Daily Converſation for we have Banterers in Religion, in Point of Honour, and upon all the Diſteſſes of Human Life. He that has no Pity or Compaſſion for the Miſerable, is not in Truth of a Reaſonable Make; for Tenderneſs of Nature is but a kind of Lay-Charity; and a Body can be no more a Good Man without the One, then a Good Chriſtian without the Other. Let a Man be never ſo Wicked, 'tis a Baſe and an Unmanly thing to Inſult upon him in his Calamity, His Puniſhment may be Juſt; and when he ſuffers Juſtice, 'tis all that a Good and a Generous Man can wiſh for in the Caſe.
The Scomms of Great Men, or Buffoons of Quality, are every jot as Wolviſh in Converſation, as they are here in the Fable; though 'tis look'd upon, I know, as a Mark of Breeding, and the Indication of a Man that has Notable Skill in the World, to turn the Earneſt of all Things and Duties, Sacred and Civil, into a Jeſt, and to put the Common Principles of Faith, Truth, Juſtice and Reſpect, out of Countenance. Now in all theſe Caſes, the Preſident is as Dangerous, as the Practice is Odious, where the Quality of the Droll ſerves to Authoriſe the Indignity; But from a Fox, that's made up of Trick and Treachery, there’s no better to be Expected.
Fab. CCCCXI.
Two Travellers find an Oyſter.
AS Two Men were Walking by the Sea-Side, at a Low-water, they ſaw an Oyſter, and they both Pointed at it together: The One Stoops to take it up; the other gives him a Puſh, and tells him, ‘tis not yet Decided whether it ſhall be Yours or Mine. In the Interim, while they were Diſputing their Title to’t, comes a Paſſenger that way, and to him they referr'd the Matter by Conſent, which of the Two had the Better Right to the Oyſter. The Arbitrator very Gravely takes out his Knife, and Opens it; the Plaintiff and Defendant at the ſame time Gaping at the Man, to ſee what would come on't. He Looſens the Fiſh, Gulps it down, and ſo ſoon as ever the Morſel was gone the way of all Fleſh, wipes his Mouth, and Pronounces Judgment. My Maſters, (ſays he, with the Voice of Authority) The Court has Order'd each of ye a Shell, withcut Coſts; and ſo pray go Home again, and Live Peaceably among your Neighbours.
The Moral.
REFLEXION.
