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FABLES. 



WE ought never to change our situation in life, 

 nor undertake any action of importance, without 

 first duly and deliberately weighing the conse- 

 quences that may follow, in all their different 

 bearings. It is commonly owing to the neglect of 

 such wholesome precautions, that numbers of 

 young people are led into unfortunate matches, 

 suddenly made up; and others are from the same 

 causes led into a round of profuse living, or into 

 gaming and other extravagant conduct, which is 

 sure to terminate in ruin. To look before we leap, 

 is a maxim worthy of being remembered by all 

 ranks and conditions of men, from the lowest to the 

 highest: even kings may reap benefit by it; for 

 when they inconsiderately execute those schemes 

 which their wicked counsellors advise, they have 

 often abundant reason to repent. By this blind 

 stupidity, wars are commenced, from which a state 

 cannot be extricated either with honour or safety; 

 and unwise projects are encouraged by the rash 

 accession of those who never considered the conse- 

 quences, or how they were to get out, till they had 

 plunged themselves irrecoverably into them. 



