reproach the Fox, calling him rebel and traitor, and threatening to be revenged of him: At all which Reynard laughed heartily; and going off, added, with a sneer, you a king, and not understand trap!

REFLECTION.

A weak man should not aspire to be a king; for if he were, in the end it would prove as inconvenient to himself, as disadvantageous to the public. To be qualified for such an office, the person should be of a distinguished prudence, and most unblemished integrity; too honest to impose upon others, and too penetrating to be imposed upon; thoroughly acquainted with the laws and genius of the realm he is to govern; brave, but not passionate; good-natured, but not soft; aspiring at just esteem; despising vain-glory; without superstition; without hypocrisy. When thrones have been filled by people of a different turn from this, histories shew what a wretched figure they always made; what tools they were to particular persons, and what plagues to their subjects in general. They who studied their passions and entered into their foibles, led them as they pleased; and took them off from the guardianship of the public, by some paltry amusement, that themselves might have the better opportunity to rifle and plunder it.

A Cock, being perched among the branches of a lofty tree, crowed aloud, so that the shrillness of his voice echoed through the wood, and invited a Fox to the place, who was prowling in quest of his prey. But Reynard, finding the Cock was inaccessible, by reason of the height of his situation, had recourse to stratagem in order to decoy him down; so, approaching the tree, "Cousin," says he, "I am heartily glad to see you; but at the same time, I cannot forbear expressing my uneasiness at the inconvenience of the place, which will not let me pay my respects to you in a handsomer manner; though I suppose you will come down presently, and so that difficulty is easily removed." "Indeed, cousin," says the Cock, "to tell you the truth, I do not think it safe to venture myself upon the ground, for though I am convinced how much you are my

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friend, yet I may have the misfortune to fall into the clutches of some other beast, and what will become of me then?" "O dear," says Reynard, "is it possible that you can be so ignorant, as not to know of the peace that has been lately proclaimed between all kinds of birds and beasts; and that we are, for the future, to forbear hostilities on all sides, and to live in the utmost love and harmony, and that, under penalty of suffering the severest punishment that can be inflicted?" this while the Cock seemed to give little attention to what was said, but stretched out his neck, as if he saw something at a distance. "Cousin," says the Fox, "what is that you are looking at so earnestly?" Why," says the Cock, "I think I see a pack of hounds yonder.” "O then," says the Fox, "your humble servant, I must be gone." "Nay, pray cousin, don't go," says the Cock, "I am just coming down ; sure you are not afraid of dogs in these peaceable times." "No, no," says he; "but ten to one whether they have heard of the proclamation yet."

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REFLECTION.

Perfidious people are naturally to be suspected in reports that favour their own interest.

A PERT and inconsiderate Youth happened to meet an old Man, whose age and infirmity had brought his body almost double.

you sell your bow ?"

says the man: "when

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Pray, father," says he, "will "Save your money, you fool,"

you come to my years, you shall

have such a bow for nothing."

age.

REFLECTION.

There cannot be a greater folly and impertinence than that of young men scoffing at the infirmities of We are all born to die, and it is as certain, that we shall go out of the world, as that we are already come into it. We are helpless in infancy, ungovernable in youth; our strength and vigour scarce outlast a morning sun; our infirmities hasten upon us as our years advance, and we grow helpless in our old age as

in our infancy. What then have the best of us to boast of? Even time and human frailty alone will bring us to our end without the help of any accidents or distempers; so that our decays are as much the works of nature, as the first principles of our being; and the young man's conceit of the crooked bow, is no better than an irreverent way of making sport with the course of Providence; besides shewing the folly of scoffing at that in another, which he himself was sure to come to at last.