heat, and unable to endure it any longer, first throws off his heavy cloak, and then flies for protection to the shade of a neighbouring grove.

MORAL. A soft tongue breaketh the bone.

APPLICATION. How much more powerful a motive in human actions is love than fear! How much more readily does the heart of the man or of the child respond to kindness than to harshness ! There is a very remarkable reflection attributed to the Emperor Napoleon, when, as an exile at St. Helena, he looked back on his past life. He is reported to have said: "My empire, and those of the other great conquerors, Alexander the Great, Cæsar, Charlemagne, were all founded on fear; and all have perished. There was only one based on love, that of the Great Author of Christianity; and that alone continues, and will endure." The spirit of the Master should animate His followers. The law of kindness finds the greatest access to the human heart. suasion prevails more than force. Mildness governs Fair and soft go far in a day.

more than anger.

Seek not with violence to do

What patience may effect;

By gentle means, 'tis easier oft

To heal and to correct.

Per

Loud threatenings make men stubborn, but kind words Pierce gentle breasts sooner than sharpest swords.

THE FROGS DESIRING A KING.

THE Frogs, living an easy, free life every where among the lakes and ponds, assembled together, one day, in a very tumultuous manner, and petitioned Jupiter to let them have a King. Jupiter ridiculed their request; and, throwing a large Log down into the pool, cried, "There is a King for you." The sudden splash which this made by its fall into the water at first terrified them so exceedingly that they were afraid to come near it. But, in a little time, seeing it lay still without moving, they ventured, by degrees, to approach it; and at last, finding there was no danger, they leaped upon it; and, in short, treated it as familiarly as they pleased. But not contented

with so harmless a King, they sent their deputies to petition again for another ruler, for this they neither did nor could like. Jupiter next sent them a Stork, who, without any ceremony, began to devour and to eat them up, one after another, as fast as he could. Then they applied themselves privately to Mercury, and begged him to speak to Jupiter in their behalf, that he would be so good as to bless them again with another King, or restore to them their former Sovereign. "No," says he; "since it was their own choice, let them suffer the punishment due to their folly."

MORAL. Resist not, for slight reasons, constituted authorities.

APPLICATION. The occasion of this fable is well known. Esop was at Athens at the time when Peisistratus availed himself of the factions prevalent in that state to make himself master of the liberties of its people. Although Peisistratus was a just and equitable ruler, the Athenian citizens bore the yoke of his government with much impatience, and entered into frequent plots and cabals for its overthrow. Esop spoke this fable to reconcile the people to his rule, and to caution them lest, in getting rid of Peisistratus, they should find themselves under the lash of a severer taskmaster.

The people of this happy country are remarkable for their loyal attachment to their sovereign. This fable will be ever popular among them. It inculcates lessons of loyalty, and fosters that spirit of obedience so dear to the hearts of Englishmen. At the same time, it teaches that it is better to bear with some slight defects in a mild and gentle government, rather than to seek a remedy in rash innovations or uncalled-for changes, which may result in greater evils.

I would serve my king :
Serve him with all my fortune here at home,
And serve him with my person in the wars,—
As every true-born subject ought.

Let them not live to taste this land's increase,

That would with treason wound this fair land's peace.

THE KITE, THE FROG, AND THE MOUSE.

THERE was once a great strife between the Frog and the Mouse, which should be master of the fen; and wars ensued upon it. But the crafty Mouse, lurking under the grass in ambuscade, made sudden sallies, and often surprised the enemy at a disadvantage. The Frog, excelling in strength, and being more able to leap abroad and take the field, challenged the Mouse to single combat. The Mouse accepts the challenge; and each combatant entered the lists, armed with a point of a bulrush instead of a spear. A Kite, sailing in the air, beheld then. afar off; and, while they were eagerly bent upon each other, and pressing

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