l8o FABLES. 



APPLICATION. 



A wise man, however low his condition in life, 

 looks forward through the proper and natural 

 course and connection of causes and effects ; and in 

 so doing, he fortifies his mind against the worst 

 that can befal him. It is of no small importance to 

 the honest and quiet part of mankind, who desire 

 nothing so much as to see peace and virtue 

 flourish, to consider well the consequences that 

 may arise to them out of the quarrels and feuds of 

 the great, and to endeavour, by every means in 

 their power, to avoid being in any way drawn in 

 by their influence to become a party concerned in 

 their broils and disputes: for no matter in which 

 w r ay the strife between the high contending parties 

 may terminate, those who may have had the mis- 

 fortune to be concerned with them, ought to think 

 themselves well off if they do not smart for it 

 .severely in the end. How often has it happened, 

 that men in eminent stations, who want to engross 

 all power into their own hands, begin, under the 

 mask of patriotism, to foment divisions and form 

 factions, and excite animosities between well- 

 meaning, but undiscerning people, without whose 

 aid in one way or another they could not succeed ; 

 but who, at. the same time, little think that the 

 great aim of their leaders is nothing more than the 

 advancement of their own private interest, or 

 ambitious ends. The good of the public is always 

 pretended upon such occasions, and may some- 

 times happen to be tacked to their own ; but then 

 it is purely accidental, and never was originally 

 intended. 



