THE FOX AND THE CAT.

As the fox and the cat were talking politics together in the middle of the forest, Renard said, let things turn out ever so bad, he did not care, for he had a thousand tricks for them yet, before they should hurt him. But pray, Mr. Puss," said he, suppose there should be an invasion, what course do you desire to take?”—“ Nay," replied the cat, "I have but one shift for it, and if that won't do, I am undone."I am sorry for you," replied Renard, " with all my heart, and would gladly furnish you with one or two of mine; but, indeed, neighbour, as times go, it is not good to trust; we must even be every one for himself, as the saying is, and so your humble servant." These words were scarcely out of his mouth, when they were alarmed with a pack of hounds that came upon them in full cry. The cat, by the help of his single shift, ran up a tree, and sat securely among the top branches; from whence he beheld Renard, who had not been able to get out of sight, overtaken with his thousand tricks, and torn in as many pieces by the dogs that had surrounded him.

A man that sets up to be wiser than his neighbours, is generally a silly fellow at bottom. One good, discreet expedient, made use of upon emergency, will do a man more real service, and make others think better of him, than to have passed all along for a shrewd crafty knave, and bubbled at last. When any one has been such a coxcomb as to insult his acquaintance by pretending to more policy and stratagem than the rest of mankind, they are apt to wish for some difficulty for him to shew his skill in: where, if he should miscarry (as ten to one but he does) his misfortune, instead of pity, is sure to be attended with laughter.

THE COCK AND THE RAVEN.

A RAVEN rather thievishly inclined,
Went hopping here and there to pilfer
Such little god-sends, both of gold and silver,
As he could find.

With seals, and watch-chains, trinkets, rings,
And fifty other pretty little things.

At last a grave old cock, who saw,
At sundry times,

Our black transgressor of the law,

Commit these crimes;

One day address'd him with a "Pr'ythee,

Why dost thou fetch these gew-gaws with thee?

What use can these be to thee?"-" None,"

Quoth the old robber, in a croaking tone,

THE HERMIT.

A CERTAIN hermit had hollowed his cave near the summit of a lofty mountain, from whence he had an opportunity of surveying a large extent both of sea and land. He sat one evening, contemplating with pleasure the various objects that lay before him. The woods were drest in the brightest verdure, the thickets adorned with the gayest blossoms. The birds carolled beneath the branches; the lambs frolicked around the meads; the peasant whistled beside his team; and ships driven by gentle gales, were returning safely into their proper harborus. In short, the arrival of spring had doubly enlivened the whole scene before his eye, and every object yielded a display of either beauty or happiness. On a sudden arose a violent storm. The winds mustered all their fury, and whole forests of oak lay scattered on the ground. Darkness instantly succeeded; hail-stones and rain were poured forth in torrents, and lightning and thunder added to the horror of the gloom. And now the sea, piled up in mountains, bore aloft the largest vessels, while the horrid uproar of its waves drowned the shrieks of the wretched mariners. When the whole tempest had exhausted its fury, it was instantly followed by the shock of an earthquake. The poor inhabitants of a neighbouring village flocked in crowds to our hermit's cave, religiously hoping, that his well-known sanctity would protect them in their distress. They were, however, not a little surprised at the profound tranquillity which appeared in his countenance. "My friends," said he, "be not dismayed. Terrible to me as well as to you would have been the war of elements we have just beheld, but that I have meditated with so much attention on the various works of Providence, as to be persuaded that his goodness is equal to his power."

THE FURIES.

"My Furies are getting old and dull," said Pluto to the messenger of the Gods. "Go, therefore, Mercury, and seek out in the upper world three females weil qualified for the office." Mercury departed.

Shortly after, Juno said to her attendant: "Believest thou, Iris, thou could'st find among mortals three perfectly strict, modest women? But perfectly strict! Do you understand me? I would thus shame Cytherea, who boasts of having overcome the chaste sentiments of the whole female sex. Go, and see where they are located." Iris took her departure.

In what corner of the earth did not the good Iris seek? But all in vain. She returned quite alone, when Juno cried with astonishment: "Is it possible? Oh chastity! oh virtue !"

"Goddess," said Iris; "I could indeed have brought you three maidens, who were all perfectly strict and chaste; who had all three never bestowed a look upon man; who had all three stifled every spark of love in their bosoms: but unhappuy I came too late."

