The Feliciana Democrat., 1858-08-14
Tbe fslitimla @tmotrat.
DIR. FRANKLIN'S FABLE.

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both in councils at home and in diplomacy
abroad, cannot be exaggerated. In the most
cultivated circles of England and France, he
found no superior in racy wit, or keen pene-
tration, or ready repartee. The following i'm
promptu fable is a specimen OF his invariable
readiness to defend the honor of his country,
when surrounded by those who had little sym
pathy with its institutions
Lord Spencer was % great admirer of DR..
Franklin, aud never missed sending him card
when he intended quorum Of learned ones at
his table. The last time that our philosopher
enjoyed the honor, was in l7E5, just before he
was driven from England by Lord North
The conversation taking a turn on fables, Lord
Spencer observed that it had certainly been a
very lucky thing, especially for the young, that
this mode of instruction had ever been hit on,
as there is something wonderfully calculated
to touch a favorite string with them, .. G. nov
city and surprise. They would listen, he said.
to fox, when they would not to a father, and
they would be more apt to remember anything
good told them by an owl or crow than by an
uncle or aunt. But am afraid" continued
his lordship, that the age Of fables is past
Esop and PhGdrus among the ancientr, and
Fontaine and Gay among the moderns, have
given us SO many fine speeches from the birds
and beasts, that | suspect their budgets are
pretty nearly exhausted"
The company conceded with his lordship,
except Franklin, who was silent.
"Wel DOCTOR" said Lord Spencer, "what
is your opinion on this subject 7"
"Why, my lord" replied Franklin, II can.
not say that have the honor to think with
you in this affair The birds and beasts have
indeed said great many wise things ; but it
is likely they will say great many more yet
before they are done. Nature am thinking,
is not quite so easily exhausted as your lord
ship seems to imagine"
Lord Spencer, evidently confused, but still
with that countenance Of pleasure which char
acterizes great souls when they NEE. superior
genius, exclaimed, "Well, doctor, suppose you
give us a fable know that you are good at
an impromptu."
The company all seconded the motion
Franklin thanked them for the compliment
but begged to be excused. They would hear
no excuse. They knew, they said, he could
do it, and insisted he should crafty them
Finding all resistance Intellectual, he drew his
pencil, and, after scribbling q few minutes,
reached it to Spencer, saying, "Wcll, my Lord,
since you will have it So here's something fresh
from the brain, but I'm afraid you'll not find
Esop in it,"
"Read it, doctor, read it " was the cry of
the noble Lord and his friends.
In mood respectful and pleasant, Franklin
thus began -"Once upon a time--hcm las
an eagle, in the full pride of his pinons, scared
over an humble farm-yard, darting his eyes
around in search of pig, lamb, or some such
pretty titbit, what should he behold but q
plump young rabbit, as he thought, squatted
among the weeds. Down at once upon him he
pounced like thunder, and bearing him aloft iu
his talons, thus chucked to himself with Joy
POUNDS, what lucky dog am such a nice
rabbit here, this morning, for my breakfast !'
"His joy was but nomentary ; for the sup
posed rabbit happened to be a stout cat, who
splitting and raging, instantly stuck his teeth
and nails, like any wildcat squallng with fu
ry, into the eagles thighs, making the blood
and feathers fly at dreadful rate
"'Hold hold for mercy's sake, hold?' cried
the eagle, his wings shivering in the air with
very torment
"'Villain pretorted thu cat, with tigerlike
growl, dare you talk Of mercy after treating
me thus, who never injured you? ?"
40, God bless you Mr. Cat, is that you
rejoined the eagle, mighty complaisant; 'pon
honor, did not intend, sir. / thought it was
only rabbit had got hold of-and you know
we are fond ofrabbits. Do You suppose, my
dear sir, that if had but dream't it was you
! would ever have touched hair fyour head!
No, indeed am not such a fool as all that
comes to- And now, my dear Mr. Cat come
let's be good friends agau, and I'll let you &c
with all my3 heart
"'Yes, you'll let me Co. scoundrel will you
here from the clouds-to break every bone
in my skin No, villain, carry me back, and
put me down exactly where you found me, OF
I'll tear the throat out of you in a moment
"Without word of reply, the eagle stoop
ed from his giddy height, and sailing humbly
down, with great complasance restored the cat
to his simple farm-yard, there to sleep or hunt
his rats and mice at pleasure"
A solumn silence ensued. At length, with
deep prophetic sigh, Lord Spencer thus re.
piled, "Ah, Doctor Franklin, see the drift
of your fable, and my fears have already made
the application. God grant that Britain may
not prove the eagle, and America the cat.''
The fable paraphrased in the Wing papers Of
that dow oonoludoc in this wav