The A FARMER was sowing his field with flax. Swallow observed it; and desired the other birds to assist her in picking the seed up, and destroying it; telling them, that flax was that pernicious material, of which the thread was composed which made the fowler's nets, and by that means contributed to the ruin of so many innocent birds. But the poor Swallow, not having the good fortune to be regarded, the flax sprung up, and appeared above the ground. She then put them in mind once more of their impending danger, and wished them to pluck it up in the bud, before it went any farther. They still neglected her warnings; and the flax grew up into the high stalk. She yet again desired them to attack it, for that it was not yet too late: but all that she could get was, to be ridiculed and despised for Rr a silly pretending prophet. The Swallow, finding all her remonstrances availed nothing, was resolved to leave the society of such unthinking, careless creatures, before it was too late. So, quitting the woods, she repaired to the houses; and forsaking the conversation of the birds, has ever since made her abode among the dwellings of men. REFLECTION. As men, we should always exercise so much humanity, as to endeavour the welfare of mankind, particularly of our acquaintance and relations; and if, by nothing farther, at least by our good advice. When we have done this, and, if occasion required, continued to repeat it a second or third time, we shall have acquitted ourselves sufficiently from any imputation upon their miscarriage: and having nothing more to do, but to separate ourselves from them, that we may not be involved in their ruin, or be supposed to partake of their error. This is an excommunication which reason allows. For, as it would be cruel on the one side, to persecute and hurt people for being mistaken; so, on the other, it would be indiscreet, and over complaisant, to keep them company through all their wrong notions, and act contrary to our opinion, out of pure civility. A NURSE, who was endeavouring to quiet a froward bawling child, among other attempts, threatened to throw it out of doors to the Wolf, if it did not leave off crying. A Wolf, who chanced to be prowling near the door just at that time, heard the expression, and believing the woman to be in earnest, waited a long while about the house, in expectation of seeing her words made good. But at last the child, wearied with its own importunities, fell asleep, and the poor Wolf was forced to return back to the woods empty and supperless. The Fox meeting him, and surprised to see him going home so thin and disconsolate, asked him what was the matter, and how he came to speed no better that night? "Ah! do not ask me," says he; "I was so silly as to believe what the Nurse said, and have been disappointed." REFLECTION. All the moralists have agreed to interpret this fable as a caution to us never to trust a woman. What reasons they could have for giving so rough and uncourtly a precept, is not easy to be imagined: for however fickle and unstable some women may be, it is well known there are several who have a greater regard for truth in what they assert or promise than most men. There is not room in so short a compass, to express a due concern for the honour of the ladies upon this occasion, nor to show how much one is disposed to vindicate them: and though there is nothing bad which can be said of them, but may, with equal justice, be averred of the other sex; yet one would not venture to give them quite so absolute a precaution as the old mythologists have affixed to this fable, but only to advise them to consider well and thoroughly of the matter, before they trust any man living. A MULE, which was well fed, and worked little, grew fat and wanton, and frisked about very notably. "And why should not I run as well as the best of them?" says he: "it is well known, I had a horse to my father, and a very good racer he was." Soon after this, his master took him out, and being upon urgent business, whipped and spurred the Mule, to make him put forward; who, beginning to tire upon the road, changed his note, and said to himself, "Ah! where is the horse's blood you boasted of but now? I am sorry to say it, friend, but indeed your worthy sire was an ass, and not a horse." REFLECTION. However high their blood may beat, one may venture to affirm those to be but mongrels, and asses in reality, |