124 FABLES. 



observed is true. You litter often, and produce a 

 great many at a time; but what are they: Foxes! 

 I, indeed, may have but one at a time; but you 

 should remember that that one is a Lion. 



APPLICATION. 



OUR productions, of whatsoever kind, are not to 

 be esteemed so much by their quantity as by their 

 quality. It is not being employed much, but well, 

 'and to the purpose, which will make us useful to 

 the age we live in, and celebrated by those which 

 are to come. As the multiplication of Foxes and 

 other vermin is a misfortune to the countries which 

 are infested with them, so one cannot help throwing 

 out a melancholy reflection, when one sees some 

 particular classes of the human kind increase so 

 fast as they do. But the most obvious meaning of 

 this Fable is the hint it gives us in relation to 

 authors. These gentlemen should never attempt 

 to raise themselves a reputation by trumping up a 

 long catalogue of their various productions, since 

 there is more glory in having written one tolerable 

 piece than a thousand indifferent ones; and who- 

 ever has had the good fortune to please in one 

 literary performance, should be very cautious how 

 e stakes his reputation in a second attempt. 



