302 FABLES. 



APPLICATION. 



IT is impossible for any man to take a true 

 measure of the abilities of another, without an 

 exact knowledge and true judgement of his own; 

 a false estimate of which always exposes him to 

 ridicule, and sometimes to danger. Every man 

 ought therefore to examine the strength of his own 

 mind with attention and impartiality, and not 

 fondly to flatter himself that he can by an awk- 

 ward and ill-judged emulation soar to the height 

 which has been attained by men endowed by 

 nature with great abilities and original talents, 

 matured by industry. We can no more adopt the 

 genius of another man, than we can assume his 

 shape and person. The bright original in every 

 department of the arts and sciences will be valued 

 and esteemed, whilst his puny imitators will be 

 treated with neglect, or be despised. Almost 

 every man has something original in himself, 

 which, if duly cultivated, might perhaps procure 

 him respect and applause, and it is creditable for 

 him to endeavour justly to obtain them. 



