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they make deep and sore wounds, especially if they proceed from the tongue of a presumed friend. This fable teaches that those who are disposed to be facetious and jocular should keep within the limits of becoming mirth, and be careful not to indulge in remarks tending to raise a laugh at the expense of another's comfort. These foolish jesters are in most cases unworthy of resentment. The best reproof is to treat them, after the example of the Boar in this fable, with silent and dignified contempt.

Wise men, ever cautious, weigh

That which they may have to say.

[graphic]

THE PEACOCK AND THE MAGPIE.

THE Birds met together to elect a king. The Peacock avowed himself a candidate for the throne, and displayed his gaudy plumes with the view of obtaining the votes of the multitude by the richness of his feathers. The majority declared for him, and clapped their wings in token of applause. But just as they were going to proclaim him, the Magpie stepped forth into the midst of the assembly, and addressed himself thus to the new king: "May it please your majesty elect to permit one of your unworthy subjects to represent to you his suspicions and apprehensions in the face of this audience? We

have chosen you for our king, we are about to put our lives and fortunes into your hands, and our whole hope and dependence will be upon you; if, therefore, the eagle, the vulture, or the kite should at any time make a descent upon us, as it is highly probable they will, may your majesty be so gracious as to dispel our fears and clear our doubts about that matter by letting us know how you intend to defend us against them?" This pithy, unanswerable question drew the whole audience into so just a reflection, that they soon resolved to annul their choice, and not to receive the Peacock as their king.

MORAL. Follow not the multitude to do evil.

APPLICATION. The institution of an hereditary monarchy saves our country from all the perils of personal ambition, endless heart-burnings, and perpetual cabals, which are proved by experience to attach themselves to an elective ruler. Whilst our government thus gains strength and stability by its chief executive minister being entirely removed from all fears of rivals or competitors, the liberties of the state and the general good administration of affairs are cemented and secured by the people having a vote in the election of their own representatives to the great council of the nation, and a voice in the nomination of their respective local and municipal

authorities. The constituencies, whether of parliamentary or municipal electors, should not be deluded into accepting the candidates who make the greatest parade of wealth, or who most indulge in declamation. They should honour with their choice those who, by local knowledge, sound experience, excellent judgment, and established reputation, may be most capable of advancing the welfare of the community. This is the moral to be deduced from the fable. The assembly of Birds would have chosen the showy and specious, but vain and useless, Peacock for their king. The multitude, after the same example, are at all times disposed to judge by the flattering words, clap-trap speeches, and attractive appearance, rather than to weigh the real merits, or to consider the fitness and qualifications, of the candidates for their favour.

Nor is the people's judgment always true;
The most may err as greatly as the few.

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THE FORESTER AND THE LION.

A FORESTER meeting with a Lion, a dispute arose as to which was the stronger. The Forester, in support of his argument, pointed to a statue in the forest, representing Hercules bestriding the vanquished Lion. "If this," says the Lion, "is all you have to say, let us be the carvers, and we will make the Lion vanquish the Man."

MORAL. No one is a fair witness in his own cause.

APPLICATION. Nothing is more difficult than to ascertain the exact truth of statements dependent for their verification on human testimony. It is extra

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