Infelicity, when we do not only ſquare our Lives in General, according to Vicious Preſidents, but ſet our Hearts in particular (with the Fantaſtical Ape here,) upon this or that Extravagance. No other Sort of Fool would pleaſe him, then the very Counter-part of this Quack. His Miſtake was double; Firſt, he plac'd an Opinion of Happineſs where there was no Ground at all to expect it. Secondly, he parted with his Liberty in Exchange for't; which is the ſame thing with Trucking the Greateſt Bleſſing of Human Nature for the Handy-Work of a Taylor.
Fab. CCCXCVIII.
Boys and Frogs.
A Company of Waggiſh Boys were Watching of Frogs at the ſide of a Pond, and (till as any of ‘em put up their Heads, they'd be Pelting them down again with Stones. Children, (ſays one of the Frogs,) you never Conſider, that though this may be Play to you, 'tis Death to us.
The Moral.
REFLEXION.
'Tis a Dangerous and an Ill Natur'd Liberty, the Wonting or the Suffering of Children to play with Birds and Flies. The Cudgelling of Shroving-Cocks is a Barbarous Cuſtom; and ſo is the common Licenſe that Roguy Boys take in the Streets, of Tearing and Tormenting of Puppies and Kitlings. The very Sport is Cruelty; for 'tis no longer a Laughing Matter, when the Life of a Creature comes to be concern'd. This is a Freedom not to be endur'd, ſo much as in the Spectacle, but much leſs to be Approv'd or Prattic’d, eſpecially by thoſe that are Born and Train'd up to any conſiderable Figure in a Government: For Hard-heartedneſs in Boys, will be Brutality and Tyranny in Men. Softneſs and Tenderneſs of Nature, are the Seeds of a Generous Humanity: Provided always that Children be taught to diſtinguifh betwixt a Benignity and a Facility of Diſpoſition, and that they may not confound Gracious with Effeminate. By this means there may be a Foundation laid of worthy Thoughts, which will ripen in due time into Glorious Actions and Habits, to qualify Men for the Honour and Service of their Country. This Foundation, I ſay, of a Pious and a Virtuous Compaſſion, will Diſpoſe Men afterward, inſtead of adding Affliction to Aflliction, and of Grinding the Faces of the Weak and Innocent, to Miniſter Protection to thoſe that are Oppreſſed.
Fab.
