's guard; The stunted broom the wenches hide. For fear that I should up and ride ; They stick with pins my bleeding seat, And bid me shew my secret teat. ^ , , To hear you prate would vex a saint ; Who hath most reason of complaint ? Replies a Cat. Let's come to proof. Had we ne'er starv'd beneath your roof, We had, like others of our race, In credit liv'd as beasts of chase. 'Tis infamy to serve a Hag : Cats are thought imps, her broom a nag ; And boys against our lives combine, Because, 'tis said, your Cats have nine. N 2 92 , HOWITTS WORK OF laforb -19(1 ,89m -jforfl dJiw b'; ! w.ot'> 07 ,'>on9ll~ : b'laMuqa sdafcudi bnA The HARE and MANY FRIENDS. flow ?xmi FRIENDSHIP, like love, is but a name, Unless to one you stint the flame. r ^ The child, whom many fathers share, Hath seldom known a father's care. 'Tis thus in friendships ; who depend On many, rarely find a friend. A Hare, who in a civil way Complied with every thing, like GAT, ,. r ! HI ' . ^t . Was known by all the bestial train Who haunt the wood, or graze the plain. Her care was never to offend, And ev'ry creature was her friend. As forth she went at early dawn, To taste the dew-besprinkled lawn, Behind she hears the Hunter's cries, And from the deep-mouth'd thunder flies. She starts, she stops, she pants for breath; She hears the near advance of deathi 1 ' She doubles to mislead the Hound, And measures back her mazy round ; W ? F5 is. 1 1 f FABLES AND ANIMALS. 93 'Till fainting in the public way, Half dead with fear, she gasping lay ; What transport in her bosom grew, When first the Horse appear'd in view I Let me, says she, your back ascend, And owe my safety to a friend. You know my feet betray my flight ; To friendship ev'ry burden's light. The Horse replied, Poor honest Puss ! It grieves my heart to see thee thus. Be comforted, relief is near ; For all your friends are in the rear. She next the stately Bull implor'd ; And thus replied the mighty lord : Since ev'ry beast alive can tell That I sincerely wish you well, I may, without offence, pretend To take the freedom of a friend. Love calls me hence ; a fav'rite Cow Expects me near yon barley-mow ; And when a lady's in the case, You know all other things give place. To leave you thus might seem unkind ; But see, the Goat is just behind. The Goat remarked her pulse was high, Her languid head, her heavy eye : My back, says he, may do you harm ; The Sheep's at hand, and wool is warm. The Sheep was feeble, and complain'd His sides a load of wool sustain'd : Said he was slow, confess'd his fears ; For Hounds eat Sheep as well as Hares. She now the trotting Calf addrfiss'd, To save from death a friend distress'd. Shall I, says he, of tender age, In this important care engage ? Older and abler pass'd you by ; How strong are those ! how weak am I ! Should I presume to bear you hence, Those friends of mine may take offence. Excuse me, then. You know my heart, But dearest friends, alas ! must part. How shall we all lament ! Adieu ! For see the Hounds are just in view. vsij'> yill ni.a'vbci f. n-nl ^ bnA 'jrtif 'yt'*'x 'i."jaifj iMitlo In; .vui A no i bftjJtfllJ 'ft i 'Kid Jflfirfl 30fcft UOV 'JVtt^f oT , u fc 5 u FABLES AND ANIMALS. 95 The COUNCIL of FOXES. A Fox, in life's extreme decay, Weak, sick, and faint, expiring lay ; All appetite had left his maw, And age disarm'd his mumbling jaw. His num'rous race around him stand To learn their dying sire's command : He rais'd his head with whining moan, And thus was heard the feeble tone : Ah, sons ! from evil ways depart ; My crimes lie heavy on my heart. See, see, the murder'd Geese appear ! Why are those bleeding Turkies there ? Why all around this cackling train, Who haunt my ears for Chicken slain ? The hungry Foxes round them star'd, And for the promis'd feast prepar'd. Where, sir, is all this dainty cheer ? Nor Turkey, Goose, nor Hen is here. These are the phantoms of your brain, And your sons lick their lips in vain. po Howrrrs WORK OF O gluttons ! says the drooping sire, Restrain inordinate desire. Your liqu'rish taste you shall deplore, When peace of conscience is no more. Does not the Hound betray our pace ? And gins and guns destroy our race ? Thieves dread the searching eye of pow'r, And never feel the quiet hour. Old age, which few of us shall know, Now puts a period to my woe. Would you true happiness attain, Let honesty your passions rein : So live in credit and esteem, And the good name you lost, redeem. The counsel's good, a Fox replies, Could we perform what you advise. Think what our ancestors have done ; A line of thieves from son to son : To us descends the long disgrace, And infamy hath mark'd our race. Though we, like harmless sheep, should feed, Honest in thought, in word, and deed ; Whatever henroost is decreased, We shall be thought to share the feast. FABLES AND ANIMALS. 