with this very civil language, nestled and wriggled about, and hardly knew where she was; but, thinking the Fox a little dubious as to the particular of her voice, and having a mind to set him right in that matter, began to sing, and, in the same instant, let the cheese drop out of her mouth. This being what the Fox wanted, he snapped it up in a moment, and trotted away, laughing to himself at the easy credulity of the Crow. MORAL. Flattery finds favour. APPLICATION. The love of praise is natural to man. It is an instinct implanted in his frame by the Author of his being, as a stimulus prompting him to attain to what is noble and great, and thereby to secure the approbation of the worthy and good. The perversion of this instinct is a proneness to be pleased with flattery, or the too readily listening to praises carrying with them internal evidence to their being undeserved, by the extravagance of the language in which they are framed, or by the clearly shown selfinterested motives of those by whom they are offered. The author has displayed his usual excellent judgment, and deep acquaintance with human nature, in the construction of this fable. The Crow is represented as yielding to the flattery so cleverly and adroitly administered. There are very few who do not, after her example, experience pleasure in hearing their own actions well spoken of, even by persons whose opinion they may secretly care little for. The flatterer, whenever discovered, is despised; yet flattery will to all time find favour. According to the proverb, flatterers will sit in the parlour, while honest men are turned out of doors. Compliments cost nothing, but many pay dear for them. 'Tis an old maxim in the schools, All-potent flattery! universal lord! THE OLD HOUND. AN Old Hound, who had been a very excellent one in his time, and given his master great sport and satisfaction in many a chase, at last, by the effect of years, became feeble and unserviceable. However, being in the field one day, when the stag was almost run down, he happened to be the first that came in with him, and seized him by one of his haunches; but, his decayed and broken teeth not being able to keep their hold, the deer escaped, and threw him quite out. Upon which his master, being in a great passion, and going to strike him, the honest old creature is said to have barked out his apology: "Ah! do not strike your poor old servant; it is not my heart and inclination, but my strength and speed, that fail If what I now am displeases you, pray do not forget what I have been." me. MORAL. Forget not services. APPLICATION. The introduction of Christianity into the world effected a great social revolution, and invested with new sanctions all the various mutual relationships of life. The slave was taught no longer to serve his master with the eye-service of fear and self-interest, but with a singleness of heart. The master was enjoined to show kindness to his slave, as admitted into a new society, in which he had equal privileges with himself, and as remembering that he had a Master in heaven. These motives still continue to prevail, and yet animate, in a greater or less degree, the various members of well-regulated families. In such households, the interests of the master are dear to the servant; and the master, in his turn, does not forget the lengthened services of his domestics, but advises them as opportunities may arise, and takes care that, if their services are dispensed with by reason of their increasing infirmities, they are, in old age, neither deserted nor unprovided for. Small service is true service, while it lasts; Protects the lingering dewdrop from the sun. The owner of the Old Hound in this fable will not have many imitators. The instances will be very rare in which a master will allow a faithful servant to want after he has spent the years of his strength and the better part of his life in his service. Use labourers gently; keep this as a law : |