APPLICATION.

There are certain human actions

which the common consent of mankind in all ages and countries, by the promptings of a universal instinct, has stamped with a verdict of repudiation and infamy. Amongst these, the conduct represented in the person of the bird in this fable stands conspicuous. He who could consent to save his own life at the cost of ruin to his country, and of injury to his own friends and countrymen, especially when that ruin is to be compassed by his own active treachery, is deservedly held up to reprobation. Life is a great boon, but it may be too dearly purchased at the price of personal dishonour. It is related of Konrad Vallenrod, the last chief of the order of Teutonic Knights in Lithuania, that he entered the order, and professed great zeal for its interests, and became its Grand Master, being secretly animated throughout his career with the design of revealing its counsels, betraying its castles, and exposing its armies to their enemies; and that he finally succeeded in thus treacherously effecting its annihilation and destruction. His memory is deservedly held in universal execration. This fable condemns the cowardice which would purchase life at the price of honour; and encourages the noble and unselfish conduct of the man

Who knows the wrongs of want to bear,

E'en in its lowest, last extreme;

Yet can, with conscious virtue, fear

Far worse than death a deed of shame.

In this true patriotism is to be found the best guarantee for the preservation of personal liberty, for the welfare of states, and for the continued independence of nations.

Mine honour is my life-both grow in one;

Take honour from me, and my life is done.

AN Eagle flew down from his eyrie at the summit of a lofty mountain, and fastened his talons into the back of a lamb; and then instantly flying off, bore away into the clouds his bleating prize. A Crow who sat upon a neighbouring elm and beheld the exploit, resolved to imitate it; and so flying down flying down upon the back of a ram, and entangling his claws in the wool, he fell a-chattering and attempting to fly, by which means he attracted the observation of the shepherd; who, finding his feet hampered in the fleece of the ram, easily took him and gave him to his boys for their sport and diversion.

MORAL. Every man is the author of his own fortune.

APPLICATION. How easily does this silly Crow delude himself into a belief that he possesses the strength, and can emulate the speed and imitate the example, of the Eagle in his rapacious flight! The fable is designed to show a truth of universal application, and to exhibit man himself as the creator of his own miseries and the author of his own misfortunes.

Many of the troubles of life are brought on men by their own faults, by their want of experience, by their over-confidence in their own abilities, by their inability to resist temptation, by their yielding to bad examples.

The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices
Make instruments to scourge us.

We should learn from this story to be careful of our actions, and to avoid placing ourselves unnecessarily in positions of temptation. He who voluntarily seeketh danger, if he meet with destruction, perisheth unpitied.

Then be not with your present lot deprest,
But meet the future with undaunted breast.

THE LION, THE ASS, AND THE FOX.

THE Lion, the Ass, and the Fox went a-hunting together in the forest, and it was agreed that whatever was taken should be divided amongst them. They soon killed a large fat Stag, which the Lion ordered the Ass to divide. The Ass, according to the best of his capacity, did so, and made three pretty equal shares. But such even doings not suiting at all with the craving temper of the greedy Lion, he without further delay flew upon the poor Ass, and tore him in pieces, and then bade the Fox divide the prey into two parts. Reynard, who seldom wanted a prompter, had, however, his cue given him sufficiently