TALKING among themselves one day.
The Animals, each in their different way
The Silkworm's skill were praising:
"How wonderous fine
She spins her thread! Such talent is divine!
And then the price they fetch is quite amazing!"
Only the Spider had some fault to find;
She showed a critic's view,
Putting in "Ifs" and "Buts" and not a few
Remarks that seemed to them quite out of season.
"Sirs," said the Fox, "you understand the reason?
Madam spins too."
(Florian, Fables, Vol. V, No. 12. Translated by the Rev. Wm. Lucas Collins.)
THE CAT AND THE LOOKING-GLASS
A CAT, perceiving a looking-glass on a lady's toilette-table, jumped up to examine it; but was struck with astonishment at perceiving, as he thought, one of his brethren, in a threatening attitude! Our Puss wishing to join company, finds himself stopped. Surprised, he concludes the glass to be transparent, and goes to the other side, finds nothing, returns, and again the intruder is before him. After a little reflection, lest the other should escape while he walks round the glass, he perches himself astride on the top, with one paw on either side, so that he can seize in any direction. Making sure of his prey, he inclines his head gently towards the glass, and