97 The change shall never be believ'd ; A lost good name is ne'er retriev'd. Nay, then, replies the feeble Fox (But hark ! I hear a Hen that clucks) : Go, but be moderate in your food ; A Chicken too might do me good. O HOWITT'S WORK OF The SETTING DOG and the PARTRIDGE. : THE ranging Dog the stubble tries, And searches ev'ry breeze that flies : The scent grows warm ; with cautious fear He creeps, and points the covey near : The men, in silence, far behind, Conscious of game, the net unbind. A Partridge, with experience wise, The fraudful preparation spies : She mocks their toils, alarms her brood ; The covey springs, and seeks the wood ; But ere her certain wing she tries, Thus to the creeping Spaniel cries : Thou fawning slave to man's deceit, Thou pimp of luxury, sneaking cheat, Of thy whole species thou disgrace, Dogs should disown thee of their race ! For if I judge their native parts, They're born with honest, open hearts ; And, ere they serv'd man's wicked ends, Were gen'rous foes, or real friends. -I ? r '? JT> ^ FABLES AND ANIMALS. 99 When thus the Dog, with scornful smile : Secure of wing, thou dar'st revile. Clowns are to polish'd manners blind, How ignorant is the rustic mind ! My worth sagacious courtiers see, And to preferment rise, like me. The thriving pimp, who beauty sets, Hath oft enhanc'd a nation's debts; Friend sets his friend without regard, And ministers his skill reward : Thus train'd by man, I learn'd his ways, And growing favour feasts my days. I might have guess'd, the Partridge said, The place where you were train'd and fed : Servants are apt, and in a trice Ape to a hair their master's vice. You came from court, you say. Adieu ( She said, and to the covey flew. O 100 HOWITTS WORK OF The COUNCIL of HORSES. UPON a time a neighing Steed, Who graz'd among a num'rous breed, With mutiny had fir'd the train, And spread dissension through the plain. On matters that concern'd the state, The council met in grand debate. A Colt, whose eyeballs flam'd with ire, Elate with strength and youthful fire, In haste stepp'd forth before the rest, And thus the list'ning throng address'd : Good gods ! how abject is our race, Condemn'd to slavery and disgrace ! Shall we our servitude retain, Because our sires have borne the chain? Consider, friends, your strength and might, 'Tis conquest to assert your right. How cumb'rous is the .gilded coach ! The pride of man is our reproach. Were we design'd for daily toil, To drag the ploughshare through the soil ? w FABLES AND ANIMALS. 101 To sweat in harness through the road ? To groan beneath the carrier's load ? How feeble are the two-legg'd kind ! What force is in our nerves combin'd ! Shall then our nobler jaws submit To foam and champ the galling bit I Shall haughty man my back bestride ? Shall the sharp spur provoke my side ? Forbid it, heav'ns ! Reject the rein ! Your shame, your infamy disdain I Let him the Lion first controul, And still the Tiger's famish'd growl. Let us, like them, our freedom claim, And make him tremble at our name. A general nod approv'd the cause, And all the circle neigh'd applause. When, lo ! with grave and solemn pace, A Steed advanc'd before the race, With age and long experience wise ; Around he cast his thoughtful eyes,. And to the murmurs of the train, Thus spoke the Nestor of the plain : When I had health and strength like you, The toils of servitude I knew. 102 HOWITT'S WORK OF Now grateful man rewards my pains, And gives me all these wide domains. At will I crop the year's increase ; My latter life is rest and peace. I grant, to man we lend our pains, And aid him to correct the plains. But doth not he divide the care, Through all the labours of the year ? How many thousand structures rise, To fence us from inclement skies ! For us he bears the sultry day, And stores up all our winter's hay. He sows, he reaps the harvest's gain ; We share the toil, and share the grain. Since ev'ry creature was decreed, To aid each other's mutual need, Appease your discontented mind, And act the part by Heaven assign'd. The tumult ceas'd. The Colt submitted, And, like his ancestors, was bitted. FABLES AND ANIMALS. 