REFLECTION. There are certain persons who require to be treated rather with spirit and resolution, than either tenderness or delicacy. A COUNTRY Mouse invited a City Sister of her's to a collation, where she spared for nothing that the place afforded; as mouldy crusts and cheese-parings. The City Dame was too well bred to find fault with her entertainment; but yet represented, that such a life was unworthy of a merit like her's; and letting her know how splendidly she lived, invited her to accompany her to town. The Country Mouse consented, and away they trudged together, and about midnight got to their journey's end. The City Mouse shewed her friend the larder, the pantry, the kitchen, and other offices where she laid her stores; and after this carried her into the parlour, where they found, yet upon the table, the relics of a mighty entertainment of that very night. The City Mouse carved her companion of what she liked best, and so to it they fell upon a velvet couch. The Country Mouse, who had never seen or heard of such doings before, bless'd herself at the change of her condition; when all on a sudden the doors flew open, and in comes a crew of noisy servants, to feast upon the dainties that were left. This put the poor mice to their wit's end how to save their lives; the stranger especially, who had never been in such danger before: but she made a shift, however, for the present to slink into a corner, where she lay trembling and panting till the company went away. As soon as ever the house was quiet again, "Well! my Court Sister," says she, "if this be the sauce to your rich meats, I'll even back to my cottage and my mouldy cheese again; for I had much rather lie nibbling of crusts, without fear or hazard in my own hole, than be mistress of all the delicacies in the world, and subject to such terrifying alarms and dangers." REFLECTION. This fable shews the difference between a court and a country life: the delights, innocence, and security of the one, compared with the anxiety, voluptuousness, and hazards of the other. THE ASS, THE APE, AND THE MOLE. AN Ass and an Ape were conferring on grievances. The Ass complained mightily for want of horns, and the Ape was as much troubled for want of a tail. "Hold your tongues, both of you," says the Mole, "and be thankful for what you have; for the poor blind Moles are in a worse condition than either of you." REFLECTION. Since 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 that what by Providence it was designed to be; what a madness it is to wish ourselves other 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 сс him that made it so. Why have I not this? and, why have I not that? are questions for a Philosopher of Bedlam to ask; and we may as well cavil at the motions of the heavens, the vicissitude of day and night, and the succession of the seasons, as expostulate with Providence upon any of the rest of God's works, |