THE TRAVELLER AND THE LION.

A LION and a Man were once travelling together; among other discourses upon the road, they fell upon this topic, which was the strongest creature of the two. As they were arguing the case very sedately, they came at last to a place where were a great many marble pillars, and among the rest a pedestal, on which was carved a man with a lion under his feet. "Look ye, friend,” says the Man, turning to his fellow traveller, "you may from hence perceive that men are much stronger than lions, and all other creatures besides." "A pleasant thought indeed," replied the Lion; "but had we Lions carvers and painters as you Men have, you would see twenty to one more Men under the Lions' paws, than Lions under the feet of Men."

REFLECTION.

The allegory of this fable is intended to reprove the vanity of sculptures, and especially of such pieces as aim at flattery more than truth. This happens so frequently among men, that one may with a great deal of reason ask, how much money was the artist's bribe for erecting such haughty monuments of our pride? What I say of carvers, ought by parity of reason to be understood of poets, painters, and all others who are entrusted with the handing down of men and actions to posterity. What abundance of chimerical actions, imaginary virtues, and false ornaments, are pompously set down in the poems of the one, and in the pictures of the others?

THE APE AND HER TWO YOUNG ONES.

AN Ape, having two young ones, was dotingly fond of one, but disregarded and slighted the other. One day she chanced to be surprised by two Bears, and had much ado to get off. However she did not forget her favourite young one, which she took up in her arms, that it might be the more secure: the other, which she neglected, by natural instinct, leapt upon her back, and so away they scampered together. But it unluckily fell out, that the dam, in her precipitate flight, blinded with haste, let fall her favourite, which was immediately destroyed by the Bears. The hated one, clinging close to her rough back, escaped all the danger of the pursuit.

REFLECTION.

parents, who, by indulging and humouring their favourite children, spoil and ruin them; while those of whom they have been the least fond, have done very well. The child that knows it can command its parents' affections, will hardly be brought to know how to obey. The fondness of indiscreet parents to favourite children, is blind as love itself; they are so far from seeing any blemishes or imperfections in them, that their very deformity is beauty, and all their ugly tricks graces. Thus, without ever being checked and corrected for their faults, but rather applauded and caressed for them, when they come abroad upon the theatre of the world, what rock will they not split upon? While the child who is so happy as to escape these very tender regards, these pernicious indulgences, is obliged to be good and honest in its own defence. The parent looks upon it with an eye clear from the mists of fondness. He has no regard to its dislike or approbation; but for his own credit, puts it into such a way of education as reason dictates; and forces it to be accomplished, as its capacity will admit.

was.

A GOOSE was bragging to a Monkey how fruitful she "Never value yourself," says the Monkey, "upon that vanity; for as you bring up your young, principally for the pye, or the spit, I should think, that the more children you have the more should be your sorrow."

REFLECTION.

The care, charge, and hazard of many children, in the education and proof of them, does in a great measure counterbalance the blessing; especially where they are born in a state of slavery, and their good depends upon the arbitrary pleasure of a tyrant. The fable may be taken in another sense, to shew us the hazard of having a numerous stock of children, which must of necessity, whether they live or die, furnish matter of great anxiety

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