THE PEACOCK. 29 



bird can boast of nothing but outside show. His 

 voice, which is a kind of scream, is unpleasant, and 

 even shocking to the ear ; his legs are black, and so 

 homely, that it is said he will never look at them him- 

 self. He is a voracious eater, and devours plants, 

 seeds, corn and insects, without distinction. In gar- 

 dens, and planted fields, he is such an intolerable nui- 

 sance, that his owner is often obliged to pay money 

 for the damage he commits. 



The disgusting habits and bad conduct of this bird, 

 therefore, make him a disagreeable companion, not- 

 withstanding his beauty. So that those who are well 

 acquainted with him, take little notice of his dress, his 

 character being a matter of much more consequence 

 to them than the fine appearance of his feathers. 



Let this be a lesson to those who expect that per- 

 sonal beauty, and external show, rather than good 

 qualities, will gain them permanent respect, and virtu- 

 ous influence in the world. The truth is, that person- 

 al beauty, like the Peacock's plumage, after being a 

 little while admired, if not combined with other 

 charms, is every where soon forgotten, or despised. 



Let a person be ever so gaudily dressed, and ever 

 so handsome, if he is disgusting in his manners, and 

 overbearing in his conduct, he will soon find himself 

 shunned and hated by every body ; whereas a person 

 of amiable and obliging manners, if neither handsome 

 in person, nor dressed in fine clothes, will always be 

 beloved, and always have influence, wherever he goes. 

 Who would not rather possess the modest Quaker 

 4 



