AN Ass, finding a Lion's skin, disguised himself with it, and ranged about the forest, putting all the beasts that saw him into bodily fear. After he had diverted himself thus for some time, he met a Fox; and being desirous to frighten him, as well as the rest, he leapt at him with some fierceness, and endeavoured to imitate the roaring of the Lion. "Your humble servant," says the Fox; "if you had held your tongue, I might have taken you for a Lion, as others did; but now you bray, I know who you are."

REFLECTION.

This is so trite and common a subject, that there is scarce any one who is ignorant of it. A man is known by his words, as a tree is by its fruit; and, if we would be apprised of the nature and qualities of any one, let

him but discourse, and he himself will speak them to us, better than another can describe them. We may therefore perceive from this fable, how proper it is for those to hold their tongues, who would not discover the weakness of their understandings.

Asses and Owls, unseen, themselves betray,
When these attempt to hoot, or those to bray.

The deepest rivers are most silent; the greatest noise is ever found where there is the least depth of water. And it is a true observation, that those who are the weakest in understanding, and most slow of apprehension, are generally the strongest in opinion, and most precipitate in uttering their crude conceptions.

NEVER did two creatures live better together than a Dog and a Cat, brought up in the same house from a whelp and a kitten; so kind, so frolicsome and diverting, that it was half the entertainment of the family to see the gambols and love-tricks that passed betwixt them. Only it was observed, that still at meal-times, when scraps fell from the table, or a bone was thrown down to them, they would be snarling and spitting at one another under the table, like the worst of foes.

REFLECTION.

Here is a perfect emblem of the practices and friendships of the world. We contract little likings, enter into agreeable conversations, and pass away the time so merrily and kindly together, that one would think it impossible for any thing under the sun to break the

interest; and yet, upon the throwing in of any cross interest among us, which is all one with the bone under the table, nay, upon a jealous thought, or a mistaken word or look, all former bonds are cancelled, the league broken, and the farce concludes in biting and scratching each other's eyes out. The same figure will serve for princes and states, public persons and private, married and single; people, in short, of all professions and pretences.

How does each bosom friendship warm,
Till clashing interests break the charm:
For quickly then each loving brother
Puffs, frets, and envies one another.

comes a Fox to him.

"But,"

As a Boar was whetting his teeth against a tree, up "Pray, what do you mean by that?" says he. "I do it," says the Boar, "to be in readiness in case of an attack by an enemy." replies the Fox, "I see no occasion for it; for there is no enemy near you." "Well," says the Boar, "but I see occasion for it; for when I come once to be set upon, it will be too late for me to be whetting when I should be fighting."

REFLECTION.

He, that is not idle when he is at leisure, may play with his business. A discreet man should have a reserve of every thing that is necessary beforehand; that when the time comes for him to make use of them, he may not be in a hurry and a confusion. A wise general