A CROW, ready to die with thirst, flew with joy to a Pitcher, which he beheld at some distance. When he came, he found water in it indeed, but so near the bottom, that, with all his straining, he was not able to reach it.

stooping and

Then he en

deavoured to overturn the Pitcher, that so at least he might be able to get a little of it. But his strength was not sufficient for this. At last, seeing some pebbles lie near the place, he cast them one by one into the Pitcher; and thus, by degrees, raised the water up to the very brim, and satisfied his thirst.

MORAL. Counsel before action.

APPLICATION. Force without foresight is of no avail. The possession of mere strength is well enough for the animals; but the chief excellency of man consists in the gift of reason, and in the exercise of that gift; in fertility of invention, and in discovery of resources and expedients in situations of danger and difficulty. He who unites mature reflection with energetic exertion, will succeed where others fail, and will extract from every new trial sources of credit and advantage.

That which is well considered, best succeeds;
That which is well conducted, surest speeds.

See, ere that thou do build, thy purse and plans do match: The hasty hand a frog oft for a fysche dothe catche.

A PORCUPINE wanting to shelter himself, requested from some snakes permission to enter their cave. They were prevailed upon, and let him in accordingly; but were so annoyed with his sharp, prickly quills, that they soon repented of their easy compliance, and entreated the Porcupine to withdraw, and leave them their hole to themselves. "No," says he; "they may quit the place who don't like it; for my part, I am well enough satisfied as I am."

MORAL. They who their friends too lightly choose,
Soon friends and all besides may lose.

APPLICATION. Be cautious in choosing thy companions. A false step is seldom retrieved. Better alone than in bad company. The manners of the man we desire for a friend, the principles of the woman we choose for a wife, the integrity of the person with whom we would jointly manage and concert measures for the advancement of our temporal interest, should be narrowly and cautiously inspected: we should have tried a person well before we embark with him in the same vessel, lest we should alter our mind when it is too late, and think of regaining the shore after we have launched out of our depth.

Be cautious how you choose a friend;

For friendships that are lightly made,

Have seldom any other end

Than grief to see one's trust betrayed.

Who from mishap in life himself would guard,
Must prove his friend as he would prove his sword.

THE HARES AND FROGS IN A STORM.

ONCE in a great storm of wind that blew among the trees and bushes, and made a deep rustling with the leaves, the Hares (in a certain park where there was a vast number of them) were so terrified that they ran as if mad with fright all over the place, resolving to seek out some retreat of more security, or to end their unhappy days by doing violence to themselves. With this resolution they found an outlet where a pale had been broken down, and, bolting forth upon an adjoining common, had not gone far before their course was checked by a broad lake which stopped up the way they intended to take. This was