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

so grievous a disappointment, that they were not able to bear it; and they determined rather to throw themselves headlong into the water, let what would come of it, than lead a life so full of dangers and crosses. But, upon their coming to the brink of the lake, a number of Frogs, which were sitting there, frighted at their approach, leapt into the flood in great confusion, and dived to the very bottom for fear: which a cunning old Hare observing, called to the rest and said: "Hold! have a care what ye do ; here are other creatures, I perceive, which have their fears as well. as we don't, then, let us fancy ourselves the most miserable of any creatures upon earth; but rather let us, by their example, learn to bear patiently those inconveniences which our nature has thrown upon

us."

MORAL. Beware of desperate steps.

APPLICATION. Of all the weaknesses to which flesh is heir, despair is the most irrational and unmanly. It is the offspring of an unworthy fear, of an undue impatience, and of an entire distrust of divine Providence; and indicates a total absence of that spirit and resolution in contending with difficulties which is the peculiar characteristic and dignity of a reasonable creature. Against this spirit of despondency the fable protests. It lifts the word of

warning against that disordered imagination which unduly magnifies dangers, makes its victims their own self-tormentors, and brings them under the miserable thraldom of an ever present expectation of calamities. As long as there is life, there is hope. All the clouds in the sky do not drop. Good heart in evils doth the evils much amend. Tu ne cede

malis, sed contra cendentior ito.

Do not t' invading ills thyself resign,

But 'gainst their force with greater strength combine;
For when th' are scattered, a serene repose

Will all thy vanquished difficulties close.

Though plunged in ills, and exercised in care,
Yet never let the noble mind despair.

The

THE Wolf having laid in store of provision, kept close at home, and made himself comfortable. Fox observed this, and went to visit him, to inform himself of the truth of the matter. The Wolf excused himself from seeing him, by pretending he was very much indisposed. All this did but confirm the Fox in his suspicions: so away he went to a shepherd, and made discovery of the Wolf; telling him he had nothing else to do but to come with a good weapon, and knock him on the head as he lay in his cave. The shepherd followed his directions and killed the Wolf. The wicked Fox enjoyed the cave and pro

visions to himself, but enjoyed them not long; for the same shepherd, passing afterwards by the same hole, and seeing the Fox there, despatched him also.

MORAL. Harm hatch, harm catch.

APPLICATION. How frequently does human experience provide proofs of the truth of this fable! The evil that men plot for others often, by a righteous retribution, recoils on themselves. "Curses," says an Eastern proverb, "like chickens, come home to roost." He that striketh with the sword shall be beaten with the scabbard.

præbemus crura sagittis."

"Cædimus, inque vicem

The evil deed

Brings its requital as the doer's meed.

To him who mischief seeks, shall mischief fall;
There comes an hour that recompenses all.