up the three Vases, that they were exactly equal in size and value.

Be sure of your cause before you quarrel.

THE GNAT AND THE BEE.

A Gnat, half starved with cold and hunger, went one frosty morning to a Bee-hive to beg charity; and offered to teach music in the Bee's family for her food and lodging.

The Bee very civilly desired to be excused, "For," said she, "I bring up all my children to my own trade, that they may be able to get their living by their industry; and I am sure I am right, for see what that music, which you would teach my children, has brought you yourself to."`

The worth of a calling is shown by its

benefits.

THE FARMER AND HIS THREE ENEMIES.

A Wolf, a Fox, and a Hare happened to be foraging, one evening, in different parts of a farm. Their first effort was pretty successful, and they returned in safety to their several quarters; however, not so happy as to be unperceived by the

Farmer's watchful eye, who, placing several kinds of snares, made each of them his prisoner in the next attempt.

He first took the Hare to task, who confessed she had eaten a few turnip-tops, merely to satisfy her hunger; besought him piteously to spare her life, and promised never to enter his grounds again.

He then accosted the Fox, who, in a fawning, obsequious tone, protested that he came into his premises through no other motive than pure goodnature, to restrain the Hares and other vermin from the plunder of his corn; and that, whatever evil tongues might say, he had too great a regard both for him and justice to be in the least capable of any dishonest action.

He last of all examined the Wolf, as to the business that brought him. The Wolf boldly declared that it was with a view of destroying his Lambs, to which he had an undoubted right; that the Farmer himself was the only felon, who robbed the community of Wolves of what was meant to be their proper food. That this, at least, was his opinion; and whatever fate attended him, he should not scruple to risk his life in the pursuit of his lawful prey.

The Farmer, having heard their pleas, determined the cause in the following manner: "The Hare," said he, "deserves compassion for the

penitence she shows, and the humble confession. she has made. As for the Fox and the Wolf, let them be hanged together; their crimes deserve it, and are heightened by their hypocrisy and impudence."

The wrong-doer can obtain forgiveness most
easily by confessing his sin.

THE OLD TROUT, THE YOUNG TROUT, AND THE SALMON.

A Fisherman, in the month of May, stood angling on the bank of a river with an artificial fly. He threw his bait with so much art that a Young Trout was rushing towards it, when she was prevented by her mother.

Stop, child!" said she, "never be too hasty where there is a possibility of danger. Take due time to consider, before you risk an action that may be fatal. How do you know whether that is indeed a fly, or the snare of an enemy ? Let some one else make the experiment before you. If it be a fly, he will very probably elude the first attack, and then the second may be made, if not with success, at least with safety."

She had no sooner uttered this caution than a Salmon seized upon the pretended fly, and was captured.

Do not rush into a strange position.

THE BEAR AND THE FOWLS.

A Bear, who was bred in the forest, had an inclination to see the world. He travelled from one kingdom to another, making many profound observations on his way. One day he chanced to go into a farmer's yard, where he saw a number of Fowls standing to drink by the side of a pool. Observing that after every sip they turned up their heads towards the sky, he could not forbear inquiring the reason of so peculiar a ceremony. They told him that it was by way of returning thanks to Heaven for the benefits they received; and was, indeed, an ancient and religious custom, which they could not, with a safe conscience, or without impiety, omit.

Here the Bear burst into a fit of laughter, at once mimicking there gestures and ridiculing their superstition in the most contemptuous manner.

On this the Cock, with a spirit suitable to the boldness of his character, addressed him in the following words:

"As you are a stranger, sir, you may perhaps be excused the rudeness of your behavior; yet give me leave to tell you that none but a Bear would ridicule any religious ceremonies whatsoever in the presence of those who believe them of importance."

Do not ridicule the creeds of others.

THE APE AND THE BEE.

An Ape, who, having a great desire to partake of the honey which was deposited in a rich Beehive, but was intimidated from meddling with it by having felt the smart of the sting, made the following reflection:

"How strange, that a Bee, while producing a delicacy so passing sweet and tempting, should also carry with him a sting so dreadfully bitter!"

"Yes," answered the Bee, "equal to the sweetness of my better work is the bitterness of my sting when my anger is provoked."

Beware how you arouse the patient man.

THE FARMER AND HIS DOG.

A Farmer who had gone into his field to mend a gap in one of his fences, found at his return the cradle in which he had left his only child asleep turned upside down, the clothes all torn and bloody, and his Dog lying near it, besmeared also. with blood. Thinking that the animal had destroyed his child, he instantly dashed out his brains with the hatchet in his hand; when turning up the cradle, he found his child unhurt, and an