THE FATAL MARRIAGE. THE same Lion, touched with the grateful conduct of the Mouse, and resolving not to be outdone in generosity, desired his little deliverer to name his own terms, for that he might depend upon his complying with any proposal he should make. The Mouse, fired with ambition at this gracious offer, did not so much consider what was proper for him to ask, as what was in the power of his prince to grant; and so presumptuously demanded his daughter, the young Lioness, in marriage. The Lion consented; but when he would have given the royal virgin into his possession, she, like a giddy thing as she was, not minding how she walked, by chance set her paw upon her unhappy bridegroom, who was coming to meet her, and crushed him to death. MORAL. Like blood, like goods, and like ages, APPLICATION. Marriage is the most important event in human life between the cradle and the grave. In most cases it either makes or mars, and renders the future either a paradise or a purgatory. An old writer says, Woman was not taken out of man's head, to rule; nor out of his feet, to be subject to him; but out of his side, to be his helpmeet and equal. She that weds well will wisely match her love; The good or ill hope of a good or ill life, A CERTAIN man had a Dog, which was so surly and mischievous, that he was forced to fasten a heavy clog about his neck, to keep him from running at and worrying people. This the vain cur mistook for a badge of honourable distinction; and grew so insolent upon it, that he looked down with an air of scorn upon the neighbouring dogs, and refused to keep them company. But an old dog, one of his companions, assured him that he had no reason to value himself upon the favour he wore, since it was fixed upon him rather as a mark of disgrace than of honour. MORAL. Oh, wad some pow'r the giftie gie us, APPLICATION. Thales, one of the seven sages of ancient Greece, is reported to have said, “For a man to know himself is the hardest thing in the world.” The worst examples of this self-ignorance are to be found in those who glory in the things which, in the estimation of the good and worthy, contribute to their shame. The youth who boasts of his indifference to religion, or of his contempt of his father or mother, or of his disrespect to his master, or of a breach of faith and truth, is reproved under the figure of the Dog in this fable, who is represented as taking pride in that which was the surest token of his misconduct and dishonour. That man must daily wiser grow Whose search is bent himself to know. THE OX AND THE FROG. AN Ox, grazing in a meadow, chanced to set his foot among a parcel of young Frogs, and trod one of them to death. The rest informed their mother, when she came home, what had happened; telling her that the beast which did it was the hugest creature that they ever saw in their lives. "What, was it so big?" says the old Frog, swelling and blowing up her speckled skin to a great degree.-"Oh, bigger by a vast deal," say they.-"And so big?" says she, straining herself yet more.-"Indeed, mother," say they, "if you were to burst yourself, you would never be so big." She strove yet again, and burst herself indeed. |