in truth, no better than brutal, where there is not reason, justice, and prudence to direct and govern it. It is one thing for a man to be firm, and fearless, against honest dangers, let them appear ever so terrible, when his honour for the purpose, his country, or his conscience, call upon him to encounter them: but to run his head against a wall, purely out of a vain opinion of his own strength, would be just the moral of the Dog in the fable. A LEAN, half-starved Wolf inadvertently strolled in the way of a strong well-fed Mastiff. The Wolf, being much too weak to act upon the offensive, thought it most prudent to accost honest Towser in a friendly manner; and among other civilities, very complaisantly congratulated him on his goodly appearance. "Why, yes," returned the Mastiff, "I am indeed in a tolerable case; and if you will follow me, you may soon be altogether in as good a plight." The Wolf pricked up ears at the proposal, and requested to be informed what he must do to earn such plentiful meals. "Very little," replied the Mastiff; "only drive away beggars, caress my master, and be civil to his family." To these conditions the hungry Wolf had no objection, and very readily consented to follow his new acquaintance wherever N n his he would conduct him. As they were trotting along, the Wolf observed that the hair was worn in a circle round his friend's neck; which raised his curiosity to enquire what was the occasion of it. 66 Nothing," answered the Mastiff, "or a mere trifle; perhaps the collar to which my chain is sometimes fastened." "Chain!" replied the Wolf, with much surprise; "it should seem then that you are not permitted to rove about where and when you please." "Not always," returned Towser, hanging down his head; "but what does that signify?" "It signifies so much," rejoined the Wolf, "that I am resolved to have no share in your dinners; half a meal with liberty, is, in my estimation, preferable to a full one without it." REFLECTION. A mere competence with liberty, is preferable to servitude amid the greatest affluence. THE Gods, say the heathen mythologists, have each of them their favourite tree. Jupiter preferred the Oak, Venus the Myrtle, and Phoebus the Laurel; Cybele the Pine, and Hercules the Poplar. Minerva, surprised that they should choose barren trees, asked Jupiter the reason. "It is," said he, "to prevent any suspicion that we confer the honour we do them, from an interested motive." "Let folly suspect what it pleases," returned Minerva; "I shall not scruple to acknowledge, that I make choice of the Olive for the usefulness of its fruit." "O daughter," replied the father of the Gods, "it is with justice that men esteem thee wise; for nothing is truly valuable that is not useful." |