Fables are fictions or feigned stories, designed to amuse, or to enforce morai instruction

There was once an old farm-house, so shattered and decayed, that it was used only as a place of storage for corn, old books, clothes, and other articles.

The old shell was so warped and wrecked by wind and time, that the chinks and crevices afforded easy entrance for the mice, who, without leave, entered the premises, and established a commonwealth. Here they frisked and frolicked like mad things. They eat and wasted the corn, and made mince meat of the blankets, which they cut through and through for lodging apartments. Not satisfied with this, they took a fancy to the books, but not knowing how to study them, they amused themselves with stripping off their binding, and gnawing and tearing them, till they were mere chaff

When the farmer learut what depredation was made by these mischievous creatures, he put a faithful cat among them, which made such havock that they soon scampered to their lurking-places, nor durst show a whisker, so long as grimalkin was in sight or hearing.

At length puss having retired, and the doors being shut, the affrightened mice called a council to deliberate upon

what measures might best be adopted to preserve them from the clutches of their furious enemy. There was much debate, and many opinions were offered; but nothing, that seemed to promise relief or safety. A heavy gloom hung over the assembly, and sadness sat on every countenance, some mourning the loss of fathers and mothers. others that of children and friends, who had fallen a prey to the common foe; and all were pale with fear for their lives. How unlike was this to their former meetings, when all were brisk and merry the old rejoiced to see the fio!icks of youth, and the young fatigued themselves with play to make sport for the aged.

The

At length a pert young mouse started up, and in a florid speech, expressed his surprise at the dejection of his fel low-citizens, and gave it as his opinion, that their affairs were not so desperate, as seemed to be imagined. Perhaps, said he, one of you have considered the case so closely as I have. Do but recollect, and you will find, that even a cat with all her lives, can be in but one room at once. difficulty is, to know beforehand which room that will be. We could presently get out of her reach, if we did but know when she was coming. But the misfortune is, she is so sly, that she is upon us in a moment, before we think of it. My advice is, that we procure a small bell, and fasten upon the old cat. so that with all her sly caution it would be impossible for her to approach us without giving an alarm; and then we might defy her atmost speed to overtake us, before we could reach our holes in safety.

it

-The inexperienced part of the audience shouted applause to the young orator, and instantly moved a vote of thanks for his ingenious expedient against future danger.

Upon which an old mouse, gray with age, stood up, and begged to be heard. He said the speech was excellent, and the expedient admirable and the author of it was, no doubt, a mouse of genius; but he thought it not so proper to vote him thanks, till he should go a little farther, and execute his plan by fastening the bell upon the old cat. The young mice perceived they were ridiculed, and the young orator was so mortified, that he hastened away to his hole, nor durst again show his head.

A mail coach was, on a hot summer's day travelling a very dusty road. There were several passengers on important business, all in great haste to get to their journey's cnd. Among the passengers in the coach was a silly fly, who in his own opinion was of more importance than all the rest. He thought it was a very fine thing to travel with a coach and four, and to go so fast without being fatigued.

It happened as they drove along, that a great school of little gentlemen and adies were walking the road. It was a hol'yday, and the uttle folks were dressed in their best attire. As the coach drove by, the wind set full in their faces, and the poor children were almost suffocated with the dust.

Upon my word, said the fly, I am very sorry for those poor children, I am quite grieved I should so incommode them. Had I not been in such extreme haste, I would really have desired the coachman to stop till they had pass ed; but a person of my consequence cannot be expected to pass through the world, without occasional inconvenience to inferiors.

A butterfly, who happened to hear this proud speech, could not help rebuking this self-conceited fly. You insignificant insect, do you think any body here knows any thing