150 FABLES. 



the edge of the shelf, and squeaked out thus: Aha! 

 Airs. Puss, are you there then: There may you be; 

 but I would not trust myself with you, though your 

 skin were stuffed with straw. 



APPLICATION. 



\VK cannot be too much upon our guard against 

 fraud and imposition of every kind; and prudence 

 in many cases would rather .counsel us to forego 

 some advantages, than endeavour to gain them at 

 a risk of which we cannot certainly ascertain the 

 amount. We should more particularly suspect 

 some design in the professions of those who have 

 once injured us ; and though they may promise 

 fairly for the future, it is no breach of charity to 

 doubt their sincerity, and decline their proposals, 

 however plausible they may appear; for experience 

 shews that many of the misfortunes which we ex- 

 perience through life, are caused by our own too 

 great credulity. 



