i go 



FABLES. 



uneasiness and disquiet. There is no accident, 

 however trivial, but is capable of disconcerting him, 

 and he becomes absurdly miserable on the most 

 foolish occasion. His good humour is soured in an 

 instant, and he is rendered uncomfortable to him- 

 self, and odious or ridiculous to all about him. He 

 prays with earnestness to the Supreme Being to aid 

 him in all his paltry selfish schemes, or to gratify 

 vanities, for which, as a rational being, he ought to 

 blush and be ashamed. The imaginary distresses, 

 which his unfortunate disposition heightens into 

 severe calamities, are matter of diversion to those 

 who are disposed to sneer at him; and when his 

 pettish humour makes him rave like a madman, 

 and curse his fate, at the dropping of a hat, or the 

 blunder of a servant, even his friends must view 

 his behaviour with a mixed emotion of pity and 

 contempt. 



