()6 FABLES. 



and found himself so easy as he had done since he 

 cut off his tail. He then looked round with a brisk 

 air, to see what proselytes he had gained; when a 

 sly old Fox in company answered him, with a leer: 

 I believe you may have found a convenience in 

 parting with your tail, and perhaps when we are in 

 the same circumstances, we may do so too. 



APPLICATION. 



MANY of the fashions which obtain in the world, 

 originate in the whim or caprice of some vain con- 

 ceited creature, who takes a pride in leading the 

 giddy multitude in a career of folly. Others again 

 take their rise from an artful design to cover some 

 vice, or hide some deformity in the person of the 

 inventor. Projectors and planners of a higher 

 stamp are also not uncommon in the world. These 

 men appear to toil only for the public good, and 

 the sacred name of patriotism is their shield. It, 

 however, often happens that when their deep 

 schemes are opened out, they are found to proceed 

 from nothing better than self-interested motives, 

 and a sincere desire to serve themselves. 



