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IN former days, when the Belly and the other parts of the Body enjoyed the faculty of speech, and had separate views and designs of their own; each part, it seems, in particular, for himself, and in the name of the whole, took exception at the conduct of the Belly, and were resolved to grant him supplies no longer. They said they thought it very hard, that he should lead an idle good-for-nothing life, spending and squandering away, upon his own ungodly guts, all the fruits of their labour; and that, in short, they were resolved for the future, to strike off his allowance and let him shift for himself as well as he could. The Hands protested they would not lift up a finger to keep him from starving; and the Mouth wished he might never speak again, if he took in the least bit of nourishment for him so long as he lived; and, say the Teeth, may we be rotten if ever

we chew a morsel for him for the future. This solemn league and covenant was kept as long as any thing of that kind can be kept, which was, until each of the rebel Members pined away to the skin and bone, and could hold out no longer. Then they found there was no doing without the Belly, and that, as idle and insignificant as he seemed, he contributed as much to the maintenance and welfare of all the other parts, as they did to his.

REFLECTION.

It is a folly even to wish to withold our part from the support of civil government.

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A WOLF and a Lamb were accidentally quenching their thirst together at the same rivulet. The Wolf stood towards the head of the stream, and the Lamb at some distance below. The injurious Beast, resolved on a quarrel, fiercely demands-" How dare you disturb the water which I am drinking?" The poor Lamb, all trembling, replies, "how, I beseech you, can that possibly be the case, since the current sets from you to me?" Disconcerted by the force of truth, he changes the accusation. "Six months ago," says he, "you vilely slandered me." 66 Impossible," returns the Lamb, "for I was not then born." "No matter, it was your father then, or some of your relations ;" and immediately seizing the innocent Lamb, he tore him to pieces.

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REFLECTION.

When cruelty and injustice are armed with power, and determined on oppression, the strongest pleas of innocence are preferred in vain.

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A BLIND Man, being stopped in a bad piece of road, meets with a Lame Man, and entreats him to guide him through the difficulty he was got into. "How can I do that," replied the Lame Man, "since I am scarce able to drag myself along? but as you appear to be very strong, if you will carry me, we will seek our fortunes together. It will then be my interest to warn you of any thing that may obstruct your way; your feet shall be my feet, and my eyes your's." "With all my heart," returned the Blind Man; " let us render each other our mutual services." So taking his lame companion on his back, they by means of their union travelled on with safety and pleasure.

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