The Lion now interposed, and commanded silence in a tone of authority, which was instantly obeyed. After reprimanding the delinquents for interrupting the harmony of the meeting, he observed: "I am by no means convinced of the advantages to be derived from an attack in the daylight-for myself I should prefer the dusk of the evening. True courage never hesitates because of danger-he presses boldly forward, and meets with victory. But we have not yet been favoured with the opinion of the Elephant; from his acknowledged sagacity, we may hope for the plan of a successful attack."

The Elephant now slowly arose, elevated his trunk, and spoke in the following manner :- "I am by no means certain that my opinion will meet the approbation of this august assembly, yet I hope the reasons which have induced me to adopt it will be heard with patience. I have long and attentively watched the motions of this new race of men, and am fully persuaded that they intend to drive us from our native woods, or to accomplish our utter destruction :-and whether by our union we can prevent it, seems to me a very doubtful matter. That they are more powerful than the ancient tribes, arises principally from the weapons they possess, and the mutual assistance they afford to each other in times of danger. Individually, they are not so bold. The black man has often approached within the length of my trunk before he has struck his assagay into my side. He has provoked the Lion in his den; or induced him to spring over a precipice or a high enclosure, which he had rendered attractive by the bleating of a sheep. How many have been miserably strangled in the woods, or have perished in pits which he has dug by the river's side, and covered over, so as to resemble the solid ground? And those awful blazes of fire, which man alone can produce, the ancient inhabitants lighted every night for their protection and our annoyance. These methods of defence or attack seem to be despised by the new

settlers, who trust almost solely to the sudden explosions which they can direct against us at their pleasure with such deadly effect. The possession of this power more than counterbalances their deficiencies of courage or of skill, and in its application they are often prompted by the most wanton cruelty; for not only we, but their own species also, whose only offence appears to be a darker skin, are shot for their amusement. When their passions are excited by a real or supposed injury, their barbarity knows no bounds: of this I shall relate an instance, from which the assembly may perceive the perfidiousness as well as power of the beings whose destruction forms the subject of our debate :

"Soon after the settlement of the whites in our neighbourhood, the natives had great cause for complaint: they were deprived, on various pretexts, of their most fertile grounds, they were driven farther into the interior, and many of them were put to death: at last, being goaded to desperation, they took their weapons, and, attacking the nearest settlements, killed several of the whites, and put the rest to flight. Having collected the sheep and oxen (who have always been slaves to man), they returned in triumph, thinkng their enemies would never dare to approach them again. But they were deceived. Before the expiration of two moons, a great number of the whites were collected, and marched against them. They spread death and desolation throughout the country, and pursued the natives from one place to another, until they reached the river, near which we are now assemblea. There they halted; and messengers of peace appeared among the whites, offering restitution, and craving forgiveness. A day was appointed when the terms of reconciliation were to be agreed upon, and on that day, from a neighbouring grove, I witnessed the proceedings. Many hundreds of the natives were assembled on the sloping bank of the river. The cattle were give up, and the boundaries of their future poзSES

sions were marked out. The whites appeared to be highly gratified, and in token of friendship, at the conclusion of the interview, threw a number of small trinkets among the natives, and then retired. Suddenly, my attention was arrested by a flash of fire, followed by a tremendous explosion, which proceeded from the bushes immediately above the spot where the natives were busily employed picking up the gifts of their friends. When the smoke cleared away, I saw the margin of the river covered with dead bodies-the stream was dyed with their blood. Of the hundreds who had there assembled, only one escaped to tell the children how their fathers fell by the treachery of the whites. Such, I am afraid, would be our fate were we to brave their power. We might, perhaps, be successful at the first onset, but they would soon collect in such numbers as to destroy every hope of resistance or escape. My advice therefore is, to retire from their settlements-in a few days we should be far beyond their reach, and roam in our wonted security."

"That is my intention," cried the Zebra: "I am free, and never will submit to the yoke of man; but, as Í am unfit to contend with him, I shall flee to the distant mountains."

The Tiger, who, during the speech of the Elephant, had exhibited evident symptoms of impatience, could scarcely restrain his rage, on hearing such sentiments.

The Camelopard now raised his tall and graceful head above the rest of the beasts, and said, "I neither intend to fight nor to flee, but shall remain here, to crop the leaves of the forest. I have no greater reason to complain of the white than of the black inhabitants of this region and less of them than of some of the present assembly. Have not my friend the Antelope and myself been the constant prey of the Lion, the Tiger, and the Wolf?"

Here the Tiger, lashing his sides with his tail, while his eyes flashed fire, made a sudden spring on the Camelopard, and fixed his claws in his back. It was

in vain that the poor animal bounded from the centre of the group, and scoured through the forest-he soon fell dead beneath his foe.

The Antelope, who was admiring his elegant shape and polished horns, reflected in the pool, instead of attending to the debate, started in terror at the noise, and fled with the utmost speed. He was closely pursued by the Wolf and Jackal, who had for some time beheld him with longing eyes.

The thundering roar of the Lion, which was intended to enforce order, only increased the confusion-all fled from him in the greatest disorder, except the Elephant; and he, disliking the angry growl of his companion, soon marched in solemn dignity to his wonted haunts -wondering more at the folly of attempting to subdue their common foe while they were at variance with each other, than at the abrupt termination of the Council of Quadrupeds.

TIT FOR TAT.

A Tale.

A LAW there is, of ancient fame,
By nature's self in every land implanted,
Lex Talionis is its Latin name;
But if an English term be wanted,

Give your next neighbour but a pat,

He'll give you back as good, and tell you-tit for tat.

This tit for tat, it seems, not men alone,
But Elephants, for legal justice own;
In proof of this, a story I shall tell ye,
Imported from the famous town of Delhi.

A mighty Elephant, that swell'd the state
Of Aurungzebe the Great,

One day was taken by his driver
To drink and cool him in the river;

The driver on his neck was seated,
And, as he rode along,

By some acquaintance in the throng,
With a ripe cocoa-nut was treated.

A cocoa-nut's a pretty fruit enough,
But guarded by a shell both hard and tough:
The fellow tried, and tried, and tried,
Working and sweating,

Pishing and fretting,

To find out its inside,

And pick the kernel for his eating.

At length, quite out of patience grown, "Who'll reach me up," he cries,

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a stone,

To break this plaguy shell?
But stay, I've here a solid bone,
May do, perhaps, as well."
So, half in earnest, half in jest,
He bang'd it on the forehead of his beast.

An Elephant, they say, has human feeling,
And full as well as we he knows

The diff'rence between words and blows,
Between horse-play and civil dealing.
Use him but well, he'll do his best,
And serve you faithfully and truly:

But insults unprovoked he can't digest,-
He studies o'er them, and repays them duly.

"To make my head an anvil," thought the creature, "Was never, certainly, the will of Nature;

So, master mine, you may repent:"

Then, shaking his broad ears, away he went:
The driver took him to the water,

And thought no more about the matter;
But Elephant within his men'ry hid it;
He felt the wrong the other only did it.

A week or two elapsed, one market-day
Again the beast and driver took their way: