9 8 FABLES. 



APPLICATION. 



OF all the appetites to which human nature is 

 subject, none is so lasting, so strong, and so un- 

 accountable, as avarice. Other desires generally 

 cool at the approach of old age; but this flourishes 

 under grey hairs, and triumphs amidst infirmities. 

 All our other longings have something to be said 

 in excuse for them ; but it is above reason, and 

 therefore truly incomprehensible, why a man should 

 be passionately fond of money only for the sake of 

 gazing upon it. His treasure is as useless to him 

 as a heap of oyster-shells; for though he knows 

 how many substantial pleasures it might procure, 

 yet he dares not touch it, and is as destitute, to all 

 intents and purposes, as the man who is not worth 

 a groat. This is the true state of a covetous per- 

 son, to which one of that fraternity perhaps may 

 reply, that when we have said all, since pleasure is 

 the grand aim of life, if there arise a delight to 

 some, from the bare p6ssession of riches, though 

 they do not use, or even intend to use them, we 

 may be puzzled how to account for it, and think it 

 strange, but ought not absolutely to condemn those 

 who thus closely, but innocently, pursue what they 

 esteem the greatest happiness. True ! people 

 would be in the wrong to paint covetousness in 

 such odious colours, were it compatible with inno- 

 cence. But here arises the mischief: a covetous 

 man will stop at nothing to attain his ends; and 

 when once avarice takes the field, honesty, charity, 

 humanity, and every virtue which opposes it, are 

 sure to be put to the rout. 



