HO FABLES. 



APPLICATION. 



THERE is no depending upon a second-hand in- 

 terest; unless we know ourselves to be w r ell with 

 the principal, and are assured of his favour and 

 protection, we stand upon a slippery foundation. 

 They are strangers to the world who are so weak 

 as to think they can be w r ell with any one by proxy; 

 they may by this means be cajoled, bubbled, and 

 imposed upon, but are under great uncertainty as 

 to gaining their point, and may probably be treated 

 with scorn and derision in the end. Yet there are 

 not wanting among the several species of fops, silly 

 people of this sort, who pride themselves in an 

 imaginary happiness, from being in the good 

 graces of a great man's friend's friend. Alas! the 

 great men themselves are but too apt to deceive 

 and fail in making good their promises, how then 

 can we expect any good from those who do but 

 promise and vow in their names r To place a con- 

 fidence in such sparks, is indeed so false a reliance, 

 that we ought to be ashamed to be detected in it ; 

 and, like the Dog in the Fable, rather own we had 

 been well treated, then let the world see how justly 

 we had been punished for our ridiculous credulity. 



