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clothes; so he went and sold them, and spent the money among his idle companions. When this sum was gone, he took another solitary walk in the same place as before. But the weather having changed, and become again severe and frosty, everything bore an aspect very different from what it did before; the brook was now quite frozen over, and the poor Swallow lay dead upon its bank. The sight restored the Young Man to himself; and, coming to a sense of his misery, he reproached himself as the author of all his misfortunes. "Ah, wretch," says he, "thou hast undone thyself in being so credulous as to think that one swallow could make a summer."

MORAL. In fair weather be prepared for foul.

APPLICATION.

The Prodigal in this fable is a true character. How many, after his example, live only in the present hour, and, availing themselves to the utmost of every passing enjoyment, think not about the future! Yet the law of moral consequences is imposed on man as the condition of his being. As he sows, he must reap. The misspent youth is the precursor of remorse and self-indignation in later years. No one can tell what a day may bring forth. Many a bright morning is succeeded by clouds and tempest before night. A prudent young man will endeavour to turn his time-the best talent that he

has to advantage. Warned by the example of this Prodigal, he will do well to avoid alike his folly and his repentance.

Fool, giggle on, and waste thy wanton breath;
Thy morning laughter breeds an evening death.

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THE MAN AND HIS GOOSE.

A CERTAIN Man had a Goose, which laid him a golden egg every day. Not contented with this good fortune, which rather increased than abated his avarice, he was resolved to kill the Goose, so that he might come at the inexhaustible treasure which he fancied she had within her. He did so, and, to his great sorrow and disappointment, found nothing.

MORAL. Much will always want more.

APPLICATION.

Labour is ordained, for wise pur

poses, to be the normal condition of human life. The

This

rightly educated child is taught, in language framed with an equal proportion of sound piety and of sterling good sense, to learn and labour truly to get his own living. Honourable efforts to save something against an evil day are to be commended as acts of prudence, and objects of legitimate ambition. This fable is only designed to caution men against that inordinate thirst for riches, and that insatiable love of money, which degenerates into covetousness. passion of avarice keeps its victims in perpetual torment. It harasses them with incessant fear lest they should lose what they have, and yet tempts them, under the pressure of a desire for increase, to incur the risk of hazardous ventures and of doubtful speculations. The covetous man, like the Man who slew his Goose that lay the golden eggs, wants more, and, in his eagerness to attain it, loses all. Covetousness bursts the bag, and brings nothing home.

Happy the man, without a wish for more,

Who quietly enjoys his little store;

And knows to Heaven with gratitude to pay

Thanks for what's given and for what's ta'en away.

Foul, cankering rust the hidden treasure frets;
But gold that's put to use, more gold begets.

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THE DOG AND THE WOLF.

A LEAN, hungry, half-starved Wolf, prowling along for food on a clear moonlit night, fell in with a goodlooking and well-fed Mastiff; and after the compliments of meeting were duly passed between them, the Wolf commenced the conversation: "You look extremely well, my friend; I vow that I do not think I ever saw a better looking or more comely person : but how comes it about, I beseech you, that you should live so much better than I? I may say, without vanity, that I venture fifty times more than you do, and yet I am almost ready to perish with hunger." The Dog answered very bluntly, "Why,

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