AN Eagle had built her nest upon the top branches of an old oak; a wild Cat inhabited a hole in the middle; and in the hollow part at the bottom, was a Sow, with a whole litter of pigs. A happy neighbourhood; and might long have continued so, had it not been for the wicked insinuations of the designing Cat. For, first of all, up she crept to the Eagle; and, "good neighbour," says she, "we shall be all undone: that filthy Sow yonder, does nothing but lie routing at the foot of the tree, and, as I suspect, intends to grub it up, that she may the more easily come at our young ones. For my part, I will take care of my own concerns; you may do as you please, but I will watch her motions, though I stay at home this month for it." When she had said this, which could not fail of putting the Eagle into a great fright, down she went, and made a visit to the

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Sow at the bottom; and, putting on a sorrowful face, "I hope," says she, "you do not intend to go abroad to-day ?" "Why not?" says the Sow. « Nay,”

replies the other, "you may do as you please; but I overheard the Eagle tell her young ones, that she would treat them with a pig, the first time she saw you go out; and I am not sure but she may take up with a kitten in the mean time; so, good-morrow to you; you will excuse me, I must go and take care of the little folks at home." Away she went accordingly; and, by contriving to steal out softly at nights for her prey, and to stand watching and peeping all day at her hole, as under great concern, she made such an impression upon the Eagle and the Sow, that neither of them dared to venture abroad, for fear of the other. The consequence of which was, that themselves and their young ones, in a little time were all starved, and made prizes of, by the treacherous Cat and her kittens.

REFLECTION.

There can be no peace in any state or family where whisperers and tale-bearers are encouraged.

THE DOG AND THE CROCODILE.

As a Dog was coursing on the banks of the Nile, he grew thirsty; but, fearing to be seized by the monsters of that river, he would not stop to satiate his draught, but lapped as he ran. A Crocodile, raising his head above the surface of the water, asked him, "why he was in such a hurry? he had often," he said, "wished for his acquaintance, and should be glad to embrace the present opportunity." "You do me great honour," returned the Dog, "but it is to avoid such companions as you that I am in so much haste."

REFLECTION.

We can never be too carefully guarded against a connection with persons of an ill character.

THE YOUNG MAN AND THE
SWALLOW.

A PRODIGAL young Spendthrift, who had wasted his whole patrimony in taverns and gaming houses among idle company, was taking a melancholy walk near a brook. It was in the month of January, and happened to be one of those warm sunshiny days, which sometimes smile upon us even in that wintry season of the year; and to make it the more flattering, a Swallow, which had made its appearance, by mistake, too soon, flew skimming along upon the surface of the water. The giddy youth, observing this, without any farther consideration, concluded that summer was now come, and that he should have little or no occasion for clothes, so went and pawned them at the broker's, and ventured the money for one stake more, among his sharping companions. When this too was gone the same way