see whose production most resembled the property in dispute. The Bees at once set to work, but the Drones refused the trial; so the verdict was given by Judge Wasp in favor of the Bees.

A tree is known by its fruit.

THE FROG AND THE MOUSE.

matter, once for all,

They met, and each, bulrush for a spear,

A FROG and a Mouse, who had long been rivals for the sovereignty of a certain marsh, and had many a skirmish and running fight together, agreed one day to settle the by a fair and open combat. armed with the point of a was ready to fight to the death. The combat began in earnest, and there is no knowing how it might have ended, had not a Kite, seeing them from afar, pounced down and carried off both heroes in her talons.

Peace brings security.

THE ANGLER AND THE LITTLE FISH.

A Fisherman who had caught a very small Fish was about to throw him into his basket. The little fellow, gasping, pleaded thus for his life:

"What! you are never going to keep such a minnow as I am, not one quarter grown! Fifty

like me wouldn't make a decent dish.

Do throw

me back, and come and catch me again when I

am bigger."

"It's all very well to say 'Catch me again,' my little fellow," replied the Man, "but you know you'll make yourself very scarce for the future. You're big enough now to make one in a fryingpan, so in you go."

No time like the present.

THE HARE AND THE HOUND.

A Dog having given a long chase to a fine Hare, that showed himself to be a splendid runner, was at length forced, by want of breath, to give over the pursuit. The owner of the Dog thereupon taunted him upon his want of spirit in having allowed himself to be beaten by the Hare.

"Ah, master," answered the Dog, "you may laugh if you like, but we had not the same stake at hazard. He was running for his life, while I was only running for my dinner."

Fear lends wings.

THE THIEVES AND THE COCK.

Some Thieves once broke into a house, but found nothing in it worth carrying off but a Cock. The

poor Cock said as much for himself as a Cock could say, urging them to remember his services in calling people up to their work when it was time to rise.

"Nay," said one of the Eobbers, "you had better say nothing about that. You alarm people and keep them waking, so that it is impossible for us to rob in comfort."

The safeguards of virtue are hateful to the wicked.

THE TWO TRAVELLERS.

As two Men were travelling through a wood, one of them took up an axe which he saw lying upon the ground.

"Look here," said he to his companion, "I have found an axe."

"Don't say I have found it,'" replied the other, "but We have found it.' As we are companions, we ought to share it between us."

The first would not, however, consent. They had not gone far, when they heard the owner of the axe calling after them in a great passion.

"We are in for it!" said he who had the axe. "Nay," answered the other, "say, 'I am in for it!' not we. You would not let me share the

prize, and I am not going to share the danger."

He who shares the danger ought to share the prize.

THE COCK AND THE FOX.

One bright spring morning a Cock, perched among the branches of a lofty tree, crowed loud and long. The shrillness of his voice echoed through the wood, and the well-known note brought a Fox, who was prowling in quest of prey, to the spot. Reynard, seeing the Cock was at a great height, set his wits to work to find some way of bringing him down.

He saluted the Bird in his mildest voice, and said, "Have you not heard, cousin, of the proclamation of peace and harmony among all kinds of Beasts and Birds? We are no longer to prey upon and devour one another, but love and friendship are to be the order of the day. Do come down, and we will talk over this great news at our leisure."

The Cock, who knew that the Fox was only at his old tricks, pretended to be watching something in the distance. Finally the Fox asked him what it was he looked at so earnestly.

"Why," said the Cock, "I think I see a pack of Hounds yonder."

"Oh, then," said the Fox, "your humble servant; I must be gone."

"Nay, cousin," said the Cock; "pray do not go : I am just coming down. You are surely not afraid of Dogs in these peaceable times ! "

"No, no," said the Fox; "but ten to one they have not heard of the proclamation yet." 'Tis a poor rule that will not work both ways.

MERCURY AND THE CARVER.

Mercury, having a mind to know how much he was esteemed among men, disguised himself, and going into a Carver's shop, where little images were sold, saw those of Jupiter, Juno, himself, and most of the other gods and goddesses.

Pretending that he wanted to buy, he said to the Carver, pointing to the figure of Jupiter, "What you ask for that?

do

"Ten pieces of silver," answered the Man.

"And what for that?" meaning Juno.

"Ah," said the Man, "I will let you have her for five pieces."

"Well, and what is the price of this?" said Mercury, laying his hand on a figure of himself, with wings, rod, and all complete. "You ought to want more for him as he is a special patron of your craft."

"Why," replied the Man, "if you really mean business, and will buy the other two, I'll throw you that fellow into the bargain."

A spy never learns good of himself.