2Q2 FABLES. 



immediately, nay often before we give ourselves 

 time to consider about it, we are struck with fear, 

 and labour under a most unmanly and unreason- 

 able trepidation : more especially if the alarm hap- 

 pens when we are alone, and in the dark. These 

 fears are ingrafted into our minds very early, and 

 therefore it is the more difficult, even when we are 

 grown up, and ashamed of them, to root them out 

 of our nature. They are chiefly the offspring of 

 the nursery, and originate in the many terrific 

 tales, and lying stories, of those who have the 

 management there; and though every pains be 

 aftenvards taken to free the mind from the im- 

 pression of such groundless fears, the weaker part 

 of mankind are still apt to be terrified at the empty 

 phantoms of ghosts, spectres, apparitions, and hob- 

 goblins. But whatever effect such phantasies may 

 have upon the guilty mind, innocence has nothing 

 to dread from supernatural causes. Fear is, how- 

 ever, a natural passion, and its use is to put us 

 upon our guard against danger, by alarming the 

 spirits; but it, like all our other passions, should 

 be kept in a state of subjection : for though they 

 are all good and useful servants, yet if once they 

 get the better of our reason, they prove the most 

 domineering tyrants imaginable; nor do any of 

 them treat us in so abject and slavish a manner as 

 fear: it unnerves and enfeebles our limbs, while it 

 fetters our understandings; and at the same time 

 that it represents a danger near at hand, disarms 

 and makes us incapable of defending ourselves 

 from it. But we ought to call forth a sense of 

 honour and shame, to correct such weaknesses; 

 and for this purpose it will be useful to remember 

 the Fable of the Lion and the Frog. 



