THE WANTON CALF.

A CALF, full of play and wantonness, seeing the Ox "What

at plough, could not forbear insulting him. a sorry, poor drudge you are," says he, "to bear that heavy yoke upon your neck, and go all day drawing a plough at your tail, to turn up the ground for your master! but you are a wretched, dull slave, and know no better, or surely you would not do it. See what a happy life I lead: Igo just where I please; sometimes I lie down under the cool shade, sometimes frisk about in the open sunshine; and, when I please, slake my thirst in the clear, sweet brook; but you, if you were to perish, have not so much as a

little dirty water to refresh you." The Ox, not at all moved with what he said, went quietly and calmly on with his work; and, in the evening, was unyoked and turned loose. Soon after which, he saw the Calf taken out of the field, and delivered into the hands of a priest, who immediately led him to the altar, and prepared to sacrifice him. His head was hung round with fillets of flowers, and the fatal knife was just about to be applied to his throat, when the Ox drew near and whispered him to this purpose: "Behold the end of your insolence and arrogance; it was for this only you were suffered to live at all. And pray now, friend, whose condition is best, yours or mine ?"

MORAL. Youth and folly are frequent companions.

APPLICATION. Be merry and wise. Fun and playfulness are natural to youth. Boys will be boys, and sometimes, in the very exuberance of their spirits, without intention of harm, fall into mischief. They never more forget themselves than when they make a joke of things sacred, fail in respect to their superiors in age or station, ridicule those in affliction and distress, or despise the counsels of the aged and experienced. The fable affords a warning against this spirit of heedlessness, and is designed to point

out, that ill-timed jokes and unworthy jests upon their betters will recoil on the heads of those who make them.

HERCULES AND THE CARTER.

As a Carter was driving his loaded wagon along a deep miry lane, the wheels stuck so fast in the clay, that the horses could not draw them out. Upon this, he fell on his knees and prayed to Hercules to come and help him. Hercules, looking down from a cloud, bid him not lie there like an idle rascal as he was, but get up, whip his horses stoutly, and clap his own shoulder to the wheel; adding, that this was the only way for him to obtain his assistance.

MORAL. themselves.

APPLICATION. No one is willing to help a person who does not help himself. To do so would be lost labour,—a writing upon water, a sowing upon sand, a watering a brick. If we would expect our prayers to be heard, we must labour to prosper, and pray as well as work; or, as the Spanish proverb quaintly says:

Pray to God devoutly,
Hammer away stoutly.

See first that the design is wise and just;
That ascertained, pursue it resolutely.
Do not for one repulse forego the purpose
That you resolved to effect.

The pleasing way is not the right;

They that would conquer heav'n, must fight.