FABLE IV.

THE ELEPHANT AND THE FOX.

GRAVE and judicious Elephant entering into argument with a pert Fox, who insisted upon his superior powers of persuasion, which the Elephant would not allow, it was at length agreed between them that whichever attracted the most attention from his auditors by his eloquence should be deemed the victor. At a certain appointed time a great assembly of animals attended the trial, and the Elephant was allowed to speak first. He with eloquence spoke of the high importance of ever adhering with strictness to

FABLE IV.

justice and to truth, also of the happiness which resulted from controlling the passions, of the dignity of patience, the inhospitable and hateful nature of selfishness, and the odiousness of cruelty and carnage.

The pert Fox, perceiving the audience not to be much amused by the discourse of the Elephant, made no ceremony, but interrupted the oration by giving a farcical account of all his mischievous tricks and hairbreadth escapes, the success of his cunning, and his adroit contrivances to extricate himself from harm: all which so delighted the assembly, that the Elephant was soon left, in the midst of his wise advice, without a single auditor near him; for they one and all with eagerness thronged to hear the diverting follies and knaveries of the Fox, who of course was in the end declared the victor.

APPLICATION.

The effect these two orators had on the perceptions of their audience was exactly the reverse one to the other. That of the Elephant touched the guilty, like satire, with pain and reproach; even the most innocent was humbled, as none were wholly free from vice, and all felt themselves lowered even in their own opinion, and heard the admonition as an irk-

104

FABLE XLV.

excessive vanity of some men makes them so desirous of distinction, that, not having talents sufficient for great works, nor the humble virtue of industry to produce the lesser fame, yet, rather than pass through life unnoticed, will glory in being remarkable for their vices or their follies. This low and base ambition has been fatal to thousands, and has led them into vices, which their hearts could never sanction, merely for the sake of boasting of their prowess.

J. N.

FABLE XLVI.

105

THE ELEPHANT AND THE WOLF.

N artful rogue of a Wolf came to a stately Elephant and humbly begged to be received as one of his dependants, imagining it might be of some advantage to him to be in the retinue of such a noble protector; but the sagacious Elephant, who well knew the vile nature of the animal, plainly told him that he had been credibly informed of his bloodthirsty character. This made the Wolf prick up his ears, and most earnestly prayed that his excellency the Elephant would inform