103 The WILD BOAR, the SHEEP, and the BUTCHER. AGAINST an elm a Sheep was tied, The butcher's knife in blood was dy'd ; The patient flock, in silent fright, From far beheld the horrid sight. A savage Boar, who near them stood, Thus mock'd to scorn the fleecy brood : All cowards should be serv'd like you. See, see, your murd'rer is in view ! With purple hands, and reeking knife, He strips the skin yet warm with life : Your quarter'd sires, your bleeding dams, The dying bleat of harmless lambs, Call for revenge ! O stupid race ! The heart that wants revenge is base. I grant, an ancient Ram replies, We bear no terror in our eyes : Yet think us not of soul so tame, Which no repeated wrongs inflame ; Insensible of ev'ry ill, Because we want thy tusks to kill. 104 HOWITT'S WORK OF Know, those who violence pursue, Give to themselves the vengeance due ; For in these massacres they find The two chief plagues which waste mankind; Our skin supplies the wrangling bar, It wakes their slumb'ring sons to war ; And well revenge may rest contented, Since drums and parchment were invented. K-! > ft I H I. V) 3 * Sv I ii I 4 FABLES AND ANIMALS. 105 The BULL and the VICIOUS MASTIFF. SEEK you to train your favourite boy ? Each caution, every care employ ; And ere you venture to confide, Let his preceptor's heart be tried ; Weigh well his manners, life, and scope : On these depend thy future hope. As on a time, in peaceful reign, A Bull enjoy'd the flow'ry plain, A Mastiff pass'd : inflam'd with ire, His eyeballs shot indignant fire ; He foam'd, he rag'd, with thirst of blood. Spurning the ground, the monarch stood, And roar'd aloud Suspend the fight ; In a whole skin go sleep to night : Or tell me, ere the battle rage, What wrongs provoke thee to engage ? Is it ambition fires thy breast, Or avarice, that ne'er can rest? From these alone unjustly springs The world-destroying wrath of kings. P 106 HOWITTS WORK OF The surly Mastiff thus returns : Within my bosom glory burns. Like heroes of eternal name, Whom poets sing, I fight for fame. The butcher's spirit-stirring mind To daily war my youth inclin'd : He train'd me to heroic deed ; Taught me to conquer, or to bleed. Curs'dDog! the Bull replied, no more I wonder at thy thirst of gore ; For thou (beneath a butcher train'd, Whose hands with cruelty are stain'd, His daily murders in thy view,) Must, like thy tutor, blood pursue. Take then thy fate. With goring wound, At once he lifts him from the ground ; Aloft the sprawling hero flies, Mangled he falls, he howls, and dies. -> } & I &' FABLES AND ANIMALS. 107 The BABOON and the POULTRY. ONCE on a time, an ancient maid, By wishes and by time decay'd, To cure the pangs of restless thought, In birds and beasts amusement sought : Dogs, Parrots, Apes, her hours employ *d; With these alone she talk'd and toy'd. A huge Baboon her fancy took, (Almost a man in size and look,) He finger'd every thing he found, And mimick'd all the servants round. Then, too, his parts and ready wit Shew'd him for ev'ry business fit. With all these talents, 'twas but just That Pug should hold a place of trust : So to her favourite was assign'd The charge of all her feather'd kind. 'Twas his to tend 'em eve and morn, And portion out their daily corn. Behold him now, with haughty stride. Assume a ministerial pride. P 2 108 HOWITTS WORK OF The morning rose. In hope of picking, Swans, Turkies, Peacocks, Ducks, and Chicken, Fowls of all ranks, surround his hut, To worship his important strut The minister appears. The crowd, Now here, now there, obsequious bow'd. This prais'd his parts, and that his face, T'other his dignity in place. From bill to bill the flatt'ry ran ; He hears and bears it like a man : For, when we flatter self-conceit, We but his sentiments repeat. If we're too scrupulously just, What profit's in a place of trust ? The common practice of the great, Is, to secure a snug retreat. So Pug began to turn his brain (Like other folks in place) on gain. An apple-woman's stall was near, Well stock'd with fruits thro' all the year ; Here ev'ry day he eramm'd his guts, Hence were his hoards of pears and nuts ; For 'twas agreed (in way of trade) His payments should in corn be made. FABLES AND ANIMALS. 