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 Plumbstock was possessed of a very considerable demesne, devolved to him by the death of an old uncle of the city, who had adopted him his heir. He had a false taste of happiness; and, without the least economy, trusting to the sufficiency of his vast revenue, was resolved to be out-done by nobody, in shewing grandeur, and expensive living. He gave five thousand pounds for a piece of ground in the country to set a house upon, the building and furniture of which cost fifty thousand more; and his gardens were proportionably magnificent: 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 unfortunate view which he one day happened to take of my Lord Castlebuilder's gardens, which consisted of twenty acres, whereas his own were not above twelve. For from that time he grew pensive; and, before the ensuing winter, gave five and thirty years purchase for a dozen acres more to enlarge his gardens, built a couple of extravagant green houses, and a large pavilion at the farther end of a terrace walk, the bare repairs of which called for the whole of the remaining part of his income.

A TORTOISE, weary of passing her days in the same obscure corner, conceived a wonderful inclination to visit foreign countries. Two Crows, whom the simple Tortoise acquainted with her intention, undertook to oblige her upon the occasion. Accordingly they told her, that if she would fasten her mouth to the middle of a pole, they would take the two ends, and transport her whithersoever she chose to be conveyed. The Tortoise approved of the expedient; and every thing being prepared, the Crows began their flight with her. They had not travelled long in the air, when they were met by a Magpie, who enquiring what they were bearing along, they replied the queen of the Tortoises. The Tortoise, vain of the new and unmerited appellation, was going to confirm the title, when opening her mouth

for that purpose, she let go her hold, and was dashed to pieces by her fall.

REFLECTION.

Vanity and idle curiosity are qualities which generally prove destructive to those who suffer themselves to be governed by them.

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? Pr'ythee, 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 this cruel raillery, down came a Hawk, and snapt him up; and, notwithstanding his vain cries and lamentations, fell a devouring of him in an instant. The Hare, who was just expiring, yet received comfort from this accident, even in the agonies of death; and addressing her last words to the Sparrow, said, "You, who just now insulted my misfortune with so much security, as you thought, may please to shew us how well you can bear the like, now it has befallen you."

REFLECTION.

Nothing is more impertinent than for people to be giving their opinion and advice in cases, in which, were they to be their own, themselves 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 exemption 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,