Dog, after he had been once caught, had the wit to avoid the Wolf for the future; which tells us, that a wise person is not to be caught twice by the same snare and trick. His promise to the Wolf was a kind of a dogcase of conscience, and the Wolf played the fool in taking his word for that which he had no reason to expect he would perform.

THE Horses, on a time, joined in a petition to Jupiter, to ease them of their heavy burdens, and arbitrary masters. Jupiter gave them this answer, "That the order of the world could not be preserved without burdens being carried some way or other: but that, since they were so dissatisfied with their lot, if they would but join and turn part of the stream up a river, that the burdens, which they now carried by land, might be carried by water, they should be eased of a considerable part of that grievance."

REFLECTION.

The Horses are here complaining for being put to the very use and business they were made for; as if it were cruelty and oppression to employ the necessary

means, which God and nature have given us, for the attaining of necessary ends. Is not a labourer as necessary an implement of Providence as the master builder? are not the meanest artificers of the same institution with ministers of council and state? the head can no more do without the body, than the body without the head; and neither of them without hands to defend, and provide both for the one and for the other. What would become of the universe, if there were not servants as well as masters? beasts to draw and carry burdens, as well as burdens to be drawn and carried? if there were not instruments for drudgery, as well as offices of drudgery! if there were not people to receive and execute orders, as well as others to give and authorise them? Jupiter's answer most emphatically sets forth the necessity of discharging the Horses' part, and the vanity of proposing to have it done any other way. As who should say, the business of human nature must be done. Lay your heads together, and if you can find any way for the doing it, without one sort of people under another, you shall have your asking. But for a conclusion, he that is born to work is out of his place and element when he is idle.

THE FLATTERER AND THE PAINTER.

LONG had the base and sordid vice of Flattery reigned in the world with impunity; till at last, by a rigorous decree of all the Gods, it was ordered to be punished with death, and commissioners were named to see the law put in execution. Six months had passed, and Flattery was as bold and busy as ever, and yet not one complaint against it. Spies and informers were hereupon set at work, who at last brought an author before the court as a delinquent, for having given to a certain Painter qualities to which he was known to be utterly a stranger. The prisoner confessed that he had indeed attributed those abilities to the Painter; and appealed to himself, whether he had wronged him or not? The Painter not only acquitted the man, but reflected desperately upon the scandalous practice of the court itself,

in making that to be Flattery, which, upon the whole matter, was no other than truth and justice. The commission was hereupon discharged; for they found it utterly impracticable to punish a fault, which nobody would either acknowledge or complain of.

REFLECTION.

It is a thing utterly impossible for human wisdom to form such an act of state as shall reach the wickedness of the mind. As, who shall pretend to inflict any punishment upon flattery, hypocrisy, and other sins of the heart, where there lies no proof against them? A man may be very honest in the eye of the law, and yet a most abominable wretch in the sight of God and of his own conscience. But still it is worth while to consider how we may discountenance and prevent those evils which the law can take no cognizance of. And to gain this point the effect must be obviated in the cause. Flattery can never corrupt any man, who does not flatter himself first; for it is a vain opinion of ourselves that lays us open to be imposed upon by others.