344 FABLES. 



it upon the Horse, together with the skin of the 

 dead Ass, and when he felt tired with walking, he 

 also mounted himself. The Horse is said to have 

 often muttered as he went along, Well, this is my 

 proper punishment, for refusing to help my fellow- 

 servant in the depth of his distress. 



APPLICATION. 



HE who has no compassion in his breast, is 

 unworthy the title of a man; and the heart that 

 feels no anguish at the misfortunes of others, nor a 

 desire to relieve those who groan under a load of 

 sorrow, is destitute of the very grounds and prin- 

 ciples of virtue. The eye that has no tear for the 

 griefs of a friend, is also blind to its own interest; 

 for the burden of human affairs must be borne by 

 some or other of us, and the duty, as well as the 

 common necessity of helping one another, ought 

 not to be shuffled off by the unworthy expression 

 of " it is none of my business ;" for the business of 

 society is more or less the business of every man 

 who lives in it; and he who permits his weak 

 brother, for want of timely assistance, to sink 

 under a greater weight than he is able to sustain, 

 deserves to be punished for his cruelty, by being 

 obliged to bear the whole of his own distressing 

 burdens himself. The Fable also hints at the 

 miseries which poor dumb useful animals undergo, 

 from the injudicious management or cruel treatment 

 of those under whose government they have the 

 misfortune to fall. These kind of "hogs in armour" 

 ought to be taught by their own sufferings, the 

 benevolent text, that "A merciful man will be 

 merciful to his beast." 



