PHOEBUS and olus had once a dispute which of them could fooneft prevail with a certain traveller to part with his cloak. olus began the attack, and affaulted him with great violence. But the man wrapping his cloak ftill clofer about him, doubled his efforts to keep it, and went on his way. And now Phoebus darted his warm infinuating rays, which melting the traveller by degrees, at length obliged him to throw afide that cloak, which all the rage of olus could not compel him to refign Learn hence, faid Phoebus to the bluftering god, that foft and gentle means will often accomplish what force and fury can never effect.

LEAN half-ftarved Wolf inadvertently ftrolled A in the way of a ftrong well-fed Maftiff. The Wolf being much too weak to act upon the offenfive, thought it most prudent to accoft honeft Towfer in a friendly manner; and among other civilities, very complaifantly congratulated him on his goodly appearance. Why, yes, returned the maftiff, I am indeed in tolerable cafe; and if you will follow me, you may foon be altogether in as good a plight. The Wolf pricked up his ears at the propofal, and requefted to be informed what he muft do to earn fuch plentiful meals. Very little, replied the Maftiff; only drive away beggars, carefs my mafter, and be civil to his family. To thefe conditions the hungry Wolf had no objection, and very readily confented to follow his new acquaintance wherever he would conduct him. As

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they were trotting along, the Wolf obferved that the hair was worn in a circle round his friend's neck; which raifed his curiofity to inquire what was the occafion of it. Nothing, anfwered the Maftiff, or a mere trifle; perhaps the collar to which my chain is fometimes faftened. Chain! replied the Wolf, with much furprife; it fhould seem then that you are not permitted to rove about where and when you please. Not always, returned Towfer, hanging down his head; but what does that fignify? It fignifies fo much, rejoined the Wolf, that I am refolved to have no fhare in your dinners; half a meal with liberty, is, in my eftima tion, preferable to a full one without it.

FABLE XXII.

Fortune and the School-Boy.

A SCHOOL-BOY, fatigued with play, threw himfelf down by the brink of a deep well, where he fell fast asleep. Fortune happening to

pafs by, faw him in this dangerous fituation, and kindly gave him a tap on the fhoulder: My dear child, faid fhe, if you had fallen into this well, I fhould have borne the blame; though in fact, the accident would have been wholly owing to your own careleffnefs.

Misfortune, faid a celebrated cardinal, is but another word for imprudence. The maxim is by no means abfolutely true: certain, however, it is, that mankind fuffer more evils from their own imprudence, than from events which it is not in their power to control.

A FROG being wonderfully ftruck with the fize and majefty of an Ox that was grazing in the marshes, could not forbear endeavouring to:

expand herself to the fame portly magnitude. After puffing and fwelling for fome time, "What think you, fifter," faid fhe, "will this do?" Far from it. "Will this?" by no means. "But this furely will?" Nothing like it. In fhort, after many ridiculous efforts to the fame fruitless purpose, the fimple Frog burit her tkin, and miferably expired upon the fpot.

THE

PHE Bull, and feveral other beafts, were ambitious of the honour of hunting with the Lion. His favage majefty graciously condefcended to their defire; and it was agreed, that they fhould all have an equal fhare in whatever might be taken. They fcour the foreft, are unanimous in the purfuit; and, after a very fine chafe, pull down a noble Stag. It was divided with great dexterity by the