"Too late," said Juno. "How so?"

Mercury had just fetched them away for Pluto."

“ For Pluto? And how will be make use of these virtuous ones?" "As the Furies."

SIMONIDES SAVED BY THE GODS.

THREE sorts of beings may be found,
Whose worthy praise we poets cannot sing
Or say too loudly.

French moralists this courtly rule propound: These are, the Gods, your Mistress, and the King. Sweet praise has gain'd, grave authors tell, The yielding smiles of many a belle,

Who once look'd proudly.

Kings hate not praise :-how Gods reward a poetThis fable read, and you will quickly know it.

Simonides, the bard of Cos,

Engaged to sing a conquering wrestler's fame.
The promised poem

He tried to weave, but soon was at a loss,
Soon to the end of his dry theme he came.
Of a rich cit his hero was the son,

Plebeian ancestors no wreaths had won ;

He could not shew 'em.

In short, this wight, without wit, rank, or birth,
Could wrestle, but do nothing else on earth.

The bard embarrass'd called the Gods in aid, And then in lofty strains he Pollux sung, And also Castor :

Their wrestling feats the poet there displayed,
And told how shone the twins from Leda sprung.
That for his fist of weighty force,

This of the swift and untam'd horse
The mighty master.

While thus Simonides their praise rehearses,
He fills the best part of the wrestler's verses.

The usual fee was at a talent rated: But when the employer this encomium read, He rather drily

Observ'd one half the price must be abated; "One third indeed is all my share," he said, "Castor perhaps or Pollux may,

If they think fit their portion pay,

They're praised so highly.

Ask for the balance from these regions upper.-
But Sim, I've friends to night-pray come to supper."

Simonides with much good humour

Accepts this blunt and sudden invitation,

And there attended:

Hoping indeed, if nothing he could do more,
To gain some praise himself on this occasion.
He joined the party, ate and quaff'd,
Heard compliments, at stories laughed
With bon-mots blended.

When from the company was call'd the bard;
Two strangers at the gate were knocking hard.

He quits in haste :—what should these be
Who at the wrestler's door so loudly thundered?—
They were indeed

The twins divine who graced his eulogy!
The bard with wide stretched eyes beheld and wonder'd.
They thank'd him for his tuneful lyric
With all its welcome panegyric-
"Now take your meed :

We come to give you timely information;
This house now nods from top to its foundation."

They vanished :-down with dreadful clatter
Fell ev'ry chimney, pillar, wall, and ceiling,
Which seem'd so tight all!

Broken was there full many a jug and platter:
When good Simonides devoutly kneeling,

Thank'd his kind patrons for the warning;
But the poor quibbler of the morning,
O just requital!

Felt a huge beam his two shin bones assaulting,
Whilst the bruised guests were glad to creep home halting.

This wonder ran thro' all the land :

Of praise the salary was now made double
To the Gods' minion.

For all the dead and living verse was plann'd,
And well they paid the poet for his trouble.

Then praised be Gods, and praised be Kings

For both can give away good things:

In my opinion,

:

Bards are their warmest friends :-
:- and so they class us.—
Olympus always must protect Parnassus.

THE THORN.

"JUST inform me," said the willow to the thorn, " why you are so anxious to seize the clothes of mankind as they pass by you? Of what use can they be to you?" None," said the thorn. Neither do I wish to take them from him; I only want to tear them."

"

As Jupiter was celebrating his marriage festival, and all the animals had made offerings to him, Juno missed the sheep.

"Where is the sheep?" enquired the goddess. "Why delays the pious sheep to bring us its humble offering?"

The dog stepped forward and said: "Do not be angry, goddess! This morning have I seen the sheep. It seemed very sorrowful, and wept bitterly.”

"

'What may have caused its grief?" asked the goddess already moved with compassion.

"Wretched creature that I am!' it said: 'I have now neither milk nor wool; what shall I offer the great Jupiter? Must I alone appear empty-handed before him? Rather will I go to the shepherd, and beg him to sacrifice me on Jove's altar!'"

At this moment, the shepherd's prayer accompanying the scent from the sacrifice of the devoted sheep, arose through the clouds. Could tears have bedewed celestial eyes, Juno would have wept for the first time.