356 FABLES. 



one, who is already great and opulent, will not 

 scruple to add to his overflowing wealth by the 

 most bare-faced peculation upon the public, and 

 yet shall escape punishment, and even censure, 

 through powerful interest with those who ought 

 to be his judges, but allow themselves to be 

 swayed by the splendour of his connections, or 

 corrupted by his money. When justice is intrusted 

 in such hands, then shall we see the description 

 given by one of our satirical poets, of a corrupt 

 court of law, realized. He calls it a place, 



Where little villains must submit to fate. 

 That great ones may enjoy the world in state. 



However, let no one, who violates the law, rest his 

 defence on this plea; for though crimes, committed 

 by his superiors, ought not to escape with impu- 

 nity, yet his own nevertheless deserve punishment. 

 Hence we may also draw a hint, not unworthy of 

 our attention, to endeavour to preserve our own 

 integrity, unshaken in the midst of iniquity, and 

 to shew ourselves unstained by the corruption even 

 of the worst of times. 



