A MORTAL distemper once raged among the Beasts, and swept away prodigious numbers. After it had continued some time without abatement, it was concluded in an assembly of the brute creation to be a judgment inflicted upon them for their sins, and a day was appointed for a general confession; when it was agreed, that he, who appeared to be the greatest sinner, should suffer death, as an atonement for the rest. The Fox was appointed father confessor upon the occasion; and the Lion, with great generosity, condescended to be the first in making public confession. "For my part," said he, "I must own I have been an enormous offender; I have killed many innocent sheep in my time, nay once, but it was a case of necessity, I made a meal of the shepherd." The Fox, with much gravity, acknowledged that these in any other than the king would have been inexpiable crimes;

but that his majesty had certainly a right to a few silly sheep, nay and to the shepherd too, in a case of necessity. The judgment of the Fox was applauded by all the superior savages; and the Tiger, the Bear, and the Wolf, made confession of many enormities of the like nature: all of which were excused with the same lenity and mercy. At last, a poor penitent Ass, with great contrition, acknowledged, that once going through the parson's meadow, being very hungry, and tempted by the sweetness of the grass, he had cropt a little of it, not more however in quantity than the tip of his tongue: he was very sorry for the misdemeanour, and hoped"hope!" exclaimed the Fox with singular zeal, "what canst thou hope for, after the commission of so heinous a crime? what! eat the parson's grass? O sacrilege! this, this is the flagrant wickedness, my brethren, which has drawn the wrath of heaven upon our heads, and this the notorious offender, whose death must make atonement for all our transgressions." So saying, he ordered his entrails for sacrifice, and the rest of the Beasts went to dinner upon his carcase.

REFLECTION.

The poor and helpless undergo those punishments for small and trivial offences, which the rich and powerful escape, for crimes of a much blacker nature.

A DOVE, that had a mate and young ones, happened to spy her cage-door open, was driven by a sudden impulse to fly out into an adjacent grove. There perched upon the bough of sycamore, she sat as it were wrapt in deep contemplation; not recovering from her reverie, until the owner drew nigh, unseen, and brought her back to her little family. "Art thou not ashamed then," says her mate, "thus to desert thy helpless offspring? Art thou not base to abandon me for the company of birds to whom thou art a stranger? Could I have harboured such a thought? I, who have been ever constant to our first engagement, and must have died of mere despair, had thou not returned to my embraces ? But how, alas! returned! Not, as it seems, by choice, but insnared by dint of artifice, and brought hither by constraint." "Have patience," replied the rambler,

"and hear the plea of thy repentant mate. Witness all ye powers of wedlock, ye that know what passes in the hearts of Doves, if ever, before this unhappy moment, I felt a wish to part from thee! the door, so seldom open, allowed but one moment for deliberation, and I happened to decide amiss. When removed to yonder wood, the air of liberty breathed so sweet, that, with horror I speak it, I felt a suspense about returning to the cage. Pardon, I pray thee, this one crime, and be well assured I will never repeat it. And that thou mayest be the more induced to pardon me, know, that the love of liberty burns ever the strongest in the bosoms that are most open to conjugal affection, and the love of their young."

REFLECTION.

The love of liberty, in well-constituted minds, holds a place little inferior to that of natural affection.

A HUNTSMAN was leading forth his Hounds one morning to the chase, and had linked several of the young dogs in couples, to prevent their following every scent, and hunting disorderly, as their own inclinations and fancy should direct them. Among others it was the fate of Jowler and Vixen to be thus yoked together. Jowler and Vixen were both young and inexperienced ; but had for some time been constant companions, and seemed to have entertained a great fondness for each other; they used to be perpetually playing together; and in any quarrel that happened, always took one another's part. It might have been expected, therefore, that it would not be disagreeable to them to be still more closely united. However, in fact, it proved otherwise; they had not been long joined together before both parties were observed to express uneasiness at their