109 The stock of grain was quickly spent, And no account which way it went. Then, too, the Poultry's starved condition Caus'd speculations of suspicion. The facts were prov'd beyond dispute : Pug must refund his hoards of fruit ; And, though then minister in chief, Was branded as a public thief. Disgrac'd, despis'd, confin'd to chains, He nothing but his pride retains. A Goose pass'd by ; he knew the face, Seen ev'ry levee while in place. What, no respect, no rev'rence shown ? How saucy are these creatures grown ! Not two days since, says he, you bow'd The lowest of my fawning crowd. Proud fool, replies the Goose, 'tis true, Thy corn a flutt'ring levee drew ; For that I join'd the hungry train, And sold thee flatt'ry for thy grain : But then, as now, conceited Ape, We saw thee in thy proper shape. 110 HOWITT'S WORK OF The OWLS and the SPARROW. Two formal Owls together sat, Conferring thus in solemn chat : How is the modern taste decay'd ! Where's the respect to wisdom paid ? Our worth the Grecian sages knew ; They gave our sires the honour due ; They weigh'd the dignity of fowls, And pry'd into the depth of Owls. Athens, the seat of learned fame, With gen'ral voice rever'd our name ; On merit title was conferr'd, And all ador'd th' Athenian bird. Brother, you reason well, replies The solemn mate, with half-shut eyes ; Right Athens was the seat of learning, And truly wisdom is discerning. Besides, on Pallas' helm we sit, The type and ornament of wit : But now, alas! we're quite neglected, And a pert Sparrow's more respected. i 1 * > 5 > =* *^ ^/ FABLES AND ANIMALS. Ill A Sparrow, who was lodg'd beside, O'erhears them sooth each other's pride, And thus he nimbly vents his heat: Who meets a fool must find conceit. I grant you were at Athens grac'd, And on Minerva's helm were plac'd : But ev'ry bird that wings the sky, Except an Owl, can tell you why. From hence they taught their schools to know How false we judge by outward show ; That we should never looks esteem, Since fools as wise as you might seem. Would ye contempt and scorn avoid, Let your vain-glory be destroy'd : Humble your arrogance of thought,* Pursue the ways by nature taught : So shall you find delicious fare, And grateful farmers praise your care ; So shall sleek mice your chase reward, And no keen cat find more regard. 112 HOWITT'S WORK OF The TURKEY and the ANTS. IN other men we faults can spy, And blame the moat that dims their eye; Each little speck and blemish find, To our own stronger errors blind. A Turkey, tir'd of common food, Forsook the barn, and sought the wood : Behind her ran her infant train, Collecting here and there a grain. Draw near, my birds, the mother cries, This hill delicious fare supplies : Behold, the busy negro race; See, millions blacken all the place. Fear not. Like me with freedom eat ; An Ant is most delightful meat. How bless'd, how envied were our life, Could we but scape the poult'rer's knife ! But man, curs'd man, on Turkey preys, And Christmas shortens all our days : Sometimes with oysters we combine; Sometimes assist the sav'ry chine; s ! * 1 i ^ f I i ^ ^ en FABLES AND ANIMALS. 113 From the low peasant to the lord, The Turkey smokes on ev'ry board : Sure men for gluttony are curs'd, Of the seven deadly sins the worst. An Ant, who climb'd beyond his reach, Thus answer'd from the neighboring beach : Ere you remark another's sin, Bid thy own conscience look within; Controul thy more voracious bill, Nor for a breakfast nations kill. 114 HOWITT'S WORK OF The HORSE and the WILD BOAR. A WILD BOAR wallow'd in the flood, And troubled all the stream with mud, Just where a Horse to drink repair'd : He therefore having war declar'd, Sought man's alliance for the fight, And bore upon his back the knight; Who being skill'd his darts to throw, Dispatch'd the Wild Boar at a blow. Then to the Steed the victor said, I'm glad you came to me for aid ; For taught how useful you can be, I've got at once a spoil and thee. On which the fields he made him quit, To feel the spur and champ the bit. Then he his sorrow thus express'd : I needs must have my wrongs redress'd, And making tyrant man the judge, Must all my life become a drudge. r ' 1 1 ^ I j? *3tf j^ ^ ,5t(